First Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist Church. The following are the essentials that we believe to be true about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, Human Beings, Our Salvation, and Eternity:
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the One and Only True God, Sovereign Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God, the Holy Trinity.
Genesis 1:1,26,27;3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and by dying on the cross offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all who would believe in Him. On the third day He arose from the dead demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return at the time set by the Father to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-15, 3:16-17; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, conviction of sin and guidance in doing what is right. By continually being filled with the Spirit Christians seek to live daily under His control.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for all Christian beliefs and living. God’s Word supersedes all human guidelines. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. It is inerrant (without error in its original form).
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are the supreme object of God’s creation. People were made in the spiritual image of God, and were intended to have a relationship with Him. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are born with a nature that is disobedient to God. This disobedience is called “sin.” Since human beings are naturally sinful they are spiritually dead and separated from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must believe in Jesus to receive it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. When we agree with God that we are separated from Him by sin and we believe (place our faith) in Jesus Christ, we are saved by grace. Only by believing that as God’s provision Jesus Christ died for us and rose from the dead can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment someone by faith believes in Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46
