OUR HISTORY
In 1989 God called Joel and Beverly Shoaf and their young family to leave America to start a church in New Zealand. After three years of presenting their passion for New Zealand in over one hundred churches in America, they had raised sufficient support to begin their ministry.
Now Twenty-seven years later, Bay Baptist Church is a close group of followers of Christ who love to spend time together, have fun and encourage each other. This church is still actively involved in Hawkes Bay seeking to accomplish Christ’s final command to us to make disciples.
OUR VISION
Our goal is to bring glory to our awesome God and to make Him and His Word relevant to our lives through:
- Worship that is joyful and meaningful
- To keep the focus on God and honour Him
- Teaching that is solidly based on the Bible
To answer the all important questions of:
- How can I have a right relationship with God?
- How can I grow closer in that relationship?
- How can I lead others to follow me?
Our Doctrinal Beliefs
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus is God (Philippians 2:6), and has existed eternally with the Father (John 1:1,2), and was virgin born, being conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). We believe that Christ is the God-man (Romans 1:1-4). We believe that Christ was literally resurrected after three days. (Matthew 28:1-7). We believe that Christ ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the father where he intercedes for us. (Acts 1:8-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16;).
SALVATION
We believe that Christ took on himself the payment for our sins, and died on the cross paying for the sins of all mankind. (Isaiah 53:4-11; I John 2:1-2). That payment was unlimited in its potential. It is limited only in it's application, saving all those who come to Christ by the Holy Spirit's leading. (John 15:16; Romans 10:13; II Peter 3:9). This salvation occurs when: [1] The individual acknowledges his personal sin. (Romans 3:10, 23 [2] Believes that Christ is God (John 8:58; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9) and died for his sins. (Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:14-21) [3] Accepts Christ's payment for himself personally. (John 3:16; James 2:19)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need for salvation, and brings about regeneration (John 3:5; 16:8-11). At that time He then seals us (Ephesians 4:30), permanently indwells us (I Corinthians 6:19), and baptizes us into the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13). We believe that the Holy Spirit guides and helps the Christian, (John 16:7-15; Romans 8:14) and equips each believer with spiritual gifts. (Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 1:7; 12:4-11)
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God and inerrant in the original writing (II Peter 1:21). We believe that the Bible is the highest and final authority for life and faith (II Timothy 3:16,17).
THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4). God exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe the three to be equal in essence and attributes, yet distinct in their personality and work (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 14:16).
MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence and in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7). We believe that God created man with a personal will to choose. Man used that will and chose to disobey God, thereby falling into sin. (Genesis 3).
ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe that it is impossible for one who has accepted Christ as his personal Savior, to ever be lost. This is because we are kept by the power of God, not by our own power. (John 3:16; 6:39,40; 10:28-30; I Peter 1:5).
SIN
We believe that sin is any transgression of God's law. (I John 3:4,5) Sin entered the world through Adam, and was imputed upon all men (Romans 5:12, 19). All men are therefore guilty and of themselves cannot avoid God's just punishment (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
FULL STATEMENT
If you would like to see the full doctrinal statement of Bay Baptist Church, please contact us.