EPBT – La Chapelle https://chapelle-toulouse.com Eglise Protestante Baptiste de Toulouse Sun, 28 Sep 2025 18:34:08 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://chapelle-toulouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-Logo-EPBT-32x32.png EPBT – La Chapelle https://chapelle-toulouse.com 32 32 Confession of faith https://chapelle-toulouse.com/en/confession-of-faith/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:39:17 +0000 http://s361375016.onlinehome.fr/?p=21941

Confession of Faith

Confession of Faith
of the Evangelical Baptist Churches in France

God

We adore God, him alone, unique in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Creator of all things, he is holy, almighty, loving and alive forever. God has revealed himself throughout history, first to the people of Israel, then once and for all through in his Son Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ foretold by the prophets. This is the revelation presented to us through the Holy Scriptures.

Deuteronomy 6:4 – Matthew 4:10 – 2 Corinthians 13:13 – John 4:24 ; 10:30 – Ephesians 4:4 to 6 – Genesis 1:1 – Exodus 6:3 Leviticus 19:2 – Jeremiah 10:10 – Psalms.24:8 – 1 John 4:8 – Daniel 6:26b. – Hebrews 1:1-2 – John 1:1 to 18 – Acts 3:18 to 24

The Holy Scriptures

The Bible is divinely inspired. The Holy Spirit sovereignly presided over the origin and formation of the writings that make it up. These Holy Scriptures alone are the written Word of God. As the document of the covenant between God and his people (Old Testament), and between God and the community of all those who accept salvation offered through Christ (New Testament), this Word reveals to us the mind of God, his will and his love for the world. It contains all we need to lead us to the one who is our salvation, Jesus Christ, and for us to place our lives at God’s service. It is the supreme reference for testing every religious belief, tradition and practice. It derives its authority from God alone to govern the life of the believer and the Church.

Exodus 24:12 – 2 Samuel 23:2 – 2 Timothy 3:16 – 2 Samuel 23:2 – 2 Peter 1:21 – Galatians 1:6 to 8 – Revelation. 22:18 – Exodus 24:7-8 – 2 Samuel 7:23 – Romans 3:2 – Jeremiah 23:3 to 6 – Galatians 3:26 to 29 Galatians 3:24 – John 5:39
John 12:47-50 – John 20:31 – 2 Kings 23:2-3 – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Acts 17:11 – Revelation 22:18 – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

People, the fall and its consequences

Due to the act of disobedience, sin, with its consequence of death, entered the world. The sinful nature spread to all men and women. The whole of humanity, in its rupture with God, now lives under the domination of evil and incurs God’s judgement.

Genesis 1:26 to 31 – Genesis 3 – Romans 5:12 – Psalms 51:7
Psalms 53:4 – Romans 3:9, 23 – 2 Thessalonians 1:8 to 10 – Revelation 20:15

Jesus Christ

Jesus-Christ, the only Son of God through all eternity, is the only mediator between God and mankind. He came among us, dwelling as fully man and fully God, his two natures remaining distinct in their perfect union in his person. He taught us all we needed for our salvation. He showed us the holy life that God wants for us through his own life, pure from sin and filled with the power and love from the Father, what the holy life is that God wants for us. He accomplished the work of our redemption by giving his life on the cross, a living and perfect sacrifice, to wash away our sins and reconcile us to God. He is Lord, having risen and now living forever with the Father in his glory.

Mark 1:9 to 11 – John 10:30 – John 8:58 – Colossians 1:15 to 17
1 Timothy. 2:5 – Hebrews. 4:14 to 16 – John 1:1 to 18 – Hebrews 4:15
John 14:6 – John 17:8, 14, 26 – Matthew 4:1 to 11 – Hebrews 4:15 – Matthew 5:48
Isaiah 53:4-5 – Romans 3:23-25 – John 10:17-18 – Philippians 2:6 to 8
Colossians 1:19-20 – Acts 4:12
Luke 24 – Matthew 28:20 – Philippians 2:9 to 11

Salvation

Through the work of the Holy Spirit, sinners are called to repent of their sins, turn to God, accept the atoning work of Jesus-Christ by faith and be united with him in his death and resurrection. In this way, by the grace of God alone, they receive forgiveness of their sins. Justified by faith in Jesus Christ, they now live in a right relationship with God in a child/father-like relationship, that of a child before his Father. They are born into a new and eternal life and enters the kingdom of God. Faith necessarily produces works pleasing to God and a life ever more in conformity with his will.

