What We Believe
Dawesville Christian Fellowship is committed to glorifying and serving God by proclaiming the uncompromising truth of His Word, exalting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, reaching the lost with the Gospel, and advancing His Kingdom through discipleship.
Statement of Faith
4 / Word of God
We believe that the Bible, consisting of both the Old and New Testaments, is the Holy Scripture and the ultimate authority for our faith, doctrine, and daily living. We affirm that the Scriptures are the divinely inspired Words of God, meaning that the very words themselves are God-breathed, and therefore carry His full authority. As the revelation of the living God, the Bible is entirely trustworthy, reliable, sufficient and essential for teaching, correction, instruction, and spiritual growth. Furthermore, we believe in the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, holding that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are completely true and without error in all that they affirm, whether in matters of theology, morality, history, and God’s redemptive purposes. Because of their divine origin, the Bible stands as the unchanging and infallible standard against which all beliefs and practices are to be measured.
5 / Humanity
We believe that man was created by God, and in His image, but man fell into temptation and, through disobedience, sinned against God, causing sin and death to enter the world and humanity, separating us from God. We believe all mankind are created equal and have fallen short of the glory of God, and in need of a Saviour to reconcile us to the Father and restore relationship with a Holy God. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment.
6 / Atonement for Sin
We believe that atonement for sin was accomplished by God through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came in the likeness of sinful flesh yet remained completely sinless. We believe that Jesus was crucified and shed His blood on the cross at Calvary as the perfect and final sacrifice - the just for the unjust - fully satisfying the righteousness of God. Through His sacrifice, He broke the power of sin, conquered death, and made a way of salvation for all. By His death and resurrection, He provided the only means of forgiveness and deliverance from sin for those who believe.
1 / Father, Son & Holy Spirit
We believe that God is the eternal, omnipotent and sovereign Creator of the universe, existing beyond time and space yet actively involved in His creation. He has revealed Himself as the one true God in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons are perfectly united, forming the one and only true Living God.
2 / Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came to earth as a Man through the virgin birth. He is fully God and fully Man, living a perfect and sinless life, yet retained His absolute deity. That through His death on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, making a way for us to be forgiven and restored to God. He rose again, showing His power over sin and death, and now stands as the only Saviour and Mediator between God and humanity.
3 / The Holy Spirit
We believe that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, however, we also affirm that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct and subsequent experience to conversion. This baptism is a specific empowerment from God, given to equip believers for effective Christian living and service. Through it, believers are strengthened to minister with boldness and to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We believe this empowerment is essential for fruitful service and for fulfilling God’s purpose through the Church.
7 / The Resurrection
We believe in the literal, bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, affirming that He rose from the dead in a glorified body, victorious over sin and death. We believe He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Intercessor to God the Father.
8 / Salvation
We believe that salvation is the free gift of God, given by His grace alone, and not earned through human effort. It is received through genuine repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross, Jesus conquered death, and paid the full penalty for sin, making forgiveness and reconciliation with God available to all who believe and confess the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.
9 / Ordinances of the Church
We believe that the ordinances of the Church, instituted by the command of Jesus Christ, are Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion). We believe that Water Baptism is to be practiced by full immersion, symbolising the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also believe that Communion is a sacred act of remembrance, proclaiming the Lord’s death until He returns. Both ordinances are to be observed by those who have been born again, as outward expressions of an inward work of grace.
10 / Church
We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Though believers have different functions, callings, and roles, we are all united as ambassadors of Christ. We believe the Church is the gathering of believers and is not defined by a building, tradition, denomination, or program. We believe that men and women are equal in value before God yet have distinct biblical roles. We affirm that Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman, as taught in Scripture, while upholding the dignity and worth of both. We value and affirm the role of both men and women as co-labourers in ministry.
11 / Tithes & Offerings
We believe in the biblical principle of giving to the Church through tithes and offerings, as an act of worship and obedience to God. This giving supports the ministry, operations, and mission of the Church. We affirm that all giving is ultimately a matter between each individual and God, done willingly and faithfully. We also hold that no church positions are salaried or receive personal financial compensation, and that all funds are used for the function and work of the Church.
12 / Sexuality & Marriage
We believe, according to the teaching of Scripture, that God created marriage to be a lifelong covenant union between one man and one woman, joined together as one flesh. We believe that sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be expressed only within the covenant of marriage. Therefore, any sexual activity outside of this God-ordained design is contrary to His will.