What We Believe

First Baptist Church, holds to Salvation by Grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ, Believers Baptism by Immersion, and the Priesthood of Believers. We affirm the following foundations of the faith:

There Is Only One True God

We affirm our belief in there is only one true and living God who, being perfect in all His attributes, is eternal and is the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Ruler of the universe and everything therein.  In His infinite wisdom, power and knowledge, He is able to be present at all times and places, not bound by space and time.  He is supreme in His holiness, righteousness, love, mercy and justice.  He reveals himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three persons with distinct personal attributes, but one, without division, in nature, essence and being.

(Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 15:3, Luke 1:37; Psalm 139:1-10; Isaiah 6:1-11; Revelation 4:1-11; James 1:17;           Psalm 100:1-5; Genesis 18:25; Romans 9:13-33; Matthew 28:19)


The Authority of the Bible

We affirm the divine inspiration, truthfulness and authority of both Old and New Testament Scriptures in their entirety as the only written word of God.  They are authoritative and inerrant; making them profitable for doctrine, discipline, correction and discipleship.  The Bible is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried.

(II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21; Proverbs 30:5)

 

Salvation

We also affirm the power of God's word to accomplish His purpose of salvation.  Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.   Salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Regeneration, the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus.  It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through the conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification, is God's gracious and full acquittal of sin's consequence bestowed upon those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.

Sanctification, is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart for God's purposes.  The believer is enabled to grow toward moral and spiritual maturity through the power and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  Sanctification should continue throughout the person's life.

Glorification is the final blessed and eternal state of the redeemed as they receive their reward in heaven.

Salvation is permanent for all genuine believers.  Being accepted by God in Christ and sanctified by His Holy Spirit,  believers will never fall away from the state of grace and will, therefore, persevere to the end.  Believers can fall into sin and grieve the Holy Spirit, which may bring negative consequences/judgments to their lives and hinder the cause of Christ.  Nevertheless, they are forever kept by God's power and love in and through Christ.

(Titus 3:4-5; Ephesians 2:19; Acts 16:31, 13:39; Romans 1:7, 3:24, 4:6-7, 5:9-11; John 3:3, 5, 16; Galatians 4:5; II Corinthians 3:7-11, 5:19; Romans 6:1-4; John 5:24, 6:39-40, 17:12, Hebrews 10:14, Romans 8:29-30, 37-39, 11:29, II Timothy 1:12,2:13, I John 5:13, Jude 24-25)

Our Statement of Faith and Belief

Click here to read our complete Statement of Faith and Belief.