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What We Believe
Rathcoole Baptist Church affirms the following doctrines which are commonly believed among us:
1. The Scriptures
The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
2. God
One God in three persons; the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.
3. The Lord Jesus Christ
The essential deity and perfect humanity of our LORD Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and men; His virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners; His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven; His high priestly ministry and personal return.
4. The Holy Spirit
The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.
5. The Devil
The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.
6. Man
The creation of man in the image of God; the entrance of sin through Adam's disobedience; the fallen and totally depraved state of all men; their subjection to God's wrath and condemnation; their responsibility to repent and believe the Gospel.
7. Justification
The justification of the sinner by God's grace through faith alone in the LORD Jesus Christ; the eternal security of the believer.
8. The Church
The local church as a company of baptized believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, instruction, fellowship, evangelism, and service.
9. The Ordinances of Baptism and the LORD's supper
Baptism being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and as a symbol of their identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.
The Lord's Supper being a remembrance of Christ until He comes, and a renewal of commitment to Him.
The offices of elder and deacon; the gifts of evangelist and pastor-teacher.
The priesthood of all believers and their unity in the Body of Christ.
The separation of church and state.
The Future State.
The unconditional immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; the eternal joy in heaven of the believer; the conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent.
10. Christian Behavior
The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the LORD and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives; duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion.
Church Purpose Statement
Rathcoole Baptist Church is committed to Worship of the One True God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ in and through the Holy Spirit. The Instructing of Believers that they may grow in the likeness of Christ; Fellowship within the church in every aspect of care and provision; Evangelizing unbelievers with the Gospel of Christ, baptizing them, and equipping them for Service in the Church.
Vision Statement
At Rathcoole Baptist Church we realize our commitment to spread the good news of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ to thousands of unreached people in the area that God has placed us.
To train up members to become church workers, missionaries and church planters in a local, national, and international setting.
Our goal is to be a church functioning in accordance with Christ's "Great Commission" in which each member is equipped to serve in accordance with their gifts and abilities.
In order to achieve this Rathcoole Baptist Church will aim to develop members to spiritual maturity through consecutive preaching of the Word in the Assembly, in Bible Class, and in Small Groups, Seminars and Retreats, continually promoting the importance of Scripture and it's relevance in today's culture. This development will come primarily through:
- Inspirational Worship Biblical and Relevant Teaching
- Vital, Supportive Fellowship
- Opportunities for Outreach and Evangelism
- Service and Ministry within the local Church
As a result our Vision for the future is we will have a membership that understands the concept of edification in the Church and multiplication for the Kingdom.
Through the church's commitment to the "Great Commission" our whole community will be impacted for Christ, both practically, and spiritually.
As the Church grows spiritually and numerically it will endeavor to plant sister churches at home and abroad as God directs and enables.
Mission Statement
Rathcoole Baptist Church is affiliated with the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland (ABC). We believe that the Mission of Our Church is to both love and reach the Lost at home and abroad and to disciple those who come to God through Christ. The goal is to become a Community of Bible believing Saints, who grow in Christ-likeness, and bring glory, and honour, to God. Two passages from the Bible which remind us of God's priorities for His Church are:
- Matthew 22:36-40
- Matthew 28:19-20