We seek in all things to follow the teaching of the Bible.
Our Statement of Faith is set out below; these doctrines are set out more fully in the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.
The Bible
The Holy Scriptures (that is, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) are our only rule of faith and practice.
We believe that the Scriptures are fully and infallibly inspired by God, and sufficient to make us wise for salvation, and to equip us for every good work.
2 Timothy 3.16
God
We believe in one God, who is holy, eternal, almighty, unchangeable, loving and just, who created all things and rules over all things. United in the one God are three co-equal persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6.4, 2 Corinthians 13.14
Man
The first man, Adam, was made by God in his own image. All human life is therefore worthy of respect. Adam, when created enjoyed God’s blessing; however, through the fall, that blessing was lost. Adam’s sin brought judgement, not only on him, but upon the entire human race. As a result of this, suffering and death have entered the world, and mankind has become liable to everlasting punishment. We are sinful by nature, having inherited this from Adam, and we need salvation; we are unable to save ourselves.
Genesis 1.26, Genesis 3; Romans 5.12
The elect
God, has in love already chosen, before the foundation of the world, a multitude no man can number, whom he will save.
Ephesians 1.4, Revelation 7.9
Our Lord Jesus Christ
God has sent his own Son into the world to be our Saviour. Our Lord Jesus Christ is both God and man – having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Having lived a perfect life, taught the way of God, and demonstrated himself to be the Messiah, he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. This however, was the decree of God, that he should die in the place of his people, that they might be saved through the shedding of his blood, as a once for all sacrifice for sin. On the third day, he rose again bodily from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. He is our Prophet, Priest and King.
He will come again, to judge the world and to reign forever.
John 3.16, Luke 1.35; Romans 5.8-9; 1 Corinthians 15.4; Luke 24.51,
2 Thessalonians 1.7-10
Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. All who believe, repenting of their sins, and acknowledging Christ as their Lord and Saviour, are reconciled to God, being justified freely through Christ, without any righteousness of their own. Through Christ we are adopted as God’s children, our sins are forgiven, and we inherit eternal life. There is no other way of salvation except through Christ.
Faith is the gift of God, made possible only by the new birth, through which God gives us spiritual life. All who are chosen will be saved, and kept forever by the grace of God.
Ephesians 2.8, John 3.16, Romans 3.24-26; Acts 4.12, John 3.3, Romans 8.29-30
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is given to all believers at conversion. The Spirit leads us to repentance and faith, and enables us to live the Christian life, strengthening, encouraging, empowering, and guiding, and teaching us in the ways of God, glorifying Christ in all that he does.
Romans 8.9, Acts 2.38, John 16.7-14
The Christian Life
Christians are called to live holy lives, to the glory of God, full of prayer and praise, serving both God and man, especially fellow believers, in love, as the Lord enables them.
Ephesians 4.1, Romans 12,Galatians 6.10
The Church
It is God’s will that his people should be gathered together in churches, for instruction, fellowship and worship. We believe in the congregational form of church government, with each church independent, under its own elders and deacons, though in fellowship with other churches. The only head of the church is Jesus Christ himself. It is the church’s duty to preach the gospel to all mankind. All who are converted are to be baptised, by immersion, and are to keep the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ. These ordinances are linked, both being commanded by Christ.
Acts 2.42, Acts 6.1-6; Ephesians 1.22; Matthew 28.19-20; 1 Cor 11.23-26
The Future
We believe that, after death, the souls of believers go at once to be with Christ, whilst the lost are punished for their sins. At the end of the world, Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and the world will be judged. The lost will then be separated from God forever in hell, but the saved will enjoy eternal blessing in a new heaven and a new earth.
Philippians 1.23; Luke 16.22-23; 2 Peter 3.10; John 5.28-29; Matthew 25.31-46;
Rev 20–22.21