What we believe
We believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, the Holy Spirit as Inspirer and Enabler, and the authority of the Bible as God’s Word. It is our desire that Jesus Christ should be most important in our lives, both individually and as a church.
He has risen!
Taking the commands of Jesus seriously to love one another and to go into all the world with his teachings, we see it as essential to demonstrate the love of God to each other, encourage spiritual growth and development and to share Jesus Christ with our neighbourhood, our nation and the world, by our worship, words and actions.
The following are common Baptist beliefs:
THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Baptists affirm that ‘Jesus is Lord’. He is Lord over our individual lives, the life of each church, and the life of the whole world.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE
The Bible is described as the ‘Word of God’ because Baptists believe that its writers were inspired by God’s Spirit. As such, it has authority to guide both what we believe and how we live our lives.
BAPTISM FOR BELIEVERS
From the example of the New Testament, Baptists claim that baptism is for those who believe and are able to declare that Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Jesus’ claim on our lives, baptism by immersion is practised, representing a desire to die to self and to live for Christ.
A BELIEVERS’ CHURCH
Baptists understand the church as a community of believers gathered in the name of Jesus Christ for worship, witness and service. There is no set Baptist liturgy. Each local church and community is free to determine its own pattern, though prayer and praise, listening and reflecting on scripture, and sharing Holy Communion will always be central.
THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
Baptists believe that everyone that attends a Baptist church has a role to play and can use their God-given skills and talents for the good of the church and the community. These gifts include teaching, evangelism, social action, pastoral care, prayer, healing, taking part in worship, administration or hospitality.