Core Beliefs

Central Baptist Church Leicester – What We Believe

The statements of belief below highlight some essentials that we believe as part of our Christian faith. They relate to core beliefs and practices that are important to us as Central Baptist Church Leicester according to the Holy Bible. Along with our vision, values and Baptist identity they inform who we are and what we do as a church.

We understand that not everybody will share all of these beliefs, but we are happy to discuss any of them with people who may want to explore.

God

WE BELIEVE in one God who exists and lives eternally in a trinity of three distinct yet equal persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in person yet one in essence. The Lord God is the sovereign (has supreme power and authority), loving, holy, faithful, and unchangeable, Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, Saviour, and Judge of the world that He loves.

Father

WE BELIEVE that our Father is in heaven. He sent Jesus into the world who in turn instructed us to pray to the Father as we seek His will and rule on the earth until the return of Christ. He forgives our sins, provides what we need, and looks after us as His children. We are to worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for these are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. As His children, our deeds on earth should lead others to praise Him.

Jesus Christ

WE BELIEVE that Jesus, as the Son of God, is the promised, divine Messiah and saviour of the world who is God manifest in the flesh. The world was created through Him and He has all authority in heaven and on earth as the way, the truth, the life, and King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was sent by the Father to save a lost and broken humanity and to provide a way by which we might have eternal life and be reconciled to God.

He lived a sinless life, shared the good news of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, suffered, died on the cross, resurrected from the dead on the third day, appeared for several days to His disciples, gave them various instructions for ministry, and ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand side of the Father until He comes again.

The Holy Spirit

WE BELIEVE that the one Holy Spirit is the third member of the trinity. He was present at creation and is the Spirit of truth who convicts the world about sin, righteousness, and judgement through which people can see their need for Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives new spiritual life and forever dwells within those who have believed in Jesus as an indication that we belong to the Lord God as believers. He continues to work in us, transform us, and to produce His fruit (characteristics) to make us more like Jesus Christ overtime.

The Holy Spirit has been given to the Church to help us in many different ways through His various functions and roles. The Holy Spirit enables, empowers, and equips believers with various free gifts and abilities, as He chooses, which help to build up the church and empower us for worship, service, and mission.

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The Bible

WE BELIEVE that the Bible, as originally given, is the word of God. There is one Bible which includes the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 of the New Testament, but we acknowledge that today there are many different translations which each have an intended purpose.

WE BELIEVE that the Bible is the final written record of the Lord God’s communication of divine truth to humanity, authored by humans who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so. Therefore, the Bible is fully trustworthy, reliable, and free from error. Ultimately, the Bible reveals to us our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, who is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice. Therefore, we believe that the Bible is sufficient to guide us in all matters of belief, behaviour, and relationships. As such the Bible should be taught, studied, learnt, listened to, read, reflected on, and its teachings applied to our lives both individually and corporately.

What Bible Versions and Translations do we use?

Here at Central we predominantly use the NIV (New International Version) translation of the Bible. This is because it is one of the most easily accessible translations of the Bible since it is often clear and easy to read. This makes it great for reading aloud in church.

However, since the many translations are put together differently (some word for word from the original language and some thought for thought) we do encourage people to explore other translations too, particularly when studying the Lord God’s word. This, we believe, helps us to have a greater understanding of what God is saying to us through the Bible, which is crucial for Bible based learning.

Sermon Series and Preaching

In terms of teaching through sermons from the Bible, you can get a glimpse of these through our 'Audio' tab. People who have recently become members of Central Baptist Church have stated that one of the reasons they have done so is because we are a Bible believing church. We would encourage you to come along and visit on a Sunday morning at 10:45am. Directions and parking information can be found here.

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Humanity

WE BELIEVE that people are made in the image of God, male and female, loved by Him and created with a purpose and plan for their lives. Ultimately they are to be in a loving relationship with the Lord God and one another. Concerning marriage specifically, we believe this to be between a man and woman only.

