THE SCRIPTURES:
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Scripture (2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16). The original autographs are both without error and complete. The Scriptures are God-breathed and contain everything that pertains to life and godliness for the Christian and is the only authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe that the King James Version is the best English translation available today and will be used for all teaching and preaching at Family Baptist Church.
GOD:
We believe in the one, true God of the Bible, who is infinite, eternal, and supreme (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 83:18, 90:2; Rev. 1:8). God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is called today the Trinity meaning three in one (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7). They are identical in essence, equal in authority and might, yet separate in personality.
JESUS CHRIST:
We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; 20:31; Hebrews 1:8), that He is eternal (John 1:1,2), and that He is equal with the Father (Phil. 2:5-8). He came into this world as the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20,23) to take upon Himself the form of man (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-8) without compromising His deity (Phil. 2:6,7). He was buried, and three days later, He rose from the dead according to scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We believe in the literal, bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4; 2 Tim. 2:8) and ascension (Acts 1:9; Ephesians 1:20) of Christ, who remains as our only High Priest and Advocate with the Father (1 Tim. 2:5; Hebrews 4:14; 1 John 2:1).
THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe that the Holy Spirit ministers to Christian people and gives gifts to everyone who professes Christ as their savior (Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:8,11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-10). We believe the Holy Spirit no longer distributes temporary sign gifts (Mark 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10). His ministry to the world is the conviction of sin, judgment (John 16:7-11), and testifying of Christ (John 15:26).
SATAN:
We believe that Satan is a real and active being (Matthew 4:1-11) in whom no truth abides (John 8:44). We believe that Satan is void of truth (John 8:44), blinding the eyes of the world to the light of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). As the original sinner, he became the agent in the fall of mankind (1 John 3:8; Genesis 3:1-15). Satan is actively battling against the Christian (Ephesians 6:11,12) and causing problems as often as He is allowed.
HEAVEN:
We believe in a literal heaven where God has established His eternal throne (Psalm 103:19; Hebrews 8:1), Christ ascended after His resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:11), and Christ is presently preparing a place for believers (John 14:1-3).HELLWe believe in a literal hell of everlasting fire and torment (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23,24; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9) prepared for the devil and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). It is a place of fire (Matthew 18:8), darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).
CREATION:
We believe in the literal creation of the universe by a direct act of God as recorded in Genesis (Genesis 1:1,2; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3). We believe that all things were created by Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16,17) and upheld by His power (Hebrews 1:3), in complete contradiction of the evolution model, whether theistic or atheistic.
MAN:
We believe that man was created in the moral, mental, and spiritual image of God in a state of perfect innocence (Genesis 1:26,27). Through Adam’s willful disobedience, the whole human race fell, inherited a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12, 17-19), and became alienated from God (Colossians 1:20,21). Man is therefore under just condemnation of death, both physical and spiritual (Romans 6:23,25; Ephesians 2:1; John 3:19) without defense or excuse (Romans 1:20), and has no fellowship with God until he repents and accepts the sufficient payment for his sin (Romans 5:8).
SALVATION:
We believe that salvation is of God (Romans 6:23), by grace (Ephesians 2:8,9), provided for all men (John 3:16) by the substitutionary death of Christ and His shed blood on the cross (Romans 3:24-26; Ephesians 1:7). Salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 6:23) and not based on works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9). We believe that repentance and faith are the two essential elements in salvation (Acts 20:21,26:20; Romans 10:9,10,13; 2 Corinthians 7:9,10; Psalms 34:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Luke 13:3). The believer is eternally secure in Jesus Christ and that salvation is a permanent gift (Romans 8:33-39; 1 John 5:11-13).
THE CHURCH:
The New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers (Acts 2:41) organized for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission with two main goals – to Glorify Christ and Evangelize the World (Matthew 28:19, 20). The church’s mission is clearly outlined in the Scriptures as world evangelization, which involves reaching the lost, baptizing, and making disciples of the saved (Matthew 28:19,20). We believe the church was given only two ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:2,23,24; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:41,42).
LAST THINGS:
We believe in the imminent, premillennial, pretribulation, and bodily return of Jesus Christ for His bride (Matthew 24:44). At that time, all those who have placed their faith in Christ as their savior will rise and meet their Lord in the air (Revelation 21).