Our Beliefs

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Westminster Baptist Church, Horseferry Road, S.W.1., is the oldest Free Church in Westminster (founded 1807) and was formerly known as Romney Street Baptist Church. We are Reformed, Independent Particular/Calvinistic Baptists, Protestants and Evangelical. We stand for the fundamentals of the Christian Faith outlined in the Bible, which we believe to be the inerrant Word of God. We align with the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith; which can be found in detail on this website: www.the1689confession.com/

Below is an outline of what we believe, from our revised statement of faith initially created in 1826:

Statement of Faith “Of One Mind” Phil 2:2 ​

Preamble	The statement of faith in 1826 began ‘For as much as many have taken into hand to set forth in order a declaration of their Faith it seemed good to us also, with all simplicity and sincerity, to exhibit in a condensed form the things that are most surely believed among us (Luke 1:1): partly for the information of inquirers, but principally to promote the unanimity, stability, and comfort of the Church’. This concise summary sets out the purpose of the statement of faith below.
​The Scriptures	We believe that the Bible, containing the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the grand repository of truth; for “it was given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16,17). The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic (Rom 3.2); so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. By that blessed Book we desire to be guided in every Article of our Faith being fully persuaded that if any speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20).
God	We believe in the unity of the Godhead, or that “there is one God” (Deut. 6:4), that there are three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), in the one Jehovah (1 John 5:7), and that these three are co-equal in eternity, wisdom, power and glory; the sovereignty of God in creation, providence, and redemption. (Col. 1:16,17).
The Fall	We believe that all are sinners (Rom. 3:23), that all sinned in Adam - who was constituted the head and representative of all humanity (1 Cor. 15:22) - and that all were condemned in him, in consequence of his fall. “By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation.” (Rom. 5:12, 18).
Christ	We believe in the true and proper Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth, His real and perfect manhood, the authority of His teaching, the infallibility of all His utterances, his bodily resurrection from the dead and high priestly intercession at the right hand of the Father. . That in the fullness of time “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16) - that as our covenant head and responsible surety, he fulfilled the precepts of the law, and “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Rom 10:4) - that he put away sin by the substitutionary suffering and death sacrifice of himself (Heb. 9:26) - that by his one offering as an atonement for sinners, his people have a complete discharge from the accusations of a broken law, and the threatening of divine justice; for “by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14). In a word, that the whole Mediatorial work of Christ is made over by imputation or the complete justification of all believers. (1 Cor. 1:30).
The Holy Spirit	We believe that the Holy Spirit, who was poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), as the fulfilment of the Father’s promise (Luke 24:49) and the glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14), is the great author of regeneration (John 3:8) – effectual calling (2 Cor. 4:6) – sanctification (1 Pet. 1:2) – and every grace which adorns the Christian character (Gal. 5:22, 23): for nothing less than his almighty energy can renew a sinner, or administer consolation to a saint (Zech. 4:6,7).
Election and the Covenant of Grace	We believe that God loved his people with an everlasting love (Isa 53:6), that election originates wholly in free and sovereign grace; and is eternal, personal (Eph. 1:4) - that Jesus Christ is alone the Saviour of the chosen seed. (Matt 1:21) - that in the covenant of grace all iniquities of his people were transferred to him (Isa 53:6) - and that this covenant with all that appertains to it, shall stand fast forever. (Ps 89:28).
​Calling, Saving Faith, and Perseverance	We believe that all who were given to Christ in Covenant, will, by the power of the Holy Ghost, be bought to him (John 6:37) that “they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of his hands” (John 10:27, 28); that the justification of the repentant sinner is solely by faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1) and that they shall be “kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.” (1 Pet. 1:5). The Church is therefore to go forth and to preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God.
Church Union	We believe it to be the will of God that his people, who are called by his grace, shall be congregated together for the public worship of God, and for their mutual help. “that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love.” (Col. 2:2).
The Ordinances	We believe that Jesus Christ, as King in Zion, is the sole Lord and Lawgiver of His Church (Eph. 5:24). As such he has instituted ordinances, and issued commands, which all who love him are under grateful obligation to obey (John 14:15) and in his obedience of the decalogy reinforced it as a rule of life for His Church.
Baptism	We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are of divine authority (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23) – that none but believers are proper subjects for baptism (Acts 8:37) – that immersion in water, “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” is the only proper mode (Rom. 6:4).
The Lord's Supper	​We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance, and ought not to be administered in a private manner to individuals, but to a congregated church as such.
Church Offices	We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has appointed two offices in his church, viz. that of elder/pastors and deacons (Col. 1:13) that the former is spiritual and can consist of those who are ruling or ruling and teaching (1 Tim 5:17), the latter practical – that every distinct church has an inalienable right to choose its own officers, to receive members, and to “withdraw from such as walk disorderly.” (2 Thess. 3:6).
Duty of Members	We believe it to be the indispensable duty of church members to fill up their places, and to attend the public worship as often as convenient, particularly on the Lord’s Day. This will fulfil the solemn engagement into which each member entered, on becoming united to the Church – encourage and animate the pastor in the discharge of his work – and promote affection and comfort in the whole body, which is one principal end of a church state (Col. 2:2).
Holy Life	​We believe that our conversation in the world and in the church, should be “as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27) “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without” (Col. 4:5) "a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16) “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12) “and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
Brotherly Love	​We believe it to be our duty and privilege to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly love (1 John 4:11) – to stir up one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24) – and (when circumstances render it necessary) to warn, rebuke and admonish one another (2 Thess. 3:15) according to the rules of the gospel, “ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25). We also feel ourselves obligated to sympathize with each other in all conditions, both spiritual and temporal, into which God in his providence may bring us (Gal. 6:2) to bear one another’s infirmities (Rom. 15:1) – to pray for each other, and especially that the public ministry may be blessed to the edifying of the body of Christ and the ingathering of the sheep (2 Thess. 3:1).
Resurrection of the Body	We believe in the resurrection of the body at the last day (Job 19:25-27) – a general judgment of the just and of the unjust (Dan. 12:1; John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15) – that Christ will be the universal Judge (John 5:22) – that his decisions will be executed. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46).
​Recapitulation	In conclusion: We distinctly avow our belief in the eternity of Jehovah’s love (Jer. 31:3) – personal election (Eph. 1:4) – a covenant of grace (Ps. 89:3, 28) – union to Jesus (1 Cor. 12:12) – particular redemption (John 10:15) – justification by faith alone in Christ (Rom. 3:24) – effectual calling (2 Tim. 1:9) - baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as administered to believers (1 Cor. 11:2) – certainty of divine assistance to perseverance from manifested grace to its consummation in glory (John 10:28; Phil. 1:6). ​ These doctrines and ordinances we desire constantly to embrace, maintain, and defend; believing it to be our duty to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). And, finally: whilst we adore the grace which has given us a name and a place in God’s house “better than that of sons and daughters” (Isa. 56:5) we implore the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that in the enjoyment of his gracious influences we may be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58).