What We Believe
First Baptist Church affirms the Baptist Faith and Message of 2000.
GOD | God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (See: Genesis 1:1,26,27;3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, and II Corinthians 13:14)
MAN | Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates man from God. (See: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, and Isaiah 59:1-2)
ETERNITY | Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God, through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. (See: John 3:16, I John 2:25; 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, and Revelation 20:15)
JESUS CHRIST | Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (See: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, and Titus 2:13)
SALVATION | Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by selfimprovement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sins penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one received Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (See: Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6; 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, and Romans 5:1)
ETERNAL SECURITY | Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. (See: John 10:29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14, I Peter 1:3-5)
THE HOLY SPIRIT | The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. (See: II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, and Ephesians 5:18)
THE BIBLE | The Bible is God’s Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. (See: II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, 160, Psalm 12:6, and Proverbs 30:5)