WHAT WE BELIEVE.

THE BIBLE:  We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible Word of God and are inerrant in their original autographs.  The Holy Spirit has providentially overseen the preservation, copying and transmission of these Scriptures with the result that the Bible we have today is God’s revealed and eternal truth that may be understood by mankind.  It is our only rule and authority in faith and practice (John 16:12-15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

ONE TRUE GOD: We believe there is one true God who is infinite, all-knowing, everywhere-present, all-powerful, Creator of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all honor.  The one true God exists eternally in three Persons.  In perfect harmony the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of redemption.  (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; 1 Tim. 2:5)

GOD THE FATHER: We believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Godhead, is begotten of none and exists from eternity past through eternity future.  He is immutable in character and sovereign in all His acts, thus establishing and accomplishing His eternal purposes apart from the influence of any other and for the sole purpose of His own glory.  He possesses a distinct personality of intellect, sensibility, and will.  He is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and Author of our salvation purchased by Christ on the cross.  God the Father has never been seen except as He has been declared by the Son (John 1:18).  The heavens declare His glory, but not His person.  His attributes include His holiness (Lev. 19:2), justice (Psa. 19:9; 89:14), light (1 John 1:5), love (1 John 4:8), goodness (Psa. 33:5), mercy (Psa. 138:8), grace (Luke 2:40), and truth (Deut. 32:4). 

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: We believe that Christ alone is Savior and Lord, and as such is the ultimate authority in all matters of life and faith for the believer.  We believe that Christ, the Son of God, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, performed miracles, died an atoning death on the cross, was buried, and rose bodily for the salvation of all mankind.  Currently, Christ is seated in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father, acting as our mediator.  We believe Christ Jesus to be both perfect man and fully God at the same time without sacrificing either position (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35, 2:11; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:10, 11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Tim. 2:5, 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21-25).

THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person and deserves the worship due to God alone because He is God (Gen. 1:1,2; Matt. 28:19; John 14:15-17; Acts 5:3; Eph 4:30).  We believe that the Holy Spirit was involved in creating the world, is now involved in preserving the world, and accomplishes the work of regeneration in the life of the believer, and baptizes, seals, indwells, and bestows spiritual gifts on every member of the Body of Christ.  He fills, empowers, and guides all believers as they yield to His control (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19, 12:12-14, 13:8; Eph. 1:13,14, 4:7-12).  

FALL OF MAN: We believe the first man and woman were created in the image of God but voluntarily rebelled against Him and thus have come under divine judgment.  Mankind has inherited this sinful nature since its fall and is in absolute need of the Savior (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:6-7; Rom. 3:23, 5:12).

WAY OF SALVATION:  We believe that while mankind has openly transgressed the laws of God, the Lord put into effect a plan of redemption.  This plan involved Christ’s voluntary action to suffer by death the punishment for human sin even though He Himself was sinless.  Salvation is wholly by God’s grace and can only be experienced through confession and repentance of sin.  Salvation is the free gift of eternal life accepted through faith in the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross.  In this way, an individual is “born again,” is forgiven of sin, receives the Holy Spirit, and becomes a child of God for all eternity (John 1:12 & 3:3,16, 6:27-29; Rom. 6:23, 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9).

CHRIST-LIKE LIVING:  We believe that while Christ not only came to save us, but has also called each believer to a life of holiness through the indwelling presence and work of the Holy Spirit.  Through faith and obedience to Christ, each believer is instructed to grow in the love of God, and to manifest that love to others.  This is a progressive act, begun at conversion and carried on until God calls the believer home to heaven (Rom. 12:1,2; Eph. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Titus 2:14; Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:9).

FBC is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention and we affirm the Baptist Faith and Message (see here).