WHO ARE WE?

We are a group of Christians who attend Chelmsley Wood Reformed Baptist Church which was founded in 1973. Our Pastor, Gearoid Marley, trained at the London Theological Seminary.

Why Reformed Baptist Church?

We call ourselves Reformed because we believe in the great truths proclaimed by the Protestant Reformers:

• That the Bible is the inspired and infallible word of God that teaches us what to believe and how to behave.
• That the doctrines of God's grace show that all humans are sinners needing salvation and that we are helpless to save ourselves.
• That we are saved by God's grace (favour that we do not deserve) through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners.
• That there is no other way to forgiveness of sins or to enjoy peace with God except through the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not a sect! A more detailed expression of our beliefs can be found in the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith which was the basis of belief of almost every Baptist Church in Britain until 150 years ago. We do take the Bible seriously and seek to understand its teaching. We are encouraged to think through our beliefs so that we are spared much of the religious confusion that is so widespread today.

We are Baptist because we practise the New Testament teaching of baptising only those who have repented of their sin and trusted in Christ to save them. This baptism is by immersion in water.

As a church we are a group of believers who gladly submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. A church is not a building (we do not at present own our own place of worship!) We are a company of people who have been converted to Christ and have experienced a new life in him.

An essential and precious aspect of the life of the church is Christian fellowship. We want to meet together more than just on Sundays! The Lord Jesus Christ does not expect us to be lone Christians, but to follow him in the company of fellow-believers. Fellowship means caring for one another, praying together and being prepared to help and to learn from others in the church. We also seek to show the love of Christ to those around us who may never go near to any church.

We are independent, but not isolationist. We enjoy close links with many other evangelical churches throughout Britain and the world.

What are the services like?

They are simple and consist of:

• Singing hymns (Grace Hymns)
• Prayer
• Reading of the Bible (New King James Version)
• Preaching

How long do the services last?

Services last about one hour fifteen minutes.

Will there be a collection?

No, but a box is available for voluntary contributions.

Can I bring young children?

Yes. We welcome the whole family at our services which are relayed into an adjoining room.