What we believe
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Pinelands Baptist Church teaches & practises belief:
- The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament in their original writings as fully inspired by God, and accept them as the final authority for faith and life.
- In one God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they constitute the Holy Trinity.
- That Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
- That God created human beings in His own image; that humans sinned and thereby incurred the penalty of death, physical and spiritual; and that all human beings inherit a sinful nature, resulting in (in the case of those who have reached moral responsibility) actual transgression involving personal guilt.
- That the Lord Jesus died for our sins, a substitutionary sacrifice, according to the Scriptures, and that all who believe in Him are justified and redeemed on the ground of His shed blood.
- In the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, His ascension into heaven, and His present life as our High Priest and Advocate.
- In the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- In the person of the Holy Spirit, His regenerating work and abiding presence in the true believer.
- That all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by their own act of faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
- In the resurrection both of the just and the unjust, the eternal blessedness of the redeemed, and the eternal banishment of those who have rejected the offer of salvation.
- that the one true church is the whole company of those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit; that the local church on earth should take its character from this conception of the church spiritual, and therefore that the new birth and personal confession of Christ are essentials of church membership.
- that the Lord Jesus Christ appointed two ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – to be observed as acts of obedience and as perpetual witnesses to the cardinal facts of the Christian faith; that Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water as a confession of identification with Christ in burial and resurrection, and that the Lord’s Supper is the partaking of bread and cup as symbolical of the Saviour’s mutilated body and shed blood, in remembrance of His sacrificial death till He comes.
- That God has ordained the only form of marriage as a heterosexual relationship between a natural man and a natural woman who are lawfully married to each other.
Baptist Principles.
We as Baptists believe:
- in the Direct Lordship of Christ over every believer and over the local church. By this we understand that Christ exercises His authority over the believer and the local church directly, without delegating it to another.
- in terms of our Statement of Faith, the local church, being a manifestation of the universal church, is a community of believers in a particular place where the Word of God is preached and observed. It is fully autonomous and remains so notwithstanding responsibilities it may accept by voluntary association.
- in Believer’s Baptism as an act of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and a sign of personal repentance, faith and regeneration; it consists of the immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- in the Congregational Principle, namely that each member has the privilege and responsibility to use his/her gifts and abilities to participate fully in the life of the church. We recognise that God gifts His church with Elders (who are called Pastors or Elders) whose primary function is to lead in a spirit of servanthood, to equip and provide spiritual oversight, as well as Deacons whose primary function is to facilitate the smooth functioning of the church. This principle further recognises that each member should participate in the appointment of the church’s Pastors (referred to herein also as Ministers), Elders and Deacons, and that a constituted church meeting, subject to the direct Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture, is the highest authority of the church.
- in the Priesthood of All Believers, by which we understand that each Christian has direct access to God through Christ our High Priest, and shares with Him in His work. This includes administering the ordinances of baptism and communion, as well as in intercession, worship, faithful service and bearing witness to Jesus Christ, even to the ends of the earth.
- in the principle of Religious Liberty, namely, that no individual should be coerced either by the State or by any secular, ecclesiastical or religious group in matters of faith. The right of private conscience in all people is to be respected. For each believer this means the right to interpret the Scriptures responsibly and to act in the light of his/her conscience.
- in the principle of Separation of church and State in that, in the providence of God, the two differ in their respective natures and functions. The church is not to be identified with the State nor is it, in its faith or practice, to be directed or controlled by the State. The State is responsible for administering justice, ensuring an orderly community and promoting the welfare of its citizens. The church is responsible for preaching the Gospel and for demonstrating and making known God’s will and care for all mankind, which may include prophetic confrontation with the State when necessary.
Sunday meetings
We meet in three distinct congregations, expressing our worship in a way that meets the needs of the communities in which we serve.
Classic Congregation
A traditional gathering for families and seniors focused on scripture, prayer, the Spirit, and fellowship.
Time:
Sundays at 09:30AM
Location:
Church Campus
Explore Congregation
This is a gathering of mostly young families, youth, adults and people from many walks of life.
Time:
Sundays at 09:30AM
Location:
Pinehurst Primary School
Evening Congregation
A gathering of mostly young adults and youth, but all ages are welcome. We focus on fellowship, prayer, and being spirit-led.
Time:
Sundays at 06:00PM
Location:
Church Campus
Church Resources
View our annual reports and our protection of information policy report. Contact the church office to request Pinelands Baptist Church’s constitution.