Our Tradition
St. Andrew's Church (The Kirk) is of the Scottish Presbyterian tradition and continues to belong to it. Its form of worship and system of governance continue to be truly Presbyterian. However, it is free to follow and does include other orders of service used by any other Church with which it is doctrinally like-minded.
What we Believe
St. Andrew's Church (The Kirk) accepts The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed and The Westminster Confession of Faith (based upon the original manuscript written by Cornelius Burgess) with four minor exceptions, namely, the deletion of the reference to civil magistrate (XX-4), of strictures against marrying one's wife's or husband's kindred (XXIV-4), the reference to the Pope as the Antichrist (XXV-6), and of matters concerning obtaining advice (entire XXXI-2), as worthy expositions of the Word of God and as doctrinal standards of the church.
Our Confession of Faith
- The Holy Scripture as originally given is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error. The Bible is therefore the revelation of God's truth and is infallible and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
- There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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Man was originally created in the image of God, that he fell into sin through the first Adam, and he is responsible for all the sins he has committed. Sin causes him to be separated from God and lost eternally, totally unable to save himself.
- Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became man, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of a Virgin, who through His perfect life, His sacrificial death on the Cross, and His resurrection, overcame sin and death, and atoned for the sins of mankind and reconciling him to God, efficient for all who repent and believe.
- Salvation is by God's Grace alone received through faith in Christ, by a personal belief that Christ bore his sin on the cross in His own body, through the person of the Holy Spirit. This is to receive eternal life and to be sealed till the day of redemption.
- The Holy Spirit indwells all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, continuing the work of sanctifying them in the truth.
- The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ insures resurrection of all the believers who have received God's gift of eternal life.
- Jesus Christ will bodily and visibly return to this earth to set up His kingdom and to judge the world in righteousness. He will receive His people to Himself. And the living and the dead resurrected are judged for unbelief.
- The church is the body of Christ of believers who are called to identify with Christ and fellow believers in baptism and remember Him in the Lord's Supper. They are called to witness for Christ and spread the Gospel and to wait for His glorious return.
- The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Our Vision
"TO BE A CONGREGATION OF OBEDIENT DISCIPLES OF THE LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST"
Exposition of Our Vision
As an Apostolic Church:
To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ; - Ephesians 4: 12 - 13
Be a Church Family empowered by the Holy Spirit, and as a Body of Christ's disciples, serving and upholding each other in love as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ; - John 13: 34 - 35 & Romans 5: 5, I Corinthians 12: 13
Obey the Lord's commandment to bear witness to the Word and preach the Gospel to the world; - Matthew 28: 18 - 20 & Acts 1: 8
Rise up true worshipers to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and glorify God by bearing much fruit. - John 4: 24 & 15: 8
Our Mission
- Teaching and disciplining of men and women in the whole counsel of God and also ministering to the needs of the whole person;
- The demonstration of the truth through the practice of holiness and love in Christian fellowship;
- "Foster and encourage Worship and Prayer" - John 4: 24, Ephesians 6: 18
- The freedom of every member to minister through spiritual gifts and also to the responsibility to do so under spiritual authority and loving discipline;
- The guarding and strengthening of Christian families;
- Leading people to a personal knowledge of Christ and incorporating them into the church through the ministry of the Word; carrying each other's burdens and also to significant ministry to the needy through deeds of mercy and service. - Acts 2: 42 - 47 and Galatians. 6 : 2
