our doctrine

WESTWOODHILL evangelical church

our doctrine

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

References: 2 Tim. 3v15-17 , 2 Peter 1v20-21 , Psalm 19v7-11

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

References: Deut. 6v4 , John 1v1-2 , 5v17,22-23, 14v 25-26

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 in 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 guilt and the penalty of sin. On the third day after His crucifixion the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the the dead and in His risen glorified body he ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father. the Lord Jesus Christ will return for those who have believed in Him, both those who have died and those who are alive , and together they will be with Him for ever.

References: Phil. 2v5-11 , Heb. 1v1-3 , John 3v16 , 1Cor. 15v3,4,20 1Thess. 4 v13-18

Man, created by God and in his image and likeness, sinned. As a result all men are sinful and guilty before God and subject to God's righteous wrath and condemnation.

References: Gen. 1v27 , Psalm 8 v3-6 , Rom. 3v23 , Isaiah 59 v 1-2 , Rom. 6v23 , Rev. 20v15

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 Gods undeserved love and mercy the person who trusts in Christ receives complete forgiveness of sins, becomes a child of God and receives eternal life which can never be lost.

References: John 3v16 , Eph. 2v8-9 , John 14v6 , 1v12, 10 v29 , 1Peter 1v3-5

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the moment of conversion. His role in the life of the believer is to glorify the Lord Jesus , producing increasing likeness to Christ in character and behavior. It is the Holy Spirit who gives the power to fight against sin to witness to the world. the Holy Spirit continues to distribute His gifts to Believers , as He chooses, in order to build up the church.

References: Eph 1v13 , 1Cor. 3v16 , john 16v13-14 , 1Cor Chap. 12-14

There is one universal Church: the Body of Christ. Into this body of which the Lord Jesus Christ is Head all believers are baptised by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. this universal Church finds expression in a local church , made up of believers, with a threefold purpose: the praise and worship of God; the upbuilding of each other in love; witness to others.

References: Rom. 15v7 , John 1v12-13 , 1Cor. 12v12-13 , Col. 3v16 , Eph. 5v19-20, 4v12-13 , Matt. 28 v19-20 , Luke 6v35-36

Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Westwoodhill evangelical Church recognises that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent or unclear, and in such circumstances each believer is to be lead by the Lord whom they are ultimately responsible

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