What we believe

What we believe

East Street Baptist Church is committed to upholding the truth revealed in God’s Word, the Bible. It’s through the Bible that God speaks to His world in His own words. He tells us about Himself, all He created and the Son He sent to save sinners. Below is a summary of what we believe as a Bible-believing church:

God

God tells us about himself in his Word, the Bible. We believe there is one God who is three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory. God also tells us that He rules:
• Over His creation
• Over all that happens – past, present and future
• Over redemption
We believe that God is entirely loving, and in his goodness he has revealed these things to us.

The Bible

The Bible is split into two parts – the Old Testament and the New Testament. We believe that every word of each is wholly God-breathed. We believe that, in its original language, the Bible is:
• The Word of God
• Without error
• Wholly reliable
The Bible has ultimate authority on all matters – it has the final say over all that we believe and all that we do as a church. It is never out of date.

Human Nature

We believe that everyone is born separated from God by their sin. Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, were created perfect by God but they chose to rebel against His word and walk out on Him. As a consequence, death entered the world and human nature is fallen.

The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus is truly God and truly man, perfect in His manhood. We believe that through His death He suffered the punishment of countless people who have offended God. We believe that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, later ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for his people.

Justification

We believe that we are made right with God by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. His death alone atones for sins. All who believe in Him are not condemned but are justified (declared righteous) in the eyes of God.

Christian believers

We believe that all Christians are saints, and will arrive safely in heaven to live eternally with God.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead. We believe the Spirit works in people to give them a true and spiritual understanding of God’s word. He opens their eyes, renews their minds, transforms their hearts, and gives them new life. He brings them to God and makes them holy. We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in Christians and continues to work in them, making them more like Jesus, and inspiring the work and worship of the church.

The soul, body and judgement

We believe that everyone’s soul lives forever and that our bodies will rise from the dead on the Day of Judgement and be united with the soul. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will judge us all. Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ – in this life – will be welcomed into the new heavens and the new earth to enjoy the pleasures of God forever. Those who have not believed are condemned and will be punished eternally.

Baptism and communion

We believe that baptism is a command from God, which must follow a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Our believer’s baptism involves full immersion. We believe that God has instructed us – as believers – to take part in communion (the Lord’s Supper). Bread is broken and wine drunk in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

The return of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will return in person. He will return in great glory and every knee will bow to Him on that day.