Pastor Rowcroft grew up on the Wirral, Merseyside. He was converted when 17 years of age while attending Mathesan Church that was affiliated to the Liverpool City Mission.
He studied Clinical Chemistry at John Moores University, Liverpool and worked in the Pathology Department of Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral.
On receiving a call from God to the ministry he trained at the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow. He then became the pastor of AC Mitchell Church in Liverpool (affiliated to the Liverpool City Mission).
In 1984 he accepted the call to be the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Maryport.
The church began as a result of an evangelistic preaching tour by two brothers, Robert and James Haldane. ("The lives of Robert and James Haldane" by A Haldane is published by the Banner of Truth)
The brothers visited Maryport towards the beginning of the 19th century, when God in His grace brought several to faith in Christ through their preaching. The new converts met in a room over a fishing tackle shop while a church was built in High Street.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a larger building, known as "The Cathedral of the North", was built on the present site of the church.
Due to subsidence and a fire that building was demolished and the more modern building put in its place in 1967.
The church, at various times during its history, moved away from the doctrine preached by the Haldane brothers. However it now is back to its doctrinal beginnings, and seeks to faithfully proclaim the Word of God
Six important questions you might want to ask, and their answers.
Question
Answer
1. Where did I come from?
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him;male and female created he them". Genesis 1:27
2. Why am I here?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God". 1 Corinthians 10:31
3. Where am I going?
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement". Hebrews 9:27
4. What is the meaning of life?
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but my me". John 14:6
5. Is there hope beyond the grave?
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live". John 11:25
6. How can I have this hope?
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved". Romans 10:9
Scripture references for the statements below can be found in the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, which this Church adopts as a summary of our faith. This confession of faith gives a concise statement of biblical doctrine, but in no way is it equal to the infallible authority of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. A brief summary of what we believe follows:-
THE SCRIPTURES
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, are without error, and are the infallible and authoritative rule of saving knowledge, faith and practice.
DOCTRINE OF GOD
The Trinity : There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all. To Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. God is revealed to us as a Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
Creation : God created all things from nothing. Man was created by God after His own image, in perfect righteousness.
Providence : God, from eternity, decreed all things that come to pass, and perpetually governs all creatures and events. However, He is not, in any way, the author or approver of sin, nor does He remove the responsibility of intelligent creatures.
The Fall of Man : That sinful condition into which man fell consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the lack of that righteousness in which he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is an enemy of God and made totally opposed unto all that is spiritually good and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually, which is commonly called Original Sin and from which all transgressions proceed. By reason of this fall, man is unable of himself to please God. Also, although completely responsible to do so, man is unable of himself to repent of sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
GOD’S GRACE AND OUR SALVATION
The Mediator : Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed Mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered, and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended to the Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the universe.
Election : Election is God’s eternal choice of some persons to eternal life – not because of foreseen merit or faith in them, but because of His mercy in Christ. Those who have been predestined to be saved are called, justified, sanctified and glorified.
Regeneration and Calling : Regeneration is the implanting of spiritual life by the Holy Spirit. God calls us into fellowship with Jesus Christ by His Word and His Holy Spirit, our minds being spiritually enlightened and our wills and affections being renewed.
Repentance : Repentance is a saving grace. The repentant person, by the Holy Spirit, is convicted of the evil of his sin and humbles himself for it, with godly sorrow, hatred of it, self-abhorrence, and a purpose and endeavour to walk before God so as to please Him in all things.
Faith : Faith is a saving grace by which we receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation as He is freely offered to us in the gospel.
Justification and Adoption : Justification is an act of God’s free grace whereby He pardons our sins and accounts us righteous. This is not based on anything we have done, but only on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone. Once justified we are adopted into the family of God.
Sanctification : Those who are united to Christ are renewed in their whole nature after the image of God. It is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all believers. We are thus enabled to pursue a life of holiness in obedience to all the commands of Christ, though never attaining perfection in this life. Full Christian perfection is only known in heaven.
Perseverance : Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved and sanctified by His Spirit will never totally or finally fall away from the state of grace, but will persevere to the end.
THE CHURCH
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, which is composed of God’s elect in every age. According to His commandment, Christians are to gather in local Churches. To each of these Churches He has given authority for administering order, discipline and worship. The officers of the Church are Elders and Deacons.
Baptism : Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ required of every believer, in which he is baptised in water in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of his union with Christ in His death and resurrection, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself to God to walk in newness of life. It is a prerequisite to Church membership.
The Lord’s Supper : The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be administered with the two elements, and to be observed by His Church until He returns. It is in no sense a sacrifice, or a means of having sins cleansed. Its purpose is to commemorate Christ’s death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, and a renewal of their communion, with Christ and their fellow believers.
Evangelism and Missions : It is the duty of every Church and every Christian to extend the Gospel to men everywhere. As faith comes by hearing the Word of God, we are to seek by all methods sanctioned in the Word of God to persuade men to seek Christ and His salvation.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
The Law of God : God has commanded us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. The Christian’s guide is laid down especially in the Ten Commandments and the teaching and commands of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Day : The Lord’s Day is to be kept holy. It is given for our benefit, which we obtain through resting from normal occupations and by giving ourselves to the worship and service of God.
The State : Civil Government is ordained of God and it is the duty of Christians to obey those who have the rule over them in all matters consistent with the teaching of Scripture. Christians are to pray for their rulers.
THINGS TO COME
The Return of Christ : We believe in the visible, personal and bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Resurrection : The bodies of men after death return to dust. The bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised at the return of Christ.
The Judgement : God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds. The wicked will go into everlasting punishment in Hell with the Devil and his angels. The righteous, with glorified bodies, will live and reign with Christ for ever.
