Statement of Faith
The Blackfalds Church stands firmly in the mainstream of historical Christianity. It takes the Bible as its all-sufficient source of faith and practice, and subscribes to the historic creeds of the universal church. In common with historical, evangelical Christianity, it emphasizes Christ as Saviour and coming King. It also presents Christ as Healer, and it adopts the distinctive position that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence when Christ baptizes in the Holy Spirit.
Holy Scriptures
We believe all Scripture is given by inspiration of God by which we understand the whole Bible to be inspired in the sense that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original writings. The whole Bible in the original is, therefore, without error and, as such, is infallible, absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe the Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. Christian believers today receive spiritual illumination to enable them to understand the Scriptures, but God does not grant new revelations that are contrary or additional to inspired biblical truth.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17, 2 Peter: 1:20, 21, Psalms 119:160; Matthew 5:17, 18, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, Proverbs 30:5,6)
The godhead
We believe the Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature and attributes and are worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience.
(Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
The Father
We believe the Father exists eternally as the Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of the Law, to whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be all in all.
(Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:28)
The Son
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the Father. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitution sacrifice. He rose from the dead. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace.
(John 1:1, 14; 10:30, 17; Philippians 2:6,7; Hebrews 1:8, Luke 1:26-35, John 12:49; Acts 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26, Romans 5:6,8; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1Peter 3:18, Matthew 28:6; 1 Corinthians 15:4,20, Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; Hebrews 8:1, Matthew 25:31)
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is also God, performing actions and possessing the attributes of the Deity. His personality is shown by the fact that He has personal characteristics and that individuals may relate to Him as a person.
(Acts 5:3,4; John 16:13-14)
We believe that all believers need to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a godly life and to be bold in our witness for the Lord. (Romans 8:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18)
Angels
We believe that angels were created as intelligent and powerful beings to do the will of God and worship Him. However, Satan, the originator of sin, fell through pride and was followed by those angels who rebelled against God. These fallen angels or demons are active in opposing the purposes of God. Those who remained faithful continue before the throne of God and serve as ministering spirits.
(Psalms 103:20; Revelation 5:11,12; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1Timothy 4:1; Jude 6; Hebrews 1:14)
The believer and demons
We believe demons attempt to thwart God's purposes; however, in Christ, the believer may have complete liberty from the influence of demons. The believer cannot be possessed by them because the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit in which Christ dwells as Lord.
(Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; 4:1-4; Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
humanity
We believe humans were originally created in the image and likeness of God. They fell through sin and, as a consequence, incurred both spiritual and physical death. Spiritual death and the depravity of human nature have been transmitted to the entire human race with the exception of the Man Christ Jesus. Humans can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7; 3 Romans 3:10-19, 23, 5:12; James 1:14,15; Jeremiah 17:9; Hebrews 7:26; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5,6)
atonement of christ
We believe salvation has been provided for all people through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. It is the only perfect redemption and substitution atonement for all the sins of the world, both original and actual. His atoning work has been proven by His resurrection from the dead. Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. Furthermore, in the atonement, divine healing was provided for all believers.
(Isaiah 53:3-6; John 12:32,33; 1 Peter 2:24; Acts 2:36. 20:21; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:14,17,20; Hebrews 10:12; 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 1:23,25; Matt. 8:16,17)
repentance and faith
We believe a person can be born again only through faith in Christ. Repentance, a vital part of believing, is a complete change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit turning a person to God from sin.
(Isaiah 55:7; Acts 17:30; Galatians 3:22,26; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:10-13)
regeneration
We believe regeneration is a creative work of the Holy Spirit by which a person is born again and receives spiritual life.
(John 3:3b,5b,7; 2 Corinthians 5:17,18a; 1 Peter 1:23)
justification
We believe justification is a judicial act of God by which the sinner is declared righteous solely on the basis of their acceptance of Christ as Saviour.
(Romans 3:24; 4:3-5; 5:1-2)
assurance
We believe assurance of salvation is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ, resulting in love, gratitude and obedience toward God.
