What do we believe? – Statement of Faith

The Bible: The Bible, as originally given, is inspired by God and every word is infallible.  Through it God speaks to us today. It is the only authority for what we believe and practice.

God: There is only one God, revealed in the Bible as three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three are one God, co-eternal and co-equal. God is Sovereign and absolutely Holy.

The Lord Jesus Christ: The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is both eternal God and a perfect, sinless man.
God is love, and through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross he has provided the way by which sinful people can be brought into a right relationship with Him.  The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice for sin and through it there is freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin.
On the third day after his crucifixion the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the dead. He appeared to many in His risen, glorified body.  He ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father.  He now intercedes for us and represents us as our advocate.  The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person for those who have believed in Him, both those who have died and those who are alive, and together they will be with Him forever.

Man: Man, created by God in his image and likeness, sinned.  As a result all men are sinful, guilty and separated from God. They are subject to God’s righteous condemnation.

Salvation: Salvation cannot be earned or deserved.  It is God’s free gift, given when a person repents and trusts Jesus Christ, acknowledging him both as Saviour and Lord.  Because of God’s undeserved love and mercy the person who trusts in Christ receives complete forgiveness of sins, becomes a child of God and receives eternal life. This eternal life cannot be lost provided the basis of a profession of faith is genuine and should be evidenced by a righteous life, love and correct doctrine (1 John).  There will be a final judgment when those, who have not been saved and whose names are not found in the Book of Life, will suffer eternal separation from God.

The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the moment of conversion.  His major task is to glorify the Lord Jesus in the life of the believer, producing increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour.  The Holy Spirit gives the power to fight against sin and witness to the world. He also gives gifts to build up the church.

The Church: There is one universal church, with many local expressions and together they form the body of Christ.  Into this body, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is Head, all believers are baptised in the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. This church is invisible in the sense that only God knows those who are true believers. Scrabo Hall holds a traditional view on marriage and values all human life from the point of conception. 

For more information on the above please read the Scrabo Guide.