Statement of Basic Beliefs

1. God – There is One true God who has created all things, and has revealed himself to us in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which coexist equally and eternally. Genesis 1, John 1, 14

2. Man – In a special act of creation, God created man in his own image; male and female, he created them.  Man did not evolve from other forms of creation, or from animals, but was uniquely and separately created.  Man’s choice to sin has separated him from God causing both physical and spiritual death.  Man is, therefore, lost, and is powerless to save himself.  Genesis 2-3, Romans 3:23, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8

3. Jesus – As he promised, God has come to us, in flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, to reveal himself to us, and to seek and to save that which is lost.  Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, was fully God and fully man, died on a cross, was buried, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and lives in the heart of all who receive him as Lord and Savior.  Jesus loves us and gave his life for ours sins, so that all who call upon his name in faith will be saved.  There is no other way of salvation and peace with God.  Matthew 1, Luke 1-2, John 1, Acts 4, 1 Corinthians 15

4.  The Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is fully God, and is the Spirit of Christ.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us the moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  He enables understanding of Biblical truth, guides us in righteous living and provides every Christian with spiritual gifts for his service at the moment of salvation.  Genesis 1, John 14-16, Act 2

5.  The Bible – The Bible, also referred to as the Scriptures, containing sixty six books from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, is uniquely the inspired Word of God, and therefore is infallible, and is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living.  The criteria by which the Bible is interpreted is Jesus Christ.  2 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 3:15ff

6.  Salvation – Christ died for the sins of the world, reconciling to God all who call upon his name in faith.  We are saved by grace, through faith…not of works.  Believers are eternally secure in Christ.  Romans 5, 10, Ephesians 2

7.  Baptism - New Testament baptism is for all who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.  Baptism is by immersion, and is an act of obedience to God, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and of the one following him in baptism.  Matthew 3, Acts 2:38

8.  The Lord’s Supper – The bread and the cup offered at the Lord’s Supper are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, which was given for us.  All baptized believers are invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper as often as it is hosted by the church.  Luke 22, 1 Corinthians 11:23ff

9. The Church – The church is the body of baptized believers in Christ.  The First Baptist Church of Sweeny is an independent, autonomous body, with Christ as its head, and practices the congregational form of government. The church voluntarily associates with other Baptist and Christian entities as it chooses. The First Baptist Church of Sweeny acknowledges The Baptist Faith and Message as a statement of basic elements of faith generally agreed on by the members of this church and other Baptists, but in no way utilizes it as a creed or binding document.