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Geloofsbelydenis

Hierdie geloofsbelydenis vorm die riglyn van ons geloofsgemeenskap en verbind ons as een familie in Christus. Ons nooi jou uit om saam met ons te staan in hierdie geloofsreis en om die vreugde van die geloof en gemeenskap te ervaar.

1. Die 66 boeke van die Bybel (Ou- en Nuwe Testament) is deur die Heilige Gees geïnspireer. Dit is onfeilbaar en foutloos.1 Dit is algenoegsaam en die enigste gesag vir geloof en lewe.2 Dit is die finale en volkome openbaring van God.3 Die eerste elf hoofstukke van Genesis moet letterlik verstaan word.4 Ons verwerp evolusie of enige interpretasie wat sê dat die dae in Genesis 1 lang tydperke was.5

2. God bestaan van ewigheid af as die Vader, die Seun en die Heilige Gees–drie Persone maar een God.6 Die Vader, die Seun en die Heilige Gees vervul verskillende rolle, maar is in elke opsig gelyk.7

3. Die Vader het ons voor die grondlegging van die wêreld uitverkies in sy Seun, Jesus Christus.8 God het ons nie uitverkies omdat Hy geweet het ons sou glo, of omdat Hy enigiets goed in ons raakgesien het nie. Sy verkiesing is gebaseer op sy soewereine genade.9

4. Die Seun is deur die krag van die Heilige Gees gebore uit die maagd Maria en is volkome God en mens.10 Hy was sondeloos in sy lewe.11 Hy het ’n plaasvervangende soendood vir sondaars gesterf.12 Hy is begrawe en het op die derde dag liggaamlik opgestaan uit die dood.13 Hy het in sy liggaam opgevaar na die hemel en tree nou as Hoëpriester en Advokaat vir ons in.14

5. Die Heilige Gees is ’n Persoon en nie bloot ’n krag nie.15 Die Vader en die Seun het Hom gestuur om die wêreld te oortuig van sonde, geregtigheid en oordeel.16 Hy wederbaar, bewoon, heilig, vertroos en verseël God se kinders tot die ewige lewe.17

6. Alle mense is met ’n sondige natuur gebore en is ook sondaars deur hulle eie keuse.18 Om van sonde en God se oordeel gered te word moet ’n mens die feite van die evangelie glo, sy of haar sonde laat staan, en op Jesus alleen vertrou vir vergifnis van sonde.19 Ware geloof sal altyd lei tot goeie werke.20

7. Dié wat Christus as Here en Verlosser ontvang het, sal vir ewig God se teenwoordigheid in die hemel en daarna op die nuwe aarde geniet.21 Dié wat Hom verwerp sal vir ewig van God geskei wees en onder sy toorn ly in die hel.22 Beide die hemel en die hel is letterlik en ewig.23

8. Jesus het twee sakramente ingestel, naamlik die doop en die nagmaal.24 Beide sakramente mag slegs aan gelowiges bedien word.25 Deur die doop of onderdompeling vereenselwig die gelowige hom- of haarself met Jesus se begrafnis en opstanding.26 Deur die nagmaal onthou die gelowige Jesus se kruisdood vir sondaars.27

9. Die kerk bestaan uit mense wat weergebore is en hulle redding bely deur onderdompeling.28 Die kerk is die liggaam van Christus, waarvan Hy die Hoof is.29 Die kerk bestaan om God te aanbid,30 Jesus se kruisdood en opstanding deur die sakramente te herdenk,31 gelowiges deur Woordbediening vir hulle dienswerk toe te rus,32 die liggaam op te bou en die evangelie aan die wêreld te verkondig.34 Elke plaaslike gemeente is onafhanklik en interafhanklik van ander gemeentes.35 Die kerk en die staat is deur God ingestel om verskillende funksies te vervul, en daarom moet hulle nie in mekaar se sfeer van invloed inmeng nie.36

10. Elke gelowige is ’n priester wat direkte toegang het tot God.37 Jesus is die enigste Middellaar tussen God en mense.36

11. Elke gelowige is met die Heilige Gees verseël en word deur die krag van God in Christus bewaar tot die einde.39 Daarom bely ons dat niks ons van God se liefde kan skei nie, en dat geen ware gelowige sy redding kan verloor nie.40

12. Jesus is die erfgenaam van alle dinge.41 Hy regeer oor sy skepping.42 Hy sal persoonlik en sigbaar terugkeer na die aarde toe volgens sy belofte.43 By sy wederkoms sal almal wat gesterf het, gelowiges en ongelowiges, opstaan uit die dood.44 Ongelowiges sal volgens hulle werke deur God geoordeel word om hulle verdiende straf te ontvang.45 Gelowiges sal geoordeel word, nie om hulle eindbestemming te bepaal nie, maar om hulle beloning te ontvang.46 Daar is verskeie goeddeurdagte sienings oor die eindtyd. Dit is onnodig om skeuring hieroor te veroorsaak in die kerk.

