Statement of Faith |
| This is the basis of faith of the Fellowship of Independent
Evangelical Churches (FIEC). Staines Congregational Church fully agrees with this statement, and have used it with permission. |
| Some of the jargon used in this statement may be difficult to understand, particularly if you are not a Christian or haven't been to church for a while. We would be more than happy to respond to any questions you may have - to contact us click here. |
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. Back to Top |
The Lord Jesus Christ |
| The Lord Jesus 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. Back to Top |
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. Back to Top |
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. Back to Top |
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 and
justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive
eternal life. Back to Top |
Baptism & 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. Back to Top |
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. Back to Top |
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. Back to Top |
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. Back to Top |