TFCC’s Declaration ~ a Summary of what we believe.
Of God
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
Of The Bible
God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
Of The Human Race
As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.
Of The Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of certain sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father.
Of Salvation
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is proclaimed to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he effectually calls, granting them faith and repentance. Whosoever believe in Christ are justified by grace alone through faith and are adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.
Of The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify God and to apply Christ’s work of salvation to his own. He convicts the sinner, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, gives assurance of salvation and restores the likeness of God in them. He upholds this true Church and enables its members to worship, walk and work according to the to counsel of his will.
Of The Church
The true Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are in covenant with each other in the worship of God, to the preserving and preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; to pastoral care and discipline, and to gospel proclaimation. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love for God and faithful care and encouragement for one another. This unity or ‘fellowship’ between churches exists only where there is faithfulness to the truth of God’s word.
Of Baptism & the Lord’s Supper (the Sacraments)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs and seals of the gospel. Baptism is both a sign and a seal of union with Christ and of entry into his Church but it does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
Of The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The ‘wicked’, defiers and deniers of God, will go to eternal punishment and the ‘righteous’, saved by grace, will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy and fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.
Last revised – 26th February 2022
Go to our Confession – The Savoy Declaration of Faith 1658