It's ALL About the Gospel
MISSION & VISION STATEMENT
It is said of God in 1 Timothy 2:4 that He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” First Baptist Church focuses on God’s desire for all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
As a church, we exist to help one another find and follow Jesus so that one day we will witness a multitude of people from every nation, tribe, and language uniting in the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8 and Revelation 7:9)
Through a season of prayer, we have re-envisioned what the church would look like if the Gospel of Jesus became the bedrock and driver of all our activities. We have begun to dream of what a church could become if every one of its participants learned to plunge into the depth of the Gospel personally and then live out the Gospel intentionally. For First Baptist Church – It’s All About the Gospel
Beliefs
We are delighted to know that you are interested in learning more about First Baptist Church of Alexandria. Our church is dedicated to assisting individuals in following Jesus. All that we are and all that we do seeks to advance the mission Jesus has given His church to make disciples through the spread of the Gospel. Our statement of belief is from the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message.
1 9 6 3 S T A T E M E N T
I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man.
It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any
mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore is, and will
remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is
Jesus Christ.
It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any
mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore is, and will
remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is
Jesus Christ.
II. God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator,
Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we
owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of
human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father
in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward
all men.
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and
necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the
divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of
men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person
who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected
the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to
consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through
illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of
judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts
believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God though His church. He seals the believer unto
the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the
fulness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism,
and service.
Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we
owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of
human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father
in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward
all men.
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and
necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the
divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of
men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person
who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected
the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to
consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through
illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of
judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts
believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God though His church. He seals the believer unto
the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the
fulness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism,
and service.
III. Man
Man was created by the special act of God, in His own image, and is the crowning work of His creation. In
the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free
choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man
transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence; whereby his posterity inherit a nature
and an environment inclined toward sin, and as soon as they are capable of moral action become transgressors
and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to
fulfil the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in
His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every man possesses dignity and is worthy of respect
and Christian love.
the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free
choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man
transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence; whereby his posterity inherit a nature
and an environment inclined toward sin, and as soon as they are capable of moral action become transgressors
and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to
fulfil the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in
His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every man possesses dignity and is worthy of respect
and Christian love.
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as
Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense
salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in
Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the
sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin
toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as
Lord and Saviour. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness
of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of
peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s
purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate
person’s life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense
salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in
Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the
sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin
toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as
Lord and Saviour. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness
of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of
peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s
purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate
person’s life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
V. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, 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 a
glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes
boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit,
will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through
neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the
cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is a
glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes
boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit,
will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through
neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the
cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by
covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His
teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the
gospel to the ends of the earth.
This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus
Christ. In such a congregation members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all
the ages.
covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His
teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the
gospel to the ends of the earth.
This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus
Christ. In such a congregation members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all
the ages.
VII. Baptism & the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It
is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the
privileges of church membership and to the Lord’ Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It
is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the
privileges of church membership and to the Lord’ Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
VIII. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It
commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and
spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from
secular employments, work of necessity and mercy only being excepted.
commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and
spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from
secular employments, work of necessity and mercy only being excepted.
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over
men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which
men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the
Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return
of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which
men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the
Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return
of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
X. Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His
promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ
will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting
punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will be dwell
forever in Heaven with the Lord.
promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ
will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting
punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will be dwell
forever in Heaven with the Lord.
XI. Evangelism & Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to
endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of
love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life,
and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to
seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods in harmony with the gospel
of Christ.
endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of
love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life,
and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to
seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods in harmony with the gospel
of Christ.
XII. Education
The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general
benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of
Christian schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ’s people.
In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic
responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The
freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by
the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of
Christian schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ’s people.
In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic
responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The
freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by
the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians
have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in
their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material
possessions; and 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 of their means cheerfully, regularly,
systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in
their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material
possessions; and 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 of their means cheerfully, regularly,
systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
XIV. Co-Operation
Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation
for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or
over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of
our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should co-operate with one
another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s
Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary co-operation for
common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Co-operation is desirable between the various Christian
denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such co-operation involves no violation
of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or
over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of
our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should co-operate with one
another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s
Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary co-operation for
common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Co-operation is desirable between the various Christian
denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such co-operation involves no violation
of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
XV. The Christian & the Social Order
Every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in his own life and in human
society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among
men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the
saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. The Christian should oppose in the spirit of Christ every form of greed,
selfishness, and vice. He should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the aged, the helpless, and the
sick. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the
principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready
to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without
compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among
men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the
saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. The Christian should oppose in the spirit of Christ every form of greed,
selfishness, and vice. He should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the aged, the helpless, and the
sick. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the
principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready
to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without
compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
XVI. Peace & War
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the
spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance
of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.
spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance
of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men
which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to
every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no
ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being
ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the
revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ
contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for
religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A
free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God
on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without
interference by the civil power.
which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to
every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no
ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being
ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the
revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ
contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for
religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A
free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God
on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without
interference by the civil power.
Q&A
In addition, we would like to provide some clarity on a few additional teachings from God’s Word that influence our faith and practice.