Foundations That Parkside Church Rests On
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Cor. 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About People
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called ‘sin’. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or goods works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in unison with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41,46
Our Lifestyle Statement
What we Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices.
Bible as our sole Authority
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realise what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study and Bible memorisation. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Autonomy of each local Church
“Christ is the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life…”Colossians 1:18 (GN)
Christ is the recognised head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognising the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing, yet interdependent with other churches and our denomination. In relating to our ‘daughter churches’ that we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure and style.
Priesthood of every believer
“Christ loves us and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God.”Revelation 1:6
“You are…the King’s priests…God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.”1 Peter 2:9 (GN)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to ‘full time’ Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
Total Giving
“You are not your own, you have been bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
“Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what he has earned and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:2 (GN)
We recognise that everything we possess belongs to the Lord. In our churches we encourage our members to practice percentage giving. The more we earn, the more we give.
Immersion
“For when you were baptised, you were buried with Christ and in baptism you were also raised with Christ…” Colossians 2:12 (GN)
We practice baptism by immersion under water – the way Jesus was baptised and the way the Bible commands.
Spirit-Led Living
(Jesus said) “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practise a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Phil 2:13; Eph 5:18)
Telling others about Christ
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practise personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.