The Bible: Every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error. It is accurate in all matters to which it speaks, sprititual, historical and scientific. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the foundation of the faith and practice of First Baptist Church! 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
God: God exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three have distinct personalities and yet are of the same substance, one God. Genesis 1:1;John 10:30; John 4:24; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Man: Man is created in the image and likeness of God. In Adam, all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men are sinners. Men are justly condemned to eternal judgment and can do nothing to merit salvation. Romans 2:2,3,5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Genesis 1:27; 9:6;Romans 5:12, 3:23; Ephesians 2:1
Jesus: The eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, being born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. He died physically on the cross and was bodily resurrected three days later. John 1:1,14,18; 5:18; Hebrews 1:1-9; 5:8; 1 John 5:20;1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Salvation: Salvation is the free gift of God, by grace alone, to draw men to Christ by the Father. The only means to their salvation is their personal belief, by faith alone, in Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection, and resulting in a personal relationship with Him. Repentance and Faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is acceptance of Jesus Christ and the commitment of the entire personality of Him as Lord. John 6:44; Acts 4:12; 13:38,39; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4;Romans 4:4,5; 5:1; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 1:4,5;Romans 8:29,30
Sanctification: Every believer is promised positional, progressive, and ultimate sanctification. Hebrews 10:10,14; John 17:15-17; Ephesians 5:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4: 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 6:11
Assurance: All who are born of the Spirit through Faith in Christ can have assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ. Romans 5:1; 1 John 5:13; John 10:27-29;17:12; 2 Timothy 1:12; Ephesians 4:30; John 6:37
The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ and empowers those yielded to God. For the world He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Matthew 28:19; John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5;1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 12:13; Ephesians 4:30;Colossians 3:14; John 16:7-11
The Church: The church is composed of all believers. It is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and existing in two aspects, universal and local. The universal church is an elect company of believers, baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body. Its mission is to witness to its head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations. The local church is a group of believers voluntarily joined together, in love for Christ and one another, to worship God with praise and thanksgiving, and glorify Jesus Christ through an assertive effort to disciple others by the preaching of the gospel, and the exercise of spiritual gifts. Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:24-30; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 27
Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities for service, i.e., “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:7,11; 1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:1-6
Living The Christian Life: Christians are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes the propagation of the gospel message to the whole world. All believers are promised rewards in heaven for their faithfulness in service. 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:12-17; John 14:1-3
The Ordinances: The Bible sets forth two ordinances, The Lord’s Supper and water baptism. The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated regularly in remembrance, as a memorial, of Christ’s death on the cross, and in expectation of His return. Water baptism is an outward testimony of a person’s belief in Christ. We believe that immersion is the mode set forth in Scripture. The ordinance in and of itself has no saving merit, but is rather the outward sign of an inward change. Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 9:18;10:47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Satan: Satan is a created being of the angelic order. His created function was to honor and glorify God. At some point, sin (pride) was found in him, and he led a revolt against God. He, and those like him, were expelled from heaven and came under eternal judgment by God. Satan is a created being and is not omnipresent, omniscient, or omnipotent. Ephesians 6:12; Job 1:8; Isaiah 14:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ezekeil 28:15-17; Isaiah 14:12-15
Angels: Angels were originally created holy, but now because of Satan’s rebellion, there is also an unholy angelic kingdom known as demons. Therefore there are both elect and fallen angels. Colossians 1:15; Job 38:6,7; Psalm 148:2-5; Jude 6; Matthew 25:41;Ephesians 6:11,12; 1 Timothy 5:21; Revelation 12:9
The Second Coming of Christ: The blessed hope of the church is the imminent return of Christ. The events of the return of Christ take place in the following order; the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the second advent, the establishment of the reign of Christ on earth for one thousand years, and finally the eternal state of punishment for the unsaved and the eternal state of blessing for the saved. Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:4-10; John 14:1-3; Matthew 24:21, 29, 30; 25:31-46; Revelation 3:10
First Baptist Church 