God
We believe in the one1 true and living2 God, the Creator of all things.3 God is eternal,4 existing from everlasting to everlasting.5 This one true God consists of three: the Father, the Word (or Son), and the Holy Ghost,6 Who together in perfect unity7 are one.8 We are to have no other gods before Him.9
1 Mark 12:32; I Timothy 2:5; 2 Jeremiah 10:10; I Thessalonians 1:9; 3 Isaiah 40:28; Ephesians 3:9; 4 Deuteronomy 33:27; 5 Psalm 90:2; 6 Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 28:18-20; I John 5:7; 7 John 17:11 & 22; 8 John 10:30; 9 Exodus 20:3.
Scripture
We believe the Word of God as found in the sixty-six (66) books from Genesis to Revelation is infallible and inerrant and perfect;1 it is the plenary and verbally inspired2 words of God to men.3 We believe God has also preserved every single word4 through the ages.
1 Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21; 3 Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; 4 Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; I Peter 1:25.
God has divinely preserved His words for English-speaking people in the King James Version. The King James Version is the translation used in any and all ministries of First Baptist Church for English-speaking people.
Creation
We believe all things were created by God the Father.1 We believe that the Word (the Son of God) was with God and that all things were made by and through Him and that without Him was not anything made that was made.2 We believe that the Spirit of God moved upon Creation and was also instrumental in bringing man to life.3 The original Creation was completed in six literal days.4
1 Genesis 1:1; Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 3:9; 2 John 1:1-14; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 3 Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; 4 Genesis 1:1-2:3; Exodus 20:11.
Christ Jesus
We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the virgin-born, sinless Son of God.1 We believe that Jesus is from everlasting,2 that Jesus is before all things,3 and that from the beginning Jesus was with God and was God.4 Jesus is the First and the Last,5 the Author and Finisher of our faith,6 and the Almighty.7 Without ceasing to be God,8 Jesus became flesh.9 Jesus is the only Saviour,10 the Head of the church,11 and the only Mediator between God and man.12
1 Matthew 16:16-17; John 20:31; 2 Micah 5:2; 3 Colossians 1:17; 4 John 1:1-14; 5 Revelation 2:8; 6 Hebrews 12:2; 7 Revelation 11:17; 8 Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8; 9 John 1:14; I Timothy 3:16; 10 Luke 2:11; Acts 4:12; 11 Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 12 I Timothy 2:5.
Holy Ghost
We believe that the Holy Ghost is God.1 The Holy Ghost reproves the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.2 The Holy Ghost indwells all believers,3 bearing witness that they are sons of God,4 and is the earnest of their salvation,5 sealing them unto the day of redemption.6 It is God’s will to pour out His Spirit on all of us in these last days,7 enduing us with power that we might be more effective witnesses.8 The Holy Ghost also imparts spiritual gifts,9 but does so as He wills.10 While signs and wonders may follow them that believe,11 we are not to seek after signs or sign gifts.12
1 Acts 5:3-4; I John 5:7; 2 John 16:7-15; 3 Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19; 4 Romans 8:16; I John 4:13; 5 II Corinthians 1:22; II Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 6 Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 7 Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-18; 8 Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 9 I Corinthians 12:1-10; 10 I Corinthians 12:11; 11 Mark 16:15-20; 12 Matthew 12:39; I Corinthians 12:28-31.
Satan
We believe that Satan is a created being,1 an anointed cherub.2 Iniquity was found in him,3 being lifted up in pride; he rebelled against God,4 and was cast out from his position in Heaven.5 Satan tempts man6 and is a murderer,7 the father of lies,8 and the accuser of the brethren.9 Satan is to be resisted by us10 but not feared.11 We look forward to the day when he will be thrust through with the Sword coming out of Christ’s mouth,12 trampled under our feet,13 and cast into the lake of fire.14
1 Ezekiel 28:15; 2 Ezekiel 28:14; 3 Ezekiel 28:15; 4 Isaiah 14:13-14; 5 Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:16; Luke 10:18; 6 Genesis 3:1-15; Mark 1:13; 7 John 8:44; 8 John 8:44; 9 Revelation 12:10; 10 James 4:7-8; I Peter 5:8-9; 11 Matthew 10:28; 12 Isaiah 14:19; Revelation 19:15; 13 Isaiah 14:19; Romans 16:20; 14 Isaiah 14:19; Revelation 20:10.
