What We Believe

The following highlights some of the biblical principles for which we stand:

The inspired Word of God. The Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but it is the Word of God (2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Samuel 23:2)

  • The revelation of God to humanity in the divine Trinity:
    • as God, the Father (Matthew 6:9; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 3:14-15)
    • as God, the Son – true God and true man (Isaiah 44:6; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:7-8; Revelation 1:17-18)
    • as God, the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10; Matthew 12:30-32; John 14:26; Acts 5:3)
  • All mankind has sinned and can be saved through Jesus Christ. One can be delivered from the power and penalty of commited sins, an instantaneous, miraculous change of the moral nature through repentance and faith in the atoning death of Christ. Only through and by him is salvation possible. (Romans 3:9-12; Romans 5:18-19)
  • Entire sanctification, i.e, Holy Spirit moral cleansing and Holy Spirit baptism subsequent to forgiveness and conversion, “Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost”. (Romans 15:16). (See also John 14:16-17; Acts 2:38; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
  • The salvation offered by God enables one to lead a victorious life over sin (Romans 6:14-18; 1 John 3:6)
  • All truly saved Christians, are members of the Church of God, the body and bride of Christ (John 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Ephesians 2:19-20; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Acts 20:28)
  • The Lord gave his Church 3 ordinances – not sacraments – to be practiced:
    • Water baptism of the believer by immersion signifying death to the world and resurrection to the new life in Christ (Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:38-39)
    • The Lord’s Supper as a memorial for the suffering and death of Christ for our sins (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:25-29)
    • Foot washing, an example of christian humility exemplified and expressly commanded by Jesus Christ (John 13:14-17; 1 Timothy 5:9-10)
  • Divine physical healing, in answer to the prayer of faith (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:14-17; James 5:14-15)
  • The second coming of Christ will bring the end of this world. Then the time of grace will have ended and the final judgement of the dead and the living, both believers and unbelievers, will take place in order that they receive their eternal rewards in heaven or everlasting punishment in hell. (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:2; Luke 16:19-31)

The name “Church of God” is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament (See Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 1 Tim 3:5; etc). We identify our congregation as a part of this Church. We do not use the name “Church of God” in a narrow or denominational sense, but in the biblical reference to the Church as the body of all those who are redeemed – God’s people who have been called out of sin into salvation, out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9). We are very blessed to carry the name of our heavenly Father (Ephesians 3:15).

The Church of God isn’t restricted to one place, a membership list, or one congregation. All God’s children – people who have experienced His saving power (born again) – belong to the Church of God in its universal form. As a local congregation, we identify ourselves as being an expression of this universal church. It is our salvation “in” Christ that brings together a people who are “not of the world” (John 17:16). We are unified through our relationship with Christ. The Church of God is meant to be a place of harmony and love among believers.

Our individual or collective works are not sufficient to create or maintain our relationship with Christ. Good works cannot justify us with the Holy God. Rather, we are saved by God’s grace through faith. Grace – God’s undeserved love which He demonstrated to us by the shedding of Christ’s blood on our behalf, purchased us, who all had sinned and set us free from sin (Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:13-14). Deliverance from sin (salvation) is a free gift of God. Following Jesus produces a holy life that pleases Him and produces good works. It honours God and is pleasing to Him and a blessing to others (1 Peter 1:15). God’s gift of His Holy Spirit energizes and empowers us to live a life pleasing to Him; through the commitment of faith comes a heart dedicated to doing good works.

The Church of God is made up of believers that the Lord adds to His Church. (Acts 2:47). Entrance into God’s Church is through Jesus Christ, who is the door. (John 10:49). This is accomplished when we believe, repent of our sins, and receive Christ as Saviour, Redeemer, and King of our lives. This is how we become members of God’s church and family (John 1:12). Since we belong to God’s family together, you will often hear us referring to one another as “Sisters” and “Brothers.”

Together as a Church, we rely on God’s Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that guides us in all truth as we dig deeper into the Word of God – the Bible – and grow to be more like Jesus (John 16:13). We believe that Scripture teaches us that it is God’s will for every Christian to be sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life, service, and growth.

We invite you to join us on this journey.