We value God-given life and believe that all people, without limits or boundaries, are our neighbours who we are to love, honour and respect. We see the greatest example of loving our neighbour modelled by Christ Himself. We acknowledge that this also requires us to speak the truth in love.

However, we believe that we have all sinned (rejected and rebelled against the Lord God) since a time known as ‘the fall of man’. All people are corrupted by sin and subject to the Lord God’s divine wrath (anger towards sin) and judgement, from which we need to be saved. We all need forgiveness and to restore our relationship with the Lord God.

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Salvation

WE BELIEVE in the gospel that is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel encompasses the good news of the work of Jesus Christ through His death on the cross. His sacrificial death is once for all and the only way by which sinful humanity is justified in the Lord God’s sight and saved from the divine wrath and judgement of the Lord God which our sins deserve.

Salvation cannot be earned and neither is it deserved. It is offered to us because the Lord God loves us, is merciful, and is an expression of His kindness and grace (undeserved favour) to us. It is available and offered to all people who will believe (place their faith/trust/confidence) in the work of Jesus Christ in His death. Jesus is the only way by which a person may get to heaven.

Salvation received through faith results in the act of repentance (to change one’s mind, turn in a different direction, and live for the Lord God).

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The Church

WE BELIEVE that the Church is not a building but is the people of God who have truly received salvation through their belief in Jesus Christ. There is one holy universal church which includes the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the world together with the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church that He is building and has poured out the free gift of the Holy Spirit to empower His people.

The Church is seen in local churches around the world which are made up of believers who gather together, in unity, with the purpose of worshipping the Lord God, building one another up through fellowship and discipleship, and outworking their God-given mission in the world. Every member of the Church has a part to play in this, both in their individual lives and corporately.

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The Future (The Return of Christ)

WE BELIEVE that our Lord Jesus Christ will return in person, knowingly and visibly, to be seen by all people on earth. This day is approaching although the specific time is unknown and it will come surprisingly and quickly when it happens. There will be various signs associated with His coming, but in the meantime Christian believers are to continue in Christ, keep watch, be ready, be alert to deception about Christ’s return, patient, and be faithful and wise servants until Christ returns.

Believer’s Baptism

As part of our commitment to Christian discipleship we offer believers baptism to all those who have declared that they have turned to the Lord God and placed their trust in Jesus Christ with the intention of living as Christian disciples.

What happens?

Those being baptised are dipped or immersed in water in our baptistery pool. This is located under our stage and is opened up and filled with water on the day of baptism.

What’s the point?

·         Jesus set us an example (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)

·         It pleases the Lord God (Matthew 3:17)

·         Jesus commands us: In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)

·         The early church practiced it (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 8:36-38)

·         It is a great way to confess Jesus Christ publicly (Matthew 10:32)

·         To identify with the Christ who died for us on the cross and the Christ who rose for us from the grave (Romans 6:3-4)

·         To symbolically declare our submission to, and union with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4)

·         Normatively, baptism in the Holy Spirit follows water baptism. Normatively, this happens through the laying on of hands (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:15-17; 9:6; 9:17; Acts 19:1-6)

If you would like more information about baptism then please contact us.

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Communion/Lord’s Supper

As part of our commitment to Christian discipleship we regularly share in communion (Lord’s Supper) together. This usually happens on the first Sunday of the month.

What happens & what’s the point?

Those who believe in Jesus Christ and who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour share in the eating of bread and the drinking of non-alcoholic wine together. Jesus directed his followers to participate together in the celebratory supper remembering his death until he comes again in glory. We remember all that he has done for us in the giving of His body and blood which is represented by the bread and wine.

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Further information regarding who we are can be found via the following links including the Baptist Declaration of Principle: 

1. https://www.baptist.org.uk/Groups/220484/Who_are_Baptists.aspx 
2.  https://www.baptist.org.uk/Groups/220595/Declaration_of_Principle.aspx