preaching

What We Believe

 I. Beliefs pertaining to the Bible:

1.   We believe the whole Bible and accept nothing but the Bible as our guide in matters of faith and practice. 

(Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 6:46; II Tim. 2:15-17)

2.   As a Baptist we do not accept any other gospel whether preached by men or angels. (Gal. 1:8-9)

3.   We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. ( II Tim 3:16;  II Peter 1:20,21)

4.   We believe the Bible is to be searched and studied by every believer. 
(John 5:39;  II Tim. 2:15)

5.   We do not believe in adding or taking away from the scriptures. (Rev. 22:18-19)

6.   We believe the gospel to be the power of God unto Salvation. (Rom. 1:16)

II. Beliefs pertaining to God and Man:

1.   We believe that God is (a) Spirit.  (John 4:24)

2.   We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, and after everything else   that He created man last (Why?)  (Gen. 1:26, 31)   (1) No claim  (2) Goodness

3.   We believe that man voluntarily transgressed God’s holy law. (Gen. 3:15)

4.   We believe that (Adam’s) man’s fall affected him and all of his children forever.
(Rom 5: 19)

5.   We believe all men to be sinners. (Rom. 3:9,10; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23)

6.   We believe that Christ was man’s promised redeemer (Gen. 3:15)

7.   We believe in the ‘virgin’ birth of Jesus. (Matt. 1:20)

8.   We believe in the sinless perfection of the life of Jesus. 
(Heb. 4:15.)

9.   We believe in the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. (Matt. 28:2-6)

 10. We believe in ceaseless intercession of Jesus. (Heb. 7:25; 
       1 Jn. 2:1)

11. We believe Christ to be the end and fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 10:4; Mt. 5:17)

12. We accept Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King. (Acts 3:22; 
  Heb. 5:6; Rev. 19:16)

13. We denounce the worship of Mary and all other saints. (Mt. 4:10)

14. We believe totally in the Lordship of Christ. (Lk. 6:46; Rev. 19:16)

III. Beliefs pertaining to Salvation:

1.   We believe that sinners are lost because they do not believe in Christ Jesus. 
(Jn 3:18; Acts 4:12)

2.   We believe we are saved because we do believe in Christ. (Jn. 3:15,16; Rom. 10:9

3.   We believe that salvation is wholly of God.   (Jn.1:12, 13)

     · We believe that we are saved by grace not by works.  (Eph. 2:8,9)

· We believe that we must believe and confess.  (Rom. 10:9-10)

4.  We believe that once you are saved you cannot be lost.  
     (Eph. 1:13; 4:30;   Jn. 3:14-18; 10: 27-30;   Rom. 8:1, 33-39)

5.  We believe that the only way you can enter the Kingdom of God is by New Birth. (Jn. 3:3; Jn. 14:6)

6.  We believe that all who would be saved must repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Lk 13:3; Jn. 3:18; Acts 16:30-31)

7.  We believe that God’s invitation included all. (Isa. 55:1;  Rev. 22:17)

8.  We believe that we are saved by grace and that salvation is wholly a gift of God. (Eph. 2:8,9; Jn. 1:13; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 6:23)

9.  We believe that justification is an act of God. (Rom 8:33) 

·        Thereafter no one can condemn. (Rom. 8:34)

10. We believe that we are justified by faith in Christ and His righteousness. 
(Rom 4:5; 5:1)

·        We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Rom 8:16-17)

11. We believe in sanctified saints. (Jn. 17:17)

12.  We believe our primary battle against Satan must be fought with   spiritual weapons. (Eph. 6:10-20)

IV. Beliefs pertaining to God’s Eternal Judgment

1.   We believe that every person must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.   (Rom.14:10)

2.   We believe that every person will be justly rewarded according to their deeds 
(Rom 2:6; 14:12)

3.   We believe that the unfaithful believer will be chastised in this life for all his/her unfaithfulness. (Heb. 12:5-12) (rewards)

