Basis of Faith

 

Equipping Pastors Worldwide’s theology is unashamedly conservative, evangelical and reformed. Our core beliefs, objectives and activities will always be consistent with orthodox, Bible-centred Christianity.

God

There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable, and fulfils His sovereign purposes in creation, providence, and redemption.

The Bible

God has revealed Himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testament scriptures alone. These scriptures are God’s Word because their writers spoke from God as the Holy Spirit directed them. The Bible therefore speaks with final authority and is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.

Humanity

God created humanity in His own likeness and image, conferring on all people equal dignity and worth. As a consequence of the fall, our human nature is corrupted, leaving all people without spiritual life, guilty sinners, and hostile to God. As a consequence of the original sin of Adam and Eve, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are thus subject to His wrath and condemnation.

The Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. As fully God He is the eternal Son of the Father, and as fully human He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, and all His words are true and authoritative. By His voluntary death on the cross He atones for the sins of all who would rely on Him alone for pardon. He arose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He is now exalted as Lord of all and intercedes for those who come to God through Him. Christ is the only way to God who declares Him to be the one Mediator and Saviour of the world.

The Holy Spirit

Being in perfect oneness with the Father and the Son the Holy Spirit is worthy of our worship. He brings people to repentance and faith in Christ for salvation, and is present within all believers. By His power they are enabled to grow in likeness to Christ and to serve God.

Salvation

Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, and has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the good news that Christians call the Gospel. Through the preaching of the gospel God forgives sinners whom He calls to repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ alone for salvation are pardoned, justified, and receive eternal life.

The Church

The Church is the body of believers to which all who are saved belong. Christ is the head of this body made visible in local churches where there is the worship of God, the preaching of His Word, and baptism and the Lord’s Supper as instituted by Christ. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed by mutual love and peace, and can only exist wherever there is faithfulness to the Gospel.

Mission

The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel to all people, making them disciples who live in obedience to Christ.

The Last Things

The Lord Jesus Christ will personally return in glory, and will then righteously judge all mankind. Those who are justified by grace will enter into everlasting joy in fellowship with God, and all unsaved people will enter into everlasting misery.