* Sien die 1689 Baptiste Geloofsbelydenis vir ’n meer volledige beskrywing van wat ons gemeente glo.

  1. Psalm 19:8; 2 Timoteus 3:16
  2. 2 Timoteus 3:17; 2 Petrus 1:3
  3. Hebreërs 1:1; Openbaring 22:18-19
  4. Matteus 19:4-5, 23:35, 24:37-39; Romeine 5:12-21; 2 Korintiërs 11:3; 1 Timoteus 2:13-14; Hebreërs 11:4-7; 1 Petrus 3:20; 2 Petrus 2:5, 3:5-6; 1 Johannes 3:12; Judas 11, 14-15
  5. Genesis 1:5, 8, 14; Eksodus 20:8-11
  6. Genesis 1:26; Matteus 3:16-17, 28:19; Johannes 1:1-3; Efesiërs 1:3-14, 4:4-6; Hebreërs 9:14
  7. Psalm 139:7; Johannes 5:23; Handelinge 5:3-4; Efesiërs 1:3-14; Hebreërs 1:3; 1 Petrus 1:2
  8. Romeine 8:29-30; Efesiërs 1:4-5; 1Petrus 1:2
  9. Romeine 9:10-23, 11:5-6
  10. Lukas 1:34-35; Johannes 1:1-3, 14, 8:58; Filippense 2:6-8; Kolossense 1:19, 2:9
  11. Hebreërs 4:15; 1 Petrus 2:22
  12. Jesaja 53; Romeine 3:25; Galasiërs 3:13; 1Petrus 3:18
  13. Matteus 28; Lukas 24; Johannes 20; 1 Korintiërs 15:1-11
  14. Handelinge 1:9-11, Romeine 8:34, Hebreërs 7:25, 1 Johannes 2:1
  15. Johannes 14:26; Efesiërs 4:30
  16. Johannes 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7-11; Handelinge 2:33
  17. Johannes 3:5; Titus 3:5; Johannes 14:16-17; Efesiërs 1:13-14, 4:30
  18. Psalm 51:7, 58:4; Romeine 5:12
  19. Markus 1:15; 1 Korintiërs 15:1-4; Jakobus 2:19; Efesiërs 2:8-9
  20. Efesiërs 2:8-10; Jakobus 2:14-26
  21. Matteus 25:34; Johannes 6:39-40, 14:1-3; Openbaring 21:3-4
  22. Matteus 25:41; 1 Tessalonisense 1:9; Openbaring 14:9-11, 20:15, 21:8
  23. Matteus 25:46; Markus 9:47-48; Lukas 16:19-31; Johannes 14:2-3; Judas 7; Openbaring 21-22, 14:9-11
  24. Matteus 26:26-29, 28:19
  25. Matteus 28:19; Romeine 6:3-4; 1 Korintiërs 11:17-34; Kolossense 2:11-12
  26. Romeine 6:3-5; Kolossense 2:11-12
  27. 1 Korintiërs 11:23-26
  28. Handelinge 2:38-41
  29. Efesiërs 1:22-23
  30. Johannes 4:23-24
  31. Sien teksverwysings by voetnotas 24-27
  32. Efesiërs 4:11-12
  33. 1 Korintiërs 14:12; Efesiërs 4:12
  34. Matteus 28:18-20
  35. 1 Korintiërs 1:2; Galasiërs 1:2
  36. Handelinge 4:18-20; Romeine 13:1-7; 1Timoteus 2:1-2
  37. Hebreërs 4:16, 10:19-22; 1 Petrus 2:5, 9
  38. Johannes 14:6; 1 Timoteus 2:5
  39. Efesiërs 1:13-14, 4:30,;1 Petrus 1:4-5
  40. Romeine 8:28-30, 38-39; Johannes 6:37-40, 10:28-29
  41. Hebreërs 1:2
  42. Hebreërs 1; Openbaring 4-5
  43. 1 Tessalonisense 4:16
  44. Daniël 12:2; Johannes 5:28-29; Openbaring 20:12-13
  45. Matteus 16:27, 25:41, 46; Romeine 2:6-11; Openbaring 20:12-13
  46. Johannes 5:24; Romeine 2:6-11, 8:1; 1 Korintiërs 3:12-15, 4:5; 2 Korintiërs 5:10; Judas 24

Statement of Faith

1. The 66 books of the Bible (the Old- and New Testaments) are verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is infallible and without error.1 It is sufficient and the only authority in matters of faith and life.2 It is the final and complete revelation of God.3 The first eleven chapters of Genesis should be interpreted literally.4 We reject evolution and any interpretation which says the days of Genesis 1 must be interpreted as long periods of time.5

2. From all eternity God has existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—three Persons, yet only one God.6 The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit fulfill different roles, but are equal in every way.7

3. Before the foundation of the world the Father elected us in his Son.8 He did not choose us because of some foreseen faith or our good works. He chose us on the basis of his sovereign choice, and grace.9

