What we believe

The key principals of our faith are;

God – There is one God who is eternal, existing in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God’s holiness, justice, wisdom and love is unchangeable.  He is our Sovereign Creator, Saviour and Judge.

The Bible – The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament books is the infallible Word of God.  Every word was inspired by God through human authors and is without error and fully reliable.  Nothing should be added to it or taken away from it.

Original Sin – God made the first man, Adam perfect, holy and upright. Adam sinned against God and brought upon himself and all mankind death, condemnation and a sinful nature.  

As a result we cannot of ourselves have a saving knowledge of God, love God, keep his laws, believe the Gospel, repent of sin or trust in Jesus Christ.

Election – God elected to eternal life a number of persons which no one can count, as an act of free and sovereign grace. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works or merit.

Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the Son of God and equal with God the Father.  Jesus became man and was fully God and man, having two natures but being one person.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin without sin and lived a sinless life.

He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, accepting the punishment for sins and redeeming sinners by His blood.  He rose from the grave  and ascended to Heaven where He intercedes for those who believe in Him in the presence of God the Father.

Justification through Christ – Only Jesus sacrifice of dying on the cross is sufficient to redeem sinners. God the Fathers acceptance of this was borne out by raising Him from the dead.  All who are called by grace and believe on Jesus Christ as their Saviour are justified in the sight of God.

The Holy Spirit and Regeneration – The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son into the world to glorify Christ and apply His work of salvation. Through the Holy Spirit sinners are given the desire and ability to repent of sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

The Holy Spirit dwells within all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ and the power to live in obedience to God.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are visible signs of the Gospel and of union with Christ and His Church. Baptism is a declaration by a Christian of their repentance and faith.  This is necessary in order to enter membership of the church and partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Final perseverance – All those who are regenerated, called and justified shall, by the grace and power of God persevere in holiness and enter into the joys of heaven.

Second Coming and Final Judgement– Jesus Christ will return to the world again. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed know eternal life of joy in fellowship with God.

The church is a member of the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia) and accept and believe in the published Articles of Faith of the Association.  For the full detail of the Articles of Faith please follow the link here.