GUIDING BELIEF
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things love.”
Living Hope Churches of Christ are a part of Churches of Christ in NSW and ACT. This is a network of Churches who are rooted historically in the Restoration Movement. The Restoration Movement values simple, uncluttered Christianty held together by affirming what is essential to the Christian faith.
Because of this we take a guiding belief that in the essential matters of faith, we have unity, in the non-essential matters (that which doesn't affect our salvation) we celebrate a diversity of viewpoints, but in all matters of faith and life we practice love.
Within our church we have people from different denominational backgrounds who were brought up with certain doctrinal ideas. We talk about them, we wrestle with what it means to be a Christian today, and we grow in faith together.
GUIDING BELIEF
“No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible”
With the idea of essentials and non-essentials comes the idea that Churches of Christ do not have any creedal statments that you have to swear to, to be accepted.
That doesn't mean we see no purpose or truth in them, we don't allow them to hold more authority than the Bible.
Within Living Hope Churches of Christ we promote the Apostles Creed as a wonderful ancient statment of faith that covers so many of the essentials and point us back to Scripture to see the fullness of each declaration.
Apostle’s Creed 3RD – 5TH CENTURY AD
I believe in God the Father Almighty
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
one holy Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen
GUIDING BELIEF
Our Heart
At the heart of Living Hope Churches of Christ exist these key ideas:
We believe that we are greatly loved by God and that He has done everything possible to open the way to relationship with Him.
We believe in the dignity and value of all people no matter their personal circumstances.
We believe that the church is a place to find healing and acceptance.
We believe that when we come to faith we become a new creation. The old is gone and a new life takes its place.
GUIDING BELIEF
What we believe about specific things.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was written by men under the influence of the Holy Spirit and is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.
Creation
We believe that the universe was brought into existence by a loving creator God. It did not arise spontaneously, making life random and meaningless.
Sin
We believe that sin has disrupted the natural order of creation. Instead of God being in control, people have chosen to try to control their destiny. Sin manifests itself in our lives as selfishness, self-centeredness and unforgiveness.
Baptism by Immersion
We believe that baptism by immersion as practised in the New Testament is an important part of a Christian’s spiritual journey. Baptism does not save the individual. Baptism enables a believer to identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Communion
We believe that Jesus’ instruction to His disciples at the last supper to “do this in remembrance of me” remains relevant, making communion is a central part of our worship.
Christian conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the good of others. Our conduct should be as Christlike as possible in all areas of our lives.
Future things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Earth. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of union with God for the redeemed, and eternal separation from God for the unrepentant.
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, an eternal community of divine persons (Father, Son, and Spirit), who are equal in every way, operating in distinct and complementary ways throughout the history of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation.
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, a personal being, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. Under his instruction all of creation came into being and His desire is to be in relationship with His creation. Sin puts a barrier between the Father and His creation.
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, sent by the Father and incarnated by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe that Jesus loves the world so much that he died to atone for sin. We believe in his bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, continual prayer for his people, and future personal visible return to Earth.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father and Son to empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian and gives believers spiritual gifts for the benefit of the Gospel.
Humanity
We believe that all people are created in the glorious image of God but have been tainted by sin and separated from God. We believe all who repent of their sin and trust Jesus Christ as their Redeemer are delivered from condemnation and renewed in the image of God.
The Church
We believe the church is a spiritual community comprised of all who have trusted in Christ for redemption. The church consists of God’s imperfect people who are being perfected by grace to be like Jesus. We are a missionary community created by God to positively engage all peoples and cultures in the world with a message of Living Hope.
We want you to join with us
You're a person who loves Jesus but doesn't have a church
There is a place for you to use your God given gifts to build something wonderful within our communities.
Come along to a Sunday service or a prayer meeting. Hear our heart and vision. Then join us in the spreading living hope.
You're curious about Jesus and want to know more
You are in the right place. Our Sunday gatherings are a good place to start, but we also have groups that meet during the week to explore what it means to practically.
You don't need to dress up in the "Sunday best". We think your great just as you are.
You go to a church but you're struggling to fit in
If you have read this page and watched some sermons and are now thinking, "I might swap churches" or, "I don't fit in at my current church", we would love you to join us at Living Hope. IF! you have prayed about it and shared your concerns with your current pastor.
No church is perfect, give your current one a chance.
Maitland
1 Garnett Road, East Maitland
In person service 9:30AM Sundays
Kurri Kurri
134 Maitland Road, Kurri Kurri
In person service 9:30AM Sundays
