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Core Values of Bendigo Baptist Church.
These values are the intrinsic convictions of the people of the Bendigo Baptist Church. They define our beliefs and determine the goals needed to accomplish God's vision for this church. (Dec 2008)
1: Biblical TeachingWe believe Gods word is the essential catalyst for bringing about change and growth in the life of an individual. We value the teaching of the Word of God that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We believe that God requires His people to pray and that He hears and answers prayer. We believe that reliance on God through prayer must be central to everything we do. (Colossians 4:2) (Ephesians 6:18-19)
We believe in the importance of godly leadership in the life and ministry of our church, and that leaders empower others. We expect our leaders, within a team structure, to model integrity, courage, loyalty and a servant attitude. (Philippians 2:5-7) (Matthew 20:26-28)
We are committed to the development of God's people. We believe it is our responsibility to equip, support, motivate and mentor individuals, enabling them to become all that God wants them to be. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
We believe that lost people matter to God and, therefore, should matter to the church. Our mission is to reach people for Jesus at the local, national and global level. (Matt 28:18-20)
We are committed to providing an environment where people can experience God's love in action. We promote the development of friendships, acceptance of others and a sense of belonging. (John 13:34-35)
We believe we are created to worship and serve God. We are committed to worship being creative, relevant, reverent and pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1) (Psalm 95:1-2)
We believe that God's Word never changes but our culture is constantly changing. We recognise the diversity of people and are committed to communicating the truth of God in the most relevant way. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Doctrinal Statement
(A) The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testaments. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
(B) The existance of one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who by the act of creation called all things, both material and spiritual, into existance out of non-existance. (Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Romans 8:9-10)
(C) The Diety of the Lord Jesus Christ -
- His incarnation as the Son of God. (John 1:14)
- His atoning death, (1 Peter 3:18)
- His resurrection from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:20)
- His exaltation to the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intersession for His people, (Acts 2:32-33)
- His coming again to receive His people to Himself. (John 14:3 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
(D) The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men and women and their sanctification. (John 3:3-8 Romans 15:15-16)
(E) The sinfulness of man - his fallen and lost estate by nature. (Romans 5:12)
(F) The necessity, for salvation, of repentance towards God, and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mark 1;15 Acts 2:38, Acts 20:21)
(G) The immortality of the soul, the ressurection of the saints to eternal righteousness, the judgement of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, and His final judgement upon all believers. (John 3:26 & 11:26 1 Thessalonians 4:14 John 5:22 & 27:2 Thessolonians 1:7-9)
(H) The two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper, which are of perpetual obligation, baptism being the immersion of believers upon the profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a symbol of the fellowship of the regenerate in His death, burial and resurrection: the Lord's Supper being a memorial, until He comes, of the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 6;4-5 Mark 1:10 Acts 2:38-41 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
Brief History of the Church
The discovery of gold at "the Rocks" (Now Golden Square) in October, 1851, changed the appearance of what had been a peaceful sheep run from 1841. By 1861 all principle denominations were ministering to a population of 13,020 within the boundaries of Sandhurst. (Later to become Bendigo) Baptists on the Goldfields were not numerous, but in 1853 the first meeting was held at White Hills. Mr. & Mrs. John Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Jones and Miss Jones met for worship in a tent.
In 1854, a slab hut was erected in White Hills. Shortly afterwards a weatherboard building was erected in Epsom for 400 pounds. Meanwhile Baptists in the south end of town began to assemble themselves together. It is recorded that they walked to the services at Epsom, a distance of up to 20 miles a Sunday, to attend both services.
Very soon, the establishment of a church began within Sandhurst & by 1857 a property leased to re-erect the relocated White Hills building. (Opened Feb 1859)
This building (Left) was first erected between White Hills and Epsom. In 1859 it was removed & re-erected in Hargreaves St. It was disposed of by the church in 1863, & was used as a hay & corn store from that time until around 1982 when it was pulled down.
In 1959, a century on, thoughts were directed towards a new church project. The chance to buy a new property in Edwards Street for a manse was seized as it was diagonally opposite the site which would be the future home of the church.
Land for the Manse was purchased 7 years earlier (1952) than the land for the Edward Street church building (right) which was opened on 3rd August 1963. God had faithfully provided for his growing Bendigo Baptist family yet again.
Around 1990, God gave the church the vision to relocate because of growing numbers and the desire to increase & enhance our ministries.
We are now well in to the 21st century & this new phase in the life of the Bendigo Baptist Church has come about. We have relocated to a new property in Junourton - (14 acres, with larger facilities & room to expand.)
Duty of Care
The Bendigo Baptist church has adopted a modified policy (as submitted by the Baptist Union of Victoria) in respect to its duty of care towards our own people as well as those whom we deal with. A full copy of this document, as well as other associated checklists and forms for ministry leaders and groups can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
View document: "Our Church, a safe place..."
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