First Baptist Church

What We Believe.

The Scriptures:

We Believe that the Holy Bible was written “by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;” that it is the divinely inspired, complete, and final revelation of God; that it is without any admixture of error; that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;” that it is therefore the only infallible rule and sole authority for the faith, conduct, and practice of this Church. (II Peter 1:19-21; II Timothy 3:16-17; John 10:35; Matthew 24:35; John 17:17; Psalm 119:9, 11, 89,105)

The True God.

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, infinite, intelligent Spirit, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4; I Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 147:5; John 4:24; Exodus 15:11; I John 5:7; John 15:26; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ:

Deity and Virgin Birth:

We believe the Scriptures teach the absolute deity of Jesus Christ, eternally the only-begotten Son of God, co-existing and co-equal from all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit; that according to the will of the Father He was miraculously begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, assuming our Nature, yet without sin; that He is both True God and True Man. (John 1:1, 2,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Philippians 2:5-11)

His Atonement for Sin:

We believe the Scriptures teach that by His perfect obedience to the divine law Jesus Christ proved Himself worthy to be the Lamb for sinners slain; that by His death He made a full and vicarious atonement, through the shedding of His blood, for our sin; that He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
(I Peter 2:22-24; John 1:29b; Revelation 5:9, 12; Isaiah 53; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:24-25; Luke 23:33-46; John 19:16-37)


His Resurrection:

We believe the Scriptures teach the literal, bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-48; John 20:1-29; I Corinthians 15:3-8)

His Ascension and Intercession:

We believe the Scriptures teach that our risen, glorified Lord ascended into Heaven; that His present ministry is as our Great High Priest and Advocate at the right hand of the throne of God. (Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:35; Hebrews 2:17-18; 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:2)

His Second Coming:

We believe the Scriptures teach the personal, pre-millennial, and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that it will be in two phases: First, the rapture of the Saints, the body of Christ, into the glorious presence of the Son of God; Second, the revelation of Jesus Christ as He returns to judge the living nations and to reign upon the earth on the throne of David. (Acts1:11; John 14:3; James 5:8; Luke 12:40; 21:27; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-10; Luke 1:32-33; II Thessalonians 2:1-10; Matthew 26:31032; Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 9:6-7)


The Holy Spirit:

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-existing and co-equal with the father and the Son; that in relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that in relation to the believer He is the agent of the New Birth and that He seals, fills, guides, teaches, sanctifies and helps the believer. (Mark 1:10-11; John 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8,13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Romans 8:13-16, 26-27; Acts 1:8, 4:31; I Corinthians 12:13; 6:19; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30)

The Devil or Satan:

We believe the Scriptures teach the personality of Satan; that he was one of God’s highest created beings but that through unholy pride and ambition he fell; that he is now the “prince of the power of the air,” the “god of this world;” that he opposes the work of God, blinds the minds of the un-saved to the Gospel of Christ, accuses the brethren and hinders their work; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of Jesus Christ and shall be cast into the lake of fire forever. (Job 1:6-12; John 8:44; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Jude 9; Isaiah 14:12-16; Ephesians 2:2; II Corinthians 4:4; Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:1-11; II Thessalonians 2:7-9; Revelation 12:10; 20:10; I Thessalonians 2:7-9, 18)

The Fall of Man:

We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in the image of God, without sin, but that by his voluntary transgression fell from that state of innocence and happiness. In consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by nature but by choice; being utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal rein, without defense or excuse. (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-19; Romans 5:12; 1:20; 3:19, 23; 1:32; 8:7; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Salvation by Grace:

We believe the Scriptures teach that the only escape from the condemnation of sin is through the atonement wrought by Jesus Christ, who, by His perfect life, suffering, death and resurrection made full satisfaction to the justice of God for the sin of man; that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation, which salvation is wholly by grace; that no works, however good, assist in the attaining of that salvation or make it more secure. (I Peter 1:18-21; 3:18; Romans 3:20-26; 10:9-13; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)

The New Birth:

We believe the Scriptures teach that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God; that by the new birth those who were dead in trespasses and in sins are made partakers of the divine nature and receive eternal life, the free gift of God; that the proper evidence of this new birth appears in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness; and a newness of life. (John 3:3-7, 16; 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26; 5:22-25; 4:4-7; Ephesians2:1, 10; II Peter 1:3-8; Romans 6:23; 12:1-2; II Corinthians 5:17)

Sanctification:

We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work begun in regeneration, continued in our hearts by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in connection with study of the Scriptures, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer, and to be completed at His appearing when “we shall be like Him, for we shall se Him as He is.” (I Thessalonians 3:13; 4:1-7; 5:23; Ephesians 1:4; 5:26; II Peter 1:3-8; 3:11-14; Hebrews 9:13-14; 10-10, 14; 13:12 Galatians 2:20; Acts 26:18; Romans 6:4-14; I Corinthians 6:11; John 15:3-4; 17:17; II Corinthians 6:11; John 15:3-4, 17:17; II Corinthians 13:5; I John 3:1-3)

The Security of the Believer:

We believe the Scriptures teach that all who are truly born again are kept eternally by the power of God for Jesus Christ; that it is impossible for such to lose their salvation. We further believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s work, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Jude 24; John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:28-29; 13:12-14; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 13:5b; I John 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; Galatians 5:13)

The Resurrection of the Just and Unjust:

We believe the Scriptures teach that at the coming of Christ for His saints, the bodies of the dead in Christ shall be resurrected and caught up with the transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air to be forever with the Lord. We further believe the Scriptures teach that at the close of the millennial reign of Christ the unjust dead shall be raised to be judged by Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge; and that their unbelief and their works shall justly condemn them to everlasting conscious punishment in the lake of fire, the second death. (John 5:28-30; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:42-58; 3:11-15; II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:4-7, 11:15; Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; Luke 16:22-26)

The Church:

We believe the Scriptures teach that the local church is a visible manifestation of the universal Church, the body of Christ; that it is composed of baptized believers only, who have associated themselves in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel observing the ordinances of Christ and governed by His laws; that its true mission is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men; that its only Scriptural officers are pastors (also called bishop or elders) and deacons; that it has the absolute right of self-government as directed by the Holy Spirit and under the headship of Christ; that it is independent of any external ecclesiastical control whatsoever; that in all matters of membership; government, discipline, benevolence, and polity the will of the local church is final.( Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-13; 5:23-24a; Colossians 1:18; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; 20;17, 28; I Corinthians 5;18-21; Philippians 1:1; 4:15; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9)

The Ordinances:

We believe the Scriptures teach that there are two Church ordinances: BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER.