Bethel strict baptist chapel SOUTH CHARD

We are a Strict Baptist independent church but are associated with a number of other churches around the world and affiliate with The Gospel Standard magazine. The church was formed in 1836 when 9 people were baptised by Mr Money. Until 1909 when the present Chapel was built they met in the Medieval Chapel known as St. Margarets. This was presumably rented until 1886 when it was bought by the trustees for £80. The Old Chapel which is still standing has been converted into a holiday home. We meet each week to worship God, all are welcome to our services, each service includes:

Why ‘Strict’ Baptist?

Preaching & Teaching from the Bible

The Bible is God’s message to mankind, it’s vital that we hear what He has to say to us. The preaching involves the Minister (usually our Pastor) explaining a Bible passage, exhorting us to follow it and when necessary reproving us. The subjects dealt with could not be more important. It is a matter of life or death, an eternity in heaven when we die or in hell. The remedy is the good news of Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners; this is at the heart of all the preaching. The Bible we use is the King James Version which we believe to be the best available English translation.

Prayer

Prayer is vital. Prayer is speaking to God. God really does hear and answer prayer. Prayer includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. During each service the Minister or other male church members lead the congregation in prayer.

Praise

Singing is an integral part of worship. We sing from a hymn book called Gadsby’s Hymns and are usually accompanied by an organ playing traditional hymn tunes.

Reverant Worship

Our services are formal and reverent because we worship an infinitely Holy God. We are not free to decide how we worship but must follow what God commands in the Bible.

What We Believe

Below is a summary of key doctrines that we believe:

  1. In God. The one and only God who is holy, eternal, unchangeable, almighty and sovereign. (Deuteronomy 6:4, John 17:3, Leviticus 19:2, Romans 1:20, Malachi 3:6, Genesis 17:1)
  2. That although one God, there are three persons in the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Ghost. (1 John 5:7, Genesis 1:26)
  3. That the Bible is God’s infallible Word, given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. (Proverbs 30:5, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Timothy 3:16)
  4. That God created all things in six days (of twenty four hours) and by His providence maintains His created works in being. (Exodus 20:11, Genesis 22:14, Romans 8:32)
  5. That as God rested on the seventh day, He has given us one day in seven in which to rest and worship Him. Christians rest on Sunday, which is called the Lord’s Day, because on the first day of the week, Jesus Christ, God’s Son rose from the dead. (Genesis 2:2, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2)
  6. That man was created pure, with a never dying soul, yet, since Adam fell, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) can in no way save themselves from the just punishment of God for their sins against Him. We are nonetheless, accountable to God for all our thoughts, words and actions. And after death will have to appear before God at the judgment seat of Christ. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
  7. That “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is the only way of salvation.
  8. That salvation is not of man’s free will, but entirely of God’s free grace. (Ephesians 2:8, John 6:37, John 6:44, John 3:36)
  9. That Jesus, the eternal Son of God, was sent by God the Father, to save His people. He did this by taking into union with His divine nature, a pure, holy, human nature, in which He lived, suffered and died to atone for their sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. (John 1:1, John 3:17, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20-21)
  10. That Jesus is now risen again from death, in that same body, and now reigns and intercedes for His people at the right hand of God. (Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 24:39, Mark 16:19, Hebrews 7:25)
  11. That it is the work of God the Holy Ghost to quicken sinners, for whom Christ died, into a new life in their souls, (called the new birth). The Holy Ghost effectually calls and brings them all to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Only those who are so led by the Spirit will reach heaven. (Ephesians 2:1, Romans 8:16, John 3:5, Romans 8:14, John 16:13, John 6:63)
  12. Every true believer saved by Christ will desire to live to God’s honour and glory and to act consistently with the Word of God at all times. By God’s grace they will show forth the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. They will be always dependent upon the Lord to walk spiritually in the precepts of the Gospel, being drawn by the love of God. Every true believer remains a sinner (though saved by grace) until death, after which their souls pass immediately into glory awaiting the resurrection of the body at Christ’s second coming. (Colossians 1:10, Colossians 2:6, Romans 7:24-25, Galatians 5:22, Jeremiah 31:3, Luke 23:39-43, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
  13. That the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances to be observed in His church on earth. These are Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19, Matthew 3:15-16, 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24, 26)
  14. That Jesus Christ will return to this earth in His glory (on a day known only to God) and will judge the earth in righteousness. (Acts 17:31, John 5:28-29, Hebrews 9:27-28)
  15. It is the calling of the true Church of Christ to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (in complete dependence upon the work of the Holy Spirit to save sinners) by preaching, teaching, distribution of the written word and personal witness (in word or deed). This must be in accordance with God’s Word by the calling and power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is to be preached to all, conveying clearly that salvation is by God’s grace and power, not of man’s works or efforts. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, John 6:63, John 20:31, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Acts 1:8, 9, 39, Acts 13: 2-4, James 1:27, 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7)
  16. That the Holy Scriptures are the foundation for all teachings and theology, and should be the guiding principle for all Christian conduct and belief. (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  17. That there is one true Church, the Body of Christ, which is composed of all believers worldwide who confess Jesus as Lord. (Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
  18. That believers are to take part in the Great Commission, actively engaging in evangelism and discipleship as commanded by Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16)
  19. That all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ, thereby establishing Him as the ruling Lord of all creation. (Matthew 28:18)
  20. That each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live a life that is pleasing to God and witness to others. (John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8)