"Committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God in order to point men, women, young people, and boys and girls to Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord."
		This is a question we are often asked, so here is a brief summary of what we believe: There is a more detailed presentation of what we believe on the Sermons page under the Baptist Principles Series of Sunday morning messages which were given between March and April 2003 around our Tenth Anniversary. Baptists believe in the basic doctrines of the Christian Faith, such as the Trinity i.e. One God in three persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. We believe in The Virgin Birth, the sinless life, sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and His expected return to judge all the people who have ever lived on this earth. (Acts 1:11, Revelation 22:7). In addition to these, there are a number of doctrines that are very important to Baptists, that not all other churches would practice. Having said that, there are some churches, that are not called Baptist, but who do seek to practice the following beliefs: 1. The Authority of The Bible. We look to the Bible alone for guidance in all spiritual matters. Church Tradition and literature are considered as being only the ideas of men and therefore as having no authority over a follower of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Galatians 1:11,12) 2. The Local Church. We have no hierarchy, and so no person or group of people from outside a local church has any influence over how we function as a community. Each church can appoint its own pastor and would usually have a number of elders and deacons. Pastors are usually married men with a family of their own. Within the local church every member can make up their own mind on decisions about life, voting etc, believing that they will answer to God for their choices. However through regular Bible teaching, members are given guidance on all moral and spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 10:23-33, Acts 14:23, Ephesians 1:22,23). 3. The Baptism of Believers. We baptise people when they request it themselves, after they have made a conscious decision to follow Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. We see this as New Testament Church practice. It is the baptism of believers that we practice. Baptism is by total immersion (under the water) as a symbol of our identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. It is also a picture of the change that has happened in our lives at conversion. We see this as obedience to the command of Christ, but it has nothing to do with a person getting salvation. (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:32-38). 4. The Separation of Church and State. We believe that Church and State should be separate and not have authority over each other. But as Baptists we recognise the role of the government as the means by which God looks after the day to day running of life in the country. We believe that we should pray regularly for political leaders and those in authority. And we believe it is our responsibility to present and promote a Biblical viewpoint on current social and moral issues. (1 Timothy 2:2. Romans 13:1-7). 5. The Priesthood of All Believers. This means that all true believers are equal in the sight of God and need no other person to act as a go-between. We believe Christ is our only mediator with God and therefore is our Great High Priest. (1 Peter 2:9-12, Ephesians 3:12).