Belydenis Grondslag van die Gereformeerde Evangeliese Kerk van Australië
Die Gereformeerde Evangeliese Kerk van Australie staan binne die breë Gereformeerde tradisie en onderskryf daarom die klassieke Gereformeerde belydenisse nl. Die Heidelbergse Kategismus, Die Dordtse Leërreëls en die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis asook die Westminister Confession.
Ons identifiseer verder ook met die kernwaardes en oortuigings van die wêreldwye Evangeliese beweging.
Wat ons glo word duidelik uiteengesit in ons "Statement of Faith" hierna:
STATEMENT OF FAITH - Reformed Evangelical Church of Australia
We believe that the One True God (Psalm 46:10; Deut 4:39; Isaiah 44:6, 45:21) revealed Himself to the world in three persons (John10:30; 1 Cor 8:4-6; Colossians 1:15; Acts 5: 3-4): Father (John 17:24-26; 1 John 3:1), Son (Matt 3:17; John 1:18) and Holy Spirit. (Haggai 2:5; John 14:16,17)
We believe in God, the Father Almighty (Gen 14:18-20,17:1; Psalm 96:1-6), Maker of heaven and earth. ( Gen 1:1, Ps 33: 6-9, Ps 115:15; Heb 11:3)
We believe that Jesus Christ alone is head of the Church and that He is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct in the life of both churches and individuals. (Is 33:22; Eph 1:22-23; Eph 4:15; Col 1:16&18; Eph 5:23 Heb 1:1-4)
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we believe in His virgin birth and that He was fully God and fully human. (Is 7:14;Matt 1:22 & 23; Matt 16:13-17 ; Luke 1:27-28; Luk 1:30-33 ; Luk 9:34-36; John 1:1&2; John 1:13-14; Phil 2:5-8; Gal 4:4&5; 1 Ti 2:5; 1 Ti 3:16)
We believe that God proved His love for sinners through Jesus Christ taking the penalty of their sin upon Himself by dying on the cross on their behalf, that He rose bodily from the dead and that He ascended to heaven where He intercedes for His people. (Luk 24:1-8, 50&53; John 3:16&17 ; 2 Cor 5:21; Acts 1:1-3, 9-11; Acts 4:11&12; Col 2:13&14)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally and in glory. At that time He will judge those who have died and those who are alive. (John 5:22, 23 &27; Acts 17: 30&31; Phil 1:6, 9&10; 2 Cor 5: 9&10 ; 2 Pet 3:11(b)-13; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-15)
We believe that by the grace of God, He forgives and reconciles to Himself all who turn to Him in true repentance, turning from sin and trusting in Christ’s atoning death. God imputes to them the righteousness of Christ Himself and adopts them as His children. (Rom 4:5-7 ; John 1:29; Acts 26:18 ; 1John 2:1-3 Rom 8:1; Eph 4:20-24 ; Heb 7:25; Heb 10:10; John 1:12-13 ; 2 Cor 5:17-19 ; 1 Thes 5:23; Ez 36:25-26 ; Rom 8:15-17; Heb 9:14; Col 1:21-23)
We believe in the resurrection of both the believers and the unbelievers; the believers to the resurrection of eternal life and the unbelievers to the resurrection of eternal damnation. (2 Cor 5:10; Acts 17:30-31; Matt 16:27; 2 Tim 4:1&2; Matt 25:31-46 )
We believe that there is no other name than ‘Jesus Christ’ by which people can be brought into the right relationship with God. (John 14:6-7 ; Acts 4: 10-12; Acts 10:43)
We believe in the Holy Spirit who imparts new life to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Through His indwelling presence and transforming power He gives assurance of salvation and eternal life and equips believers for holy living and effective service. (Matt 3:11 ; Matt 1:18 ; Matt 28:19-20; John 20:21 & 22; Ez 36:26-27; 1 Thes 1:4-6; Titus 3:4-7; Eph 1:13-14; Eph 2:8-10; 1 Cor 2:10-13; Mark 13:10&11; Luke 12:11-12; John 14:25&26)
We believe that, in order to build up the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit gives many different gifts to equip all God’s people for ministry. There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all given by the same Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit are given to each of us in a special way, to be used for the common good. (1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:7,11-16; Rom 12:6-8; 1 Pet 4:10, 11; 1 Cor 12:18, 21-25)
We believe the church is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers and commissioned to make disciples of all nations. (1 Cor 12: 27 ; Ephesians 1:23 ; Rom 12:5; Col 3:15b; Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; 2 Cor 5:19)
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that its content and message is authoritative and trustworthy. It is therefore our supreme guide on what to believe and how to live. (Ps 119:9-11; Ps 119:103-105; 2 Tim 3:16&17 ; Heb 4:12)
We believe that we are called to bring people to Christ, enfold them in His church and equip them to go into their community as effective disciples. (Matt 28:18-20; John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:11-13; Heb 2:11-13 ; Heb 10:24-25)
We acknowledge the traditions of the historic church:
· We believe that only the Word of God is our guide and
· that there is no other saviour than Jesus Christ alone.
· We believe that we are only saved by grace.
· That through faith in the Triune God alone we are His Children and
· That the church exists to glorify God alone.
(Luke 2:11; Acts 4:11-12; John 14:6; Rom 3:23-24; Eph 2:8-10; 2 Tim 3:14-16; Tit 2:11-14; Tit 3: 7-8; John 1:12; 1 John 4:13-16; 1 Joh 5:11b-12)
We believe that Satan exists as a person, the enemy of Jesus Christ and of the believers, deceiving mankind. God has condemned Satan to eternal damnation. (John 14:28a, 29-31; Rom 16:19-20; 2 Cor 4:4; 2 Thes 2:9-10; Rev 20:2; Rev 20:10)
We believe that every Christian is called to love the Lord God with all heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love their neighbour as oneself. Therefore, all believers are to live godly lives, doing all things to the glory of God. The indwelling Holy Spirit makes this new life a reality as believers yield themselves to Him. (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37-40; Eph 2:4-10; John 15:5-8; Rom 8:5-9; Gal 5 :25; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph 5:17-20)
We believe that baptism is an ordinance/sacrament given by Christ as a sign and seal of a covenant of grace. (Matt 3:13-15; Matt 28:18-19; Gal 3:27; Col 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Romans 6:3-5;, Acts 2:37-38 & 41; Acts 9:17-18; Acts 19:4-5)
We believe the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance/sacrament given by Jesus Christ. It is to be observed in the church for a perpetual remembrance and showing forth of the sacrifice of Christ, the spiritual nourishment of believers and a sign of their communion with one another (Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:17; 22-24; 1 Cor 10:3-4; 16-17; 1 Cor 11: 23-25; 28-29; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:46)