What we believe

A summary of what our church believes is as follows:

The Scriptures 

1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; 2 Peter 1:19-21

God

2. We believe that there is only one true, living and eternal God a and that there are three Persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit b who are equal in nature, power, and glory, and that the Son c and Holy Spirit d are as truly God as the Father. It is this One God in three Persons that we profess to worship, reverence, and serve. (a) Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Jeremiah 10:10 (b) 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19 (c) John 10:30; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:3; Romans 9:5; 1 John 5:20 (d) Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Creation

3. We believe that God created all things for His own glory, and all was very good a. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, and every living creature within the space of six days and that He rested on the seventh day b, setting a pattern for mankind of six days work followed by one day of rest and worship c. We believe that God created mankind to be either male or female (as defined biologically at birth), and that He ordained marriage to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman d. We believe that man’s first and highest purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever e. (a) Genesis 1:1,31; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 19:1; Hebrews 1:10, 11:3 (b) Genesis 1:31, 2:2-3 (c) Exodus 20:8; Luke 23:56; Mark 2:27; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2 (d) Genesis 1:27, 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33 (e) Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31. 6:20; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 73:24-26; Revelation 22:1-5

Sin and Death

4. We believe that God created the first man Adam in His image and likeness (upright, holy, and innocent) a, but that he disobeyed God b, and fell into a state of sin and death. We believe this original sin of Adam’s defiled the whole human race c, so that all mankind are born with evil, fallen natures d and are sinners against God in thoughts, words and actions e. We believe that sin has made mankind so spiritually dead that he is unable and unwilling to spiritually believe in, love or obey God without the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit f. We believe that sin has brought mankind under God’s wrath and condemnation, and that because of sin man must die bodily g, and that he must die eternally in hell h unless saved by the grace of God.  We believe that sin is the cause of all the misery mankind will ever know i. (a) Genesis 1:26-27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Ephesians 4:24 (b) Genesis 2:17, 3:6; 1 John 3:4 (c) Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22 (d) Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Psalm 58:3 (e) Romans 3:23; Mark 7:21-23; James 3:8; Galatians 5:19-21 (f) Genesis 6:5; Romans 8:7-8; John 3:5-7; Ephesians 2:1-3 (g) Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 9:27 (h) Revelation 21:8; Luke 16:23 (i) Genesis 3:14-19; Job 5:7, 14:1

God’s Covenant of Peace

5. We believe that before the world began God, in everlasting love, chose a certain number of people to everlasting salvation by His own free and sovereign grace a. We believe that, on behalf of this elect people, the Father made a Covenant of Peace with His Son Jesus Christ b, whom He appointed as Mediator and Saviour  c, and who willingly undertook the care and charge of their whole salvation d. We believe it was for this chosen people that Jesus Christ obtained eternal redemption by the shedding of His blood e, and that not one of them shall perish, but all shall have everlasting life f. (a) Ephesians 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:2 (b) Psalm 89:3,28,34; Isaiah 54:10; 2 Samuel 23:5 (c) Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:11 (d) Psalm 40:7-8; John 10:18 (e) John 10:11,15; Galatians 3:13; Revelation 5:9 (f) John 6:37-40, 10:28-29, 17:4,24

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

6. We believe that the only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ a, became  a true and sinless man (body and soul), and that His human nature was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit b. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ took this human nature into union with His Divine nature, so being both God and Man in one glorious Person c. We believe that in this nature Christ lived a perfectly righteous life, truly suffered and died, and after three days rose again from the dead: thus satisfying the justice of God and obtaining everlasting life for His people d. We believe that forty days after His resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven e, was glorified by His Father f, and exalted on His throne as Lord of all g. We believe that Jesus now lives forever to rule and intercede on behalf of His people as their Advocate and Friend h. (a) John 1:18, 3:16 (b) Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4; Romans 1:3 (c) 1 Timothy 2:5, 3:16 (d) Isaiah 53:10-12; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Revelation 1:18; John 11:25 (e) Acts 1:3,9-11 (f) John 17:5; Acts 3:13 (g) Acts 2:33, 5:31; Philippians 2:10; Ephesians 1:20-23 (h) 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24-25, 9:24; John 15:13,15; Proverbs 18:24

The Work of the Holy Spirit

7. We believe that all Christ’s people will, in time, be regenerated (i.e. born again to new spiritual life) a, converted (i.e. from sin to righteousness, Satan to Christ) b and sanctified (i.e. separated to holiness in heart and life) c, by the mighty, and irresistible grace of God the Holy Spirit d. We believe that regeneration, conversion and sanctification are by grace alone, and not an act of man’s free will or natural power e. (a) John 3:3-7; Romans 6:4 (b) Colossians 1:12-13; Romans 6:18 (c) 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess 2:13 (d) Philippians 2:13 (e) John 1:13; Romans 9:16, 8:7

The Gospel

8. We believe the message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that the worst of sinners are welcome to come to Jesus Christ for life and salvation a. We believe that the gospel contains many great and precious promises b which are all true and certain c, so that whoever repents of their sin and comes to Christ by faith can never perish but must receive everlasting life d. We believe it is God’s will for this good news to be preached freely and fully to all people among all nations e, and that God calls, equips, and anoints men with a variety of spiritual gifts for this purpose f. We believe that through the gospel the Lord Jesus calls His people to Himself g. (a) Luke 2:10-11; Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15 (b) 2 Peter 1:4; Isaiah 55:1-7; Matthew 5:4,6, 7:9-11, 21:22; Luke 11:9-13 (c) 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 6:13-20 (d) John 6:37; Matthew 11:28, 19:14; John 3:16 (e) Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15-16; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (f) Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15-16; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (g) Romans 10:11-17; 1 Cor 1:21; Acts 8:29-35

The Call by Grace

9. We believe that each of Christ’s people will, in time, hear His call within their soul a, repent of their sin, and come to Him for eternal life b. We believe that all who receive this high and heavenly calling, inherit the blessings of grace in this world and glory hereafter c. (a) John 10:4,27; Romans 10:17; John 6:63 (b) John 6:37; 12:32, 3:14-15 (c) Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 3:1; Philippians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Peter 1:3 

Justification by Faith

10. We believe that Christ’s people are justified (i.e. declared righteous) by God through the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ alone a, and that the full and free forgiveness of all their sins has been obtained through His precious blood alone b. We believe this justification is received by faith alone and is imputed (i.e. given or accredited) to them freely without consideration of works performed by them either before or after their calling c. (a) Romans 3:14, 5:19; Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 3:15-17; Galatians 3:13 (b) Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Romans 3:24-25; Colossians 1:14 (c) Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 3:28, 4:6,21-25; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8-9

Perseverance

11. We believe that all those who are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Spirit, will persevere through every trial, and come finally to glory. Not one of them shall perish, but all shall have everlasting life.  John 6:37-40, 10:28-29; Matthew 16:18; Psalm 125:1-2; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24; Romans 8:30-39

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

12. We believe that Baptism a and the Lord’s Supper b are ordinances of Christ to be continued until His second coming; and that those admitted to the communion table are those, who on profession of their faith, have been baptised by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (a) Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:12,36-39, 9:18, 10:47-48, 16:14-15, 31-33, 18:8, 19:1-6; Romans 6:3 (b) Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:2,26

The Church (Universal and Local)

13. We believe there is one complete and universal church to which all true believers in Jesus belong a. This church is described as the body and bride of Christ b, and is the entire number of Christ’s elect from all nations, throughout all time c. We believe it is the New Testament order for local believers to form themselves into local churches d. We believe that a local Church of Christ is a gathering of faithful men and women e, willingly walking together according to the gospel, in subjection to Christ their Head f, in love to one another g, and attending to all His commandments and ordinances h. We believe that each local Church is to be independent and self-governing i. We believe the aim of Christ’s people individually, and of each local church collectively, must always be the glory of God in and through Jesus Christ j, and that God calls them to worship Him k, to love and strengthen one another l and to serve Him m as His witness in the world n. (a) Heb 12:23; Col 1:18; Eph 1:10 (b) Eph 1:22-23, 4:15-16, 5:23-32 (c) Rev 7:9; 2 Tim 2:19 (d) Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; Col 1:2; Phil 1:2 (e) Matt 18:19-20; 1 Cor 5:4 (f) Rev 1:16,20; Heb 3:6; Col 1:18; 1 Peter 5:4 (g) John 13:34-35, 15:12,17; Rom 12:10; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:2; 1 Thess 3:12, 4:9; Heb 10:24-25; 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8; 1 John 3:11,23; 2 John 1:15 (h) Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:42; John 14:15; 1 Cor 11:2,23 (i) Rev 2:1,8,12,18, 3:1,7,14 (j) Rom 15:6; Eph 1:6, 3:21; Col 3:17; 1 Peter 2:12, 4:11 (k) John 4:23-24; Acts 18:13, 24:14; Phil 3:3; Rev 14:6-7, 19:5, 4:10-11, 5:9-14 (l) Heb 3:13, 10:24-25; Col 3:16; Eph 4:16; Rom 15:14; 1 Thes 4:18, 5:11; Rom 14:19; Gal 5:13 (m) Luke 1:74; John 12:26; Rom 6:13; Heb 9:14 (n) Matt 5:14-16, 24:14; Luke 24:47-48; John 1:6-7; Acts 1:8; Rom 16:26; Eph 3:10; 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Thess 1:8

Future Resurrection of the Body and Final Judgement

14. We believe that Christ will come a second time to this world with power and great glory a, that He will command the resurrection of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous b, and that He will bring all mankind to judgement c. We believe that the wicked, being judged according to what they are in themselves, will be condemned to the unspeakable torments of hell forever, but that the righteous, being judged according to what they are in Christ Jesus, will be openly acquitted and taken to be with Him in glory forever d. (a) Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7;Luke 21:27 (b) Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2 (c) 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 15; 1 John 4:17 (d) Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8; Romans 8:1,33-34

All the truths we believe can be found in the Holy Bible, and we recommend a prayerful reading of the scriptures referenced in blue. For further understanding of the truths stated above we recommend reading the Baptist Confession of Faith 1689.