Fole Reformed Evangelical Chapel

Our Stance

The true Church refers to herself as Reformed. To distinguish herself, that is, from all erroneous assemblies, we call ourselves Reformed, not, however, in reference to doctrine, as if we had changed or improved the same. No, according to God's Word the truth remains impeccably preserved. We do so, however, in reference to errors which permeated the Church. These the Church has cast out, departing from Roman Catholic heresy by which she had been so long oppressed, and reforming the Church according to the precepts of God's Word. Certain parties reproachfully call members of the true Reformed Church 'Calvinists' after Calvin, minister in Geneva, who was one of the first to oppose Roman Catholic error. We say, "among the first," for neither he nor Luther, but Zwingli, was the first. We acknowledge Calvin as a member of the true Church. He has done much to promote the truth, but he is neither the head of the Church nor the one who prescribed the rule for life and doctrine. We neither magnify nor lean upon man. We do not follow human inventions nor call ourselves after men. If someone desires to name us after man, he does so at his own peril. If in doing so he wishes to distinguish us as the true Church from the false Church, the matter is itself good, but not the manner.

Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711)

'But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' - 1 Peter 2:9.

The true church is protestant. Protesting, that is, against all that is ungodly and unrighteous, contrary to the word of God.

1. An open Bible, is the birthright of all, as the sole, sufficient, and supreme guide in all matters of religion.
2. Salvation by free and sovereign grace alone, through faith. 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast' - Ephesians 2:8-9.
3. Justification by the grace of God, and by the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, realised by faith, without any human merit.
4. The Mediator-ship of the Lord Jesus Christ, without any other mediator in heaven or earth, neither Mary, saints, or priests.
5. Confession of sin to God alone, through Jesus Christ; and pardon freely bestowed and applied by the Holy Spirit to every repenting sinner.
6. The Holy Spirit, the Author and interpreter of Scripture, and the Revealer of Jesus Christ to the human soul.
7. Faithful testimony for God and his truth, and that against every form of evil and error, at all times and in all places.

We are a confessional Church, our Statement of Faith is under-pinned by the Westminster Confession of Faith, copies both of which, along with our Constitution, are available on request. Our practice is as our faith, according to the light of Scripture given.

Our Worship

Is regulated by the principles of God's word. We seek to proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus. The exposition of Scripture is our normal method, normally our evening service would have a direct evangelistic thrust to it. Our hearts desire is to see people born again of God's Spirit and washed in the blood of the Lamb.

We use the King James Authorised Version. We use this version of the Bible for the following reasons:-

1. It has been singularly blessed of God in the past.
2. The use of new translations has not brought about blessing, but rather decline in confidence in the Word of God within the Church. These translations have also arrived at a time of great declension, dare we say, apostasy, even within the evangelical the Church.
3. Neither is there any harmony amongst God's people on the matter, but rather utter confusion.
4. The King James Version of the Bible is the one that came out of the Reformation, a time which produced a seam of godly, seriously devout men. It was the Bible of the revival men, the Whitfield's, Wesley brothers amongst many others. A demonstration of the Spirit and power. The thought is put far more eloquently by a popular Anglican theologian:- "For most of the nineteenth century, following the Evangelical Revival in Britain and the two Great Awakenings in America, the religion of the Protestant churches both sides of the Atlantic was essentially evangelical; the historic faith was faithfully taught by preaching, catechising, and distribution of literature, and diligent reading of the King James Version both privately and in the family was a fixed point in Christian discipleship. In those days, Christianity was strong. But in the twentieth century both the ministry of teaching biblical truth and biblical living and the discipline of feeding on the Bible at home crumbled away. As uncertainty about the contents of the Bible grew through the scepticism and revisionism of liberal scholarship, so interest in the Bible declined throughout the western world. Today, adult members of churches in most cases have never been taught the Christian faith by anybody, and the Bible is to them a closed book, or, should they perchance dip into it, a bewilderment from start to finish" - James Packer. Sadly, Jim Packer in making this comment is promoting yet another translation of the Scriptures (yawn!). The latest one is always the best. But it is this multiplicity of translations that has partly served to weaken the faith and to cause the very bewilderment that he himself speaks of.
5. There is the dulling down of the church. For everything has to made simple, easy. They won't understand the words, phrases such as used in the King James Version. Why won't they? I guess maybe they won't if they are not taught. If they don?t learn or don't want to learn. But is not that the whole trouble with God's church today, it is bone idle, lazy? Everything has to be put on a plate, it has to be made easy, the words, the doctrine, the version of the Bible. It is a church that is not into learning anymore and we have helped it to get there by striving to make the Bible simpler, easier, instead of educating the church up to the standard of the King James Version.
6. It has the impress of the authority of God himself. Its gravity, simplicity, majesty, its tone lifts the soul, it is high, holy, heavenly and absolutely suitable, yes, even for today's Church. These things are acknowledged by those best able to judge in the matter.
7. When the King James Version has been owned of the Holy Spirit for a catholic, standing use in the Church for such a long period of time, it is best not to be replaced lightly. We have seen nor read anything as yet that God himself has owned to this end.
8. As well as using the King James Version of the Bible, we sing from the the Psalter and Christian Hymns. "Let all things be done decently and in order" - 1 Corinthians 14:40.
9. We estimate the Word of God to be the only rule of life and doctrine. The primary distinguishing mark of the true Church is purity of doctrine, consistent that is, with the Word of God. It is the means by which the Church is gathered, preserved and built up 'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord' - Ephesians 2:19-21. It is a treasure entrusted to the Church for her protection 'What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. - Romans 3:1-2. 'But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.' - 1 Timothy 3:15. And the Word of God is a matter for which the Church must be prepared to do battle, spiritually that is, not carnally.

Our Location

The map below will help you to find us. We are approximately 30 minutes from, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-U-Lyme to the west, Derby to the east, Leek to the north west, Stafford to the south west, or Ashbourne to the north east.

Fole Reformed Evangelical Chapel

The village of Fole lies between the villages of Checkley and Beamhurst, on the old road, now the A522, that runs parallel with the new A50 by-pass. The Church building is as the village itself, very small, so take your time. You will probably see the Dairy first, our Church building lies on the front corner of the Dairy. Parking space can be found, we have permission, behind the building on the Dairy car park.

Our Congregation

Tiny. A small group of Christians. We desire to see the work of God in this location built up, and that, upon a solid rock foundation. The Church is also a platform for biblical evangelism as we seek to reach out into the County with the gospel. 'The Street Preacher' ministry being an integral part of that outreach, to draw people unto God's Name, in order to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We long to see men and women come to know forgiveness, the righteousness and reconciliation to God through the ministry of His Word.

The Church is called to be salt and light in the world around us. To this end we seek to do good, to love and help our neighbours. We are protestants, but in saying that we seek to protest against 'all' that is ungodly and unrighteous in our County and Country. As all the parameters of biblical law that we have known for over five hundred years are eroded daily, as immorality abounds, a culture of death descends upon our nation like a dark cloud, we see it as our Christian duty, with courage, and grace of course, to raise our voices and banners in protest against all such legislation and practice that is contrary to the word of God, even at cost to ourselves.

Itinery:-

'The Street Preacher'
Monday - Day Off,
Tuesday - Newcastle (Staffs) 1 p.m.
Wednesday - is Prayer Meeting 1pm
Thursday - Hanley 1 p.m.
Friday - Stafford (Market Square) 1 p.m.
Saturday - Leek Market 12 noon
Sunday - Fole Chapel 10.30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.