| 1. The Bible: I believe the 66 books of the Bible are the
word of God, all directly inspired by him. Through inspiration,
God has given a message without errors except where errors
of translation or copying have occurred. My faith and beliefs
are based entirely on the Bible.
Chapters 1-5 Heb 1:1-2; 2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21.
2. God: I believe there is only one God, the Father, who created
all things. He is the eternal king, all wise and all powerful,
everywhere present by his power, the Holy Spirit. God is righteous,
just, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding
in love and faithfulness, and forgiving sin. Yet he does not
leave the guilty unpunished.
Chapters 7-15 Deut 6:4; Psa 103:8-10; 139:7-10; Isa 45:6,12; Luke 1:35; Acts 17:24-29; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 Tim 1:17; 2:5; 6:15-16.
3. Jesus: I believe the man Jesus of Nazareth is the only
begotten son of God, born of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit.
He was sent by God to be the anointed king and “righteous
one” predicted by the prophets and shown to be the son
of God by miracles performed through the power of the Holy
Spirit. Although sinless, he suffered and was crucified, yet
did not decay but rose to everlasting life and ascended to
heaven having been glori?ed and appointed judge of the living
and the dead.
Chapters 33-44 Luke 1:26-35; 3:23-38; Acts 2:22-36; 3:13-26; 17:31; Php 2:5-11; 1 Tim 2:5; 3:16; Heb 2:14-18; 4:15.
4. Sin and death: I believe sin is disobedience to God and
it results in death. Death is a state of unconsciousness as
a person turns to dust. Only Jesus has obeyed God completely.
Chapters 16-32 Psa 146:4; Rom 3:23; 6:23; Heb 4:14-15.
5. Promises: I believe God has selected particular people
throughout history (such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David)
and made promises to them. In this way God promised possession
of the land of Israel and the coming of a son and a blessing
for all nations. This son will rule on the throne of David
for ever. These promises have only been Fulfilled in part and
are to be completely Fulfilled in Jesus when he returns.
Chapters 34,45,50 Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 2 Sam 7:12-16; Lk 1:30-33; Gal 3:26-29. 6. Israel: I believe God chose the nation of Israel as his
own because of his love for their fathers. He gave them his
law, prophets, promises and the land of Israel, and cared
for and disciplined them through their history. Jesus was
sent first to the nation of Israel which rejected him as prophesied
and in doing so rejected the salvation he offered. Despite
this, God has not rejected the nation of Israel. People from all nations may be part of his family and heirs of the promises.
Chapters 45-46 Deut 7:7-8; 2 Chr 36:15-16; Mt 15:24; Acts 13:46; Rom 11:1-2,25-27; Gal 3:26-29.
7. What is offered to believers: I believe that Jesus died
as a sacrifice for us, so that our sins can be forgiven and
we can be reconciled to God. By the grace of God in Jesus,
salvation, resurrection and eternal life in God’s kingdom
are offered as fulfilment of God’s promises to all people
on earth who will believe.
Chapters 39,42-43, 48-50 Acts 4:12; 8:12; Rom 6:3-5; 8:1-4; 1 Cor 15:50-57; Eph 2:4-8; 5:2; Heb 10:12-14; 1 Pet 1:3-9.
8. Kingdom of God: I believe that Jesus will return to earth
to raise the dead, just and unjust, and judge them. When Jesus
returns he will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and
rule with righteousness, justice and peace. His kingdom will
extend over the whole earth. Eventually all enemies, including
death, will be destroyed. He will then hand over the kingdom
to God.
Chapters 45-52 2 Sam 7:1-16; Isa 11:1-9; Dan 12:2; Mt 25:31-46; Lk 1:31-33; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 15:26,28; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Heb 2:14.
9. What is required of believers: I believe God has commanded
me to repent of my sins, to be baptised (by full immersion)
in the name of Jesus and to worship God sincerely and
with all my heart in faith and obedience to his commands.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, and my works
must show my faith and my repentance.
Chapters 11-12, 31,42 Ecc 12:13; Mk 2:17; 6:12; 16:16; Rom 6:1-23; Php 1:27; Jms 1:19-27; Heb 11:6; 1 Pet 1:13-25. 10. Fellowship: I believe I must constantly seek God’s
help and forgiveness through prayer, and his wisdom in thoughtful
reading of his word. I must meet regularly with other believers
so we can encourage each other and share bread and wine in
memory of Jesus’ death and resurrection. I must strive
for unity and peace with fellow disciples.
Chapters 6,10,40, 58,61 Mt 6:9-15; Jn 15:7-8; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Php 2:1-4; 4:6; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 10:24-25.
11. Fruit of the Spirit: I believe that God requires me to
stop following sinful ways such as jealousy, pride, temper,
drunkenness, greed and idolatry. Instead, I aim to show the
fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Chapters 14,22-24, 30,56-57, 73-74 1 Cor 6:9-10; 13:4-8; Gal 5:19-25; Php 4:4; Col 3:5-14.
12. Speech: I believe that I must always tell the truth, and
speak to others with courtesy and respect. In all I say, my
aim is to help others to grow in the Lord-so I never gossip
or use foul language. I am always ready to explain my beliefs
to anyone.
Chapters 62,71 Mt 12:36-37; Mk 16:15; Eph 4:29-31; 5:4; Col 3:8-9, 4:6; 2 Tim 2:24-25; 1 Pet 3:15.
13. Marriage: I believe marriage is a partnership between
a man and a woman which is intended to provide loving companionship
and children. Children are a heritage of the Lord and must
be cherished and nurtured. Husbands are to love their wives
and wives are to love and submit to their husbands. Sexual
relations outside marriage are forbidden. I believe I should
marry a fellow believer. I believe marriage should be entered
into for life-God hates divorce.
Chapters 22,66-67 Gen 2:18-24; Psa 127:3; Mal 2:15-16; 1 Cor 6:9; 7:39; Eph 5:22-23; Tit 2:4; Heb 13:4.
14. Dealing with people: I believe that in all my dealings
with people I must maintain godly conduct and show love to
my neighbour. I must do all things as if doing them for the
Lord, and serve others cheerfully without favouritism. I will
be judged in the same way that I judge others.
Chapters 61,68-69 Mt 5:38-6:4; 7:1-5,12; 22:34-40; Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:23-24; Jms 2:1-13; 1 Pet 2:11-21.
15. Money: I believe I must avoid loving money. Instead, I
must be content and responsible with the money and possessions
I have, and rely on God to provide for my needs. I must be
generous, giving to those in need.
Chapters 14,64-65 Mt 6:19-21; 2 Cor 9:6-7; 1 Tim 6:8-10,17-19; Heb 13:5.
16. Law and violence: I believe that I must obey the laws
of the country in which I live provided they do not contradict
the commandments of God. I refuse to participate in violence
or go to war. I consider myself a “stranger and pilgrim”
on the earth. If others are violent towards me or seek to
defraud me, I believe I should “turn the other cheek”.
Chapters 29,32,54, 61,68 Mt 5:38-48; Acts 5:29; Rom 12:16-13:7; 1 Cor 6:1-8; Heb 11:13. |