What We Believe
Because we all come from many different backgrounds and cultures and have all had our share of experiences, we understand that you might want to discuss the below with one of our leaders for further clarity. You can email us at admin@christchurchuk.org and we will put someone in contact with you. Alternatively, please feel free to just ask us when you visit.
Some Things We Value
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The Word of God – The Truth
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Worship and Prayer
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People and Family – building authentic relationships
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Believer Priesthood – everyone has a contribution to make to family life
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Mission – reaching others with the love and message of the gospel around the globe
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Creativity
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He came to earth, was conceived of the virgin Mary and healed many who were afflicted with diseases, sin and by the devil. He was eventually crucified on a cross but rose again to life on the third day after His death. Through His death and resurrection He took the sin of mankind upon himself; paid the price for sin on behalf of mankind, broke the power of Satan over mankind and reconciled God with mankind so that all of us – regardless of culture and background – may know God personally. Jesus opened the way for man to live eternally in God. And this is all the tip of the iceberg!
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit – God Himself – lives in every Christian from the moment they put their faith in Jesus. We also believe that the Holy Spirit empowers Christians through giving numerous gifts to continue the work of Jesus in this world, which in the Bible is called ‘The Kingdom’.
The Trinity
God is one but in three persons. This doctrine is a mystery but is nevertheless true. We believe in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, who are all one God.
The Bible
We believe that the Christian Bible is inspired by God and infallible. It is to be used to set all matters of doctrine and life for us today – as individuals and together as the Church.
Humanity's Fall
We believe that God created mankind but mankind chose to go its own way and be out of relationship with God (Genesis 1:26, 3:1 & 24). This ‘fall’ resulted in sin and death entering the world (Romans 5). Because God must uphold justice, He must judge all of us for our own sins. But because God is also love, He has reconciled mankind to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Anyone who puts their trust (faith) in Jesus is judged as righteous and no longer as sinful. However those that reject God’s offer to be judged as righteous in Jesus will face eternal destruction.
Baptism
We believe that all Christians, once they put their faith in Jesus, should be baptised in water (full immersion) as a statement to others, themselves and even Satan that they are now ‘within Christ’ and therefore no longer ‘in sin and death’. (Romans 6.)
Communion
Jesus Christ instructed his followers to always remember Him through the breaking of bread. This is often known formally as ‘communion’. We break bread regularly in our various meetings.
Apostolic Christianity
Jesus Christ commanded that His Church go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28). This instruction is encapsulated in the word ‘apostolic’. We are a church that works not only into our town but also into many nations of the world. We firmly believe that this is a core part of how Christianity should be lived out. This is why we partner with New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI), a trans-local ministry team that works into many nations.
One Universal Church
The Christian Church has a multitude of expressions but is nevertheless still one Church, as the Church is anyone who has a relationship with Jesus. This means we do not see ourselves in any exclusive way. The purpose of the Church is to further Jesus’ Kingdom by living as Jesus lived and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28), who will then also live as Jesus lived and make disciples, and so it continues. We therefore work together with other Christian churches in our town across various denominations, movements and groups.
Vision
The Great Commission still stands today (Matthew 28:18-20). Our vision like any Bible-believing church is therefore to ’Know Christ and make Him known‘; to disciple the nations in the freedom and reality of the Kingdom of God because of our love for God and all people.
Mission
To seek and save the lost To train, equip and send all believers To build a strong home base church in Crawley To start and encourage churches in every nation where God opens a door for us.