Our Beliefs
Theology
We hold a Reformed Baptist position with regards to doctrine (Theology), salvation (Soteriology) and church life (Ecclesiology). We did not come to these positions by accident; we can trace our linage back through many centuries of historical christianity. We are linked to the Particular Baptists of England and Wales of the 19th and 20th Century, non-conformists of the 17th Century, through to the Reformation of the 15th and 16th Century, back to Augustine, the early church fathers and eventually the teaching of the Apostles.
Our defining moment historically came in 1689 when the 2nd London Baptist Confession was accepted by the church as a clear confessional statement of what Reformed Baptists believe. This document is a slight variation on the Westminster Confession of 1642 (mainly on the topics of church government and baptism). Although we don’t view the 1689 Confession as divinely inspired, we do value it as a systematic summary of our beliefs. It clearly reflects the 5 cries of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone). Shore Baptist Church has a church constitution wherein our membership principles and responsibilities are set out.
We believe in the essential doctrines of the faith as articulated throughout the history of the Church in the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed & Athanasian Creed.
The 5 Solas
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
Sola Fide – Faith Alone
Solus Christus – Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone
We are a Confessional Church
The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 expresses most accurately what we as a church believe the Bible teaches on the matters it contains. Our ministry and practice would be aligned to this confession in Theology proper, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology.
The Confession deals particularly with:
- God
- The Bible
- Humankind
- Jesus
- Salvation
- The Holy Spirit
- The church
- The future
We regard the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 as an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of the Word of God. Because we acknowledge the word of God written to be the supreme authority in all matters of faith, morals, and order, we adopt these two historic documents as our doctrinal standards. We find them to be assistance in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness.
You can read the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith here.
