What We Believe

Statement of Faith

We affirm the following:


We believe in the one true and living God, co-equal in three Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging, truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, holy, good, loving, merciful, long-suffering and gracious, the Creator of all things. (Gen 1; Deut 32; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom 9; Matt 3)

We believe that Almighty God in His great goodness has revealed all that is necessary to life and salvation in the sixty-six books of The Old and New Testaments which is the Word of God. All Scripture was given by inspiration of God, is infallible and inerrant, and is sufficient in all matters of faith and practice. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. (Ps 19; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 2 Pet 1:16-21)

We believe that God created Adam perfect and holy. Adam sinned and as the representative and head of the human race brought upon himself and all his offspring death, condemnation and a sinful nature. As a result it is utterly beyond the power of fallen mankind to have a saving knowledge of God, to love God, to keep his laws, to believe the Gospel, to repent of sin or trust in Christ

We believe that God, before the foundation of the world and for His own glory, chose an innumerable host of men and women to eternal life as an act of free and sovereign grace. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit (John 17; Romans 9; Ephesians 1–2).

We believe that God's Son, Jesus Christ, died at Calvary to effect propitiation, reconciliation, redemption, and atonement for His elect people. God bore testimony to His acceptance of His Son's work by raising Him from the dead for our justification. He ascended to the right hand of the Father and is enthroned in glory, where He intercedes on behalf of His people and rules over all things for their sake (Matthew 27–28; Acts 1; Acts 2:14–41; Romans 3; Hebrews 9; 1 John 2:1–2).

We believe that the elect, who are called by grace, are justified in the sight of God on account of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is received by faith alone. Having been saved by grace, they shall persevere in holiness and enter into the joys of heaven (John 10; Romans 8).

We believe that all people are called to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ. As the Scriptures declare, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, ESV). Salvation is found in Christ alone and is freely offered to all who come to Him in faith.

We believe that God so loved lost sinners that He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably sinless, fully God and fully man, born under the Law to live a perfect life, so that all who believe might be saved through His life, death, and resurrection. (Luke 1:26–38; Romans 5; Hebrews 9)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to judge all people, to raise the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, and that the righteous shall be glorified and enjoy everlasting life and the wicked endure everlasting punishment. (Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 2 Thess 1:5-12)

We believe that the Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply His work of salvation. By the mystery of His all-powerful work those dead in sin are brought into spiritual life. They hear the call of God through His Word and are given the desire and ability to repent of sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. The Holy Spirit indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission. (Jn 14:25-31; Acts 2; Gal 5:16-26)

We believe that a visible local church is a community of baptised believers who have covenanted together in the fellowship of the gospel and under the authority and discipline of God's Word. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ for His church and are to be observed until He returns.

We believe in the necessity of baptism by immersion into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit upon a profession of repentance and faith, as an act of obedience to Christ and a prerequisite for church membership.

We believe that the Lord's Supper is a privilege of local church membership, given by Christ to strengthen the faith of believers through the remembrance of His sacrificial death and the proclamation of His gospel. It is to be administered under the discipline, oversight, and pastoral care of the local church. (Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 2:37-47; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Ephesians 4)

We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone. A local church is administered by the officers (pastors/elders and deacons) of that church. Under the congregational principle of church order, church members gather to seek the Lord’s mind on matters relating to church life and ministry. Local churches express the unity of the body of Christ with other churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel. (1 Cor 1:1-3; Galatians 1; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Rev 2-3)

We believe in church based mission – that it is the responsibility and privilege of each local church to be obedient to Christ’s Commission to go into all the world, starting in its local area, and preach the gospel to all people, seeking to disciple and baptise believers, establishing them in local churches. (Matt 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-11; Acts 2:41-47; Rom 15:20-21)

Church Covenant

The Village Church, Greenwich, is awelcoming home. Working to make disciples of Christ by faithful proclamation of the Truth across all ages, backgrounds and stages of life.


Introduction

Introduction

The Lord Jesus is the Saviour and head of the worldwide church. He is the source of life as he works among his people by His Spirit. The New Testament shows that this universal church is found in smaller gatherings of God’s people. The Village Church, Greenwich is one such gathering. Like any church, it is defined by the how the Scriptures describe it and the people within it and their relationships with each other make it special. It is a living body; a family with the life of Christ and the Word of God as its foundation.

We believe that baptism follows repentance and faith and that such is the New Testament sign of church membership. In writing and adopting this, the church recognises its fallibility and the need for continual review and reform where needed. The aim is that our beliefs as well as our lifestyle may promote the aims of the church as summarised by the following mission statement.

The Village Church Aims To 

Jesus Proclaimed.

We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, faithfully teaching God's Word and making Him known to our community and the nations.

Lives Changed.

We believe the gospel transforms lives, bringing people into a growing relationship with God and shaping them into the likeness of Christ.

Family Made.

We are committed to building a loving church family where people belong, grow together, and care for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

​As members of The Village Church, Greenwich, and as an expression of our commitment to these aims, we make the following pledge to God and to one another.

Our Pledge to God
and to one another

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are part of his body, the church, and desire to express this in the fellowship of this local church.

Acts 2:42-47 gives a wonderful example of what we, as a community of God’s people should be. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the early Christians were:

  • Devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ (including his Word, worship, and ordinances).

  • Devoted to one another (in loving fellowship and mutual support).

  • Devoted to the world (through evangelism and personal witness). Although persecution took place, the early disciples were an active and positive group in the local community, trusting both that God is sovereign in salvation and that He would be with his people always to the end of the age (Matthew 28).

As members of this church we devote ourselves to:

  • Developing and preserving the unity and love of the fellowship.

  • Growing in our knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and in our following of its teaching through both the teaching ministry of the church and our own personal devotions.

  • The ministry of prayer, including the public prayer life of the church and our own personal and family devotions.

  • Regularly breaking bread together at the Lord’s Supper (Communion).

  • Supporting the ministry of the church in the giving of time, activity, resources and finances.

  • Worshipping God together.

  • Serving the Lord in church, home, work, and community in an attitude of love and holiness.