The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith is
the Tabernacle’s doctrinal standard.
Doctrine Classes cover the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, contemporary issues and other topics of particular importance.
As an independent reformed Baptist church, the Tabernacle teaches the doctrines of grace and the free offer of the Gospel. It adheres strongly to traditional worship, teaches separation from worldliness and emphasises the working church concept.
The second pastor, Benjamin Keach, was a co-signatory of the 1689 confession which has remained the church’s statement of faith ever since. CH Spurgeon encouraged all the younger people in the Tabernacle to read it, their first ‘systematic theology in short compass’. It remains a basis for peace and unity among the church members, and today we ask all who join the Tabernacle to become familiar with it.
Doctrine Class gives an overview of the Confession, together with other topics, in two years.
Video recordings of lessons are posted after the classes.
September 24th: Hudson Taylor
Speaker: Chris Cooper
The moving account of a life of extraordinary achievement in bringing the Gospel to China.
September 10th: The Sufficiency of Scripture
Speaker: Chris Laws
Scripture is described by our Confession as a “sufficient” as well as infallible ‘handbook for life’. A look at the the first BCF doctrine and its implications.
September 3rd: How Can I be Sure the Bible Is God’s Word?
Speaker: Chris Laws
An overview of the unique nature of the Bible
June 25th: Church Leaders
Speaker: Chris Laws
How Paul organised the churches of his day remains the model for us. Were there pastors in the early churches? The biblical reasons for a church employing a minister.
June 18th: Lord Radstock
Speaker: Chris Cooper
The extraordinary work of Lord Radstock in the late 19th Century is a challenge to us all. Used by the Lord to bring the Gospel to the rich and powerful of Russian high society, his work is still bearing fruit today. Also active in London and in other countries, his biography deserves to be more widely known.
June 11th: Church Membership
Speaker: Duncan Wyncoll
The biblical injunction to join a local church. The duties and benefits of church membership.
June 4th: The Intermediate State
Speaker: Chris Laws
What precisely happens to body and soul - of unbelievers and believers - at death? Is it true the soul sleeps?
May 28th: Sanctification.
Speaker: Jide Owolabi
The ‘Higher Life’ movement’s teaching on personal sanctification is refuted in this study which tracks the Baptist Confession of Faith. How does the believer attain holiness?
May 21st: The Doctrine of Revelation
Speaker: Chris Laws
The ways in which God speaks unmistakably to all people in the world, as outlined in the Baptist Confession of Faith.
May 7th: Worship - Why keep it traditional?
Speaker: Duncan Wyncoll
The contemporary worship scene makes an examination of this subject of critical importance. The new style of praise is not a matter of taste but of disregard of biblical principles.
April 30th: God’s Covenants
Speaker: Chris Laws
This key doctrine provides a clear view of God’s dealings with men, and a firm foundation for church practice.
March 19th: William Wilberforce
Speaker: Chris Cooper
An independent member of Parliament, Wilberforce set himself to achieve the abolition of the slave trade, and the liberation of slaves.
September 18th: The Life of John Calvin
Speaker: Chris Cooper
The fearless reformer and writer, who escaped with his life from Paris for preaching salvation by grace, went on to become the author of numerous Bible commentaries and his famous Institutes.
July 17th: Early Tabernacle History
Speaker: Duncan Wyncoll
Three and a half centuries ago, our second pastor, Benjamin Keach, persecuted and imprisoned for the faith, was a co-signatory of the 1689 Confession. This talk traces the Tabernacle history from Keach to John Rippon who served 63 years as pastor.
July 10th: What Is the Church?
Speaker: Chris Laws
An introductory study to the nature of a church based on the picture language employed by the New Testament.
June 26th: The Authority of Scripture
Speaker: Jide Owolabi
Belief in the inspiration of Scripture without belief in its authority has always had serious consequences in the history of evangelicalism.
June 19th: The Lord’s Day
Speaker: Pastor Ibrahim Ag Mohamed
Large numbers of evangelical churches only hold one Sunday service. The 4th commandment stands out as unique, and yet has long since been abandoned. Here are the reasons why God’s people must dedicate this day to their Lord, and the activities that should fill it.
June 5th: Heaven
Speaker: Chris Laws
Combining three doctrines creates a ‘canvas’ on which a sketch of the world-to-come may be drawn in outline, producing motivation for service and holiness.
May 22nd 2022: Hypercalvinism
Speaker: Robert Aboagye
Misunderstanding the magnificent doctrines of grace has historically undermined the conviction of Paul, expressed in 1 Corinthians 9.16: “Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel”. How did – and do – whole church groups find justification for themselves to neither preach the Gospel nor to engage in witnessing?