The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the fully inspired Word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105)
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious roles in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; John 10:30)
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love and that He is the creator, redeemer, preserver, and ruler over all things. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 147:5; Psalm 90:2; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 11:36; Matthew 6:8-13; John 14:23; Romans 5:1)
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and is fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to Earth.(Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 53:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 2:24; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13-14)
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convince people of their sin, Christ’s righteousness, the judgment to come, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. (John 7:39; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17,26; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11,19; Romans 8:26; Romans 15:13; Acts 1:8)
Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice for us. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are saved from condemnation by grace and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 3:1-24; John 3:16; John 14:6; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 1:8-9; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 2:20)
Life of a Believer In Christ
We believe that every believer has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that Christians should live for the Glory of God and the well-being of others. Believers should seek to realize for themselves and others full maturity in Christ, who lived a perfect life. Believers should be active and regular members of a church community, whose primary task is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost world and making disciples of believers. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10; Deuteronomy 6:5; John 15:1-8; Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20)
The Church
We believe that the church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. The local church consists of a company of believers in Jesus Christ who are baptized on a credible confession of faith and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that the local church is autonomous and free of any external authority or control. (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 6:10)
Baptism and Communion
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and communion. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the triune God as a public declaration of their faith. We believe that those who take communion, which was initiated by Christ for commemoration of His death, should be believers walking in fellowship with Him. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-38,10:47-48; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Matthew 26:26-29)
The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (John 5:28-29,14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Zechariah 14:1-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-15)
Statement on Marriage and Sexuality
First Baptist Church operates on a strongly held belief that the marriage relationship has been established by God as a union between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31). First Baptist Church further holds that, in accordance with Scripture, sexual intimacy and sexual activity is appropriate only within the marriage relationship, between one husband and one wife. (1Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4). First Baptist Church believes God has created two distinct and complementary sexes, male and female, and each person is created in accordance with God’s perfect design (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4). Accordingly, First Baptist Church views the following behaviors as inappropriate and contrary to Scripture:
1) Any sexual intimacy or sexual act between individuals who are not married to one another.
2) Any marriage or civil union that is not between one man and one woman.
3) Any attempt to adopt or present as a different sex than that which is present at birth.
4) Any other activity, teaching, or behavior that is contrary to a biblical view of marriage, sex, and/or appropriate behavior as outlined in this provision.
