We a group of followers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, saved by grace and baptised into the likeness of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, do hereby unite in a local church in order that we may help one another to become more Christlike and by our witness point others to Him.
We welcome all who are seeking to live godly lives to have fellowship with us and we require those who wish to become members of our local church to assent to our doctrinal statement and pattern of church fellowship.

The doctrinal statement of the church is the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. All those holding a teaching office in the church must know and subscribe to the Confession of Faith.Those applying for church membership must know and accept that the Confession of Faith is the doctrinal position of the church, subscribing to the short summary below, and undertaking to study and become familiar with the full Confession of Faith as part of their discipleship process.

 

Short Doctrinal Statement
1. The inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures, as originally given to men
by God, through the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, and their supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19 & 3:16, Matthew 5:17-19, Proverbs 30:5,6.

2. The Trinity in unity of the Godhead, Father ,Son and Holy Spirit, one in essence, one in eternity, in power and glory.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 4:10, John10:30&33, John 16:6-15, John 17:4,
John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Genesis 1:26, Ephesians 3:14-19, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 13:14.

3. The creation, by God, in six days of the heavens, the earth and everything in them.
The Sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgment. Genesis 1:1-31, Exodus20:11 Isaiah 44:24, Colossians 1:14-16, Hebrews 1:2,
1Corinthians 2:10- 13, 2Peter 1:19-21, Psalm 111:7-9, John 1:12&13,
John 10:26-30, Isaiah 66:15&16, Matthew10:28, Hebrews 12:23.

4. The essential absolute and eternal deity of Jesus Christ who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, thus becoming perfect man, yet without sin. He is the only mediator between God and man and only through His once for all, substitutionary and sin bearing death can forgiveness of sins be obtained.
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1 & 14, John 8:58, John 14:6-11, Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9, Luke 1:34 & 35, Acts 4:12, Hebrews1:3, Hebrews 4;15,
Hebrews 9:15 & 24-28, Hebrews 10:16, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Peter 1:21&24,
1 Peter 2:21 1 Peter 2:18.

5. Upon His death Christ’s Spirit was received by the Father in heaven.
Luke 23:46; John 19:30

6. The bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, high priestly ministry and personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:22-36; 25:31-33, Luke 24:1-7, Luke 24:36-40, John 2:19-22,
Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Heb 6:20; 7:26-28; 9:11,12.

7. The person and work of the Holy Spirit, who regenerates the sinner, and thereby baptises him into the Body of Christ, that He seals and indwells every believer unto the day of redemption and strives to perfect them unto the image of Christ and will complete the work when the Lord comes for His church.
John 3:1-16, John 14:15-17, John 15:26&27, John 16:7-15, Acts 5:3-4,
Romans 3:9, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians2:10-14, 6:19, & 12:13,
2 Corinthians 1:22 ; 3:17 &18, Ephesians 1:13&14, Titus 3:5, John 3:2&3.

8. The personality of Satan and the existence of sin, together with the consequent guilt and fallen state of man’s nature. Matthew 4:1-11, Jeremiah 33:9, 1 John 3:8, Psalm 14:2-3, Isaiah 59:2, Romans1, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 1:13.

9. Salvation of man is solely by grace, through repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ. Man is accepted by God only on the basis of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16, Romans 3,
2 Corinthians 7:9&10, Acts 2:38, Philippians 3:7-9.

10. The bodily resurrection of all men, the justified to eternal life and the unjustified to eternal punishment.
Luke 16:19-31, John 5:28&29, 1 Corinthians 15;35-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Psalm 73:23&24, Daniel 12:2&3, Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 9:47&49,
2 Thessalonians 1:5-9, Revelation 20:7-15.

11. The eternal security of all believers.
John 3:16&36; 6:40; 10:25-30, Romans8:38&39, Ephesians 2:4-6,
Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 2:13, 2 Peter 1:10&11, 1John 4:17-18, John 5:11-13.

12. The obligation upon all believers to submit to believers baptism by immersion in water and subsequently to meet around the “Lord’s Table” until He comes again; and that these ordinances should be administered only to those who profess to be believers.
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:37-42; 8:36-38, Romans 6:1-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34,
1 Peter 3:21, Matthew 26: 26-29, John 6:26-40, John 6:52-63, Acts 20:7
Hebrews 10:9-18.

13. If believers continue to reject the teachings and admonitions of the local church or if sin is practised which jeopardises the testimony of the church, they may be asked by the elders to discontinue meeting around the Lord’s Table, and public participation in the services and the holding of church office, and in more serious cases the hand of fellowship may also be withdrawn.
Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; 5:9-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6&14, Titus 3:8-11.

14. The obligation upon all believers to live soberly, righteously and godly in the present world, to do good to all men especially those who are of the household of faith, to bear one anothers burdens in a practical manner, and by exercising a tender hearted, forgiving spirit to avoid harsh and ungenerous criticism of others, and to promote a spirit of Christian love and unity in the church.
Acts 5:32-35, 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:13-26; 6:9&10, Philippians 2:2-4, Colossians 3:12- 14, 2 Timothy 2:23-25, Titus 2:1-10; 3:1-3,
James 2:14-17; 5:7-9.

Constitution

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, gives gifts to believers to equip them for the work of the ministry which is the building up of the Body of Christ. While repudiating any concept of an exclusive ministry we recognise that order and office in the local church of Christ is scriptural. While understanding that God alone can equip, we believe that a person’s suitability for any office or ministry within the church should be recognised by the local church. We believe that elders and deacons exist in New Testament churches and that the qualifications required for those holding such offices are clearly laid down in Scripture.

1. Members are called upon by God to up build the Body of Christ and to seek to extend the Kingdom of God by practical work, prayer and the development and exercise of gifts.
Romans 12:4-13; 1Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:1-16;

2. Believers will be received into church membership upon their baptism, (unless previously baptised in a scriptural fashion) having been interviewed by the oversight, and having been found satisfactory for membership. Each new member shall satisfy the church of their agreement with the doctrinal statement and the constitution, as a solemn token of their entering into the privileges and responsibilities of church membership. Members will be expected to support the church wholeheartedly including prayerfully and financially, remembering the scriptural exhortation to tithe and offer freely to the Lord’s work. The list of the above will constitute the membership of the church. Acts 2:41-47

3. We recognise that the office of elder is a gift and a calling of God from which a man cannot turn back. Elders shall be primarily responsible for the spiritual oversight and leadership of the church and ministry of the Word of God.
Deacons shall be primarily responsible for the practical aspects of the work. The number of deacons shall be determined by the needs of the church and shall be reviewed as required. The Church Secretary and Church Treasurer shall be either an elder or deacon.
Acts 6:3,6; 1 Timothy 3; 5:17-22, Titus 1:5-11, 1Peter5:1-5

4. The decision making of the church shall be conducted at meetings called for that purpose. Only church members as per rule 2 above, may vote at such meetings.
If the need arises, other believers may be invited by the oversight to participate but not to vote. Meetings shall be presided over by an elder.
Matthew 18:17-18, Acts 1:15-26, 1Cor 5:4.

5. When the church proposes to elect officers, the names of those nominated from the church body and considered suitable by the elders, shall be circulated to the members by the church secretary at least one week before the date of the proposed election.
Acts 6:3, 1Tim 5:22.

6. A quorum for any meeting shall consist of fifty percent of the voting membership
(as per rule 2), plus one. A simple majority by a show of hands will be required for all decisions. The presiding elder may, when he deems it necessary, call for decisions by secret ballot.
Matthew 18:17,18; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Corinthians 2:6