What We Believe
The Scriptures
We believe in the verbal plenary (full) inspiration and authority of the Bible both Old and New Testaments. We hold the Bible to be infallible and inerrant and, therefore, to be our only rule of faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21 We believe further that the Word of God has been preserved pure and without error. We accept the Authorized Version as the Word of God for English-speaking people. We hold that the underlying text of our beloved King James Version, the Textus Receptus, should be the foundation for all translations into native languages. Isaiah 59:21; Psalm 119:89
The Trinity
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three Persons — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost – co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and attributes. Exodus 20:2-3; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 John 5:7; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from eternal death and hell all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Psalm 99; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 8; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 11:26
God the Son
We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Virgin birth, His blood atonement that He lived totally without sin (absolute impeccability), His bodily resurrection and ascension, and His personal, pre-millennial return to this earth. John 1:1; John 10:30; Matthew 1:21-23; Hebrews 9:12-14; Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Hebrews 7:26-27; Hebrews 9:28
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with both the Father and the Son. He was active in creation and is active in salvation. His work includes: conviction of sin, bearing witness of Jesus, regenerating believing sinners, baptizing believers into the body of Christ, and He is the Author of the Word of God. John 14:16-17; John 16:7-15; John 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Peter 1:21
Satan, the Devil
We believe in the existence and personality of Satan, the Devil. His desire is to tempt believers and to attempt to hinder the word of God. He will ultimately be defeated and destroyed by God Almighty. Isaiah 14:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8
The Creation and Fall of Man
We believe that God created man in His own image and that man came into the world by direct creation of God and not by the process of evolution (nor by evolutionary change of species through interminable periods of time). Man was created in innocence but by voluntary transgression fell. All men are totally depraved and, therefore, are under the just condemnation of God without any excuse or defense. Genesis 1:26-28; Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:12-19
Salvation
We believe that salvation is by the grace of God apart from works of righteousness which we may do. Accordingly, we hold that the atonement of Christ is sufficient for the world and efficient for believers, that repentance and faith are necessary for salvation, and that men are justified by faith in Christ alone. Sanctification is the threefold process whereby we are set apart for the Lord unto holiness. This salvation is secure in the Lord as expressed in the terms: adoption, eternal life, and predestination. Ephesians 1:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Acts 20:20-21; Romans 5:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 John 5:13
Heaven and Hell
We believe in the eternal bliss of the redeemed in heaven and the everlasting punishment of the wicked in hell and later in the lake of fire and brimstone. There shall be nothing to ever diminish the blessings of heaven nor the torments of hell. Matthew 25:46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15; John 14:1-3
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe in the election of God according to foreknowledge, that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel which involves him in an aggravated condemnation. 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew. 11:28; Isaiah 55:1; Romans 10:13; Acts 17:30; John 3:18; John 3:36
(Pastor’s Note: We do not believe in the tenets of Calvinism.)
The Ordinances of the Church
There are but two ordinances of the church. These are the Lord’s Supper and baptism. The Lord’s Supper, by the use of bread and fruit of the vine, commemorates His death till He comes. It is for obedient believers. The ordinance of baptism is to be administered by immersion in water signifying a dying to self and the world and a new walk by faith in newness of life. This is also to be administered only to believers upon a profession of salvation. 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Matthew 28:19,20; Romans 6:3-5
The Church
We believe that the local church is a body of baptized believers meeting together to propagate the gospel, both at home and abroad, and to edify believers. It is to meet regularly to worship and give praise unto our God. Acts 2:41-47; Acts 1:8-10; Hebrews 10:25
Prophecy
First Baptist Church holds to moderate dispensational theology. We are premillennial in our approach to the interpretation of the Bible. The next prophetic event will be the Rapture of the New Testament church. Revelation chapters 4 and 5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20; Isaiah 11
Missions
We believe it is the responsibility of the New Testament church to evangelize the world. Our means will be both preaching, one on one witnessing, and engaging ourselves in a world-wide outreach through the arm of independent Baptist missionaries. Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:1-4