As a convenient shorthand we can be described as an evangelical baptist church. Our beliefs are set out in the publication We Believe, published by the Grace Baptist Trust Corporation. The following is a summary:
1. The Being of God
There is one true and living God, sovereign in creation, providence
and redemption. United in the one essence of God there are three persons, co-
2. The Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures are verbally inspired by God and are the only
sufficient and infallible guide in all matters of faith and practice.
3. The Fall of Man
Adam was the representative of the human race and his fall into
sin has brought about the guilt and condemnation of all mankind, alienating them
from God, and rendering them unable, in and of themselves, to turn to him.
4. The Plan of Salvation
Having regard to the helplessness of man in sin, God in eternity
graciously determined to save a great multitude of sinners for whom the eternal Son
of God became the mediator. In the fulness of time the Son of God took a real human
nature in the womb of the virgin Mary and lived a perfect life, yielding full obedience
to the holy law of God. He gave himself at Calvary as a substitute for all his people,
bearing the full penalty of their sin, and rose from the dead on the third day. He
ascended into heaven, where he lives and reigns, interceding for his church and governing
the affairs of men until the end of time.
5. The Application of Salvation
The salvation secured by the work of Jesus Christ
is applied to the elect by the Holy Spirit. By his powerful and mysterious work,
dead souls are quickened into spiritual life and given the desire and ability to
repent of sin and believe in Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Awakened by the Spirit,
sinners are justified by faith alone, having their sins pardoned and Christ's righteousness
imputed to them. Those whom God justifies shall finally persevere and enter into
the joys of heaven.
6. The Christian Life
The Christian rejoices in the twin blessings of the new covenant,
namely the forgiveness of sins and the creation of an inward desire to glorify God
by a life which conforms to his laws. Good works and practical holiness are, therefore,
indispensable evidences of a genuine experience of divine grace.
7. The Church
The Universal Church is the innumerable company of God's elect in every
age, whilst the local church is made up of those who have covenanted together in
a visible bond of fellowship. The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper belong
in the context of the local church and their very nature indicates that before partaking
of the Supper converts should identify themselves with the Lord Jesus and his people
in baptism and church membership.
8. The Last Things
At a time known only to God, the Lord Jesus Christ shall return
to this earth in glory to raise the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, and judge
all mankind. The wicked will go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous
into life eternal.
Beliefs