Devils
We believe that Satan was followed in his rebellion by a group of angels.1 These fallen angels (known as demons or devils) make up the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, against which we wrestle.2 The power of God that is in us is greater than the powers of darkness.3 Jesus demonstrated this by casting out devils with His Word,4 and, as Jesus said, with the finger of God.5
1 Matthew 25:41; II Peter 2:4; 2 Ephesians 6:12; 3 I John 4:4; 4 Matthew 8:16; 5 Luke 11:20.
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God.1 God breathed into man, and man became a living soul.2 Man’s soul will last forever.3 God created man for Himself,4 for His own glory5 and pleasure,6 and has a very specific will for man.7
1 Genesis 1:26; Genesis 9:6; I Corinthians 11:7; 2 Genesis 2:7; 3 Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; 4 Colossians 1:16; 5 Isaiah 43:7; 6 Revelation 4:11; 7 Ephesians 2:10.
Sin
We believe that, through the first man, sin came into the world and death by sin.1 Everyone born of Adam has followed him in sinning against God, so death passed upon all men.2 The heart of sinful man is deceitful and desperately wicked.3 Therefore, every man has gone astray after his own way4 and has earned the wages of death and Hell.5 Every man is held accountable to God for his own sin.6
1 Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12; 2 Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; 3 Jeremiah 17:9; 4 Isaiah 53:6; 5 Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14-15; 6 Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 14:12.
Salvation
We believe that God in His love1 provided salvation2 by sending His Son3 to become sin for us,4 taking the penalty of death upon Himself,5 dying in our place,6 shedding His own blood7 as the only acceptable atonement for our sin.8 Christ was buried9 and rose again the third day.10 This salvation is available as a free gift11 of God’s grace12 to all who will receive Him by faith.13 At the moment one stops trusting in his own way14 and places his trust rather in Christ and His finished work,15 he is born of God16 and granted eternal life.17
1 John 3:16; Romans 5:8; I John 2:2-5; 2 John 3:16; Hebrew 5:9; 3 John 3:16-17; 4 II Corinthians 5:21; 5 I Corinthians 15:3;
6 I Peter 3:18; 7 Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14-20; Hebrews 9:22; 8 Romans 5:10-11; 9 I Corinthians 15:4; 10 Acts 10:39-40; I Corinthians 15:4; 11 Romans 5:15-18; Romans 6:23; 12 Ephesians 2:8-9; 13 John 1:12; John 6:40; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 22:17; 14 Isaiah 53:6; Mark 10:24; Luke 18:9-14; I Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 6:1; 15 Ecclesiastes 3:14; John 19:30; 16 I John 5:1; 17 John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 10:27-29.
Eternal Security
We believe that the salvation God authored for us is an eternal salvation.1 Jesus never casts anyone out of His family.2 Believers can never perish,3 shall not come into condemnation, but are already passed from death unto life.4 The saved are kept by the power of God,5 nothing can separate them from His love,6 and no one can pluck them out of His hand.7 Everyone who believes on Him is born of God, and whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.8 These overcomers are then promised that their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life.9 The saved are given the Holy Ghost as the earnest of their salvation10 and are sealed by Him unto the day of redemption.11
1 Hebrews 5:9; 2 John 6:37; 3 John 10:28; 4 John 5:24; 5 I Peter 1:3-5; Jude 24; 6 Romans 8:31-39; 7 John 10:27-29; 8 I John 5:1-5; 9 Revelation 3:5; 10 II Corinthians 1:22; II Corinthians 5:5; 11 Ephesians 4:30.
Separation
We believe that saved people are commanded by God to separate themselves in their service for Him from unbelievers, from fellowship with unrighteousness, from communion with darkness, and from false religious worship.1 Believers should furthermore separate themselves from those who are called brothers yet are fornicators, covetous, idolaters, railers, drunkards, or extortioners.2 While we should be kind and forgiving to everyone,3 we should further withdraw ourselves from every brother who walks disorderly.4 While trying to reach the world, we recognize that friendship with the world is enmity with God5 and that God chastens those whom He loves.6
1 II Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 I Corinthians 5:9-13; 3 Ephesians 4:32; 4 II Thessalonians 3:6; 5 James 4:4; I John 2:15-17; 6 Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19.
