our beliefs, vision and values at Aberdeen Elim Church

What we believe

As an Elim Pentecostal Church, this church holds to the following fundamental truths (also found on the Elim churches national website by clicking here)

THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible, as originally given, to be without error, the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

THE TRINITY: We believe that the Godhead exists co-equally and co-eternally in three persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that these three are one God, sovereign in creation, providence and redemption.

THE SAVIOUR: We believe in the true and proper deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His real and complete humanity, in His sinless life, in His authoritative teaching, in His substitutionary and atoning sacrifice through His blood shed, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His heavenly intercession and His second advent to receive His Church.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son and the necessity of His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification, and that the believer is also promised an enduement of power as the gift of Christ through the baptism in the Holy Spirit with signs following. Through this enduement the believer is empowered for fuller participation in the ministry of the Church, its worship, evangelism and service.

MANKIND: We believe in the universal sinfulness of all men since the Fall, rendering man subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.

SALVATION: We believe in the necessity for salvation of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by which the sinner is pardoned and accepted as righteous in God’s sight. This justification is imputed by the grace of God because of the atoning work of Christ, is received by faith alone and is evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit and a holy life.

THE CHURCH: We believe in the spiritual unity and the priesthood of all believers in Christ and that these comprise the universal Church, the Body of Christ.

THE MINISTRY: We believe in the ministries that Christ has set in His Church, namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and in the present operation of the manifold Gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the New Testament.

THE ORDINANCES: We believe in the baptism of believers in water in obedience to the command of Christ and the commemoration of Christ’s death by the observance of the Lord’s Supper until His return.

THE COMMISSION: We believe that the Gospel embraces the needs of the whole man and that the Church is therefore commissioned to preach the gospel to the world and to fulfill a ministry of healing and deliverance to the spiritual and physical needs of mankind.

THE COMING KING: We believe in the personal, physical and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign in power and glory.

THE FUTURE STATE: We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in the final judgment of the world, the eternal conscious bliss of the righteous and the eternal conscious punishment of the wicked.

Vision

Our vision is to build a multicultural family church in the city of Aberdeen
That is known for its passion for God’s presence
And its commitment to live for God’s glory.

Our vision is to see a church that is here to serve a lost and broken world;
A church that unapologetically preaches the Word of God
And believes in the power of the Gospel to save, restore, and bring purpose for life now.

Our vision is to build a growing and vibrant community of people
Who love with the love they have found in Jesus Christ

Values

Multicultural – our church will make room for people from every social background, ethnicity and nationality. We believe there are no second class citizens in the Kingdom of God.

Family – our church is a family church that will serve and equip the young to the old; children, youth, singles and married couples for works of service. We believe that God loves us and has a purpose for our lives irrespective of age or marital status.

City of Aberdeen – our church is a city church. Our parish is Aberdeen and the surrounding areas, and our heart is to see Aberdeen prosper and be blessed of God. We believe that as God’s church we are to be a blessing to our city and communities.

Passion for God’s Presence – we understand that only a living relationship with God will transcend dead religion. As such we will actively and deliberately pursue God’s presence and power in our lives and church, as God enables us. We believe God delights in making Himself known to those who hunger for Him.

Living for God’s glory – we are committed to live for God’s glory through obedience to His Word, living as representatives and ambassadors of Christ. We believe that our faith is primarily about God and that we find wholeness and life in making Him Lord of our lives. So we will live to serve Him and not ourselves.

Serving a lost and broken world – we are committed to not simply talk about the love of God, but also to show it in practical and demonstrable ways to those in need, locally, nationally and globally in whatever way the Lord leads and enables us.

Preaching the Word of God – we believe that the Bible provides the framework and the roadmap to live in right relationship with God and get the best out of life. As such we will let His Word shape our worldview and not compromise with the culture of the day to dilute or weaken it. We are therefore committed to preaching the whole Word of God.

The Gospel is the power of God – we believe that the Gospel is the hope of salvation and the only way that mankind can know right relationship with God. It was Christ’s main mission on earth and He has passed that on to us to continue to carry and make known. We are committed to actively sharing the Gospel, and seeking God’s leading and power in reaching out to people who need Christ.

A church that is growing – we are committed to be a church that is growing both spiritually and numerically. Spiritually into fully devoted followers of Christ, and numerically as we seek to be people who invite and bring others who need the hope that God brings. We will be a people who expect God to bring the increase and, relying on Him do our part to help to make it happen.

A church that is a community – we are committed to working out our faith in relationship with others. In both small groups and in the wider context of the church family, we will be a people who seek to love, encourage, build up and stand with each other, spurring one another on in our faith. Our heart is to build a life giving vibrant community with Christ at the centre. We will therefore commit ourselves to bringing our God-given gifts and resources to this goal.

About Elim

The Elim Pentecostal Church was founded in 1915 by a Welshman, George Jeffreys, who was an outstanding evangelist and church planter. He had a Welsh Congregational background, was strongly influenced by the Welsh Revival of 1904, and was introduced to Pentecost by an Anglican vicar, Rev Alexander Boddy of Sunderland.

The name 'Elim' was taken from the biblical book of Exodus where the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited en route from Egypt's cruel bondage to the freedom of Canaan, came to Elim an oasis in the desert where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees. (see Exodus 15.27)

As the Movement grew with amazing rapidity against the background of dramatic decline in the historic churches, it proved to be a fitting symbol of spiritual refreshing.

Between 1915 and 1934, George Jeffreys conducted some tremendous evangelistic missions. This unknown preacher would commence a mission with a mere handful of people, and by the end of the week, thousands would clamour for a seat. Amazing miracles of healing had taken place. After the mission, very large churches were established.

Elim continued to grow despite the ravages of World War two and other difficulties and soon established itself as a Pentecostal power in the evangelisation of the United Kingdom. Today, there are over 500 churches across the country, and nearly 9000 world-wide.

Ministers are trained at its official residential college in Nantwich - Regents Theological College, accredited by Manchester University for the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Its global thrust is spearheaded by the International Missions Board, which operates in 35 countries, with orphanages, hospitals and schools as well as churches.
It has a vibrant Home Missions policy and is committed to the evangelisation of the UK and the planting of new churches. The winning of young people to Jesus is an important part of Elim's mission, and this is directed by the 'Serious4God Team', Elim’s National Young Ministry.

Elim's largest church is the 12,000 strong Kensington Temple, which has a network of churches in London and is led by Colin Dye.

To find out more about Elim churches, visit the national website by clicking here