We
are an evangelical, indigenous, autonomous local Church with a "Brethren
Movement" heritage, practising New Testament principles of Church
gathering.
We are not part of a denominational organisation and hence are not bound
to any denominational constitution and are not externally controlled
by a denominational hierarchy.
We have,
responsible for the Church, an Oversight, consisting of a number of
mature and spiritual men from the Church, called elders. They are appointed
by the Holy Spirit and are so recognised by the Church. They feed the
flock and take the oversight thereof, collectively (Ac.20:28;
lPe.5:l-3).
We do
not have a salaried one-man pastoral system, though there may be those
who have come out to serve the Lord full time and are dependent solely
on Him for their support.
We also
have deacons who have responsible roles helping in the business and
spiritual affairs of Church activities (Ac.6:3; lTm.3:S-13).
Reflecting the Church truth that all believers are baptised into one
Body, we recognise that each member, as part of that one Body, is bestowed
with one or more functional spiritual gifts to minister to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, and we seek to encourage
the exercise of such gifts among members for the well-being of the Church.
(l Co.12:12-13; lPe.4:10-1l; lCo.12:6; Ep.4:7)
Recognising the priesthood of believers to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, we do not have a class of specially
ordained clergy to officiate in Church services and worship, while the
others remain the silent, listening laity. Our meetings for worship
allow opportunity for believers to lead in worship and exercise their
gifts for edification and exhortation and comfort under the leading
of the Holy Spirit. (lPe.2:5; He.13:15; Ep5:19; lCo.
14:26)
Obeying
the Lord's Commission to make disciples (Mt28: 19-20),
we:
1. evangelise
2. baptise, by immersion, those convened
3. bring them into the Church fellowship
We meet
regularly for the Lord's Supper, which He instituted on the Lord's day,
as was the custom of the early disciples and in obedience to the Lord's
command "this do in remembrance of Me". (Lk.22:19-20;
Ac.20:7; l Co. 11:23-25).
What
We Believe
That
the Holy Scriptures is divinely inspired and is the sufficient and supreme
authority for our faith and conduct (2Tm.3:15-17; lPe.1:10-12; 2Pe.l:20-2l)
That God exists externally as One in three Persons, namely the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit to whom equal honour is due (Dt.6:4; On.
12,26; Ph.2:6; In. I: 1,2;5: 17,22-23; 14:25-26;16:7,2728)
That
the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. He was conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Mt. 1:20-25; Lk I :35).
He was without sin and His death was a sacrifice to God and a propitiation
for the remission of sins (Rm.4:25; 2Co.5:21)
He was
raised from the dead (Mt.28:5-7; lCo.15:20)
He ascended
to the right hand of the Father and is now the all-sufficient High Priest
of His people. (Acts l:9; He.4: 14-16)
He will
personally come again to receive His people unto Himself and to set
up His Kingdom. (Jn. 14:3; iTh.4: 13-18; Is.9:6-7)
That
it is the Holy Spirit whose regenerating and sanctifying work enables
the believer to live righteously and godly in this present world. (Jn.3:5-8;16:8-11;
Ti.3:4-7)
That
man by nature is alienated from God because of sin and is therefore
under divine judgement and condemnation. (Ep.2: 1; Rm3: 19;5:6; 12-19)
He can only be saved and justified before God through repentance and
faith in Christ. (Lk.13:3: Ga2:16)
A justified
believer is also born of God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit resulting
in evident holiness of life, doing of God's will and manifestation of
the fruit of the Spirit. (Jnl:12,13:3-s; Jn.14:17; Rm.8:9; Mt.7:21-23
Ga. 5:22-24)
He is also, at conversion, baptised in the Holy Spirit into the Body
of Christ
- the Church. (lCo.12:l2-13)
That the dead will be raised either to fife or condemnation and that
the blessedness of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous
will be eternal. (lCo.155l-57 2Co.5:10; Re.20:1l-15)
Taken
from "Who we are and what we believe" by Thomas Chin
50 Years: Burmah Road Gospel Hall
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