1. The Bible

The Bible is God’s revelation of himself to us. Although having human authors, it is divinely inspired by God and is the ultimate and supreme authority in all matters of faith.

2. God

God is both a loving and merciful God, as well as a just and righteous God. God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. All things were created by him and for him, and he continues to sustain all creation.

3. People

All people are created in the image of God, to be in relationship with him and given authority by God to rule over his creation. Humans are the pinnacle of God’s created world. Unfortunately, all people rebel and lead sinful lives, ignoring God, seeking our own selfish desires and choosing to live our own way instead of following God’s good plan for creation. Without outside help, we are unable to live differently, to save ourselves from our own natures and restore our relationship with God. Because he is just, God cannot ignore our sin and rebellion. There must be judgement. But because he is also loving and merciful, God chose not to leave us in our helpless situation. He sent Jesus.

4. Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world as a human. He lived a perfect life, always obeying and following God the Father. He did not deserve death or punishment, but gave himself willingly to be crucified on a cross as a substitute for all humans. Jesus took the penalty we deserved for our wrongdoings by dying in our place. God’s full judgement fell on him so that the debt we owed could be paid. After three days, God raised Jesus back to life. Having defeated death, Jesus can give new life to all who turn and follow him. Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. One day he will return to earth to judge all people.

5. Salvation

Jesus’ death means that the penalty for our sins is paid and that God can forgive us. We can have new life in Christ and once again be in relationship with God as was intended at the beginning of creation. All this is only possible through God’s grace, his free gift of salvation to those who believe. Nothing we can do can ever earn our salvation. It is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

6. The Holy Spirit

In our new life, God himself comes to live within us by his Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a helper in this life before we join God forever in his heavenly kingdom. The Holy Spirit can work in us to help us change our attitudes and behaviours, to make us more like Jesus.

7. Church

A church is simply the people of God gathered together. We don’t exist because we are particularly good or moral or religious, but because of what God has done for us in sacrificing Jesus on the cross. We exist to know this God and to make his good news—the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ—known to others.