First B Beliefs
First Baptist Church is committed to core beliefs that reflect the historic, orthodox beliefs of the Christian Church through the ages and which form the foundation for our key decisions. We believe that in these essential beliefs, we are to have unity (Eph. 4:4-6); in non-essential beliefs, we must have freedom (Rom. 14:1-2); and, in all beliefs, we need to demonstrate love (I Cor. 13:2).
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Read about what First B Believes
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the divinely revealed, living Word of God and is our ultimate authority for faith and life. We believe both the “Old” and “New” Testaments (which contain 66 books) are verbally inspired (“God-breathed”) and are entirely true and without error in the original writings. We believe the Bible is powerful and indispensable in a believer’s life, and is incapable of leading one astray when clearly understood through a sound method of interpretation and the work of the Holy Spirit. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21)
God
We believe there is one true God who is the Living and Almighty Creator and Ruler of the universe. We believe He has eternally existed in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who are co-equal in being, nature, power, and glory. We believe God created everything for His glory and that everything is subject to His sovereign will. (Matt. 28:19; Gen. 1:1; Heb. 1:1-13; Acts 5:3-4; John 10:30)
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way of salvation. We believe He was born of the virgin Mary and is God the Son. We believe He has always existed in absolute perfection, without sin, and that He died on the cross for our sins. We believe He rose physically from the dead in order to conquer sin and death once for all and He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father into glory. We believe He alone is the mediator between God and people, making it possible for us to come into a right relationship with Him. (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; John 1:14; I Tim. 2:5; Phil. 2:5-8)
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son, and is still active today in transforming people’s lives. We believe He convicts people of their sin, draws unbelievers to God, and indwells every believer for the purpose of enabling him/her to live a life pleasing to the Lord. We believe He gifts each believer in unique and special ways to serve and build up the body of Christ. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-12; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 12:7-11)
Human Beings
We believe people are uniquely created by God, for God, and are desperately in need of God. We believe every person is a special creation of God, for they alone are created in the “image of God.” Sadly, while people were created for the purpose of relationship with God, because of sin, this fellowship has been broken. As a result, all of us are sinners by nature and by choice, and apart from the saving work of Christ, will experience the consequences of our sin – eternal separation from God. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3)
Salvation
We believe salvation, from beginning to end, is the gracious work of God, based on the finished work of Christ. It cannot be earned through self-improvement or good works. We believe it is only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness that anyone can be saved from the penalty of sin. We believe that when a person turns from their self-ruled life and turns to Jesus in faith, accepting what He did on the cross for them, he/she is saved. We believe all who receive Christ become children of God and are secure in Him. (John 1:11-13; I Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18)
Christian Growth
We believe Christian growth happens when a believer, through the power of the Holy Spirit, engages in an ongoing process of being transformed into the image of Christ. We believe this growth (or sanctification) is a work of God’s grace that is neither automatic nor instantaneous, and requires a believer to keep in step with the Spirit through purposeful and disciplined involvement in spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship, Bible study, fellowship, serving, giving, sharing our faith, etc. (Philippians 2:13; Galatians 5:25; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 1:3-7)
The Church
We believe the Church is God’s people and that it exists to glorify God and to fulfill His purpose of making disciples throughout the world. We believe it exists in two manifestations: 1) the universal church which consists of all those who know Jesus Christ as Savior throughout all time; and, 2) the local church which consists of a community of believers in Christ who, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, have voluntarily joined together for worship, for instruction, and for service of our Lord as a local manifestation of the body of Christ. We believe Jesus alone is the Architect and Head of the Church. (Matt. 28:18-20; I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:47; Rom. 12:5; Col. 1:18)
The Future
We believe in the “blessed hope” – the literal and imminent return of Christ to claim His people. We believe Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for believers in heaven. We believe He will judge His people and reward them according to their deeds. We believe the Bible teaches there is a literal hell for those who reject God. (I Thess. 4:13-18; John 14:1-6; I Cor. 15:51-52; Matt. 10:28)