the word of god
We believe solely in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as “God Breathed” (verbally inspired), without error in the original writings; and these Scriptures are of supreme and final authority in faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:21
the triune god
We believe in the one true living self-existent God who exists eternally in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - yet one in substance and equal in every divine attribute.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6-7; Matthew 28:18-20; John 5:26; John 14; Ephesians 4:4-6
god the father
We believe God the Father, Creator of all things, is holy and sovereign in all matters. He shows His love through the provision and protection of His people. He is infinite in wisdom and power. He hears and answers prayer, is merciful and just, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Christ Jesus.
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 9:16; Psalm 95:7; Psalm 111; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 6:9-13; John 3:16-18; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 11:3; 1 John 4:7-8
God the Son
We believe that Jesus is the Eternal Son of God, Living Word, fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, was tempted and yet remained sinless. He is Perfect Deity and True Humanity united in one person forever.
Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:15
We believe Jesus voluntarily atoned for the sins of humanity by dying on the cross as their substitute once and for all, and accomplishing salvation for all those who repent and believe in Him. We believe that He bodily rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven, and He sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us as our High Priest. He will come again visibly and personally to judge the world and fulfill God’s eternal plan.
Luke 24:6-7; Luke 24:50-53; John 3:16; Acts 1:11; Acts 16:31; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 7:25-26; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 2:2
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity who proceeds from the Father and is sent by the Son to reveal and glorify Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of sin and draws sinners to Christ. He applies the saving work of Christ to repentant sinners. He makes them new, teaching and guiding them so that they may bear fruit. He brings comfort to his people, indwells them and seals them for the day of redemption. He empowers believers for service including the giving of spiritual gifts.
Genesis 1:2; John 14:16,26; John 16:8,13-15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7
Humanity
We believe that humanity was uniquely created in the image of God, made for God’s glory and pleasure. However every person, except Jesus Christ, is sinful in nature and has sinned by choice, which has caused not only physical death but also spiritual death, alienating us from our Creator.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 59:2; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; Revelation 4:11
Salvation
We believe that salvation cannot be gained by any external act of humanity, whether good deeds or religious ceremony. Every person must turn to God in faith, accepting Christ’s free gift of righteousness in exchange for our sin, which He bore on the cross. This exchange now justifies us before God forever, giving us new life and adopting us into His family.
Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:23-25; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-9
We believe that based upon the righteousness of Christ in our lives, we become more and more like Him, through the continuing work of the Holy Spirit. Through our living connection with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit we become new people. We now live a life free of condemnation and can now have fellowship with Him. This freedom allows us to be obedient to God, by loving one another, being faithful stewards of all that He’s entrusted to us, and sharing the gospel with everyone, all for His glory. We have the conviction that our salvation will be complete someday, when Christ returns and we are bodily resurrected. We will see our Savior face to face and realize our certain hope for which we have persevered.
Matthew 28:19; Luke 16:9; John 15:1-17; Acts 1:11; Romans 6:13; Romans 8:1-2,29-30; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 John 3:2-3
Our Eternal State
We believe that at physical death, the believer in Jesus Christ immediately enters into eternal conscious fellowship with the Lord in Heaven. Heaven is a real place, prepared for those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Matthew 8:11; John 1:12-13; John 14:2-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We believe that at physical death, the unbeliever immediately enters into eternal conscious separation from God in Hell. Hell is a real place of torment actually made for Satan and his angels, but used for those who refuse to obey the good news of Christ.
Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15
The Church
We believe that Christ’s church is the universal living spiritual body composed of all born again believers, indwelt by the Spirit, of which He is head. We believe that the local church is a community of believers, enabled by the Spirit, guided by His Word, who gather together for the purpose of worship, fellowship, service, encouragement, and outreach, bound by common doctrine and a personal relationship with God. As a local church, First Baptist acknowledges responsibility directly to Christ alone and not to any outside authority. We acknowledge the value of fellowship and cooperation with other churches of like faith in order to proclaim the gospel and make disciples.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2; Acts 4:32-35; Romans 12:3-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 4:4-6; Ephesians 5:23b; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 2:4-10
We believe that Christ left two ordinances:
Believer’s baptism is a symbolic act in water that identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on their behalf. It is for believers who have already repented of sin and have received Christ by faith as Savior and Lord.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 10:48; Acts 16:31; Romans 6:3-5; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 4:1-6
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act commanded by Christ for His Church, to be observed in remembrance of His death and in anticipation of His coming again by those who profess faith in the merits of Christ alone. Believers should carefully examine themselves before participating in this act, ensuring that they are in proper fellowship with our Lord.
Luke 22:14-23; I Corinthians 11:23-28