STATEMENT OF FAITH

ELIM CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that none may add to or take away from, except at their peril.

The Trinity

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and these three are one God.

The Church

We believe that the church consists of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and made new creatures in Christ Jesus.

The Saviour

We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that through the death and risen power of Christ all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord can be saved from the penalty and power of sin.

The Healer

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Healer, and that healing is provided for in the atonement.

The Baptiser

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, and that this Baptism with signs following is promised to every believer.

The Coming King

We believe in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ to receive unto Himself all born again believers.

The Fruit

We believe that every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour should produce the ninefold fruit of His Spirit, as in Galatians 5:22‑23.

The Gifts

We believe that the church should claim and manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, as in 1 Corinthians 12:8‑10.

The Ministry

We believe that God has given some Apostles, and some Prophets and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11‑12.

Marriage and The Family

We believe in the beginning God created the first human beings in his own image, equal before God as persons, and distinct as male and female. Genesis 1:27

We believe these differences reflect God’s original design and are intended for human self-conception and human flourishing. We believe that every person is loved by God as they are and redeemable by grace through faith alone. We believe God’s purpose is for every person to know Him, love Him and to be conformed to the image of Jesus His Son.

We believe that marriage is the biblical, moral and spiritual union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. We believe God intended marriage to be a partnership of mutual love, respect and honour, and that it is the biblical context for God’s gift of sexual intimacy. We believe that marriage between one man and one woman is the ideal and God-intended context in which to conceive and raise children. Genesis 2:24

The Minister

We believe that the Minister must live a life which displays adherence to the teachings of the Bible and Elim’s statement of faith. We believe that the minister must live a life worthy of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in accordance with standards of biblical morality and Christ-like character, and by seeking to grow in the knowledge of God. We believe that the standards of Biblical morality dictate that a minister must not engage in sexual immorality, including sexual relationships outside of the marriage relationship, or homosexuality, a minister must not be a thief, a coveter, a drunkard, a person who secures money or favours by intimidation or the misuse of authority, or a worshipper of idols. A minister must not marry any persons or other than a heterosexual couple. Colossians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

The Future State

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the eternal happiness of all true believers in Christ, and the eternal punishment of all Christ rejecters.

The Ordinances

We believe in the following Ordinances:

Partaking of the Lord's Supper in memory of our Lord's death and anticipating His imminent return; Baptism by immersion for believers; The Laying on of hands; The Anointing of the Sick with oil.