You may already know some Baptists. (Perhaps you are one?) You will find
that many of the issues which concern you also concern us. Also, you will
find that many of the things you believe, we also believe.
1. We believe in one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (three
persons, yet but one God).
2. We believe in the deity and the humanity of Jesus Christ, who is none
other than God made known in the flesh.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church; that all
believers are ministers and priests unto God; that the local church is
self-governing, but should co-operate with other church bodies in carrying
out Christ's work.
4. We believe that all people need a Saviour and that salvation is through
faith in Jesus Christ who died for our sins. True faith will result in good
works.
5. We believe in eternal life which is determined by one’s relationship with
Christ before death; in the personal second coming of Christ to judge the
world; in the eternal happiness of the saved and the eternal woe of the
lost.
In other words, Baptists believe that the hope for the individual, the
nation and the world is found in Jesus Christ and our personal relationship
with Him.
Because Jesus Christ is central (the Bible calls Him "Lord") there are
principles which we consider to be very important:
1. To become a Christian demands a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as
Saviour and Lord. This act of faith must precede membership within the
Church.
2. Every Christian should be baptized by immersion in water in obedience to
Jesus' command and example. Baptism illustrates that we have died to an old
way of life and have taken on a new way of living. It also reminds us that
Jesus died, was buried and was resurrected.
3. God expects a high standard of personal conduct from His followers.
Christ is to be honoured in every aspect of life.
4. Jesus Christ is concerned about the whole person. Christians are to
minister to the social, physical and spiritual needs of people.
5. As Christians we are to maintain a "free church" in a "free state",
upholding civil and religious liberty.
6. God expects us to share the message of Christ with people in our
community, nation and around the world.
Baptists have a high regard for the Bible; believing that its authority is
from God, and that it is given to us by divine inspiration. Through the
Bible we receive a knowledge of Christ and His will for our lives.
The LOCAL CHURCH provides the opportunity for study and worship on
Sunday and Christian training and service throughout the week.
Again, let me repeat that WE ARE YOUR NEIGHBOURS. We are not running
for public office, nor are we salesmen. We are not trying to promote
"religion". "Religion is man reaching up for God." "Christianity is God
reaching down for man". We are interested in sharing good news about a
person - the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not believe in forcing "religion" or
Christianity on anyone. Hence this painless and unpressured method of
sharing the truth with you.