Meaning of Salvation — The doctrine of salvation deals with God rescuing (saving) people from the results of sin. God rescues man from the power of sin, enabling a saved person to live a holy life; from the penalty of sin, giving a saved person release from hell; and from the presence of sin one day when taken to heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 6-8; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:24-27.
Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ — We believe Jesus’ death made a full and vicarious (in our place) payment for our sin; that His death consisted not in merely setting an example for us as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree (cross). There could be NO salvation without His death through the shedding of His blood. Isaiah 53; Romans 3:24, 25; Hebrews 2:14, 9:22; I Peter 1:18-21, 2:24; 1 John 1:7-9
Salvation By Grace — We believe that our salvation is a free gift from God, not merited in any way or works, therefore is wholly by grace. Salvation is received by the placing of one’s faith (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is the unmerited favour of God that is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Romans 4:5; 10:11-13; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; John 3:16.
Repentance — Repentance is commanded by God (Luke 13:3, 5), and was preached by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-2), by Christ (Luke 13:3), by Peter (2 Peter 3:9), and by Paul (Acts 17:30). Since the apostle Paul preached both repentance and faith, it is obvious that both are required for salvation (Acts 20:21). Repentance is not adding works to grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) or any kind of Christian perfectionism (Philippians 1:6; I John 1:8-10).
Repentance means to turn around, to change directions (Acts 26:20). It is something that happens in the heart and mind. Repentance is not a change of life; it is a change of mind about God and sin that results in a change of life. (1 Thessalonians 1:9) Repentance is to admit that I am a sinner before God (Romans 3:23). Evidence of godly sorrow and contrition towards one’s sin will result in true repentance. (II Corinthians 7:10). This is more than mere admission that “I am not perfect.” It means that I acknowledge that I am the type of sinner that God says I am, that I am not good (Romans 3:10) and that even my supposed righteousness is as filthy rags before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6).
Biblical examples of repentance include the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-20); Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8); and the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:9).
Free will of man – We believe that mankind is created with a free will to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation, and to submit to or resist God’s working in his life. Deuteronomy 1:26; Matthew 23:37; 1 Timothy 2:3-8; II Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17.
Security of the Saints — We believe that those who are truly saved are kept by the power of God, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, therefore making it impossible for an individual to lose his salvation. It is a work of God which guarantees that the gift of salvation, once received, cannot be lost, and believers are eternally secure. John 10:28-30; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; I Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:11-13