What
We Believe
The
Basis of Faith of The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
1.
GOD
There is one God, who exists eternally in three
distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is
the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all
things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
2.
THE BIBLE
God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists
of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God
through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its
entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and
doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always
sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
3.
THE HUMAN RACE
All men and women, being created in the image
of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose
is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first
parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men
and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to
God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and
needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know
and please him.
4.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless
life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his
words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing
God's punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose
from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where
he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence
of the Father.
5.
SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a work of God's grace and
cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus
Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives
sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe
in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God
and receive eternal life.
6.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify
Christ and to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts
spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He
indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing
likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members
for worship, service and mission.
7.
THE CHURCH
The universal Church is the body of which Christ
is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible
in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed
to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the
administering of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; for pastoral care and
discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed
within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement.
True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful
to the gospel.
8.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord's Supper have been given
to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is
a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but does not
impart spiritual life. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's
sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and
wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
9.
THE FUTURE
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He
will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked
will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed
into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all
things new and will be glorified forever.