What we Don’t Believe
We do not believe that it is essential to adopt a system of belief or to take a particular stance on an issue that has the potential to divide or exclude. Our desire is to be able to minister to as broad a group of people as possible. The moment we begin to take a hard-line position on any of the non-foundational (and sometimes controversial) issues, we alienate some people. It is important to recognise that we can agree to disagree and still maintain a spirit of unity and love.
We are happy for people to hold to varying views on the gifts of spirit. We would just encourage people to refer to 1 Cor. 14 for the biblical principles. For those brethren who wish to speak in tongues then we would emphasise the private nature of this gift unless there is a very real evidence of available interpretation from God.
We do not wish to establish a system of theology that adopts either a Calvinistic or Arminian stance. We would encourage Christians to believe in a sovereign God who wants to see people come to know Him through the preaching of the gospel. Our hearts must yearn in the way that the heart of God does for sinners who need to be saved. Two contemporaries who were diametrically opposed on this issue, Whitefield and Wesley, both gave themselves to achieve this end, and so must we.
We will also not take a hard-line stance on the various theories of the baptism of the Spirit or the two main beliefs with regard to water baptism.
We do not believe the bible teaches that health and wealth are meant for all Christians while on earth. It is true that on the cross Jesus achieved both forgiveness and a new life free of the consequences of sin. While it is clear that we do have full forgiveness now, it is also clear that we will not be completely free of the consequences of the sin of Adam until we go to Heaven. It is also true that God can heal and can bless people materially, but huge damage has been done to people who are falsely assured of either health or wealth upon the act of true faith. Countless believers have suffered guilt and huge disappointment on a consequence of this error.
