As a church fellowship we seek to discover the mind of Christ through our study of the Bible and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that life should be lived in community and aim to support those around us through both our words and actions; being and sharing the Good News of Jesus in Winchester and beyond.
Underpinning our exploration of the Word of God is a set of common beliefs held by many within the wider Baptist church family:
GOD IN THREE PERSONS
At the very heart of our Christian faith is the belief that God eternally exists in three persons:
God our creator and Heavenly Father.
Jesus who is the means of our Salvation.
The Holy Spirit who equips and empowers us to live lives that bring glory to God.
The Lordship of Christ
We believe and declare that Christ has authority over us as Christians. We look to Him to direct our individual lives, the life of our Church, and the life of the whole world.
The Authority of the Bible
We affirm that the Bible is the Word of God because its writers were inspired by God’s Spirit. As such, it has authority to guide both what we believe and how we live our lives.
Baptism for Believers
From the example of the New Testament, we recognise that baptism is for those who believe and are prepared to declare that Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Christ’s claim on our lives, we practice baptism by full immersion, representing a desire to die to self and to live for Christ.
The Priesthood of all Believers
We believe that everyone who attends a Baptist Church has a role to play and can use their God given skills and talents for the good of the Church and the community. These gifts include teaching, evangelism, social action, pastoral care, prayer, healing, taking part in worship, administration and hospitality.
Church Members and Church Meetings
All church members are called to prayerfully discern God’s will for their shared life. Final authority does not rest with the ministers, elders, deacons or any other local, national or international body, but with the members’ meeting together under God’s guidance. The Church’s direction and mission are agreed in Church meetings, along with financial policy and staff / leadership appointments.
Sharing the Faith
Baptists believe that each Christian has a duty to share their faith with others. We recognise that mission is not just evangelism, but also includes promoting justice, social welfare, healing, education and peace in the world.
Interdependence
Although operating independently, Baptists believe that Churches should not live in isolation from one another but rather be inter-dependent. As a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain we hold to their Declaration of Principle. Baptist Churches are linked regionally, nationally and internationally for support and fellowship.
We also recognise the variety of expressions of Christian faith through other Christian denominations and seek to work with them in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and showing our unity with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To this end, WBC is an active member of the Churches Together in Winchester group of churches.
Want to know more about what we believe?
If you would like to know more about what we believe, we would be delighted to see you at one of our Sunday services, or you can send us a message using the button below.