The Scriptures

We believe that the God verbally inspired both the Old and New Testament and without error in the original writings. We, therefore, hold the Bible to be accurate, the absolute truth, and the ultimate authority in all matters relating to doctrine, practice, faith, life, and prophecy. The sixty-six Bible books are the foundation of our faith and serve as the food for the spiritual growth and practice of SGMA.

References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 2:42; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5.

God

We believe that only one true and living God exists in three persons. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit; these three are ONE GOD. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have the exact nature, attributes, power, and glory.

References: Matt. 28:18-19, Mark 12:29

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and shed His blood on Calvary as a vicarious substitute. According to the scriptures, He was buried, rose again, and ascended to God the Father.

References: Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 4:14-15

Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who co-exists with the Father and the Son. He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerates, seals, and permanently indwells all believers, and baptizes them into the body of Christ.

References: John 14:17, John 16:7-10, Ephesians. 1:13-14, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Man

We believe God created man innocent. Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience, resulting in humanity's fall and incurring physical and spiritual death for all. Man now possesses an utterly depraved nature. Through the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, man can have a new life and live in eternal fellowship with God.

References: John 3:16; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:12-21.

Salvation

We believe salvation is a gift of God's grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ's atoning death, received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the Cross and resurrection, which satisfied the wrath of God against the sins of the individual.

References: John 3:16-18; Acts 4:11-12; Ephesians 1:7-8, 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

The Church

We believe the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. Christ is the head of the church, composed of saved and baptized believers who regularly join together for worship, fellowship, and ministry.

References: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:1-6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25.

Ordinances

We believe water baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances that Jesus Christ gave to His Church to be publicly observed. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in the newness of life in Christ Jesus.

The Lord's Supper is to be celebrated each Sunday as a memorial in remembrance of Christ's death on the Cross and in expectation of His return. The elements of the Lord's Supper represent the body and blood of Christ and are available to all believers who have confessed their sins to God.

References: Matthew 3:13-17, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 3:21-22; Luke 22:14-20; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 9:18, 10:47, 16:29-33; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.

The Last Things

We believe God will bring the world to its appropriate end in His own time and His way. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. In their resurrected and glorified bodies, the righteous will receive their reward and dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

References: Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.