WHO WE ARE

Cambridge Community Church Karapiro lake_CambCommChurch_edited.jpg

OUR MISSION

These truths found in Scripture will help us understand our mission.

We are God’s agents on earth who operate individually and collectively in our families and church. Within the church, some receive the gift of leadership. The purpose of these leadership gifts is to prepare believers for service and to build up the church. The ultimate goal is unity in faith and knowledge of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
As His children, our aim is for our actions to please Him.

Matthew 5:16-17
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
God already gave the Church its overarching mission – her mission is to advance the gospel.

Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Christian Fellowship is important to God.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Cambridge Community Church shares the same mission as all other churches – our primary reason for existing is to make disciples of all nations. We also provide a space for Christian fellowship.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Primary Doctrines

We hold the doctrines listed in this section as central to the Christian faith.

GOD
There is one God - the infinite, perfect Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, to whom all creatures owe their highest love, reverence, and obedience.

Scripture references:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 145:3; John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:17
THE TRINITY
Scripture teaches that one God eternally exists as three distinct, co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; united in one essence and being. In the Biblical story each person of the trinity has different roles and are completely united.

Scripture references:
Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

God The Father
God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, sovereignly orders all things by His purpose and grace. As Creator and omnipotent Ruler, He is sovereign over creation, providence, and redemption. He is Father to all as Creator, but spiritual Father only to believers, and though sovereign, He is neither the author of sin nor does He diminish human moral responsibility.

Scripture references:
Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 103:19; Psalm 145:8-9; Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47; Romans 8:14; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:17.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is fully God and fully man and the sole Mediator between God and humanity. He is the Creator of all things. Sinless in His humanity, He fulfilled the law, died on the cross for sinners, was buried, rose on the third day, ascended to the Father, and now intercedes for His people. He will return visibly and bodily and is the Head of the Church.

Scripture references:
Isaiah. 53:10-12; John 1:1-3, 14; Acts 1:9-11; Romans. 3:21-26; 8:34; 1 Corinthians. 15:3-4; Galatians. 3:13; Colossians 1:16-18; 1 Timothy. 2:5; Hebrews. 1:1-3; 7:25
The Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son by applying Christ’s work to believers. He indwells and empowers them, distributes spiritual gifts for the building of the Church, and is the Comforter, Spirit of Adoption, Seal of salvation, and Guarantee of our inheritance in Christ.

Scripture references:
John 14:16-17; 16:14; Acts 5:3; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14

THE SCRIPTURES
The Old and New Testament Scriptures are divinely inspired and therefore authoritative, infallible, and inerrant, serving as the sole and sufficient rule for faith and practice.

Scripture references:
Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
THE FALL OF MAN
God created humanity in His image and without sin, but through Satan’s temptation Adam and Eve fell, bringing corruption and condemnation upon all their descendants. Though human nature is now opposed to God and His law, people still bear God’s image, though marred, and therefore possess unique worth within creation.

Scripture references:
Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-7; 6:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-19; 8:5-8; Ephesians 2:1-3
REGENERATION
Regeneration is the Holy Spirit’s work of grace, giving new life to those dead in sin, renewing their nature, and enabling them to understand God’s Word, love holiness, and come to faith in Christ.

Scripture references:
John 3:3-8; Ephesians 2:1-6; Titus 3:5; 1 John 5:1
FAITH
Saving faith is trusting God’s Word about Christ’s death and resurrection, relying on Him alone for justification and eternal life and results in pursuing a holy life.

Scripture references:
Romans 3:27-28; 4:1-5; 4:17-25; 10:14, 17; Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8; James 2:14-26
REPENTANCE
Repentance is the appropriate response to God’s grace. The Holy Spirit leads us to humble sorrow, hatred of sin, and a determined turning toward God to live in obedience and please Him.

Scripture references:
Psalm 32:1-5; Isaiah 6:5; 55:7; Luke 5:8; 18:9-14; Acts 2:37-38; 11:15-18; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:25

JUSTIFICATION
Justification is the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life, granted solely through faith in Christ. His perfect righteousness is credited to us, bringing peace and favour with God, apart from any of our works.

Scripture references:
Luke 18:9-14; Romans 3:21-26; 4:4-9, 23-25; 5:1-2, 9, 17-21; 8:28-34; 10:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:7-9; Titus 3:5-7
SANTIFICATION
Regenerated believers are also sanctified by God’s Word and Spirit. This progressive work, empowered by the Holy Spirit, leads Christians to pursue a holy life, striving to obey all of Christ’s commands.

Scripture references:
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:13-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter. 1:3-11
THE CHURCH
The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, composed of all His true disciples, and holds supreme authority over it. The Church, His beloved bride, is served through the offices of Elders and Deacons.

Scripture references:
Matthew 28:18-20; John 10:16; Acts 20:17, 28; Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17-18; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 10:25
THE ADVERSARY
Satan is a real, created angel who fell from heaven through sin and now opposes God. Also called Lucifer, he is an accuser, tempter, and deceiver, behind all false religions, and rules this world as prince of the powers of the air. His ultimate destiny is eternal punishment in hell.

Scripture references:
Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6; John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 12:10; Matthew 4:3; Revelation 20:3, 20:10
THE RESURRECTION
After death, human bodies return to dust. Believers go to be with the Lord, while unbelievers face separation from God. All the dead, righteous and wicked, will be bodily resurrected.

Scripture references:
Genesis 3:19; Luke 16:22-26; 23:43; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:23
THE FINAL JUDGEMENT
God has appointed a day to judge the world through Jesus Christ, when all will receive reward or punishment: those who rejected Christ and the wicked face eternal punishment, and the righteous, eternal life.

Scripture references:
Matthew 25:46; John 5:22, 27-29; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

Secondary Doctrines

Doctrines listed in this section are held by church leadership who will teach according to these but have no issue if anyone holds to a different interpretation of scripture in these areas. We should charitably be able to hold to different positions on these issues and worship together in full unity.

CREATION
God created the heavens and the earth from nothing (ex nihilo) by His command, forming the universe in six 24-hour days for humanity. The triune God, Creator of all, continues to sustain it by His power.

Scripture references:
Genesis 1:1-31; Colossians 1:17
BAPTISM
Baptism, ordained by Jesus, is for every believer and is performed by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It signifies union with Christ’s death and resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, and a commitment to live a new life for God.

Scripture references:
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:13
THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper, a covenant ordinance of Jesus, uses bread and wine/juice and is to be observed by His churches until the end of the world. It is not a sacrifice but commemorates and proclaims His death.

Scripture references:
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-34
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Spiritual gifts are given to believers to build up the Church, glorifying God rather than the individual. Except for Apostleship, all gifts continue today and should be used according to Scripture’s guidance.

Scripture references:
Acts 1:21-26; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; 1 Corinthians 14:1-33; 39-40
MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ will return to establish His Kingdom on earth for a thousand years. during this millennial reign, Christ will rule in perfect righteousness, justice, and peace. The nations will be restored under His authority, creation will be renewed, and His people will reign with Him as co-heirs. This period will be a time of unparalleled blessing. At the end of the thousand years, final judgment will come, and God’s eternal kingdom will be fully realised.

Scripture references:
Revelation 20:1–6