What We Believe
First Baptist Barlow is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. More
importantly, we are a part of God’s universal church, the body of Christ, made up of all believers in
the world. Thus, we affirm the fact that there are other devoted Christians who
exist in a large number of other denominations. As Baptists, there are certain
distinct practices of the faith which we hold dear. Many of these are the same
practices that distinguish us from other denominations.
The Bible is the Word of God - We believe that the Bible was
written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is literally
God-breathed and contains no mixture of error. The truth of Scripture and the
person of Christ are the foundations of the church and the life of the believer
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
Salvation is by Grace Alone - We believe that we are saved
by God’s grace when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior. Man is sinful and does not have the ability to save himself, no matter
how many good works he does. However, once we place our faith and trust in
Christ, our faith will be evidenced by good works, obedience, and the fruit of
the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:22-23).
The Believer is Eternally Secure - We believe that if a
person has made a true, heart-changing decision to accept Christ, then they can
never lose their salvation (John 10:27-28; Romans 8:38-39). When a believer
sins, their fellowship with God is interrupted, but never broken (1 John 1:9).
However, the Bible is clear that those who do not place their faith and trust in
Christ in this lifetime will spend eternity in a Christless hell (Revelation
21:8).
Every Believer has Access to God - We believe that every
believer, both young and old, has direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
This is sometimes referred to as the Priesthood of the Believer. Because
of Christ’s work on the cross, the believer has no need for human intermediates,
but can talk to God personally, as one of His children (1 John 2:1; Hebrews
4:14-16).
Baptism is by Immersion for the Believer - We believe that
baptism does not save anyone, but is a believer’s symbolic identification with
the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is done by immersion as an act
of obedience by those who have put their faith and trust in Christ (Matthew
28:19-20; Romans 6:3-5).
Church Government is Congregational - We believe that Christ
is the Head of the church and that the congregation, under the leadership of the
Holy Spirit, is the most basic unit of church government. Through prayerful
submission to God and His Word, members are responsible for selecting their
leaders, developing the church constitution, preserving unity and purity in the
church, as well as exercising church discipline when necessary (Colossians 1:18;
Acts 13, 15).
Under the direction of Christ, First Baptist Barlow is pastor-led, deacon-served, committee-functioned, and congregationally-approved.
First Baptist Barlow is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. More
importantly, we are a part of God’s universal church, the body of Christ, made up of all believers in
the world. Thus, we affirm the fact that there are other devoted Christians who
exist in a large number of other denominations. As Baptists, there are certain
distinct practices of the faith which we hold dear. Many of these are the same
practices that distinguish us from other denominations.
The Bible is the Word of God - We believe that the Bible was
written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is literally
God-breathed and contains no mixture of error. The truth of Scripture and the
person of Christ are the foundations of the church and the life of the believer
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
Salvation is by Grace Alone - We believe that we are saved
by God’s grace when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior. Man is sinful and does not have the ability to save himself, no matter
how many good works he does. However, once we place our faith and trust in
Christ, our faith will be evidenced by good works, obedience, and the fruit of
the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:22-23).
The Believer is Eternally Secure - We believe that if a
person has made a true, heart-changing decision to accept Christ, then they can
never lose their salvation (John 10:27-28; Romans 8:38-39). When a believer
sins, their fellowship with God is interrupted, but never broken (1 John 1:9).
However, the Bible is clear that those who do not place their faith and trust in
Christ in this lifetime will spend eternity in a Christless hell (Revelation
21:8).
Every Believer has Access to God - We believe that every
believer, both young and old, has direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
This is sometimes referred to as the Priesthood of the Believer. Because
of Christ’s work on the cross, the believer has no need for human intermediates,
but can talk to God personally, as one of His children (1 John 2:1; Hebrews
4:14-16).
Baptism is by Immersion for the Believer - We believe that
baptism does not save anyone, but is a believer’s symbolic identification with
the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is done by immersion as an act
of obedience by those who have put their faith and trust in Christ (Matthew
28:19-20; Romans 6:3-5).
Church Government is Congregational - We believe that Christ
is the Head of the church and that the congregation, under the leadership of the
Holy Spirit, is the most basic unit of church government. Through prayerful
submission to God and His Word, members are responsible for selecting their
leaders, developing the church constitution, preserving unity and purity in the
church, as well as exercising church discipline when necessary (Colossians 1:18;
Acts 13, 15).
Under the direction of Christ, First Baptist Barlow is pastor-led, deacon-served, committee-functioned, and congregationally-approved.