(John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35-39)
sanctification
We believe sanctification is dedication to God and separation from evil. In experience it is both instantaneous and progressive. It is produced in the life of the believer by the appropriation of the power of Christ's blood and risen life through the person of the Holy Spirit; He draws the believer's attention to Christ, teaches them through the Word and produces the character of Christ within them. Believers who sin must repent and seek forgiveness through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1; John 17:17,19; Hebrews 10:10,14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Romans 6:11,13,14,18; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22, 23; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2)
baptism in the holy spirit
We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which believers yield control of themselves to the Holy Spirit. Through this the believer comes to know Christ in a more intimate way and receives power to witness and grow spiritually. Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
( Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:4,8; 2:4; 10:46; 19:6, 1:5; 8:12-17; 10:44-46; Ephesians 5:18; John 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 3:18; Luke 24:49;)
the gifts of the spirit
We believe the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural abilities given by God through the exercising of which believers are enabled to minister effectively and directly in particular situations. They serve the dual function of building up the church and of demonstrating the presence of God within His church.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 12:7; 14:12, 24-25)
divine healing
We believe divine healing provided in the atonement of Christ is the privilege of all believers. Prayer for the sick and gifts of healing are encouraged and practiced.
(Matthew 8:16,17; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; James 5:14)
the universal church
We believe all who are born again are members of the universal church, which is the Body and Bride of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:25b; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:15)
the local church
We believe the local church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal church. The local church is ordained by God and provides a context in which believers corporately worship God, observe the ordinances of the church, are instructed in the faith and are equipped for the evangelization of the world.
(Acts 14:23; 1 Corinthians 16:19; John 4:23; Acts 20:7; Acts 1:8; 11:19-24; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 5:2)
the lords supper
We believe the Lord's Supper is a symbol, memorial and proclamation of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. This ordinance of communion is to be participated in by believers until Christ's return.
(Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-26)
water baptism
We believe water baptism signifies the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and is practiced by immersion.
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5)
ministry
We believe a divinely called and ordained ministry is the provision of the Lord to give leadership to the church as it fulfills its purposes.
(Acts 6:2b-4c; 13:2-4a; 14:23; Ephesians 4:8, 11-13)
the present state of the dead
We believe at death the souls of believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ, and these remain in constant bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body. The souls of unbelievers remain after death conscious of condemnation until the final bodily resurrection and judgment of the unjust.
(2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21, 23-24; Romans 8:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 2 Corinthians 5:1,4b; Luke 16:22-31; John 3:36; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Rev 20:11-15)
the rapture
We believe the rapture, the blessed hope of the church, is the imminent coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected. This event takes place before the wrath of God is poured out during the tribulation. Believers then will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
the tribulation
We believe the tribulation will be a time of judgment on the whole earth. During this period the Antichrist will emerge to offer false hope to the nations.
(Matthew 24:15, 21-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:11-18)
the second coming of christ
We believe the return of Christ to earth in power and great glory will conclude the great tribulation with the victory at Armageddon, the defeat of Antichrist and the binding of Satan. Christ will introduce the millennial age, restore Israel to her own land, lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, and bring the whole world to the knowledge of God.
(Matthew 24:27, 30; Luke 17:24, 26-30; Revelation 16:12-16; 17:8, 12-14; 19:11-20; Psalm 2:6-12; Daniel 2:44-45; Luke 22:29-30; Revelation 3:21; 20:6; Isaiah 1:24-27; 2:1-4; Zechariah 14:3,4,9; Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 22:3)
the final judgement
We believe there will be a final judgment in which the unbelieving dead will be raised and judged at the great white throne, according to their works. The beast and false prophet, the devil and his angels, and whoever is not found in the Book of Life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to annihilation but to everlasting punishment, which is the second death.
(Daniel 7:9-10; John 12:48; Romans 2:2,6,11,16; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15; Matthew 25:41b; Jude 6; Revelation 20:10,15; 21:8)
the eternal state of the righteous
We believe the righteous will share the glory of God in the new heaven and the new earth for eternity.
(Matthew 13:43; John 17:24; 2 Peter 3:13; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:1-2, 10, 22-23)