The Confession of Faith
Of First Baptist Church, Wake Village, Texas
We teach concerning:
I. The Scriptures:
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were written by men under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. They are wholly inerrant and infallible in all of their teachings and are the only sufficient, certain, authoritative, revelation and absolute mentor of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.
2nd. Timothy 3:15-16, 2nd. Peter 1:21, John 10:35b; 14:26; 17:17.
II. God:
There is but one God, the first person of the Trinity. He is a personal being, of infinite knowledge, the Sovereign Creator, Preserver, Redeemer, Judge, and Ruler over all things. He is, in and of Himself, Holy and cannot be tempted to do evil nor can He tempt others to do evil. He is perfect and infinite in all of His attributes. He is the source of all blessings; and to Him mankind owes the highest love, reverence,and obedience.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5-6; 55:11, 1st. Timothy 2:5, 1st. Corinthians 8:6, 2nd. Samuel
22:31, James 1:13; 1:17.
III. The Trinity:
God has revealed Himself to us in the persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Each of Whom has distinct roles. Each is without division of nature, essence, being, or purpose. Matthew 28:19, John 10:30; 14:9, Matthew 3:16-17, Hebrews 1:3.
IV. Providence:
From eternity, God decrees or permits all things that come to pass and perpetually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and all events. Yet, God’s providence does not destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
Ecclesiastes 3:11, Psalm 148:6, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Acts 17:26-28, Isaiah 46:9-10.
V. Election:
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
Ephesians 1:4-6; 1:11, John 6:37, 6:44, 6:65; Matt 22:14, Romans 8:29-30; 9:11-12, 1st. Thessalonians 1:4-5, Revelation 13:8, 1st. Corinthians 2:14, Isaiah 46:9-10.
VI. The Fall of Man:
God originally created Man in His own image free from sin, but through the temptation by Satan, Man transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness. As a consequence, all of Man’s (naturally born) posterity inherit a nature that is spiritually and morally corrupt, dead in trespasses and sins, and wholly opposed to God and His law. Fallen Mankind is under God’s condemnation and wrath. As soon as each person is capable of moral action (decision), he becomes an actual transgressor.
Genesis 2:16-17; 3:4-6, Ephesians 2:1. Romans 3:10-12; 3:23, John 3:36, Romans 2:5; 6:23a.
VII. Christ, The Son of God and Mediator:
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God and the second person of the Trinity. He is the sole divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He took upon Himself the nature of a man; yet, He is without any mixture of sin. He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered, and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, was bodily resurrected on the third day, and ascended to His Father in Heaven in whose presence He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He alone is the sole and exclusive Redeemer and Mediator between God and man. He is the Prophet, Priest, King of the Church, and Sovereign of the universe.
John 3:16a, John 1:14, 1st. Timothy 2:5, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Matthew 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:20, Philippians 2:6-8, Heb. 10:14. *1. (see notes on last page.)
VIII. The Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit of God is the third Person of the Trinity. He is eternal, is sent by the Father, is one in essence, nature, and purpose with the Father. He carries out the will of the Father. He regenerates (imparts new Spiritual life) to the spiritually dead, the unregenerate. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. He empowers the believer and the Church in worship, evangelism, and service to God.
Matthew 28:19b, John 3:5-8; 16:8; 6:63; 15:26, Romans 8:11.
IX. Regeneration:
Regeneration (The New Birth) is a change of heart brought about by the Holy Spirit, who imparts new spiritual life to the dead in trespasses and sins. Regeneration enlightens the unbeliever’s mind spiritually to understand the Word of God and renews their whole nature; so that they express saving faith in Christ resulting in the practice of Godly love and holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone.
John 3:5-6, Titus 3:5, 2nd. Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1.
X. Repentance:
Repentance is a grace of God in which believers, by the work of the Holy Spirit, are given both immediate and progressive knowledge and understanding of the guilt of their sins against a Holy God. Truly regenerate (born again) believers will respond by prayerfully humbling themselves before God, confessing their sins, and with Godly sorrow seek to turn from them. As the Holy Spirit progressively conforms believers into the image of Christ (sanctification), He enlightens their hearts and renews their minds to perceive the evilness,
corruption, and magnitude of their sins, empowering believers to respond by detesting their remaining sins and purposing in their hearts to strive to walk before God, so as to please Him in all things.
2nd. Corinthians 7:9-10, Matthew 3:8a, 1st. John 3:3, Luke 13:3, 5, 1st. Timothy 1:15, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24, Isaiah 1:16, Psalm 38:18; 51:3, 119:11.
XI. Faith:
Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of all that is revealed in His Word concerning Christ and is accepting, trusting, and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is brought about in the heart by the Holy Spirit and is accompanied by all other saving graces and the fruit of the Spirit. Furthermore, saving faith leads to the pursuit of holiness and a life of holiness.
John 3:36a; 6:40, Romans 10:17, 1st. John 2:23; 5:13, 1st. Peter 1:14-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:1, 1st. John 3:3, Galatians 5:22.
XII. Justification:
Justification is a legal declaration by God, in which He imputes the righteousness of Christ’s perfect obedience to the account of the believing sinner and imputes the sins of the sinner to the account of Christ. God graciously grants full acquittal and pardon of sinners who put their trust in Christ through the satisfaction [atonement] that Christ has made on their behalf. Justification is accomplished solely by the obedience and satisfaction of Christ and the sinner’s trust in Him and does not come about because of any effort in the sinner or work done by the sinner.
2nd. Corinthians 5:21, 1st. Peter 2:24.
