It is the gospel that is at the center of our preaching, and Christ himself who is the focus of our worship In Christ's death on the cross, the sins of all who believe in Him were imputed to him (i.e. "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Consequently, God's holy anger was directed towards His own son an
d he bore fully the penalty for the sins that were laid upon him. Thus he died, freely laying down his life for us. He was then buried in a tomb, proving that he had truly died, but on the third day, God raised Him up again, thus demonstrating that he had accepted His sacrifice, the shedding of his innocent blood as a full and final payment for the sins that had been imputed to Him. A man or woman who turns from sin and from self, fully believing and trusting in Christ alone to save them, will be saved, not only from the penalty of sin, which is death, but also from the power of sin in their every day lives. Such a change is not one of mere reform but it is a sovereign supernatural change of heart brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made reference to this when he said "You must be born again"(John 3:7). We do not believe that a person can have assurance that they are saved, based solely on the fact that they "asked Jesus into their heart" or prayed "the sinners prayer". The evidence of a true conversion is a radically changed life. One who has been born again by the spirit of God will hate sin and love righteousness. He will forsake the attractions, entertainments and allurements of this world and cling steadfastly to Christ, pursuing holiness, righteousness and truth along with other believers of like mind.