What do Baptists believe?
Leigh Road Baptist Church is part of the world wide Christian church and, as such, share many beliefs and practices with other Christians across all streams and flavours of Christianity. There are Baptist churches in almost every country of the world, and Baptists form one of the largest families of faith.
Baptists believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that the Holy Spirit through the scriptures shows us God's way for living. As radical believers Baptists seek to root their lives in the revelation of God's truth.
For Baptists that concept of family is important. The church is not so much a particular place or building, but rather a family of believers who are committed to God, to one another and to the service of God in the world.
In the Baptist family everyone is equal, for everyone has a part to play in the service of God. There is no hierarchy, but all take their place according to gifting and calling.
Baptists are very much a grassroots people, with a particular emphasis on the local church. These churches are self-governing and self-financing.
There is no one distinctive Baptist belief, but there is a cluster of beliefs which, when brought together, make the flavour of a Baptist Church.
The Lordship of Christ
'Jesus is Lord' is the distinctive confession of faith. As individuals and as churches, Baptists seek to make Jesus Lord of every aspect of their lives.
The authority of the Bible
Baptists believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that the Holy Spirit through the scriptures shows us God's way for living. As radical believers Baptists seek to root their lives in the revelation of God's truth.
Believers' baptism
On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists claim that baptism is for believers only. Baptism is only for those who are able to declare 'Jesus is Lord'. As a symbol of Jesus' claim upon their lives, Baptists practice baptism by 'immersion', in which those baptised symbolise their desire to 'die to self' and to live for Christ.
A believers' Church
Baptists understand the church as a community of believers gathered by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ for worship, witness and service. Central to Baptist worship is prayer and praise, listening to God's word in preaching, and a gathering around the Lord's table to share bread and wine.
The priesthood of all believers
In a Baptist Church every member has a role to play, whether in teaching, faith-sharing, evangelism, social action, caring, guiding, serving, praying, administration, hospitality. Each member is encouraged to discover, develop and use their God given gifts.
The Church Meeting
The Church Meeting is the occasion when members come together to prayerfully discern God's will for their life together. In Baptist Churches the final authority rests not with ministers or leaders, but with members gathered together in the church meeting. It is the church meeting which, for instance, appoints leaders, agrees financial policy and determines mission strategy.
Associating together
Baptist Churches have always come together in regional, national and international 'associations' for support and fellowship. On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists believe that churches should not live in isolation from one another but rather be 'interdependent', both as Baptists and as part of the wider Christian Church.
The missionary task
Compelled by the Holy Spirit, Baptists seek to be missionary communities. Baptists believe that each Christian has a duty to share their faith with others. Along with this emphasis on evangelism Baptists also recognise that mission includes social action and involves promoting justice, social welfare, healing, education and peace in the world.
Religious freedom
Religious freedom has always been a keystone of Baptist thinking and practice.
The Leigh Road Baptist Church Vision and Values
A people Experiencing God’s Love and Seeking God’s Kingdom
We Value…
Extravagant GenerosityAuthentic Community
Godly Living
Prayerful Dependence
Genuine Engagement
Our vision is…
Extravagant Generosity
In light of God’s extravagant generosity to us in Christ, we seek to be generous in the use of time, talents, possessions and relationships, both in our life together and in our individual lives. We seek to be open handed, welcoming and kind, extending the love and friendship of Christ to all. We seek to prefer one another’s needs over our own
Authentic Community
We desire to be a united community, authentic in our relationships with Jesus and each other. We wish to encourage one another to explore, develop and use our God given gifts for the building up of the church. In light of God’s grace to us, we accept and value one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, walking together and watching over one another in love. We desire to be an open community where everyone is welcome and no one is excluded
Godly Living
We strive to live as God guides us in the bible, being a peaceable attractive community in Christ. We honour integrity and faithfulness, seeking to be a compassionate people shining for Christ in the power of the Spirit
Prayerful Dependence
We recognise that we can only come before God broken and in humility. We realise that unless we abide in Christ nothing of kingdom value is accomplished. We seek to be prayerful alone and together as we deepen our relationship with God. We continually seek the empowering of God the Holy Spirit, who equips us to serve Christ and bears fruit in our lives enabling us to become more like Christ.
Genuine Engagement
We seek to relate to those around us and to be culturally relevant. We want to engage with all we meet, genuinely sharing the love of Jesus, encouraging all to experience freedom in Christ and become part of His kingdom. We recognise that God’s heart is for mission and so we must be a missional people.
