ABOUT US

WHAT ARE WE?

We are an independent Baptist church. Although we only formed in 2021, we trace our roots back to the Particular Baptist movement in the 17^th century. This means that we are Protestant, evangelical, and hold to a high view of God’s grace – a position theologically known as Calvinism. We are also known by some as Strict Baptists on account of our practice of restricted communion. But we call ourselves Hope Fellowship because the good news, or gospel, of Jesus Christ is the unfailing ground of hope.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a small group of people of all ages and from all walks of life. God has worked graciously in our hearts and lives and so we have a personal faith in Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean that we are without sins or faults, but it does mean that we have a Saviour. We are led by a pastor and deacon who have many years of experience of church life between them. But still learning! Jeremy has been in preaching ministry for over 25 years, and also manages the Christian Bookshop in Ossett.

Why Called HOPE?

We have three good reasons for giving our church the name of Hope:-
1. We only formed in 2021 as a small Christian Fellowship with no building and no resources. Yet our hope is in God to build us and to guide us because he has brought us to be together in the first place. Where the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached it draws people to him and to each other. See Acts 8:4—8.
2. Although the Gospel we proclaim shows up human sin and shame, its message is that there is hope for the lost through Jesus Christ—alone. He is able to save sinners ‘to the uttermost’ (Hebrews 7:25), that is, even the very worst.
3. The Christian hope does not terminate in this life. To be a true follower of Jesus Christ is to be blessed with following him all the way to heaven ‘in hope of eternal life’ (Titus 1:2). We are looking above riches, success and popularity, which come to nothing.
So we hope for God’s grace here and now, and the glory and happiness in heaven hereafter.

What is FELLOWSHIP?

Fellowship describes how a church should be at its heart. It is the relationship between Christian people. From Acts 2:42, 46, where spiritual fellowship was evident in the early church, it can be seen to be a real joy.
To be a member of a church involves the greatest of privileges and also the greatest of responsibilities. Christians all have their own individual experiences, but are also taught that Christian life, service and worship is a collective activity.
We pray together, and stay together. We are all equal and united, remembering that the Bible says ‘by love serve one another’ (Galatians 5:13). We all have one Lord Jesus Christ, and there is but one true faith and baptism—see Ephesians 4:5. We try to encourage each other in a close walk with God, and we aim that all may grow spiritually.
The main way in which these things take place is through Bible teaching blessed by God, and so we meet together regularly Sunday by Sunday to learn more and be built up in the faith together. And this just how it was right back in the days of the Apostles, according to Acts 20:7.

Why so PARTICULAR?

When the Saviour was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, an angel gave instruction as to what he was to be called. In Matthew 1:21 we learn that this was significant: “… call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
So from the beginning it was shown us what Christ would do, and who he would do it for. In other words, salvation was purposeful. It was a price for a people. Jesus did not die for every man and woman that has ever lived— although he did die for all types of people. He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15), that is, a particular people.
In brief, this is the explanation of the doctrine of Particular Redemption. To read more on this, begin by considering who Jesus prayed for in John 17— not all people, but those given to him out of the world. Then the Apostle Peter wrote to them as the ‘elect’ in 1 Peter 1, and goes on to give a description of these who are God’s people in 1 Peter 2:9.
Back in the 1600s this teaching was a cause of division. Some Baptist churches, influenced by the Anabaptist movement in Europe, denied that Christ died definitely for some people rather than all, and therefore supported a ‘General Atonement’ view. Other churches, disagreeing with this, identified themselves clearly as Particular Baptists. This is the position that we still hold to.
By this we stand both for a Bible truth, and a separate denomination.

Why distinctly BAPTIST?

Almost all churches believe that people should be baptised before becoming members. Some ‘christen’ or baptise babies to make them Christians. Baptists are different on this point. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, said, “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Note that faith is first, then baptism follows.
It is believing on Jesus Christ as Son of God and Saviour that makes a real Christian, as Ephesians 2:8 makes clear. And this itself is a gift of God. So Baptists practise Believer’s Baptism, which means it can only be for those who are old enough to understand what they are doing.
Baptism teaches the gospel in a symbolic way. Just as Christ died for his people’s sins on the cross, was buried, and then rose again, so a person is fully immersed in water and then arises up out of the water again. In this way they openly identify with Christ as their Saviour and follow him in a new life of faith.
Hence the meaning of baptism and how it is to be done is an important matter.
Read Romans 6:3—4 to follow this up further.
Back in the 1600s some people objected to the unbiblical baptismal practice of the Church of England. They formed separate churches, becoming known as Baptists. They were persecuted for their independence until religious toleration came in 1689, but even then it was not until the 1800s that Baptists were allowed to go to university or hold public office.
Today, as in the past, we still only recognise Believer’s Baptism as true baptism, because it is what the Bible teaches.

What really is a CHURCH?

By the word ‘church’, most people would think of a building in which Christians worship. But in the Bible it actually never means that! It always refers to people—a group of Christians.
For proof of this, read 2 Corinthians 1:1 and note who the letter was addressed to.
Most commonly, an independent and local assembly of people is meant, who are committed to God, and also to one another. They are one body of believers, according to Ephesians 1:22-23. They are brothers and sisters in a spiritual family, with Jesus Christ as their head.
God has laid out the plan for his church in the Bible. He has stated what is to be believed, and what is to be done. All things are to be ordered and organised according to his will, and not by tradition or personal taste.
It is a great privilege and a joy to be a member of a local church, and the only proper way of entrance into it is by faith in Jesus Christ, followed up by a public act of baptism. This is how the very first Christian church was begun, as you will see in Acts 2:41—47.
It is true that you may be saved from your sins and be a Christian without being a member of a church. But God has designed it as being best for a Christian that they should be in fellowship with others in a church which is obedient to the authority of his word, the Bible, in every area of life.