1. Declaration of Principle The Basis of the Baptist Union is: 1. That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws. 2. That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who 'died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again the third day'. 3. That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.

2. Faith in our own words May1HopeRomans 5: 18 May8Truth & JusticeIsaiah 61 May15 Thankfulness & JoyActs 2 May22Peace+contentmentMark 4:35-41 May29ForgivenessMatthew 18:21-35 Jun5Purity & Self controlMatt 5:1-12 Jun12FaithfulnessLuke 17:6-10 Jun19GenerosityLuke 15:11-32 Jun26LoveJohn 15:9-17 Jul3 Humility & GrowthMatt 11:28,29

3. Fed up with lies? Be on the side of Truth! Jesus said “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me”

4. Being on the side of Truth “Truth is that which conforms to reality, fact, or actuality.” Acknowledge uncomfortable truths Freedom! Refute the absurdity of there being no objective truth (It is an absolute truth for everyone that truth is only relatively true)

5. Me being on the side of Truth Family relationships Work relationships Social relationships Jesus said “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” Listen to John 18

6. 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18)

7. Me being on the side of Truth Family relationships Work relationships Social relationships Jesus said “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” Questions and Prayers

8. Faith in our own words May1HopeRomans 5: 18 May8Truth & JusticeIsaiah 61 May15 Thankfulness & JoyActs 2 May22Peace+contentmentMark 4:35-41 May29ForgivenessMatthew 18:21-35 Jun5Purity & Self controlMatt 5:1-12 Jun12FaithfulnessLuke 17:6-10 Jun19GenerosityLuke 15:11-32 Jun26LoveJohn 15:9-17 Jul3 Humility & GrowthMatt 11:28,29

9. Do Justly Love Mercy Walk humbly before your God Micah 6:8

10. Justice Doing Justice: (Tzadeqah צְדָקָ ֖ ה ) refers to day-to-day living in which a person conducts all relationships in family and society with equity and generosity. “Righteousness” Non-Justice: Exploitative power, violence, theft, deceit, bribes Rectifying Justice (Mishpat מִשְׁפָּ ֔ ט ) or is how society serves the interests, needs and cause of the most vulnerable, poor and marginalized members of our society, those with no social power: widows, orphans, immigrants and the poor. Possibly includes the homeless some elderly. “Judgement” Justice: Giving people what they are due: care, protection and punishment

11. 1 Who can sound the depths of sorrow In the Father heart of God, For the children we’ve rejected, For the lives so deeply scarred? And each light that we’ve extinguished Has brought darkness to our lands Upon our nations, upon our nations, Have mercy, Lord. 2 We have scorned the truth You gave us, We have bowed to other lords. We have sacrificed the children On the altars of our gods. O let truth again shine on us, Let Your holy fear descend Upon our nations, upon our nations, Have mercy, Lord. 3 Who can stand before Your anger? Who can face Your piercing eyes? For You love the weak and helpless, And You hear the victims’ cries. Yes, You are a God of justice, And Your judgement surely comes Upon our nations, upon our nations, Have mercy, Lord.

12. Who will stand against the violence? Who will comfort those who mourn? In an age of cruel rejection, Who will build for love a home? Come and shake us into action, Come and melt our hearts of stone Upon Your people, upon Your people, Have mercy, Lord. Who can sound the depths of mercy In the Father heart of God? For there is a Man of sorrows Who for sinners shed His blood. He can heal the wounds of nations He can wash the guilty clean Because of Jesus, because of Jesus Have mercy, Lord.

13. 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour. Isaiah 61: Rectifying Justice in Action

14. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Thank God for his written Word to us

15. Our God is Just! Doing Justice: conducting all relationships with equity and generosity. Rectifying Justice serving the interests, needs and cause of the most vulnerable (e.g. widows, orphans, immigrants and the poor) Come, Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus; Pour out Your Spirit on us today.

16. 1 Great is the darkness that covers the earth Oppression, injustice and pain. Nations are slipping in hopeless despair Though many have come in Your name. Watching while sanity dies Touched by the madness and lies. Come, Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus Pour out Your Spirit we pray. Come, Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus Pour out Your Spirit on us today. 2 May now Your church rise with power and love This glorious gospel proclaim. In every nation salvation will come To those who believe in Your name. Help us bring light to this world That we might speed Your return. 3 Great celebrations on that final day When out of the heavens You come. Darkness will vanish, all sorrow will end And rulers will bow at Your throne. Our great commission complete Then face to face we shall meet.

17. From Amen to Action God bless you with insight to recognise violence in all its forms, and courage to name it, speaking out for justice. The Lord Jesus bless you with compassion for the vulnerable, and grace to stand with them, sharing his strength. The Holy Spirit bless you with a prayerful heart, and power to breathe peace, transforming the world. The blessing of the holy and glorious Trinity, eternal Wisdom, living Word, abiding Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. Amen