BASIC BELIEFS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
LAKE WALES, FL

1.	ABOUT 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. These three are co-equal and are one God.

		Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 Genesis 3:22 Psalm 90:2 Matthew 28:19 1 Peter 1:2
		2 Corinthians 13:14

2.	ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
		Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal, in essence, 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 14:10-30 Hebrews 4:14, 15 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
		Romans 1:3,4 Acts 1:9-11 1 Timothy 6:14, 15 John 1:1-5 Titus 2:13

3.	ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
		The Holy Spirit is co-equal, in essence, 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.

		2 Corinthinas 3:17 John 16:7-13 John 14:16, 17 Ephesians 5:18 1 Corinthians 2:12
		1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13 Galations 5:25 Acts 1:8

4.	ABOUT 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 suspreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and
		living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

		2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:20, 21 2 Timothy 1:13 Psalm 119:105, 160 Psalm 12:6
		Proverbs 30:5

5.	ABOUT 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 of disobedience toward God called "sin". This
		attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

		Genesis 1:27 Psalm 8:3-6 Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23 Isaiah 59:1, 2

6.	ABOUT 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 6:23 Ephesians 2:8, 9 John 14:6 John 1:12 Titus 3:5

7.	ABOUT 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
		maintined 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 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 10:10, 14 1 Peter 1:3-5

8.	ABOUT 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 3:16 John 14:17 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:17-18 Revelation 20:15
		1 Corinthians 2:7-9


		As a further and fuller explanation of our beliefs as a church body we refer you to the Baptist
		Faith & Message, 2000