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Faith
Baptist Church
is a Baptist Church because of a few
simple but defining Biblical Distinctives. We feel it is important
to uphold Biblical traits that would help clarify what kind of
Church we are. The word BAPTISTS simply means that we
believe in...
Biblical
Authority in all matters of Faith and Practice
You will not find visions, revelations,
tongues, or extra Biblical messages from God at Faith Baptist
Church.
(John 17:17; 2Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews
4:12; 2Peter 1:21)
Autonomy
or self-governing power of the Local Church
Our Church is completely self-governed, with
the Lord Jesus Christ as our Head, without control or influence from
ecumenical alliances, denominational associations, conventions, or
fellowships.
(Colossians 1:18; 1Timothy 3:15; Acts
20:19-30)
Priesthood
of the Believers
Every believer has equal and instant access to
God. This means that each believer is his own priest and has direct
access to God's truth, forgiveness, and will for his life. We do
not believe that there must be an earthly entity one must go to in
order to absolve sin, eradicate punishment, or justify the
repentant. They must only go to the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16)
Two
Officers within the Local Church
Faith Baptist Church has two Biblical offices
of leadership - Pastor and Deacons. The Scriptures refer to the
office of the pastor with terms such as elder, bishop, pastor. It
is the responsibility of the Pastor to serve the church by leading,
preaching, teaching, and overseeing the work of the local church.
It is the responsibility of the deacons to serve the church family
through assisting with the care and provision of special needs
within the church membership.
(Acts 6:1-7; 1Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9;
1Peter 5:1-4)
Individual
Soul Liberty
Every man and woman must choose personally to
come to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and submit to Him daily
in service.
(Romans 10:17; 12:1-2; 14:1-8; 12-23)
Security
of the Believer
Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be
taken away or forfeited for any reason. When a person is saved, he
is always saved. Nothing can separate him from eternal life in
Christ and he can live with full assurance of Heaven as his future
home.
(John 10:27-28; 1Peter 1:3-5)
Two
Ordinances
We practice two simple ordinances at Faith
Baptist Church. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These ordinances
have no part in salvation and only serve as pictures of what Christ
did for us. No Baptism is accepted except by immersion (whole body
submerged in water), and not by any other form. The baptism
accepted must also be by a Baptist Church of like faith and
practice. Because we believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance
of the Local Church, we practice closed communion when observing the
Lord's Supper.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-43;
1Corinthians 11:23-24)
Separation
of Church and State
True Separation of Church and State prevent the state
from having power to intervene in
the free expression of religious liberty. God always intended
for Christians to influence government for the things of God.
(Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29-31;
1 Timothy 2:2-4; Romans 13:1-4)
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