GOD

1. We believe in the Holy Trinity and that God is three persons in One, Father, Son and Holy Ghost and that they are co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal. Genesis 1 v26, Isaiah 9v6, Matthew 3 v’s 16-17, Matthew 28 v19.

2. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God made known in the flesh and the Word of God in human form. John 1 v1, John 1 v14, 1 Timothy 3 v16.

3. We believe in His Virgin Birth, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and the New Testament account of His life, teaching and the deeds He performed.

Jesus Christ is our Lord, Creator, Saviour, Healer, Baptiser and Coming King.

Salvation

1. We believe that the Biblical record of the fall of man is absolutely historical and an account of the entry of sin into this world through Adam’s disobedience. Genesis 3, Romans 3v23.

2. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to save us from the guilt and penalty of our sins and rose again on the third day for our justification. His atonement provides for both the forgiveness of our sin and healing of our bodies. Isaiah 53. Romans 6v23

3. We believe in the necessity of being born again to receive eternal life and that we are redeemed through the blood of Christ alone. Our salvation does not depend on and nor can be added to by personal acts of righteousness or efforts of self-improvement.  Ephesians 2v’s 8-9.

4] We uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that all who repent of their sins and believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus acknowledging their faith in Him before men will be saved. John 3 v3, Romans 10v9.

Eternity

We believe in the continued and conscious existence of the soul after death, in the eternal nature of Heaven and Hell, that there is a Day of Judgment for non-believers and of accountability for believers. We believe in the reward of righteousness and punishment of evil and look forward to the creation of new Heavens and a new Earth which are completely righteous. Luke 16.19-31. 2  Corinthians 5 v10, Hebrews 9 v27, 2 Peter 3 v13.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible, as the Old and New Testament, is the inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme rule for faith and conduct. We uphold such translation as seeks to faithfully represent God’s Word as originally transmitted to mankind. 2 Timothy 3v16.

The Church

We believe that the Church is the worldwide fellowship of believers, who have been born again through the Spirit of God and are united together in the Body of Christ on Earth. Ephesians 1.22-23.

Pentecost

We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles as an empowerment to witness and evidenced by the speaking of other tongues and manifestation of other Scriptural gifts or signs. Acts 2.17-18.  Acts 10. 44-46.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

We believe in the administration and operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as taught and recorded in 1Corinthians 12 and 14 and Ephesians 4 v’s 11-13, for the work of the ministry and the building up of the Body of Christ.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

We believe in the soon return of Jesus Christ, of the resurrection and catching up of believers to meet Him in the air and the establishment of His millennial kingdom on Earth when He returns. Isaiah 11.1-10, 1Thessalonians 4.15-17.

 CHURCH PRACTICE

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

We believe in the great commission of Jesus Christ that the Gospel should be preached to all men and all nations and uphold and promote evangelistic and missionary initiatives which support this objective. Mark 16 v15.

Norwich Family Life Church

The Church is described as a family in the New Testament, Ephesians 3 v15 and we believe that the family is the God ordained unit which equips and stabilizes society. We uphold Biblical values concerning morality, marriage, husband and wife relationships, authority in the home, the upbringing of children and those principles which would promote mutual love and support within the family framework. We also define marriage from the Biblical position as union between a man and a woman. Genesis 2v24, Ephesians 5.22-33, Ephesians 6.14.

 We believe that it is the commandment of Jesus Christ to be baptised and we believe that this should be by total immersion in water to identify with His death and resurrection. We believe in the dedication [not baptism] of babies to consecrate their lives into the future service of God. Mark 16 v16, Romans ch.6, Luke 18 v16.

The Meeting Together of Believers

We believe every Christian should regularly attend fellowship with other believers. We believe that a Christian should support their own church, by prayer, faithful service and by tithing and free-will offerings. Romans ch.12, 1 Corinthians 16. 1-2, Hebrews 10 v25.

Praise and Worship

We believe that worship should express our highest Christian duty, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Mark 12 v30. We believe in praising God according to Biblical teaching, allowing for freedom of expression with respect to singing, dancing, raising of holy hands and Scriptural principles which encourage the sense of the blessing, presence and glory of God. Psalm 149, Ephesians 5 v19.

Holy Communion

We believe in regularly sharing together in the Lord’s Supper, to obey His own commandment and to remember His death and His coming again. 1 Corinthians 11.23-31.

Christian Character, Holiness and the Love of God

We believe that a Christian is called through the grace and power of God, to be holy both in word and conduct and to be separate from the sin of this present world. A believer in Christ is commanded to love his fellow Christian, his neighbour as himself and to be charitable, forgiving, practically caring and involved with the suffering and need of the world we live in. John13.34-35.  1 Corinthians ch.13, 2 Corinthians 6.17-18, James 1 v27, 1 Peter 1 v15.

The Lord’s Day

We uphold Sunday as the Lord’s Day and a day of rest, fellowship and worship, set aside for the glory of God. Genesis 2v2, Exodus 20.8-11. Acts 20 v7.

Prayer

 We uphold prayer both individual and corporate, as a Christian’s means of sharing fellowship with God and recognition that we are dependent upon Him. John 15 v5. We pray for both secular and spiritual leaders; our church ministers and the Government, Monarchy and Judicial authorities of our land. This is so that we can enjoy quietness and security and have the freedom to live in godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2.1-4, John 4 v22,

Authority

 We believe that God-appointed leaders within the Body of Christ should be esteemed very highly in love for their work’s sake and that there should be genuine submission and respect for their ministries.1 Thessalonians 5 v13.

We believe that all leadership within the Church should be chosen in accordance with Scriptural principles and New Testament doctrine and act in harmony with the Spirit of Christ. Luke 22. 25-27, 1 Peter 5.2-3.

We deplore the undermining of the Judaeo-Christian heritage of our country and seek to uphold and strengthen all law and institution, which characterizes Biblical principle and teaching.

Where religious, church or secular authority becomes contrary and at variance with the Word of God, we would reserve the rights of Acts 5 v29 and Ephesians 5 21.

Israel

As a fellowship we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122 v6.

We recognise on the basis of Biblical prophecy that Israel will not only be restored to her land in the last days but will play a major role in the unfolding of last day’s events. We believe that there is ultimately a wonderful future ahead for the Jewish people, in the millennial reign of Christ. In no way do we accept that the Church has replaced Israel and that God has no further dealings with her as a nation. On the contrary we accept that Israel and that her heritage of the Law, Prophets and Biblical writings is the root stock of the true Olive Tree that we are engrafted into. Romans 11.18-21.

We honour the nation that has given us our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Old Testament and the majority of the New Testament writings. We uphold the statement of Jesus Christ Himself, Salvation is of the Jews. John 4v22 and seek to practice the Gospel priority of St Paul, To the Jew first. Romans 1 v16.

The Ministry of all Believers

We believe that each believer is a unique and valuable individual and has a potential ministry as part of the Body of Christ. We believe each should have the opportunity to be equipped and trained according their gifting and be able to express this ministry, under the guidance of the leadership of the church. Romans ch.12, 1 Corinthians 14 v26, Ephesians 2 v10.

Service

We believe that the example of Jesus Christ demonstrates our need to have a humble, teachable attitude at all times and be servants to one another and those around us. Philippians 2.2-11. 1 Peter 5 v5, Mark 10.42-45.