What we believe
 
Right at the heart of the Christian faith is the good news of the gospel as found in the bible - click here for a visual, interactive presentation of the Christian message, or scroll down for a more general look at what we as a church 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. |
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Chapel Street, Wem,
Shropshire, SY4 5ER