Church
We believe that a church is a called-out assembly, as this is the meaning of the Greek word translated church. The first New Testament church was founded by Jesus.1 He is the Cornerstone,2 Foundation,3 Head,4 and Chief Shepherd,5 of every true church. Each local church is made up of baptized believers.6 Those members called of God to lead the church are called elders or pastors.7 One of these men is chosen as the overseer or bishop,8 commonly called the pastor. God has delegated to him authority as an under-shepherd under Christ, and he is to rule the local church9 in much the same way a man would rule his own house.10 He also carries a heavy weight of accountability before God, as he is to know the state of his flock and watch for their souls.11 Church members can also choose deacons to help conduct the business of the church12 and thus allow their pastors to give themselves more fully to prayer and the ministry of the Word.13 All these men who lead a church are merely human, but their office should be magnified.14 Those who rule well should be counted worthy of honor,15 they should be followed and obeyed as they follow Christ,16 and they should be esteemed very highly in love for their work’s sake.17 Just as disciples should seek to multiply by winning souls, each church should seek to send out workers to multiply churches.18
1 Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 2:41; 2 I Peter 2:6; 3 I Corinthians 3:11; 4 Ephesians 5:23; 5 I Peter 5:4; 6 Acts 2:41-47; 7 I Timothy 5:17; James 5:14; I Peter 5:1; 8 I Timothy 3:1-2; 9 Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; 10 I Timothy 3:4-5; 11 Proverbs 27:23; Hebrews 13:17; 12 Acts 6:1-7; 13 Acts 6:4; 14 Romans 11:13; 15 I Timothy 5:17; 16 I Corinthians 4:16; I Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; 17 I Thessalonians 5:13; 18 Acts 9:31; Titus 1:5.
Great Commission
We believe that the greatest mission of the church is to go, win, baptize, and teach. God has commanded us to get the Gospel to every nation and to every creature.1 While we understand that a majority will not be saved,2 we also recognize that God is not willing that any should perish.3 Jesus shed His blood for the sins of the whole world.4 It is His will that all men come to the knowledge of the truth.5 It is our desire to teach those who do receive the Gospel all the things that God has commanded us, equipping them to become soul winners themselves so the number of believers can multiply.6 To these ministries of reconciliation 7 and discipleship, we willingly commit our lives.8
1 Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47-48; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8; 2 Matthew 7:13-14; 3 II Peter 3:9; 4 I John 2:2; 5 I Timothy 2:3-4; 6 Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 6:7; II Timothy 2:2; 7 II Corinthians 5:18-21; 8 I Corinthians 9:16-17.
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a step of obedience to fulfill righteousness.1 Biblical baptism is by immersion, as it pictures death, burial, and resurrection.2 We baptize converts in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.3 Following the biblical pattern, we baptize each who is willing as soon as possible after he makes a profession of faith.4 This profession is the only biblical prerequisite to baptism.5
1 Matthew 3:15; 2 Matthew 3:16; Romans 6:3-10; 3 Matthew 28:18-20; 4 Acts 2:41; 5 Acts 8:36-38.
Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper was given to believers as a memorial of Christ’s broken body and shed blood.1 Unleavened bread2 represents His sinless body,3 and the fruit of the vine4 (unfermented grape juice) represents His incorruptible blood.5 The Bible admonishes every man to examine himself6 when partaking of the Lord’s Supper. No instructions were given as to how often the Lord’s Supper is to be observed, but that as often as we observe it, we do so to show forth the Lord’s death until He comes.7
1 Matthew 26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:26; 2 I Corinthians 5:8; 3 II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5; 4 Matthew 26:29; 5 I Peter 1:18-19; 6 I Corinthians 11:28; 7 I Corinthians 11:26.
Return of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ Who first came to His own1 is coming back for His own.2 He has gone to prepare a place for us and could at any moment return to receive us unto Himself.3 In that moment,4 this corruptible will put on incorruption, this mortal will put on immortality,5 and we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is,6 and so shall we ever be with the Lord.7 Later, after great tribulation on the earth,8 the Lord will return again, this time with His own,9 and we shall rule and reign with Him.10
1 John 1:10-12; 2 Acts 1:11; 3 John 14:1-3; 4 I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17. 5 I Corinthians 15:53-54; 6 I John 3:2; 7 I Thessalonians 4:17; 8 Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14; 9 Jude 14; Revelation 19:1-21; 10 I Corinthians 6:1-3; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:5.
Eternity
We believe that everyone will be resurrected into eternity: the saved to eternal life and the lost to eternal damnation.1
1 Isaiah 66:22-24; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:12-15.
Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a scriptural marriage. We believe that all forms of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s design for sex. We believe that the only scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. Marriage, within this biblical context, is honorable, and the marriage bed undefiled.1
1 Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5-13; Genesis 26:8-9; Genesis 34:1-31; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; Romans 7:2;
I Corinthians 5:1; I Corinthians 6:9; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4.
Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or their local church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company, as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.1
1 I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32.
