Beliefs
While our theological beliefs are detailed in the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, some of our central beliefs can be found below.
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is the perfect rule in all matters of faith and practice.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. We believe God exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
(Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 46:10, Matthew 28:19, John 1:14, John 15:26, Romans 11:36)
We believe God created man in His image and likeness, in holiness, under the law of his Maker. But by voluntary transgression, man fell from that holy and happy state. As a result, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice. Being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, man is under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:9-18, Romans 5:12, Romans 8:7)
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By the appointment of the Father, Jesus freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. By God's grace, sinners once dead in sin are born again by the Holy Spirit and granted grace to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. As a result, they are forgiven, declared righteous, reconciled, adopted, and granted eternal life with God.
(John 3:16, Ephesians 2:5, Philippians 2:6-8, Hebrews 12:24, 1 John 4:10)
We believe in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will return to the earth as He went and with power and great glory. The Lord will receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain until His coming as well as all who have fallen asleep in Jesus. This event is the blessed hope described in Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking.
(Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Hebrews 9:28)
We believe that the end of the world is approaching. On the last day, Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final judgment. We believe a solemn separation will then take place. The wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy. This judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
(John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Peter 3:3-13, 1 John 2:17)