We are 'Reformed' because we believe that the doctrines of the Reformation are the most scripturally faithful expression of the Christian faith and brings the greatest glory to God.
We are 'Baptist' because we believe that water baptism must only be administered to a believer upon evidence of new birth.
Our statement of faith is the New Hampshire Confession of Faith 1833 pdf
We also substantially identify with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of faith pdf, from which the New Hampshire confession of faith is derived.
The Bible is the ultimate authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. 'To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them' (Isaiah 8:20). Any creed or confession which is not explicitly supported by the scriptures, has no authority over the conscience of the believer.
Additionally, we have position statements regarding various contemporary challenges. We strongly believe that the scriptures are not only infallible, but sufficient to apply to all areas of life. The eternal truths contained in the scriptures are not to be compromised in order to accommodate to the zeitgeist of the age.
We are a small group of believers who live in the Geelong region and serve in various churches. As we have deepened in our understanding of God's word, we have greatly benefited from reformed theology. But in contrast to traditional reformed theology which supports infant baptism, we remain convinced that the bible mandates water baptism only for believers. We are thus 'Reformed Baptists'. Ideally we would worship in an established Reformed Baptist church, the nearest being churches like Christ Covenant church or Hills Bible church in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Although there are several traditional reformed churches in the Geelong region, these practice infant baptism.
Furthermore, it is no secret that most churches that claim to be 'bible-believing' have sorely neglected the preaching of 'sin, and of righteousness and of judgement'. Few pastors declare from the pulpit the realities of hell, 'where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' Few churches dare to apply the scriptures to the daily lives of Christians. As a result, believers are left hungry and stunted, sometimes even deceived. Marriages are weak. Men are passive and effeminate. We are committed to praying and labouring for God to plant not just a Reformed Baptist church in Geelong, but a church which declares 'the whole counsel of God'. A church which applies all of scripture to all of life. We desire to order our lives according to the scriptures, whether that be in corporate worship, private family worship, marriages, parenting, evangelism and missions.
We are eternally grateful towards God our Father, who chose us for salvation from before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), lavished His love upon us whilst we were still dead in our sins (Rom 5:8, Eph 2:5) by sending His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to satisfy the righteous demands of the law on our behalf through His perfect obedience in life (Rom 5:19) and His perfect propitiation in death (Rom 3:25). And just as the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, God has also raised us to new life in Christ by the same power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11, Eph 1:19-20), having regenerated us (Tit 3:5), granted us a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek 36:26), and gifted us with repentance towards God and faith towards Christ (Eph 2:8, 2 Tim 2:25). And having freely forgiven us of all of our sins (1 John 1:9), God now also enables us to zealously serve Him by granting us the Holy Spirit to live within us (John 15:26, Romans 8:13).
We eagerly wait for that Day when we shall be with Christ in the new heavens and new earth. "For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). Until that Day, we seek to edify each other through studying the scriptures, mutual prayer, and corporate worship. We hope to spread the renown of His name to the lost world. Our earnest prayer is for God to plant a bible-believing, Reformed Baptist church in Geelong, which unashamedly teaches the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and obeys all that Christ has commanded us (Matt 28:20), so that families, churches and nations may be conformed to God's holy word, all of which is for our good (Josh 1:8) and for His glory (1 Cor 10:31).
We take turns hosting dinner in our homes in the suburbs of Geelong. We usually begin with a time of prayer and praise, followed by study of God's word. Afterwards we close in a time of prayer and praise. If you would like to join us, please contact us.
