The Goodwood Baptist Church family comprises of people from a variety of backgrounds. From the very outset, the focus of our services and ministry has been unashamedly God’s Word above all else. Public worship is conducted simply with a clear focus on preparing God’s people to hear God’s Word. We seek to implement ministries that present the gospel clearly to all age-groups.
From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture.
Our Declaration of Faith summarises essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error. All who desire to join Goodwood Baptist Church will be asked if he or she can, with a good conscience, subscribe fully to The Declaration of Faith as expressed in Article 4 of the Church Constitution.
Article 4, Paragraph 1, of the Constitution of Goodwood Baptist Church read as follows: “The Declaration of Faith of the Church shall be The 1689 (London) Confession of Faith, hereinafter referred to as “The Declaration.” While regarded as a summary and true interpretation of the teaching of the Scriptures for the faith and conduct of the Church, “The Declaration” shall not be deemed to be complete or infallible, but shall be subordinate to the Word of God as stated in Article 2.1.”
Furthermore, Goodwood Baptist Church is also a member of Sola 5, An Association of God-centred Evangelical Churches in Southern Africa. By this we also adhere and confess The Sola 5 Statement of Faith and The Sola 5 Core Values.
While complete accord with The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The Sola 5 Statement of Faith and The Sola 5 Core Values are not required (leaving room for liberty of conscience and growth in the faith), applicants will be queried as to their own convictions on any points of disagreement, and shall be required to commit to the unity of body in a spirit of love by not promoting those contrary convictions. However, no member in any teaching capacity shall teach contrary to The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.
Below are some of the essential elements which can be found in our teaching and preaching:
Goodwood Baptist Church teaches and believes in the great doctrines of the Reformation, also know as “The Doctrines of Grace.” We believe salvation is by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone in Christ Alone. This can be summarised by two acronyms called, The 5 Solas and TULIP.
Goodwood Baptist Church teaches and believes in the doctrines of inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. The entire Bible, in its original autographs, is God-breathed and entirely free from error. In this regard, we accept and confess with many like-mined protestants The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy.
Goodwood Baptist Church teaches and believes in the sanctity of marriage. We believe that the only form of marriage sanctioned by God is between a natural man and a natural woman. We also believe that the only sexual relations permitted by God are heterosexual relations between a natural man and a natural woman who are lawfully married to each other. In this regard, we accept and confess with many like-mined protestants The Nashville Statement for Biblical Sexuality.