Statement of Faith
We believe in...
1
The one true God who lives eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
2
The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.
3
The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God - fully trustworthy for faith and conduct.
4
The dignity of all people, made male and female in God's image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.
5
The incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.
6
The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.
7
The bodily resurrection of Christ, the first fruits of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.
8
The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
9
The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
10
The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers—given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit's gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.
11
The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.
Our purpose, our mission, our vision:
SHCF, the church is the body of Christ; the church is the bride of Christ
SHCF, the church is called to be 'salt and light'
SHCF, the church exists to worship God, to give Him glory, to point to Him
SHCF, the church exists to teach, nurture, encourage and challenge believers
SHCF seeks to faithfully adhere to the truth of the gospel
SHCF acknowledges the Bible as the ultimate source of truth
SHCF seeks to reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ
SHCF seeks to support mission and meet need locally, nationally, globally
We actively promote:
Believer's baptism as an outward sign of inner repentance, acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; it is an action taken in obedience to the command to believe and be baptised. (Matthew 28:19)
The institution of Holy Communion, for all believers who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour; it is an act of remembrance and obedience. We regularly remember the death and resurrection of Jesus in Communion; taking bread and wine together. (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)