John 1:12-13 – John 3:16 – Luke 13:1 to 5 – James 4:7 to 10 – Acts 20:21 – Romans 5:1 to 11 Ephesians 2:8 – John 3:3, 5, 21 – Romans 3:24 ; 4:24-25 – James 2:14 to 26 – 1 Peter 2:11 to 17 – Matthew 7:17 to 21

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, brings the reality of salvation alive, beneficial and effective in our human hearts. The Holy Spirit lives within believers and leads us to glorify God through a life of prayer and striving to live by biblical truths. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the eternal inheritance he promised.   The Holy Spirit enables believers to bear fruit, discern God’s will and gives them gifts necessary for edification, service to the church and witness in the world.

Ezekiel 37:14 – Zacharias 4:6 – Jean 3:5-6 – Romains 5:5 ; 8:9, 14, 16 – 1 Corinthians 3:16 Romains 8:26-27 – 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 – 1 Jean 2:27 – Ephesians 1:13-14
1 Corinthians 12 – Romains 12:6-8 – Galatians 5:22 – 1 Pierre 4:10

The church

God gave his son Jesus Christ for his people, the church, to celebrate his abundant grace, proclaim the good news of salvation and be his faithful witness to others through the justice, mercy and reconciliation he offers. God gives gifts and ministries, as mentioned in the bible, to believers in order to help others understand and get to know God, call sinners to believe in Jesus Christ, follow him and grow in their Christian life as disciples.

Isaiah 62:4-5 – Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14 – Titus 2:14 – Matthew 5:13-16 – 1 Peter 2:9-10 – Matthew 28:18 to 20

Local churches

A local church, established according to the Word of God, is a community of believers baptised on their own profession of faith. An established church is a concrete and visible representation of the universal Church, the body of Christ. The local church is independent of any authority other than that of Jesus Christ. However, it cannot stand alone : fellowship brings congregations together. All members of a local church are led by the Holy Spirit to gladly serve others through the gifts they have received, for the sake of the common good. In the same way, churches recognise the service that God entrusts certain members to carry out particular ministries, as taught in the New Testament.

1 Corinthians 12:27 – Acts 2:38-41 – Ephesians 1:22 – 1 Corinthians 12:7 to 11
Ephesians. 4:11 to 16 – Hebrews 10:24-25 – Acts 6:2 to 5 ; 13:1
1 Corinthians 12:28 to 30

Baptism

As Scripture teaches, believers are called to publicly confess their faith through baptism by full immersion. Baptism visibly manifests the reality of God’s work of salvation and the believer’s union with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.

Matthew 28:19 – Acts 2:38 – Acts 8:36 to 39 – Acts 16:31 to 33
Romans 6:3 to 5 – Galatians 3:26-27 – Acts 8:38-39 – Colossians 2:12 – 1 Peter 3:21 Matthew 28:19 – Acts 2:41

The Lord's Supper

The Lord calls his disciples to break bread and drink the fruit of the vine as part of the Lord’s Supper in memory of him, thus proclaiming his death until his return. In so doing, they profess that, through their communion with the living Christ, they form a single body and are united to one another in the same spirit.

Luke 22:14 to 20 – 1 Corinthians 11:23 to 29 – 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Our hope

The Lord Jesus Christ will return from heaven as he ascended, for the renewal of all things and the full manifestation of the work of salvation. All the dead will be raised and every man and woman will have to give account of their life to God. Those who are found righteous in Jesus Christ will go to eternal life and the others to eternal punishment. God has promised a new heaven and a new earth. He himself will dwell with his people: that is what we are waiting for.

Daniel. 7:13-14 – Acts 1:11 – Matthew 24:30-31 – Revelation 1:7-8
Acts 24:15 – Matthew 25:31-46 – Romans 2:5 ; 14:12 – 2 Corinthians 5:10 – Matthew 13:47 to 50 – John 3:36 – 2 Peter 3:13 – Revelation 1:7-8

]]> Our mission : to serve https://chapelle-toulouse.com/en/our-mission-to-serve/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:38:17 +0000 http://s361375016.onlinehome.fr/?p=21939

Our mission: to serve

As Christians, we are all on a mission, because in the Kingdom of God we all give and receive. Where would we be without the commitment of the volunteers and ministers who have served us from the beginnings of our congregation to the present day ?

If we are glad to benefit from others’ gifts, Christian generosity also urges us to make ourselves available to our neighbours, in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and save those who were lost. What can we do in practical terms to ensure that the Gospel makes its way into the lives of our contemporaries ?

1. By getting involved, each and every one of us, in spreading the Gospel : by inviting our friends and colleagues to come with us to a musical evening, a service or a pop-in activity . This very practical way of giving involves us all.

2. By showing a welcoming spirit : supporting, encouraging and  helping in particular those who, sometimes far from their hometown or country, spend some time in Toulouse for their studies or work. In some cases, help with material needs can be provided by our non-profit charity for Cultural and Social Action, AACS.

