We exist to glorify God by enjoying and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? 

It is the good news announcement that God is redeeming his world from the decay of sin and death through the in-breaking of his kingdom in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This message announces that God by means of his free grace has provided a way for us as sinful people to be saved from our sins. We are saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and not by our own efforts or works. Enjoying a personal relationship with God is the goal of the gospel.

As a local church in the city centre of Belfast we exist to enjoy and proclaim the fullness of the gospel to our city and the world. The following three defining values give shape to this mission:

1. Glorifying the God of the gospel – We exist as the people of God to proclaim to our city and to the world the greatness and glory of the God of the gospel. God exists and he is glorious, his glory is most clearly revealed in the gospel of his grace. This grace not only saves us but transforms us from living for ourselves to living for God’s glorious purpose for our lives. It is our passion at Great Vic that empowered by the Holy Spirit we would live for his glory and make much of him in all we do.

2. Growing in our understanding and enjoyment of the gospel – Christian discipleship is primarily the journey of growing in our understanding and appreciation of everything Jesus has accomplished and gained for us by his death and resurrection. Understanding the gospel and how it impacts every area of our lives is the primary means of growth for the Christian. At Great Vic we share a conviction that the message of the gospel is not just a message for unbelievers but for believers. It is our passion that with the help of the Holy Spirit we would preach the gospel to ourselves daily and thus live in its life giving power day by day.

3. Going into our city and the world with the gospel – The gospel is a good news message to be announced! Sin cuts us off from a relationship with the only one who will truly satisfy our deepest longings. God has given Jesus to the world so that whoever believes in Him will know reconciliation with God and all the joy and peace this entails. Jesus commissioned his people to go into the entire world and to proclaim the good news of the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ. Specifically he calls his people to go and make disciples of all nations. We love the gospel that has transformed our lives and we long to see others knowing peace and joy with God through Jesus Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit and compelled by the love of Christ, we seek to go to our city and to the world to make disciples for the glory of God.

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Great Victoria Street Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement

The Doctrinal Statement of the Church, which is regarded as a summary of those doctrines commonly held by the Church and is subordinate to Scripture, reads:

1.1 The Scriptures

The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

1.2 God

One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.

1.3 The Lord Jesus Christ

The essential and full 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.

1.4 The Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.

1.5 The Devil

The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.

1.6 Humanity

The creation of humanity, male and female, in the image of God, equal in value and complementary in role; the creation ordinance of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman; the entrance of sin through Adam’s disobedience; the fallen and totally depraved state of all humanity; their subjection to God’s wrath and condemnation; their responsibility to repent and believe the gospel.

1.7 Justification

The justification of the sinner by God’s grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; the eternal security of the believer.

1.8 The Church

The church, the body of Christ, made up of those drawn from every tribe, language, people and nation throughout history who are added to it by the work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; the scriptural expression of the Church in the world as the local company of baptised believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism, in separation from all systems of belief that do not adhere to the Scriptures and are unfaithful to the gospel of salvation by grace alone; 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 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 priesthood of all believers and their unity in the Body of Christ; the separation of church and state.

1.9 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.

1.10 Christian Behaviour

The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives; the duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion.