Our Beliefs
Church on Ingestre is founded on the shared belief of the following core biblical concepts and in the Good News of the gospel; these underpin all our teachings and connect our faith community.
Our Core Beliefs
1 – The Bible
The Old and New Testaments, as originally given, were without error and recorded by men who were inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible is the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
2 – The Trinity
We believe in the biblical account of Creation where God created everything and us in His own image and likeness.
3 – God
The Bible teaches there is one God, eternally existing in three persons; God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.
4 – The Father
He is sovereign, wise, and good and has established a plan to redeem a people for Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. All of this is to the praise of His glorious grace.
5 – Jesus
He is both God and man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and performed miracles. We believe that all creation was made By Jesus and was made For Jesus and as such we are subject to Him. On the cross He died as our substitute and experienced the full judgment of God for our sin. We believe in His bodily resurrection, ascension to heaven, and His future return to earth to reign.
6 – The Holy Spirit
He convicts individuals of their sin and need for repentance. We believe that when we become a Christian the Holy Spirit lives in us and becomes our Comforter, Teacher, guide, and the guarantee of our inheritance. He gives each of us spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.
7 – Man & Sin
Man was created in the image of God, male and female (Adam and Eve). Human life is sacred because we are made in God's image. Through sin Adam brought on mankind not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Because of this, we are all born with a sinful nature, and through our personal choices we continue to live out that sin.
8 – Salvation
Salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ alone and cannot be achieved by any human effort. It is completely a gift of God’s free and sovereign grace. We are justified and forgiven because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. All genuine faith is evidenced by fruit in Christian living.
9 – The Church
Consists of all who have become children of God through faith in Christ and have been formed by the Holy Spirit into one body of which Christ is the head. The church is sent into all the world, to preach the gospel and make disciples of all people.
10 – Judgement & Ressurection
There will be a resurrection of all people and a final judgment. Those who have received salvation will enjoy eternal life with Christ in God’s presence. Those who reject Christ will suffer the judgment of eternal separation from God in Hell.
Our Distinctives
Beliefs and practices listed in this section are held to by the church leadership, and we will teach accordingly. We acknowledge however, that some will have different interpretations of scripture in these areas. It’s our desire that we are gracious towards each other in these differences, and that we seek to worship together in unity.
CREATION We believe in the biblical account of a six (24-hour) day creation and a seventh day when God established a principal of rest. God created everything and we believe that he created mankind, male and female, in His own image and likeness.
BAPTISM
We believe that baptism by immersion is an act of obedience to God and a public declaration of personal faith, but not a requirement for salvation.
COMMUNION
We believe that the risen Lord Jesus wants true believers to remember Him as their personal Saviour by taking the bread and the cup – symbols of his body and blood given at Calvary. As did the early church, we do this every Sunday until Jesus returns.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Head. The congregation at Church On Ingestre, as part of Christ’s body, regularly meet for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, discipling, and mission. Leadership is guided by the appointed Elders and supported by the Deacons and those heading up our various church ministries. Men and women are encouraged to serve by using their spiritual gifts and to give monetary gifts to support responsibilities here and overseas.
Our Beliefs about the Gospel – The Best News Ever!
The word ‘Gospel’ means good news, and the best news ever is that God has provided salvation to everyone who believes in His Son, Jesus Christ. We were created by God for a purpose, and that purpose is to enjoy an incredibly enriching and fulfilling relationship with God, our Creator.
Tragically, right from the beginning of time, the very first human beings rebelled against God and rejected His love and goodness. This rebellion is called sin and has corrupted human nature ever since. We have inherited this sinful nature and it prevents us from having a relationship with God.
Because God is completely perfect and holy in nature, He must judge sin. Consequently, we who were created to live for eternity in relationship with God now face eternal separation from God. To be rescued from this tragic situation is the greatest need of every human being and of this world in which we live.
SIN IS LIKE A VIRUS
Sin is like a virus: no matter how good we think we are, or how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves from its destructive nature. We simply do not have the capacity to save ourselves. But the good news is that God, in His great love and mercy, has dealt with sin once and for all time, so that from now on it is possible for all people to live in a right relationship with God, as he originally intended – if we choose to do so.
THE REMEDY FROM SIN
As part of His sovereign plan, at a point in time about 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son into the world. A young woman named Mary miraculously became pregnant and gave birth to Jesus, and He grew up living in complete obedience to God, His heavenly Father. He is the only person to ever live a perfect life without sin. He then travelled throughout Israel teaching about God’s love and forgiveness and showing people how to live a life of obedience to God, His Father. Some people disliked His teaching and decided to try and kill Him. They falsely accused Him, and then without even a fair trial, they arrested, tortured, and nailed Jesus to a Roman cross where He died a cruel and painful death. While all appeared lost, three days later, Jesus rose triumphantly from the dead, just as God, His Father, had planned.
JESUS DIED FOR OUR SIN AND ROSE AGAIN!
