I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
This matters to us because...
God discloses Himself to us. He reveals to us completely what we need to know in order to enter into an abundant life of knowing Him. Therefore, we submit to God's Word as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We find therein the life altering truth that transforms our life, our neighbourhoods, our church, and our world.
II. The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honour, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
This matters to us because...
All that has been given life has been given life in Him. In Him life is given sacred dignity, value, worth, completeness, and holistic peace. He is the one and only God. This means that those who place their trust in religious methods or man-made doctrines place their trust in nothing but false versions of gods. God reveals Himself to us as the only true God in whom there is life and peace. It is this life and peace, through the one true God, that we declare as primary and life-altering to our world.
III. The Fall of Man
We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
This matters to us because...
This clarifies the reason for the great love of God shown to mankind by:
- Not abandoning a rebellious race, who are sinners because of our Father, Adam.
- Sending His own Son, Jesus, as the one who would be the new Adam — the new federal head for all those who would believe in Christ. He is the only hope for humanity both personally and universally.
IV. The Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honoured the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with His divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
This matters to us because...
We are created to be image bearers of God! It is because of this that we can treat every life as a gift of God's understanding that they have dignity, value, and worth. We recognize that Christ came on a mission of redemption and, as His followers, we seek to join Him in this mission. Man is completely incapable of redeeming himself before a Holy God, either by self-effort or religious rule-keeping. God is not merely a part of the work of redemption, it is His work entirely. By the Spirit, through the Son, people can be reconciled to the Father. This is the Good News that we speak out and live out wherever God has called us.
V. Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favour with God and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
This matters to us because...
In order to stand before a Holy God both the penalty of sin must be paid and the righteousness demands of God’s standards must be met. We stand justified only because of and in Christ’s work. He lived the perfect life, died a criminal’s death, resurrecting three days later, and ascended into heaven as our accepted payment and righteousness. This is true for all who will by faith be saved because of this great grace.
VI. The Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
This matters to us because...
We now recognize that all the works we do in hopes of securing favour, grace, salvation are nothing more than self-righteous, filthy rags. We understand that we are not saved by the works of our own righteousness. We can now confidently and boldly proclaim the hope of salvation to our neighbours, our family, our city, so that they no longer need to be trapped in the hopeless cycle of self-righteous works.
VII. Grace in Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners, must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
This matters to us because...
The Holy Spirit is the agent of God's pursuit and means of change in our life. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are connected to the Father through the Son. The Spirit takes up residence in the lives of those who are His children and gives them the power to live a life that is pleasing to God and in tandem with the Son. To live life in an authentic spiritual way is not to live by the means of religious rules or regulations, by the hope of resolutions or self-control. To live an authentic spiritual life is to live a life that seeks to be honestly submissive to the work of the Holy Spirit as we discover the will and work of the Father in our lives, city, culture and world.
VIII. Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Saviour.
This matters to us because...
We understand this to be the duty of all those who have come to Christ for salvation. It is not a means by which we receive grace but is a needed first response to that great grace. Therefore we do not merely hold a message of religious works, ‘pull up your socks and do better’, but we call those around us to repentance and faith as they understand the great grace of God, in Jesus.
IX. God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies , and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
This matters to us because...
Because we understand that we bring nothing to the table, except our sin, when it comes to God’s grace given out under His sovereign wisdom. We rely fully on the grace and work of God. At PAXnorth we see this as leaning first of all into the Sovereignty of God in calling us to salvation and our response as a work of His Spirit.
X. Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means- especially, the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer and participation in His Body, the Church.
This matters to us because...
We believe that the Holy Spirit is actively working and inviting us to join Him in making us more and more like Jesus. This happens
- negatively in the way we are enabled and called to put to death the deeds of our old flesh, and
- positively in the Spirit’s work of creating the fruit of spiritual character in our lives. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control captures the understanding of the Gospel work being worked out by the Holy Spirit in Christian life.
XI. Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
This matters to us because...
It is a work of the Father in the keeping of those who are in Christ. God has all the resources at His disposal to keep his children until they are made whole and complete in Christ. Resources like ordering circumstances, discipline and pouring out blessings as Christ the great all-wise Shepherd keeps His flock without losing even one who is His. We as true sheep will hear His voice, and respond to His care and instruction. This guarantees a growing confidence and understanding even in the face of failures and doubts.
XII. Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin: to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
This matters to us because...
The law is both good and impossible as it reflects the very character of God who gave it. It serves as a teacher to our flesh of both the impossibility of self-salvation and the great need of a Saviour that is equal to the character of God.
XIII. A Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ (baptism and the Lord’s Table); governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural offices are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
This matters to us because...
We understand that there is clear teaching on what the Church is and is not to do; how the church lives in submission to Christ, first, and in love to each other as a result. When this is done out of the new covenant of the Gospel this creates healthy believers and a strong counter- culturally attractive witness to a watching world.
XIV. Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation; likewise, the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
This matters to us because...
These sacraments are not mere formalities of ceremony, nor means of salvation, but are obedient responses by believing followers of Christ. They are not necessary for salvation but are evidences of having received salvation. In this way, they are an exchange of grace. God first of all saves us by grace, we respond in obedience to follow him, demonstrated in the work of baptism and the keeping of the Lord’s Table.
XV. Civil Government
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
This matters to us because...
We seek to live in keeping with the Civil Government in all points that are not in disagreement with the Laws of God. It is why we both pray for and obey the laws of our land.
XVI. The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
This matters to us because...
We understand that we too were participants of being the enemy of God and were under the curse of God. We would be clear on this great need so that we might act out of the same great love God had for us — that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We would hope to show those in our lives of their great need for a Saviour.
XVII. The World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
This matters to us because...
We hope not simply in the treasures of this world but see our story as a small part of God’s bigger redemptive story. That our hope for all the injustice of the world lies in the promise of His return and the rebuilding of a world Christ has authority over.
XVIII. The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God, also known as the Kingdom of Heaven in Scripture, is God's rule or reign over His creation and is both a present and a future reality. Jesus, in His life, death and resurrection inaugurated the Kingdom by defeating sin, death and the power of Satan. He displayed the work of the Kingdom through redemption by calling people to repentance and faith, by works of miracles, casting out demons, healing, and sociopolitical upheaval. The consummation or future reality of the Kingdom will be displayed in the last day at Christ's Second Advent when the redemption of all creation will ultimately be experienced in the new heaven and new earth. The advancing of the Kingdom in the world between the 'already' and the 'not yet' is displayed by the citizens of this Kingdom in submission to Jesus' Lordship and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out God's work of establishing His rule in all spheres of life.
This matters to us because...
It allows us to not hide from the world but to live bravely, boldly and in agreement with the work of Christ in our world; we now live in a bigger kingdom than our own; our families, our countries. We live as an expression of God’s kingdom work now being worked out as we anticipate it’s fullness at the return of Christ.