Doctrine

     In addition to the Basis of Faith, our doctrinal position on certain issues, and therefore our practice, is stated here.        All elders are to subscribe to and uphold these beliefs. People may be welcomed into membership who in
     conscience take a different personal view, provided that they are willing to respect the beliefs and practices of
     Marston Neighbourhood Church and agree not to promote what is contrary to these Doctrinal Distinctives.

	Revelation and the Gifts     of the Spirit	The revelation of God’s redemption is complete in Christ, and the Scriptures are complete and sufficient to equip God’s people for every good work. It follows that in all matters of belief and behaviour it is illumination of the truth, not new revelation, which we need. Likewise in seeking to encourage and build one another up our emphasis is on teaching the Bible. It is by the truth of Scripture that all things are to be tested, and through discussion and application of biblical principles that the church is to make decisions. God in his sovereignty gives spiritual gifts to his people which are to be used for the good of the whole body. They are to be exercised in an orderly way in accordance with God’s word. Greater than any gift is the grace of love. The truth is to be spoken in love, and it is the fruit of the Spirit which shows a person to be the Lord’s. Heb 1:1; 2 Tim 3:17; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn 4:1; 1 Cor 12:7, 11; 14:40; 1 Cor 13; Eph 4:15; Mt 7:15-23.
	Election and Evangelism	For his own glory, God is sovereign in the salvation of men and women. Left to themselves people do not seek God; they are saved only because in love God has chosen them and granted them spiritual life, life that will never be taken away. Knowledge of this truth is to engender humility, assurance of salvation, a desire to live for God, and gratitude in the hearts of God’s people. It takes away neither the responsibility God has laid on all people to repent nor our duty to evangelise everyone. It does, however, encourage us to rely on God in our evangelism and to use his appointed means by which the elect are brought to salvation, namely the proclamation of the gospel. Eph 1:4-6; Rom 3:11; 8:30; 9:20; Acts 17:30; Mt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 1:21.
	Baptism in the Holy Spirit	All Christians have been baptised by the Holy Spirit. We are to seek to be filled with the Spirit through obedience and prayer. There are special promises of the Spirit’s help as we witness to the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor 12:3; 2 Cor 5:5; Eph 1:13-14; 5:18; 4:30; Lk 11:13; Acts 5:32.
	Baptism	Baptism is into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It points to the beginning of a person’s union with the Trinity and so should be administered without delay to all, and only to all, who have made a credible profession of faith. Because it symbolises both washing from sins and our union with Christ in his death and resurrection, baptism should be by total immersion in water (unless this is not possible for medical reasons). Out of Christian unity, we are willing to accept as members those who hold to a covenant theology view of paedobaptism, but, if they have children, these may not be baptised by Marston Neighbourhood Church as infants. Mt 28:19; Rom 6:3-4; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:38-39; 10:48; 22:16.
	Communion	The Lord’s Supper is a meal indicating our fellowship with Jesus Christ and one another. In it we remember and proclaim his death. It follows that only believers may be invited to the Lord’s Supper. If unbelievers do take communion our policy will be explained to them in private by an elder and they will no longer be given the bread and wine. In accordance with our Lord’s instructions believers are to observe both baptism and communion. If, having explained this privately to a believer who has not been baptised, they still refuse baptism, it is a matter of discipline and they may no longer take communion. Again, out of Christian unity we welcome to the Lord’s table those who hold to a covenant theology view of paedobaptism. There is much to be said for having the Lord’s Supper often and in the context of a fellowship meal for the church. Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 5:11; 10:16-17; 11:17-34.
	Leadership and the Role     of Women	A local church should be led by suitably gifted elders. God has created men and women with absolute equality and with different roles; he has ordained that leadership in marriage, in the family, and in the church should be the responsibility of men. In accordance with God’s Word only men will be appointed as elders and only men will be permitted to teach or preach to a congregation in which men are present. Women, according to their gifts and spiritual qualifications, will be encouraged to serve in all other ways. Gen 1:27; Eph 5:22-23; 1 Cor 14:34; 1 Tim 2:11-15; 3:2; Rom 16:1.
	Evangelism and  Community Involvement	Evangelism is to be distinguished from involvement in the community and giving of practical help. We are called both to preach the gospel and to do good to all people. While social action is important and demonstrates God’s love, it is neither the same as evangelism nor inextricably linked to it. Gal 6:10; Mt 28:19-20.
	Faith, Prosperity               and Suffering	We are to expect hardships and persecution for the sake of Christ. He has given us many promises to help us live godly lives as we serve him. Though we may pray for healing, only in heaven will we know freedom from all pain and illness. Though God gives us many things to enjoy, we are not to seek riches. Neither wealth nor poverty are necessarily signs of God’s favour or displeasure. Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 3:12; 2 Pet 1:4; Rev 21:4; 1 Tim 6:5-10, 17.