A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAREY BAPTIST CHURCH:
In 1793, Rev. Dr. William Carey and Dr John Thomas arrived in India and lived in Serampore. In 1794, Carey formed the first Church in Serampore with 13 members. In 1801, Carey finds entry into Calcutta as a Bengali tutor at Fort William College at a salary of Rs 500/- per month. In 1802, Carey begins a home prayer meeting in Calcutta. In 1803, Joshua Marshm
an rents a house at 33 Bow Bazar Street for Rs 90/- per month and they held a service on 23rdJanuary for the first time. In 1806, Carey, Joshua Marshman
and William Ward bought the 31 Bow bazar property. The site was in the Lal bazar area, described as a “hot-bed of vice and immorality, surrounded by liquor shops and brothels.” William Ward preached here for the first time in June of that year. A Crowd up to 600 attended. In 1807, The work of the Church building was stopped by an unsympathetic magistrate. In 1809, January 1st, the Lal bazar Chapel opens to public worship! 152 members added since 13 members joined in 1794. First baptism service
followed on January 8th. The Gospel spread from the Lal bazar Chapel to Dinajpur, Midnapore, Jessore, Murshidabad, Dacca, Barisal, Saugor ,Chittagong, Surat, Ajmer, Agra, Delhi, Patna, Allahabad, Orissa, Assam,Arakan, Rangoon and Java. In 1834, Rev Dr William Carey called home to glory on 9th June, at the of age 72, after 25 years of active service as Pastor of Carey Baptist Church. He was buried in Serampore. In 1909, The Lal bazar Chapel undergoes a name change to Carey Baptist Church. In 1946, The Modern Era: a former British army chaplain Rev Walter Corlett and his wife, Violet begins ministry here as Pastor. In 1955, Carey Baptist Church was instrumental in founding the Calcutta Bible College as Pastor Walter Corlett invited Dr. J. Cook to come as the first Principal. STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE SCRIPTURES
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation as its purpose, and truth, without any mixture of errors, for its content. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions shall be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ. Scripture references: Isaiah 34:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21. GOD
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the Universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. To the eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. GOD – THE FATHER
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the streams of human history according to the purpose of His grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. Scripture references: Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 19:1-3; Matthew 6:9; John 4:24. GOD – THE SON
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honoured the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in the power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. Scripture References: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-21; John 10:30; John 14:9; Romans 5:8; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 4:14. GOD – THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the time a person trusts Christ as Saviour and Lord, he is baptised with the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit continues to dwell in the believer as he matures in his relationships with the Lord. He cultivates Christian characters, comforts believers and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. These gifts are to be exercised humbly and discreetly for the strengthening of the church and should never be exercised in such a way as to be divisive and destructive. He seals the believers unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believers into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believers and the church in worship and equips them for evangelism and service. Scripture References: Matthew 3:16; Luke 4:1; 4:18; John 4:24; Acts 1:8; 4:31; 10:44; Romans 8:9,11, 26-27; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:8-10; 12:28-30; Ephesians 4:11-13; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Peter 4:10-11
MAN
Man was created by the special act of God, in His own image, and is the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by His creator with freedom of choice. By His free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence. Therefore all men inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. As soon as they are capable of moral action they become transgressors and are under the condemnation of God. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfil the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality in evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man. Therefore every man possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. Scripture References: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 3:22-24; Matthew 16:26; Romans 3:23; 6:12,19. SALVATION
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense Salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experience of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal, based upon His righteousness, of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favour with God. Sanctification brings in regeneration. The believer is set apart to God’s purpose through sanctification and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerated person’s life. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. Scripture References: John 1:1-14; 1:29; 3:14-18; 3:36; Acts 4:12; 16:31-32; Romans 1:16-18; 8:12-17; 10:9-10; 10:13; Colossians 1:11-14; 1Peter 1:18-19
GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is a glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promote humility. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach of the cause of Christ, the temporal judgement on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Scripture References: Genesis 12:1-3; Jeremiah 31:31; John 15:16; Romans 8:28-30, 37-39; Ephesians 2:1-10. THE CHURCH
The New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptised believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation, members have equal rights, privileges, and responsibilities. Its Scriptural offices are pastors and deacons. The New Testament speaks of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all ages. Scripture References: Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-47; 6:3-6; 15:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 12:12-31; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:22-24. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in the water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is administered upon the authority of the local congregation. Believers baptism is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, the believers death to sin, the burial of old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, proclaim the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. Scripture References: Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 1 Corinthians 11:23ff. THE LORD’S DAY
