What we believe:
We are a group of people who have accepted the love of God through Jesus Christ.
We’re all at different stages of our faith and commitment. On any given Sunday at Sheppey Evangelical Church (S.E.C.), you’ll run into people who have been following Jesus for decades; people who are brand new in their faith and others who are just exploring their options.
You don’t have to believe any of the things listed below to come to S.E.C. We strive to make everyone feel welcomed and loved – regardless of where they’re coming from. If you hang around long enough, you’re bound to bump into the following ideas. We love to have fun, but we’re serious about following Jesus and we hold to the following beliefs with all our hearts.
The Holy Scriptures:
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and is true, immutable, steadfast and unchangeable.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Eternal Godhead:
We believe that God is triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three are co-existent and equal in divine perfection.
(1 John 5:7)
The plan of redemption:
We believe that man, created in the image of God, by voluntary disobedience, fell into the depths of sin and iniquity. Thus bequeathing sin’s nature and consequences to all mankind with their accompanying loss of intended meaning and purpose.
(Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12)
Salvation through Grace:
We believe that salvation is wholly through God’s grace, that no human righteousness or merit can contribute to our receiving God’s love and favour.
(Ephesians 2:8)
Repentance and Acceptance:
We believe that, upon sincere repentance and wholehearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God through Jesus’ sacrificial death.
(Romans 10:6-10; 1 John 1:9)
The New Birth:
We believe that the change that takes place in people at conversion is a very real one; that having received righteousness in Christ, and having received of His Spirit, people will have new desires, interests, and pursuits in life.
(2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)
Daily Christian Life:
We believe that it is the will of God that those who have been born again grow in sanctification; become partakers of His holiness and grow stronger in faith, power, prayer love and service.
(2 Corinthians 7:1)
Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that being baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is an essential response to Jesus’ command, testifying to His Lordship as Christ and King.
(Romans 6:4)
We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper, receiving the broken bread and fruit of the vine with joy and faith as we partake anew of life and triumph of Christ’s Cross.
(1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows enabling ministry gifts upon believers, and that these gifts will build up the body of Christ through edification and evangelism.
(1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
Moderation:
We believe a Christian’s moderation should be obvious to others, and that relationship with Jesus should never lead people into extremes of fanaticism, and their lives should model that of Christ in uprightness, balance, humility and self-sacrifice.
(Colossians 3:12; Philippians 4:5)
Divine Healing:
We believe that divine healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith. He who does not change is still willing and able to heal the body as well as the soul and Spirit in answer to faith.
(Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-16)
The Second Coming of Christ:
We believe that the Second Coming of Christ is personal and imminent. The certainty of His coming and the fact that no man knows the hour of His coming, prompt our evangelistic efforts to proclaim that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
(Matthew 24:36,42,44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
Church Relationships:
We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with the congregation of believers with whom we can worship God, observe the ordinances of Christ, exhort and support one another and work together to advance the Lord’s Kingdom.
(Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:24)
Civil Government:
We believe that civil government is by divine, and that civil laws should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to the will of God.
(Acts 4:18-20; Romans13:1-5)
Judgement
We believe that all shall stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ; the redeemed to be delivered unto everlasting life, the unrepentant unto everlasting punishment.
Revelation 20:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Heaven:
We believe that Heaven is the glorious habitation of the Living God, and the eternal home of Born-Again believers.
(John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17)
Hell:
We believe that Hell is a place of darkness, deepest sorrow and unquenchable fire which was not prepared for man but for the Devil and his angels. Yet it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Saviour.
(Matthew 13:41-42; Revelation 10:10-15)
Evangelism:
We believe that soul-winning is the ‘one big business’ of the church on Earth, and that every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed.
James 5:20; Mark 16:15)
The Spirit filled life:
We believe that it is the will of God that believers walk in the Spirit moment by moment, serving the Lord and living lives of patience, love, truth, sincerity and prayer.
(Ephesians 4:30-32; Galatians 5:16-25)
Offerings:
We believe that tithing and offerings are ordained of God to sustain His ministry; spread the Gospel; and release personal blessings.
(Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
……………………………………………………….