(Summary of Faith)

This church adopts as a general summary of faith the “Strict Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966”. This confession of faith gives a concise statement of biblical doctrine, but in no way is its authority equal to that of the Bible.

The Bible

The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and are the only authoritative rule of Christian faith and practise.

Doctrine of God

There is only one living God. He is Glorious and Infinite, yet Gracious and Merciful. To Him all mankind owes the highest love, reverence and obedience.

The Trinity

There are three distinct persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Creation

God created all things perfect, from nothing. Man was originally created by God after His own image in perfect righteousness.

Providence

God is ceaselessly active in upholding and controlling the universe and in guiding history to its predestined end. However, He is not in any way approving of sin, or the author of sin, nor does He take away each man’s responsibility for his sins.

God’s Grace and Our Salvation

The Mediator

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed Mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered, and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose again on the third day and ascended to the Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church and Sovereign of the universe.

Election is God’s eternal choice of a vast multitude of people to eternal life – not because of foreseen merit in them, but because of His mercy in Christ. Those who have been predestined are called, justified, sanctified and glorifies.

Regeneration and Calling (being born again) is the implanting of spiritual life by the Holy Spirit. God calls us into fellowship with Jesus Christ by His Word and His Holy Spirit, our minds being spiritually enlightened and our wills and affections renewed.

Repentance is a saving grace by which we receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation in response to the invitations of the Gospel. This faith will be evident by a loving obedience to the commands of Christ.

Justification is an act of God’s free grace by which He pardons our sins and accounts us righteous. This is not based on anything we have done, but only on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us by faith alone.

Sanctification

Those who are born again, and so united to Jesus Christ and adopted into the family of God, are set apart for God; renewed in their whole nature and become Christ-like. This renewal is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all believers, and so enables us to pursue a life of holiness in obedience to all the commands of Christ, though never attaining perfection in this life.

Perseverance

Those whom God has accepted in Christ and sanctified by His Holy Spirit will never totally fail nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but will persevere and be preserved to glory.

The Church

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, which is composed of God’s elect in every age. According to His commandment, Christians are to gather in local churches. To each of these churches He has given authority for administering worship, order and discipline. The officers of a church are pastor(s), elders and deacons.

Baptism is an ordinance commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ for believers only, in which they are immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of their union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, of remission of sins and of their giving themselves to God to walk in newness of life. It is properly the initial step of new converts in obedience to the Lord and is a mark of Christian discipleship.

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His Church until he returns. It is in no sense a sacrifice, or a means of having sins cleansed. Its purpose is to commemorate Christ’s death, to strengthen the spiritual lives of Christians, and to be a bond and a renewal of our fellowship with Christ and our fellow believers. The evidence of the New Testament is that baptism and church membership precede participation at the Lord’s Supper.

Evangelism and Mission

It is the duty of every church and every Christian to share in making known the Gospel to all people everywhere. As faith comes by hearing the Word of God, we are to endeavour by all methods consistent with the Word of God to persuade men to seek Jesus Christ and His salvation.

The Christian Life

The Word of God God has commanded us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and to love our neighbours as ourselves. The Christian’s guide is laid down in the Bible.

The Lord’s Day is to be kept holy. It is given for our benefit, which we obtain through resting from our normal occupations and by giving ourselves to the worship and service of God.

The State Civil government is ordained by God and it is the duty of Christians to obey those who have rule over them in matters consistent with the teaching of the Scriptures. Christians are to pray for their rulers.

The Last Things

The Return of Christ

His return will be visible, personal and in bodily form.

The Resurrection

The bodies of men after death return to dust; but all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised at the coming of Christ.

The Judgement

God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds. The wicked will go into everlasting punishment in hell with the devil and his angels. The righteous, with glorified bodies, will live and reign with Christ forever.

Source: Fryerns Baptist Church Constitution

The church upholds a congregation order of government. The members appoint Pastors, Elders and deacons.

The following is adapted from the church's Constitution:

Elders and Deacons

The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of His people. He governs His Church by the Word of God. His government is exercised in the churches through two distinct officers: firstly, elders (including pastors) who apply the Word of God by their teaching and ruling and secondly, deacons, who care for the administrative and practical affairs of the church. Elders, deacons and members commit themselves to one another in love within the fellowship of the local church.

Qualifications

The qualifications for eldership are laid down in the Word of God, particularly in 1 Timothy 3:1-16, and in Titus 1:5-9. The qualifications for deacons are in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

Functions

The function of ELDERS is to care for the members of the church and congregation. This involves:

1. Providing for their spiritual needs in prayer and the ministry of the Word;
2. Lovingly, and sensitively, caring for those with problems and trials in their Christian lives; and any with special needs;
3. Receiving applications for membership of the church;
4. Maintaining discipline;
5. Supervising the administration of the ordinances;
6. Recommending to the church additional elders , or deacons;
7. Leading and overseeing the church in all its ministries and functions, including local evangelism.

The function of the DEACONS is to care for the practical needs of the fellowship. This involves:

1. Administering the business and practical affairs of the church;
2. Ministering to those in physical and material need, especially those in the church;
3. Maintaining the church premises;
4. Supporting the eldership in their ministry.