“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

Because Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, it is our mandatory responsibility to do the same.

The Doctrinal Statements

The Doctrinal statements of Sydney Nepali Church summarize the core of our beliefs and interpretations. The doctrinal statements combine biblical integrity and guidance to solve issues that may arise in our church.

Core Beliefs

Sydney Nepali Church’s core beliefs describe our theological positions on key aspects of faith. Centred in Christ and His message, our beliefs are biblical theology rather than a theology that is speculative, subjective, or merely rooted in tradition. These beliefs are derived directly from Scripture (both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible).

The Scripture

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God’s self-disclosure to humankind. We believe the Scriptures of the Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments are: God-breathed, verbally inspired by God in every word, without error, and infallible. We believe God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship, by which the Holy Spirit directed the human authors, through their individual personalities and writing styles, such that they composed and recorded God’s Word to man without error (inerrant) in their original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God’s Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

God

We believe in the one living and true God, eternally (John 17:3) existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory and honour and obedience (John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4). The triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. As the immortal and eternal Creator, He sovereignly rules over all of His creation (Ps. 24:1). Because the Bible clearly teaches there is only one God, not three, we understand that these three persons must fully share the one and only divine nature. They may be manifested in different ways and have different roles, but nonetheless, they are equally God. The word “Trinity” is used to describe the teaching that God has a singular nature, but a plural personality.

Salvation

Christ’s righteousness is imputed (Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21) to the surrendering believer, and he or she is “set apart” (sanctified), declared “not guilty” (justified) before God (Rom. 3:26; 5:1; 1 Cor. 1:30) and delivered from condemnation to eternal life (Rom. 5:18; Tit. 3:7). Salvation is a gift solely of God’s grace and not on the basis of any human merit or works (Ac. 15:11; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Though “good deeds” in no way achieve human salvation (Isa. 64:6), they give evidence of a redeemed heart and new purpose in life (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:8; Jas. 2:14). True believers will be kept by God’s power to persevere and thus can be assured of their eternal salvation (Jn. 10:27-30; Rom. 8:30, 38-39; Phil. 1:6; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 Jn. 5:13; Rev. 14:12). The salvation of humanity is completely a work of God’s free grace; it is not in any way the result of human works or goodness. Each person can receive salvation by repentance and faith. God’s Word assures individuals that He will continue His saving work in them forever.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18). Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man (John 14:8-9), lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place, accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father’s right hand, He is now Head of His Body the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and people, and will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission (1 Timothy 3:16).

The Christian Life (The Holy Spirit)

People in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ are to live in holiness and obedience as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Sent by the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work by enlightening the minds of sinners to their need to be saved. He renews and indwells each believer upon salvation, becoming their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. Appropriated by faith, His power and control empower believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory.

Human Destiny

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. All humanity will experience a bodily resurrection and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Having rejected God, unbelievers will suffer eternal condemnation apart from Him. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life. Because God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure for eternity.

The Church

Jesus Christ is the Head (Col. 1:18), Builder (Mt. 16:18) and Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) of the church. His flock is composed of all born-again believers; members of one unified, loving and living spiritual body (Jn. 13:34-35; Eph. 2:11-22; 4:3). Under the supreme authority of Christ, the church has the mandate to encourage and instruct believers through the Word (Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 4:2), discipline the unruly (Mt. 18:15-17), exercise spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11), pray (Ac. 2:42), fellowship (Heb. 10:24-25), appoint qualified men for the office of elder and deacon (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9) and advance the gospel (Mt. 28:18-20)-all under the corporate banner of worship in the name of Christ (Col. 3:17) for the glory of God (Eph. 3:21). The church is also responsible to keep the Lord’s ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion (Ac. 2:38; 8:36-39) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20), wherein the elements commemorate Christ death and anticipate His return (1 Cor. 11:23-32).

Faith and Practice

In all matters of faith and practice, Scripture is the final authority. In matters where Scripture is silent, believers should conscientiously seek to be led by God because it is to Him alone, he or she is ultimately responsible.

Baptism and Communion

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the local church to observe two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

We believe that Baptism is a public demonstration, testimony, and witness of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion portrays and proclaims the believer’s real union with Christ and our death to sin and resurrection to a new life through His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-14). Baptism is commanded in Scripture as an initial act of obedience following salvation.

We believe that Jesus Christ commanded believers to partake in the Lord’s Supper to commemorate His death until He returns and should be preceded by a careful self-examination (Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29).

Moreover, we believe that neither water baptism nor the Lord’s Supper has any saving merit, nor are a means of mystical or other union with God, but rather are demonstrations of our faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and God.

Click here to view SNC’s Doctrinal Statements in detail.

Core Values

The list of core values defined guide how we achieve our mission, influencing major leadership decisions as well as everyday ministry plans. In short, they keep us focused on the unique call God has given us as a local church.

  1. We believe anointed teaching is the catalyst for transformation in individuals’ lives and in the church. This includes the concept of teaching for life change (Romans 12:7; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; James 1:23–25).
  2. We believe lost people matter to God, and therefore, they matter to the church. This includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process (Luke 5:30–32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14).
  3. We believe the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure (1 Corinthians 9:19–23). This includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through our facility, teaching materials, and use of the arts and media (1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
  4. We believe Christ followers should manifest authenticity and yearn for continuous growth. This includes the concepts of personal authenticity, character, and wholeness (Ephesians 4:25–26, 32; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 1:6).
  5. We believe a church should operate as a unified community of servants, with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts. This includes the concepts of unity, servanthood, spiritual gifts, and ministry callings (1 Corinthians 12 and 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; Psalm 133:1).
  6. We believe loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. This includes the concepts of love-driven ministry, ministry accomplished in teams, and relationship building (1 Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Luke 10:1; John 13:34–35).
  7. We believe life-change happens best in community. This includes the concepts of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability (Luke 6:12–13; Acts 2:44–47).
  8. We believe excellence honours God and inspires people. This includes the concepts of evaluation, critical review, intensity, and excellence (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6–14; Proverbs 27:17).
  9. We believe churches should be led by men and women with God-given leadership gifts. This includes the concepts of empowerment, servant leadership, strategic focus, and intentionality (Nehemiah 1–2; Romans 12:8; Acts 6:2–5).
  10. We believe the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every believer. This includes the concepts of stewardship, servanthood, downward mobility, and the pursuit of kingdom goals (1 Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1–11; 2 Corinthians 8:7).