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian principle based upon biblical teaching to encourage believers to meet together for regular worship, teaching of doctrines, fellowship, praying, and the observance of the ordinances. This day commemorate the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be observed by worship and Scriptural devotion, both public and private. To enable members to participate in worship, resting from secular employments is encouraged. Scripture References: Matthews 28:1; Luke 24:1-3; John 20:19-22; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Revelation 1:10
THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who wilfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labour that the Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age. Scripture References: Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 17:20-21; John 3:3; 18:36; Colossians 1:13. LAST THINGS
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. Scripture References: Matthew 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-26; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 15:42-47; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10; Hebrews 9:27-28. SATAN AND DEMONS
We believe that there is a personal Devil who is “the god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air,” full of all subtlety and deception, continually seeking to frustrate the plans of God and to ensnare the sons of men. He is assisted by a host of demons which the Scripture identifies as fallen angels. Satan and his hosts were defeated in the work of Jesus Christ as the cross which sealed their ultimate and eternal doom in the lake of fire. Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:13,15; Ephesians 2:2; 6:11-12; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 12:9; 20:10. ANGELS
We believe in the existence of Angels, who worship God and minister to believers. Scripture References: Genesis 16:7; Matthew 4:11; Acts 12:7; Acts 5:19; Daniel 10:12,13. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
It is the duty and privilege of every followers of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavour to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit finds expression in a love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal witness and by all other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ. Scripture References: Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 6:1-9a; Matthew 9:37-38; 24:14; 18:18-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; 1 Peter 2:9-10. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
We believe that the family unit is one of God’s primary institutions in the world, along with the church and civil government. The Scripture provides us with God’s standards and expectations for the home and the family. Basically, marriage is defined as a life-long exclusive heterosexual covenant between one man and one woman. According to God’s design, human sexuality is to be expressed and enjoyed as a gift from God within this context. All sexual relationships outside of the marital bond (e.g. homosexuality, lesbianism, in**st, pre-marital and post marital sexual relationship, etc are offensive to God and are contrary to His standards. We also affirm that whole children are gifts from God, parents are responsible before God to raise their children to know God by their examples of faith and their instruction in the faith. Scripture References: Genesis 1:27,28; 218-25; Ephesians 5:22-6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 7:1-11
EDUCATION
The church itself is a school. The first followers of Jesus were called ‘disciples’ which means ‘learners’. Jesus told His followers to ‘make disciples and to teach them all things, He had commanded them.’
It is the responsibility of the church to provide systematic Christian education for the believers which would assist them in living exemplary Christian lives in the community. Scripture References: Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:4-9; 31:12-13; Proverbs 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18-20; Colossians 2:3,8; 2 Timothy 2:2,15
STEWARDSHIP
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe it to Him. Christians have a spiritual debt to the whole world, a sacred responsibility to spread the gospel and a binding stewardship in all areas of life. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, and material possessions; and should recognise all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth. Scripture References: Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 23:23; Acts 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7-10. COOPERATION
Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organise such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organisation have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of the New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament. Scripture References: Acts 4:32-37; 13:2-3; 15:7-11; Ephesians 4:11-16. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SOCIAL ORDER
Every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in his own life and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. The Christian should oppose, in the spirit of Christ, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice. He should work to provide for orphaned, the needy, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. Every Christian should seek to bring society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth. Scripture References: Exodus 20:3-7; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 20:25; John 15:12; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10; Colossians 3:12-17. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
God alone is the Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word and not contained in it. The church and state should be separate. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on kits work, including financial and/or human resources. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuits of its ends. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right to free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men. The church will not receive directives from the civil power as to the attainment of its objectives. Scripture References: Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 13:1,7; Galatians 5:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:2-17. EIGHT BAPTIST DISTINCTIVE
Carey shall maintain the Eight Baptist distinctive. (1) Biblical Authority or, The Scripture as the Supreme Authority of faith & practice. (2) Autonomy or Independence of the Local Church. (3) Priesthood of All Believers. (4) Two-Offices: Pastor and Deacon. (5) Individual Soul Liberty & Responsibility, or Religious Liberty. (6) Separation of Church and State
(7) Two Ordinances: Believers Baptism by Immersion & Lord’s Supper. (8) Saved Church Membership
THE CHURCH COVENANT OF CAREY BAPTIST CHURCH
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour,
And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;
To promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines;
To tithe and contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;
To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment;
To avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger;
To abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love;
To remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
