Statement of Faith
What We Believe
In essential beliefs - we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit ... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all ... Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters ... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God ... So whatever you believe about things keep between yourself and God. Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs - we show love.
... If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. I Corinthians 13:2
The Essentials We Believe
1) God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
2) Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
3) The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
4) The Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12:6, 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5
5) Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
6) Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
7) Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
8) Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44,46
The First Baptist Membership Covenant
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with First Baptist Denison statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by God to unite with the First Baptist Denison church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1) I will protect the unity of my church
• By acting in love toward other members
• By refusing to gossip
• By supporting the leaders
• By reconciling conflict
So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together. Romans 15:19
Live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward each other. Romans 15:5
Have a sincere love for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your hearts. 1 Peter 1:22
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. Ephesians 4:29
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
2) I will share the responsibility of my church
• By praying for it’s growth
• By inviting the unchurched to attend
• By warmly welcoming those who are alone and/or visiting
To the church ... we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Go out into the country ... and urge anyone you find to come in, so that my house will be full. Luke 14:23
So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as He has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. Romans 15:7
3) I will serve the ministry of my church
• By discovering my gifts and talents
• By being equipped to serve
• By developing a servant's heart
Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you ... 1 Peter 4:10
God gave ... some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up ... Ephesians 4:11-12
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ ... who took on the very nature of a servant ... Philippians 2:3-4, 7
4) I will support the life of my church
• By attending faithfully
• By supporting it financially
• By living a godly life
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together ... but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27
What We Believe
In essential beliefs - we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit ... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all ... Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters ... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God ... So whatever you believe about things keep between yourself and God. Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs - we show love.
... If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. I Corinthians 13:2
The Essentials We Believe
1) God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14
2) Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
3) The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
4) The Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12:6, 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5
5) Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
6) Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
7) Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
8) Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44,46
The First Baptist Membership Covenant
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with First Baptist Denison statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by God to unite with the First Baptist Denison church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1) I will protect the unity of my church
• By acting in love toward other members
• By refusing to gossip
• By supporting the leaders
• By reconciling conflict
So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together. Romans 15:19
Live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward each other. Romans 15:5
Have a sincere love for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your hearts. 1 Peter 1:22
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. Ephesians 4:29
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
2) I will share the responsibility of my church
• By praying for it’s growth
• By inviting the unchurched to attend
• By warmly welcoming those who are alone and/or visiting
To the church ... we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Go out into the country ... and urge anyone you find to come in, so that my house will be full. Luke 14:23
So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as He has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. Romans 15:7
3) I will serve the ministry of my church
• By discovering my gifts and talents
• By being equipped to serve
• By developing a servant's heart
Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you ... 1 Peter 4:10
God gave ... some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up ... Ephesians 4:11-12
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ ... who took on the very nature of a servant ... Philippians 2:3-4, 7
4) I will support the life of my church
• By attending faithfully
• By supporting it financially
• By living a godly life
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together ... but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27