Statement of Faith
The Holy Scriptures contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the only rule or standard that God has given the churches to govern all matters of faith and practice.
This church adopts the following Statement of Faith (summarised from the 1966 Baptist Affirmation of Faith):
- The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and that they are the sole, supreme, and all-sufficient authority in every matter of Christian faith and practice.
- One living and only true God, subsisting in the Trinity of Three co-equal and co-eternal Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; all infinite without beginning; the Father neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.
- The Deity, eternal Sonship, and spotless humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth, crucifixion, death, and burial; His physical resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
- The personal, eternal, and unconditional election of the Church in Christ unto everlasting salvation.
- The Fall of mankind in Adam their federal head whose transgression is imputed to them, and from whom they derive a corrupt nature, thereby rendering them both unable and unwilling to meet the claims of God’s righteous and holy law.
- That though all men are rendered spiritually impotent by the Fall, they are none the less accountable to God for their sins, and they shall answer for the same in the day of judgement except they be granted repentance unto eternal life.
- The special, particular, and eternal redemption from all sin, and the penal consequence thereof, of all God’s elect, through the substitutionary sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The eternal and everlasting justification through faith of the elect and redeemed Church, by the blood and imputed righteousness of Christ, irrespective of any moral or spiritual works done by them either before or after regeneration.
- The effectual calling of all the redeemed by the invincible power and grace of the Holy Spirit, according to the counsel of God’s will, involving their regeneration and sanctification by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit, through which the saints grow in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.
- The grace of faith whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls is the gift of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, who convinces them of sin, works in them repentance unto life, and enables them to look to, receive, and rest upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
- The final perseverance in the ways of God of all those who have been chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, so that they shall never perish, but have eternal life.
- The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, when the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous into life eternal.
- The duty and privilege of all true believers to profess their repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by being baptised, that is, immersed in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, prior to becoming members of the local church.
- The preaching of the Gospel to every creature as a divine command and solemn duty.
- The necessity of a believer’s life being consistent with the profession he makes.
- The Congregational order of the churches.
Church Covenant
Having been brought by Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, joyfully, and most solemnly, now enter into covenant with one another as one body of Christ.
• Now, therefore, by His grace, we commit ourselves to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
• We will walk together in Christian love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• We will pray for one another and serve one another, giving preference to one another in honour, and seek after that which is good for one another.
• We will bear one another’s burdens in all humility, and accept one another as the Lord has accepted us affectionately caring for, watching over, and faithfully admonishing one another as God gives us opportunity.
• We will strive to live as Christ in the world; and denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we will seek to fulfil our calling to lead a holy life, to be salt and light, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
• We will guard our tongues, not speaking evil or complaining against one another, avoiding all gossip, not lying to one another, but instead speaking words that admonish one another.
• We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together in corporate worship, prayer, study, and fellowship, and will use our spiritual gifts for the common good.
• We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
• We will faithfully participate in the ordinances of the church, and endeavour after the unity of mind in doctrine.
• We will both submit to the church’s discipline upon ourselves and lovingly assume our responsibility to participate in the discipline of other members, as taught in Scripture.
• We will practice personal and family worship, to train our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
• We will be witnesses for Christ; seeking the salvation of our family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, acquaintances and all the world.
• We acknowledge our dependence upon God and the Bible, and that we constantly need the assistance of the Holy Spirit, especially in fulfilling this covenant.