4. By the power of the Holy Spirit the Son of God was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus is truly God and truly man.10 He lived a sinless life.11 He died as our substitute to atone for our sins.12 He was buried, and rose bodily from the grave on the third day.13 He ascended bodily into heaven where He intercedes for us as our Advocate and our High Priest.14

5. The Holy Spirit is God and not merely a supernatural power.15 The Father and the Son sent the Spirit into the world to convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment.16 The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, comforts, and seals God’s children unto eternal life.17

6. All people are born with a sinful nature, and are sinners by their own choice.18 In order for a person to be saved from God’s eternal judgment he must believe the historical facts of Jesus’ Person, life, death, burial, and resurrection. He must repent of his sin, and trust in Christ alone to forgive him.19 Saving faith will always lead to a life of good works.20

7. Those who receive Christ as their Lord and Saviour will enjoy God’s presence forever in heaven and then on the new earth.21 Those who reject Christ will be separated from God and suffer the eternal consequences of his wrath in hell.22 Both heaven and hell are literal and eternal.23

8. Jesus instituted two sacraments, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper.24 Both sacraments may only be administered to believers.25 Through baptism or immersion a believer identifies himself with Christ in his burial and resurrection.26 By partaking of the Lord’s Supper we remember Jesus’ death for sinners on the cross of Calvary.27

9. The church consists of people who have been born again, and openly confess this through believers’ baptism by immersion.28 The church is the body of Christ with Him as their Head.29 The church exists to worship God,30 to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ through the sacraments,31 to equip the saints for the work of ministry through the preaching of God’s Word,32 to build up the body of Christ,33 to preach the gospel to all nations.34 Every local church is independent and interdependent on other local churches.35 The church and the government of the land have been instituted by God to fulfil different functions; therefore they should not interfere in one another’s sphere of influence.36

10. Every believer is a priest who has direct access to God.37 Christ is the only Mediator between God and man.38

11. Every believer has been sealed with the Holy Spirit, and will be kept to the end by the power of God in Christ.39 Because of this nothing can separate us from God’s love, and no true believer can lose his salvation.40

12. Christ is the heir of all things.41 He rules over creation.42 According to his promise He will return to the earth personally and visibly.43 At his coming believers and unbelievers who died will be raised from their graves.44 According to their works God will judge unbelievers and give them the due penalty for their sin.45 Believers will be judged, not to determine their eternal destiny, but to give them the due reward for their service.46 There are several views on the end times. As long as a person believers in a literal future coming of Christ, the resurrection of believers and unbelievers, the final judgment, a literal and eternal heaven and hell, it unnecessary to cause division in the church over our view of the end.

* See the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith for a fuller treatment of what we believe and teach.

  1. Psalm 19:8; 2 Timothy 3:16
  2. 2 Timothy 3:17; 2Peter 1:3
  3. Hebrews 1:1; Revelation 22:18-19
  4. Matthew 19:4-5, 23:35, 24:37-39; Romans 5:12-21; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; Hebrews 11:4-7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5, 3:5-6; 1 John 3:12; Jude 11, 14-15
  5. Genesis 1:5, 8, 14; Exodus 20:8-11
  6. Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 1:1-3; Ephesians 1:3-14, 4:4-6; Hebrews 9:14
  7. Psalm 139:7; John 5:23; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 1:3-14; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 1:2
  8. Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-5; 1Peter 1:2
  9. Romans 9:10-23, 11:5-6
  10. Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-3, 14, 8:58; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:19, 2:9
  11. Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22
  12. Isaiah 53; Romans 3:25; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:18
  13. Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
  14. Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1
  15. John 14:26; Ephesians 4:30
  16. John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7-11; Acts 2:33
  17. John 3:5; Titus 3:5; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30
  18. Psalm 51:7, 58:4; Romans 5:12
  19. Mark 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; James 2:19; Ephesians 2:8-9
  20. Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:14-26
  21. Matthew 25:34; John 6:39-40, 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3-4
  22. Matthew 25:41; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:15, 21:8
  23. Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:2-3; Jude 7; Revelation 21-22, 14:9-11
  24. Matthew 26:26-29, 28:19
  25. Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Colossians 2:11-12
  26. Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-12
  27. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
  28. Acts 2:38-41
  29. Ephesians 1:22-23
  30. John 4:23-24
  31. See references at footnote 24-27.
  32. Ephesians 4:11-12
  33. 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:12
  34. Matthew 28:18-20
  35. 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2
  36. Acts 4:18-20; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2
  37. Hebrews 4:16, 10:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5, 9
  38. John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5
  39. Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; 1 Peter 1:4-5
  40. Romans 8:28-30, 38-39; John 6:37-40, 10:28-29
  41. Hebrews 1:2
  42. Hebrews 1; Revelation 4-5
  43. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
  44. Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:12-13
  45. Matthew 16:27, 25:41, 46; Romans 2:6-11; Revelation 20:12-13
  46. John 5:24; Romans 2:6-11, 8:1; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 24