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WELCOME
WHAT TO EXPECT
â–ºWHAT WE BELIEVE
WHO WE ARE
WHO IS JESUS?
CONTACT & DIRECTION
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What We Believe...
The Bible is our Key! At First Baptist Church, God's truth revealed to us through the Bible determines what we believe. The following guidelines from ancient times help us stay true in modern times to the Bible's central message of Jesus Christ, while offering the freedom of personal convictions the Bible describes in Romans and Galatians.
In essential beliefs — we have agreement and UNITY
“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...” Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs — we have freedom and LIBERTY
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs — we show love and CHARITY
“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Phillips)
We exist as an independent biblically-focused church, basing our faith and practice upon scriptural precepts and principles. You are welcome to explore our faith statements and church covenant. |
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The Following is a Digest of Essential Beliefs.
a full statement of faith can be linked at the bottom
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, the Author of all life. He has eternally existed in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22 ; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the incarnate eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. As the Living Word, He was born of a virgin revealing God in the flesh. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the promised Messiah (Yeshua), the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to defeat satan, destroy death, renew creation and reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they step over the line of faith. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12 , 3:16 ; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)
About The Bible
The Bible is God's Word of written revelation to us. It was recorded by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
About Us, Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the apex of God's good creation for which all was made. Through Adam’s rebellion in siding with the arch-enemy satan, we experienced the Fall, a fracturing of relationships with God, with fellow mankind and with creation itself. We are all marred by a nature and attitude of resistance toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2)
About Salvation
Salvation is God's love-mission of Redemption, purchasing back His estranged images. It is God's free gift to us that we receive through repentance and faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone. We repent by turning from sin and to Christ through faith to receive forgiveness. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness by substitutionary penalty can anyone be saved from sin's consequence of divine wrath. Salvation is possible only through Christ and not through good works or being good enough. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12 ; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ with the impartation of a new nature, a spiritual birth, the true believer is secure in that saving relationship for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. But it is the believer's obedient walk of faith that brings assurance. (John 3:3, 16; 10:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5, Romans 8:35-39; John 5:24; 1 John)
About Eternity
Fall-Redemption-Consummation. The end of this world will be the beginning of forever. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of existence. At the end of time, God will orchestrate the consummation of His Story, better than at the beginning as His nemesis is eradicated, sin and sorrow are no more, and temptation is removed. He will bring Heaven to merge with a new heavens and earth in which and from which his redeemed family will serve and discover forever. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9, Revelation 21-22)
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