What We believe

The litmus test for truth is the Holy Bible, the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.

We are also committed to historic Christianity and the Reformation heritage. What we believe can be summarized in at least 3 ways:

FIRST:

As a church we hold to the 1677/89 (Second London) Baptist Confession of Faith as our full summary of faith. 

Elders and deacons are required to give their full subscription to the 1689 confession of faith and church members must be willing to be taught the Word of God as it is clearly set out in the confession. 

You can read the 1677/89 (Second London) Baptist Confession of Faith here: https://www.the1689confession.com/

SECOND:

Our biblical convictions are also rooted and grounded in biblical truth that was recovered during the Reformation period.

They are summarised here in the five solas:

SOLA SCRIPTURA – THE BIBLE ALONE
We affirm that the inerrant Scripture is to be the sole source of divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.

SOLUS CHRISTUS – CHRIST ALONE
We affirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Jesus Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone
are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.

SOLA GRATIA – GRACE ALONE
We affirm that in salvation we are rescued from God’s wrath by His grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.

SOLA FIDE – FAITH ALONE
We affirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction to God’s perfect justice.

SOLI DEO GLORIA – GLORY TO GOD ALONE
We affirm that, because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God’s glory, and that we must glorify Him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God under the authority of God and for the Glory of God.

THIRD: 

SUMMARY DECLARATION OF FAITH

The declaration of faith below is a shorter summary of the doctrines we believe the Bible teaches

We believe:-
(a)  In the full inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures both of the Old and the New Testaments; as being the sole and a sufficient guide and rule in all matters of faith and practice.

(b)  That there is only one true and living God, co-equal in three Persons: Father,Son and the Holy Spirit

(c)  In the unity of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit both in creation and redemption.

(d)  That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that all stand in need of salvation through the redeeming work of Christ.

(e)  In the perfect Manhood and Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His virgin birth and infallibility of His utterances, His death and resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God as the one mediator between God and man and as intercessor on behalf of His people.

(f)  That God, before the foundation of the world, for His own glory chose an innumerable host of men and women to eternal life as an act of free and sovereign
grace.

(g)  In the justification of a sinner freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus to be received by faith and exclusive of human merit.

(h)  In the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and sanctification and in ministry and worship.

(i)  In the resurrection of the body and life everlasting, in the judgement of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ with the eternal blessedness of the righteous and eternal punishment of the wicked.

12
(j)  That baptism is for believers only, being an outward sign of inward repentance and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ

(k)  In the observance of the Lord’s Supper as a commemoration of our Lord’s death “until He come”, but in no wise as a sacrifice for sin as this was offered once
for all at Calvary.

(l)  In the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory to judge the living and the dead and to establish the new heavens and new earth,