Our Beliefs
-
What makes a person acceptable to God? We are accepted through
faith in Christ alone and by His reconciling death on the cross, by His
suffering in our place and His resurrection for us. We are sanctified
by His Holy Spirit who leads us into truth, transforms us into Christ's
image, and enables us to serve him. in this world.
-
Why Jesus and not other religious figures in history?
Jesus
Christ alone is the full revelation of God, who through the Gospel judges
and corrects all views and doctrines. All people need Him, to know and
believe in Him, and receive forgiveness and new life in Him as there is no
other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.
-
Why does the Church exist? The Biblical social
commandments are foundational to the well-being of every society. All
Christians are to be faithful witnesses, committed to seek ways to express
these commandments and principles in all spheres of life, including the
public life of the nation. The three main tasks of the Church
are Christian Formation (bringing people to maturity in Christ), Outreach
and Worship (experiencing God in a personal relationship through Jesus).
-
What is distinctive about us as human beings? All human life is
a sacred gift from God and is to be protected and defended from conception
to natural death. We uphold the sanctity of human life as being the
image of God with each one having an eternal soul. It is not our call
to judge or condemn but neither should we be silent when the grace and
compassion of Christ can be brought to those who face the suffering pf
previous abortion, unwanted pregnancy and end-of-life illness.
-
What is the place of marriage? Of those who are single?
God has
instituted marriage to be a life-long union of husband and wife, intended
for their mutual joy, help and comfort; for the procreation and nurture of
godly children; and for the blessing of society. Therefore we require
any man or woman seeking to be united in the Covenant of Marriage, to
participate in an appropriate period of premarital preparation, which, in
the case of those living together out of wedlock, we require them to
separate and honor each other until marriage and live in an accountable way
until that time. Divorce is always
contrary to God's intention, yet in a fallen world it is a painful reality,
to which the church is called upon to respond with pastoral care and the
offer of healing. The single life, either by call or circumstance, is
honored by God. It is therefore important for unmarried persons to
embrace and be embraced by the Christian family.
-
What about issues regarding sexuality and social justice?
Sexuality
is inherent in God's creation of human beings in His image as male and
female. All Christians are called to chastity: husbands and wives by
exclusive sexual fidelity to one another, and single persons by abstinence
from sexual activity. As a church rooted in the historic faith, we join with
our bishops in the support of the 1998 Lambeth Council's Resolution
affirming marriage as God's provision for sexual relationship between man
and woman in a life long commitment. We reject the practice of homosexuality
as an alternative to God's design, and also reject hate, bigotry, fear and
prejudice against those who are homosexual in their orientation, believing
that we are all sinners, defined not by our sexuality, but by our souls and
God's love for us as members of the Body of Christ.
|
|
