OUR
BELIEFS
PURPOSE
The purpose of First Baptist Church is to honor God (I Cor. 10:31) by…
…guiding people to an eternal relationship with God (Mt. 28:18-20)
…assimilating them into loving relationships for fellowship in the church (Jn. 15:12,17; Rom. 12:10)
…teaching them God’s Word so that they can live Christ-like lives (Acts 20:26-27)
…equipping them for ministry (Eph. 4:12)
…and promoting God-centered worship (Jn. 4:23-24).
sCRIPTURE
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Holy Bible are divinely inspired and are a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; II Peter 1:3-4)
gOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God whose name is Yahweh, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth - inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love - revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the divine work of redemption. (Ex. 20:2-3; Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11)
jESUS
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; II Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1-2)
hOLY sPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Divine Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-24; II Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20, 27)
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)
We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (I Cor. 1:22; 13:8-10; 14:21-22)
SIN
We believe that man was created in a “state of innocence,” under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, wholly given to the gratification of the world of Satan and of their own sinful passions; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse. (Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 3:10-19; Rom. 1:18, 32; 5:12, 19)
SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace; through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ; who took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin; fulfilled the law by His personal obedience, and made propitiation by the shedding of His blood for our sins in His death and being raised from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven; uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior. (Jonah 2:9; Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Phil. 2:7-8; Heb. 2:14, 17; Isa. 53:4-7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24)
Individual appropriation of salvation
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God’s part – An individual comes to Christ through the drawing of the Father and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (John 6:44; John 16:7-11)
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Saving faith includes:
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calling on the name of the Lord in repentance (confessing and forsaking of sin)
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and belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only atonement for sin. (Romans 10:9-10,13; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 16:31; I Cor. 15:1-11)
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jUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ bestows on such as believe in Him is justification (Justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ.); that justification consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness: that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in His redemption and righteousness; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.. (Rom.3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; Gal.2:16; Phil. 3:9)
tHE cHURCH
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ who is it’s Head; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only proper officers are pastors (bishops), elders, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (Acts 2:41-42; 5:11; 8:1; 11:30; 1 Cor. 4:17)
oRDINENCES
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. The Lord’s Supper is the use of bread and cup to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by a solemn self-examination. (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 22:19-20; Mark 14:20-26; 1 Cor. 11:23-30)
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14; 1 Tim. 2:1-8)
Righteousness
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as are justified by faith in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men, both in and after death. (Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26, 14:32; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; 1 John 5:19, Gal. 3:10; John 3:36)
The world to Come
We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ, an event which can occur at any moment, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without facing death, and all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of the Tribulation. (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:42-44; 51-54; Phil. 3:20-21; Rev. 3:10).
We believe that the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish the millennial kingdom. (Dan. 9:25-27; Matt. 24:29-31; Luke 1:30-33; Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Acts 2:29-30; Rev. 20:1-4, 6)
separation
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy. (2 Cor. 6:14; 7:1; 1 Thess. 1:9-10; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9-11)
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection will subject him to an aggravated condemnation. (Rom. 10:13; Eph. 2:5; 1 Cor. 3:5-7: Acts 15:11; 1 Jn. 4:10).
Grace In Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved we must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner far above our comprehension or calculation by the power of the Holy Spirit so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruit we bring forth to the glory of God. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe that Christ-likeness is the gracious eternal purpose of God according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it is ascertained by its effects in all who believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves our utmost diligence. (2 Tim. 1:8-9; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Thess. 4:10; Romans 8:28-30; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Eph. 1:4; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20-33)
The Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the greatest mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors: that special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (This means we believe in the security of the saints, that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.) (Philemon 6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-38; Jude 1).
The Harmony of the Law and The Gospel
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government: that it is holy, just, and good, and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin: to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of graced connected with the establishment of the visible church. (Rom. 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20; 4:15; 8:7-8)
The Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with Christ, where they consciously await their bodily resurrection and glorification to spend eternity with the Lord. (Daniel 12:2; Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)
We believe that the soul of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be destroyed, but to consciously suffer torment and punishment for eternity. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and that he purposed the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution and others as unscriptural theories of origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
Family Relationships
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (pastors, elders, and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; I Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5,12)
We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values, and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-15; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7)
Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication (ie. uncleanness). Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor, elder, or deacon. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; Deut 24:1ff; Lev. 18)
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of human life. Abortion is murder. We reject the acceptability of any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
Lawsuit Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is not pursued with malice or slander. (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)
Mission
We believe the Great Commission of the church is to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there may be many from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As stewards of the grace of God we must use all available means to take the gospel to the world and not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20)
Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17)
Authority of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement.