Nature of Sin — We believe that sin is the transgression of the law, will and desire of God. It is also described as wickedness, rebellion, evil, lawlessness, etc, but any kind of disobedience or offence — “a missing the mark” of perfect obedience to all of God’s revealed will. Romans 3:23
God’s law is summarised in the 10 Commandments. Exodus 20:1-17. There are sins of commission and omission (the wrong a person did, and good he did not do), and sins of ignorance and doubt, as well as deliberate, presumptuous (wilful) sin. Numbers 15:22-31; Leviticus 4:13-14. In the New Testament, Christ gave an even higher standard, judging according to the spirit of the law as well as the letter, and includes every thought, motive and idle word. E.g. Matthew 5:27-28; 12:36. See James 2:10; 4:17
Mankind’s sinful condition is not the product of his environment, but inherent. Although our first parents, Adam and Eve, were created in a perfect, sinless state, their wilful disobedience unleashed the curse of sin upon all of Creation, and passed upon all their descendants. Man is not only sinful, but he is also a born sinner. Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19, 5:12-19, I John 3:4
Therefore, every individual is wholly condemned by God’s Law as a guilty sinner before a Holy God, with no possibility of justifying himself. Romans 3:19-20
Penalty of Sin — The Bible declares that the penalty of sin is death. It is firstly a spiritual death – separation from God. It also incurs physical death of the body. The final death is the Second Death, which is for those who reject Christ as Saviour on this side of eternity. The Second Death is the final judgment for sin: separation from God and conscious torment in the Lake of Fire for eternity. Genesis 2:17; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15
Hell — There are different words and meanings of the word Hell. It can refer to Sheol (Hades), also translated as “grave” and “pit.” This refers to the holding place of the dead, both saved and unsaved. Before Christ’s resurrection, it appears that there was both a Paradise section, and a place of torment within Hades between which was an impenetrable, “great gulf fixed”. Luke 16:22-26.
Hell also refers to the holding place of the unsaved dead until the Great White Throne Judgment, when death and hell are cast into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:11-15
The Bible describes Hell and the Lake of Fire, to be a lonely place of eternal conscious torment and pain, no rest, and eternal fire for eternity. This is called the Second Death, after which it is impossible to get out. Daniel 12:2; Luke 16:23-26; Revelation 14:11; 20:10, 14-15.
God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11 This place of everlasting fire was “prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41. However, all who reject God’s free gift of salvation and die without placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation remain guilty sinners before God, and will pay their own sin penalty, which is eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. John 3:15-18, 36; Romans 6:23a; II Thessalonians 1:7b-9; Revelation 20, 21:8
We do not believe that God holds accountable babies (including aborted children), young children, and those who are not of sufficient ability to seek the Lord, or to properly understand, accept or reject the Gospel. The Bible does not specify an “age of accountability”; since children grow and mature at different rates, it must necessarily differ according to the individual’s level of understanding. If these ones die before ever reaching this point of understanding, we believe the Scriptures teach that they go straight to Heaven (II Samuel 12:23).
Heaven and the Bodily Resurrection of the Believer — Heaven is the dwelling place of God and His angels. We believe that all who have placed their faith in Christ as Saviour will go to Heaven, either at the point of death, or at the Rapture of the believers. The Lord Jesus is preparing “many mansions” for His people in Heaven. John 14:2-3 In Heaven there is no more death, tears, or pain. Revelation 21:4; Romans 8:21-23. We also believe in the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of the believer in a new, glorified body that cannot die, experience pain, or sin any longer 1 Corinthians 15. We see Christ’s example of a new glorified body. Luke 24:15-53; John 21:13-14.