XIII. Sanctification:
Those who have been regenerated (born again) are also sanctified (set apart to a sacred purpose) by God’s Word and indwelling of the Spirit. This sanctification is both instant (at conversion) and progressive (throughout life) as the believer, in cooperation with the power of the Holy Spirit, faithfully continues the pursuit of being conformed to the image of Christ which is completed at glorification. All true believers seek sanctification and strive after a Holy life in willing obedience to all of Christ’s commands.
Romans 8:29; 12:2, John 17:17, Acts 20:32, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 10:14; 13:12, Galatians 1:15-16, 1 Peter 1:14.
XIV. Perseverance of the Saints:
Those, whom God has accepted in Christ and sanctified by His Spirit, can never totally or finally fall away from the state of grace, but they will certainly persevere in their faith until the end. Believers may, through neglect and temptation, fall into sin, grieve the Spirit, and impair their graces and fellowship with God. They may, therefore, bring reproach on the Church and temporal judgments on themselves. Yet, they shall be renewed again to repentance and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Philippians 1:6, John 10:28-30, Acts 14:22, Colossians 1:21-23.
XV. The Church:
The Church is the Bride of Christ. The local congregation is an autonomous* body under the Lordship of Christ and is composed of true baptized believers in Christ. In Christ is vested absolute power with regard to the Church’s establishment and administration. According to His Commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into churches. To the Church Christ has given authority for administering to that body worship and discipline which He has appointed. The regular officers of a Church are: Pastors (Elders) and Deacons. The office of Pastor (Elder) is scripturally reserved for men.
Revelation 19:7-8, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 5:23b; 5:24a, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1st. Timothy 3:12; 2:12, Titus 1:5-6. *2.
XVI. Baptism:
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus obligatory upon every able-bodied believer by which that believer is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is not required for salvation, but is a sign of the believer’s willing identification with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God to live and walk in newness of life. Baptism is prerequisite to church membership.
Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Mark 1:10a. *3.
XVII. The Lord’s Supper:
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ to be administered with the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine and is to be observed by His Church until the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to picture and commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, and renewal of their communion with Him and of their Church fellowship.
Luke 22:17-20, Mark 14:22-24.
XVIII. The Lord’s Day:
In keeping with the tradition of the Apostles and with the early New Testament church, local churches are to gather on the first day of the week, every week, in order to celebrate Christ’s resurrection through corporate worship, fellowship, and proclamation of the Word. The Lord’s Day should be given special status as a day set aside and dedicated to both private and public worship of God.
Mark 16:9, John 20:19, Acts 20:7. *4.
XIX. Church and State:
God alone is Lord of the conscience. Lawful civil governments are ordained of God to preserve and sustain an orderly society. The believer is obligated to obey all lawful things commanded by the government as long as the laws do not violate a clear commandment of scripture. Christians should be committed to the separation of church and state as institutions, but this is not to say that the State should never weigh the moral teachings of the Church when making rulings or laws.
Romans 13:1-6, Mark 12:17, Acts 5:29.
XX. The Resurrection of Men:
The bodies of men, after death, return to dust but their spirits return immediately to God — the righteous go to rest with Him; the wicked are reserved under darkness until the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised. Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 3:20; 12:5, 2 Corinthians 4:14; 5:8, Romans 8:30, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Acts 24:15, Philippians 2:9-11.
XXI. The Judgment:
God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds. The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.
Acts 17:30-31, Matthew 25:41; 45-46, John 12:48, Revelation 14:7; 20:12-13; 21:8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
XXII. Evangelism:
Christ has commanded to the church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Furthermore, believers are exhorted by the Apostle Peter: “In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always be prepared to give a reason to anyone who asks you, for the hope that is in you, but do this with gentleness and respect.” It is commanded by Christ to all believers, individually, to equip themselves for their part in the great task of making disciples of all nations. Every believer is to be competent to articulate the message of
God’s judgment upon lost sinners and redemption in Christ for the repentant.
Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15.
XXIII. Marriage:
The covenant of marriage is instituted by God in the Old Testament, and affirmed by Christ in the New Testament. Biblical marriage is solely, restrictively, and exclusively, between one man and one woman. It is God’s plan for a marriage to last until the death of either party. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-9.
XXIV. Stewardship:
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have, and are, we owe to Him. Christians owe a spiritual debt to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are, therefore, under obligation to serve God with their time, talents, and material possessions. Christians should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute from their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
Hebrews 7, 2nd. Corinthians 9:6-7.
Notes:
*1. Article VII. The two words only begotten [Son] in John 3:16 KJV are sometimes quoted in an attempt
to “prove” that Jesus could not be eternal God because there was a point in time when He was begotten -
came into existence. However, the two words only begotten are translated from the compound Greek
word: monogenes (mono’ghen ace). This word has nothing to do with birth or coming into existence, but
means: “Unique, One of a kind, One of a class.” Most modern translations render monogenes as: Only, or
One and only.
*2. Article XV. Autonomous: Not under the rule or authority of any single human supreme leader, such as a
Pope (Catholic) or an Arch-Bishop (Episcopalian).
*3. Article XVI. In Mark 1:10 (also Acts 8:39), the Greek for “came up”...out of the water, is anabaino,
and means “to ascend or to rise up.” It is also the same word Jesus used of His ascension from (down on)
Earth, (up) into Heaven (John 20:17). Furthermore, one Greek word used for baptism (baptizo) means “to
dip,” and was used to describe the process of dying cloth. Baptists believe the Biblical model of baptism is
by immersion.
*4. Article XVIII. The early Christians distinguished themselves from the Jews by meeting for worship on
“The Lord’s Day,” which was Sunday, the day of His resurrection, the first day of the week.