The death of Jesus Christ was an essential part of God’s incredible plan in bringing salvation to the world. His death overcame the obstacle that prevents us from living in a relationship with God. Death is the just punishment of sin, and all people die as a result of it. But because Jesus lived without sin, His own death was not necessary. Instead, He willingly chose to die in the place of sinners, taking their punishment upon Himself so that people can now live in a relationship with God – just as He had originally intended. In His great love, God has provided salvation through Jesus, His son. This is the only way that people can be saved. It is a free gift from God for anyone who will receive it. Will you receive it?
FREE TO FULFILL GOD’S ORIGINAL DESIGN
The purpose of God’s salvation is ultimately to restore God’s relationship with humankind. This was His reason for creation in the first place. This is what we have been designed for! When we receive this gift of salvation, God pours His own Spirit into us, thereby giving us new life. It is an abundant life lived with God forever and it is the most beautiful relationship there can be. We continually live in this relationship by the power of God’s Spirit, who is constantly at work enabling us to follow Jesus and His example – in particular, of living a life that is characterised by humility, selfless service, and love.
"I’LL BE BACK" – JESUS
Before returning to His Father in heaven, Jesus promised that at the right time – when the good news of His salvation has reached every nation and people – He will come back and completely remove all the effects of sin and totally restore God’s creation. Nobody knows exactly when, but at this future time, all those who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation will live with Him forever, and all those who have rejected Him will be separated from Him forever.
God loves us all. He wants you to believe in Him and accept His free gift of salvation. Jesus died for you; He took the judgment upon himself that was rightly yours – all for the purpose that you could have a right relationship with God forever. This means no longer living for yourself but living for God by following His example and teaching, as recorded in the Bible. This is what it means to become a Christian – someone who has accepted God’s offer of salvation and who is now following Jesus Christ.
A PRAYER OF FAITH
God wants you to trust this good news and be saved so that you can live, in relationship with Him, forever. Do you want to believe in Him and accept His offer of salvation? If you do, simply pray a prayer like this…
Dear God. Thank you for creating me and loving me so deeply. I know my sin has caused separation between us, but I now want to have a relationship with you and be a follower of Jesus Christ. Forgive me of my sin, for all the wrong and selfish things I have done, for the pain I have caused you, others, and myself. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to die in my place and take the punishment for my sin. I believe and trust this to be true, and I now want to live my life for you. I trust now in you, Jesus, as my Saviour; fill me with your Holy Spirit and teach me what it means to live for you each day. Amen.
If you choose to accept God’s free gift of salvation and have prayed the above prayer (or something similar) – Congratulations! You are beginning on a new journey in life! Please email us at connect@isbc.org.nz and we would love to help you on this journey in a new life with Jesus Christ.
Our Beliefs about Baptism
Baptism is an outward sign of your decision to follow Christ. It is a public declaration of your faith in Christ and your decision to live for Him. This significant moment, in the presence of family and friends, symbolizes your commitment to follow Jesus for your whole life.
Why get baptized?
Baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ, and it is something Jesus has commanded believers to do. It signifies that our former way of life has been put to death and depicts the raising up of a new life committed to following Christ.
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27
Who should be baptized?
Christians believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him.
What baptism symbolizes
Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
You accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour;
You shared in His death and resurrection, illustrated through baptism by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life);
You were symbolically washed clean, and your sins were forgiven by His death on the cross.
Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modelled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.
Our Beliefs about Prayer
Together in prayer
Prayer is an experience like no other. To commune with God is the highest pleasure. To speak with God is the highest honour. To listen to God is the greatest treasure!
Prayer is the privileged channel through which we get to participate in the supernatural. At ISBC we believe that prayer is much more than just talking to God. It is hanging out with God every day and everywhere. It is talking to our ever-constant best friend.
Prayer doesn’t begin when we start speaking or when we show up to a prayer meeting; rather, it is a communion that is initiated by God himself and fueled by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is our response to His love, grace, and promises by bringing our minds, our hearts and, indeed, our entire lives to Him. It is, as our Youth Pastor, Doug, puts it: “an acknowledgment that God is sovereign.”
How important is prayer at ISBC?
Praying together is a big deal. Life group leader, Chris, says, “I’ve participated in weekly prayer groups at ISBC for many years. I feel that corporate prayer is a very important part of church life. Without the life and power of the Holy Spirit flowing in the church, we’re just a club.”
At ISBC you can be sure that when someone says, “Would you please pray for me?” then without doubt, they will be praying.
Personal discipline of hanging out with God is a must for every believer. Here is Doug’s testimony: “My relationship with my wife would be virtually non-existent – very weak at best – if I never spoke to her or if I only spoke to her when I wanted her to give me something. I see it the same with God. The more time I spend in communication with Him through prayer, the deeper my relationship with Him grows, and the more clearly I see and understand His will for my life."
What is our experience praying together?
Collective prayer is uplifting, encouraging, empowering, fulfilling, and more than that, divine! However, it can require patience and commitment. But there are things accomplished through prayer that can’t be accomplished in any other way, and God blesses those who are faithful in prayer, no matter what the season.
When do we meet for prayer?
The prayer ministry at ISBC takes place at a range of times and venues throughout the week. Please email connect@isbc.org.nz for more information. All are welcome!