3. By broadening our missionary vision : encouraging young and not-so-young people to take time out of their lives to take part in charitable projects in France and elsewhere.

4. By supporting missionary work : for many years, our congregation has voted at the AGMs to pledge financial support  a certain number of missionary organisations. Here is the list :

EBM International

]]> Our core values https://chapelle-toulouse.com/en/our-basic-values/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:37:05 +0000 http://s361375016.onlinehome.fr/?p=21937

Our core values

1. Fellowship

Functioning as a family of God, where everyone welcomes one another.

2. Adoration

Glorifying God, in worship and church life, as well as everyday life.

3. Maturity

Allowing ourselves to be transformed by the teaching of the Word of God and by the action of the Holy Spirit, so that we become more and more like Jesus Christ.

4. Service

Discovering and using the different gifts of grace (‘charisms’), as brothers and sisters on an equal footing.

5. Sharing the gospel

Making the good news known in our generation, by our presence in the world, so that new life may multiply.

6. Hope

Remembering the history of salvation – God’s great plan – and looking forward to the eternal future, the second of Jesus Christ and the fulfilment of all God’s promises.

plusieurs mains soutenant un tronc d'arbre
]]> Presentation https://chapelle-toulouse.com/en/presentation-2/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:32:12 +0000 http://s361375016.onlinehome.fr/?p=21934

Presentation

Homme prédicateur prononçant un discours devant le public dans une église. Prédication.
Our identity within the Christian landscape

Those who meet on Sunday mornings in the chapel at 230 avenue Saint-Exupéry in Toulouse, or during the week in the various house groups, to pray, listen to the Gospel, share their faith and everyday experiences, experience God’s presence and encourage each other, are men and women like any others, living their faith despite their fragility and weaknesses.

We still have a lot to learn from Jesus’ example ! But we are all constantly living in God’s forgiveness and grace, for which his only Son gave his life on the Cross. This forgiveness constantly calls us to forgive one another, and this grace enables us to be gracious to one another, always.

Family

Together, we form a church that sees itself as a “family of God”. Forming a church means choosing stewardship between men and women from all walks of life who yearn to be disciples of Jesus. We recognise each other as brothers and sisters, not because we agree on everything, but because we are equal before the love of God who gives us life.

Although we are French and French-speaking, our church extends a warm welcome to people from other countries and cultures.

Livre ouvert dans la main d'un homme
Groupe de personnes souriantes applaudissant lors d'une réunion
United with other churches

As part of the Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches in France, we are thankfully not a church standing alone without other churches, and even less against other churches. We seek unity and collaboration, yet without denying disagreements. Sometimes we assert our particular convictions, but for us, the walls of denominations do not reach up to heaven. God saves by grace, not because we are right. So we cooperate with all those who love Jesus Christ and confess his name.

Protestant

We are Protestants first and foremost through our attachment to the Bible. For us, it is the only authority that declares the truth of God’s love for the world. The Bible is our most precious possession. We read it in faith, with humility, but without refuting an intellectual approach nor issues from contemporary culture.

As Protestants, we also emphasise that salvation is a gift from God, not a reward for merit. God’s gratuitous generosity always abounds over our failures. We are also Protestant in our commitment to dialogue, and in the fact that we favour the Holy Scriptures over the traditions of the Church. For this reason, the Fédération des Eglises Baptistes de France (French Evangelical Baptist Union) is a member of the Fédération Protestante de France (French protestant Union).

Bible ouverte sur une table en bois avec des feuilles mortes dessous. Confession de foi.
Des personnes célébrant un culte protestant. Le culte.
Evangelical

In the family of Protestantism, we are evangelical in our conviction that we are not born Christians, but become them through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. This fundamental encounter, also called “conversion”, is the starting point for a renewed life.

What we have in common with other evangelicals is the desire and commitment to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to our generation. For this reason, the Fédération des Eglises Baptistes en France is a member of the C.N.E.F (Conseil National des Evangéliques de France), National Council of French Evangelicals.

We are also expecting his return to save our suffering world and establish his eternal reign of justice and peace. We have hope !

Baptist

We are Baptists in that we only baptise, through full immersion, believers who wish to express their faith in Jesus Christ and become part of his Church.

History of Baptism
Personnes connectées
Livre ouvert dans la main d'un homme
The role of the Holy Spirit

Our community recognises the need for every believer :

  • To be constantly renewed and guided by the Holy Spirit: “be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5: 18
  • To use the “gifts of grace” (charisms) given by the Holy Spirit as he wishes within the Christian community for the service of others and the common good.
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