4.   We believe that the wicked will be separated from the righteous   
(Ps. 1:5; Matt. 25:31,33)

5.   We believe that the wicked will be driven from the presence of God.    
(Ps. 9:17; Thes. 1:8, 9)

6.   We believe that the sinner’s punishment will be conscious suffering. 
(Matt. 13:42; Rev. 1:17)

7.   We believe in: the second coming of the Christ  (Acts 1:11)

8.   We believe in the immortality of the soul. (Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:42, 52)

9.   We believe in the resurrection of the body. (1 Cor. 15:44)

10. We believe the Bible to be the final verdict for man’s eternal home. 
(Jn. 12:48; Matt. 25: 45-46

V.  Beliefs pertaining to the Church

1.   We believe in the democracy of the church concerning equal rights for     

            all members. (Matt. 20: 24-28;  Matt 23:5-8)

2.   We believe the church to be a democracy within a theocracy. Ultimately God should rule. (Eph. 5:23-24)

3.   We believe in a Spiritual church. (Acts 1:8, 2:4; Jn. 4:24)

 VI. Beliefs pertaining to the Church Ordinances:

There are but two scriptural ordinances in the Baptist church and these were ordained by Jesus Christ himself:

                          A.  BAPTISM  (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Mt. 3:13-15)

                          B.  LORD’S SUPPER (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

      A.  Baptism

1.   We believe in baptism by immersion because Jesus was baptized (Matt. 3:13-17) by John the Baptist who was prepared in heaven (Lk 1:44) and sent from God. (John 1:6)

2.   We believe baptism to be a symbol of death with Christ. (Rom. 6:3)

3.   We believe baptism to be a symbol of burial and resurrection with Christ. (Rom. 6:4)

4.   We believe that Christian baptism must be preceded by a New Birth and followed by a New Life .  (Jn. 3:3; Rom. 6:4)

5.   We do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation. (Lk. 23:42-43)

7.   We believe in children coming to Christ, but we do not believe in infant baptism. (Mt. 18:1-6;  Rom. 10:9-10;  I Jn. 1:9)

8.   We believe that baptism should always precede the Lord’s Supper. (Mt. 28:19-20

B.  The Lord Supper

1.   We believe that the Lord’s Supper was given to the church and not passed from house to house or served in hospitals. (Lk. 22:17-20, 1 Cor. 11:17-22)

2.   We believe the Lord’s Supper to be a memorial to the death of our Lord. (Lk. 22:19)

3.   We believe the bread and the cup to be symbols of His broken body and His shed blood. (1 Cor. 11:24-25)

4.   We believe that each individual of the church is to examine himself before taking the Lord’s Supper. (1 Cor. 11: 18, 28)

5.   We believe in certain acts that disqualify one’s self from taking the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 1: 18-19)

VI. Beliefs pertaining to Leadership and Ministry:

1.  We believe Our Pastor to be an under shepherd and an overseer. (Acts 20:28)

2.  We believe that the scriptural office of deacon is the pastor’s helper, and that the Deacon’s final and definite appointment comes from the pastor.

(Acts 6:2-4)

3.  We believe that the deacons’ home should be a Christian one as exemplified by the Qualifications set down for both the deacon and his wife. (I Tim. 3:8-13)

4.  We believe in a spiritual or God called Ministry. (Rom 11:29)

                        A.  We believe in a God-sent ministry. (Rom 10:15; Jer. 23:21)

                        B.  We believe in a God-appointed ministry. (Acts 20-28; Eph. 4-11)

                        C.  We believe in a Spirit-directed ministry.  (Acts 13:2-6)

5.  We believe in Missions. Mt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15

6.  We believe in promoting the rights, of the individual:

  • To seek God for ourselves (Acts 17:27)
  • To repent for ourselves  (Acts 17:30)
  • We must confess for ourselves  (Jn. 1:9)
  •  To see God for ourselves  (Rom. 14:11, 12)

      7. We believe in the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day after the  resurrection 
          of our Lord  (Jn.20:19; Acts 20:3)

8.  We believe in bringing our offering to God on the first day of the week. (1 Cor. 16:   1,2)

VII. Beliefs pertaining to Tithing:

1.      First example of paying tithes – (Gen. 14:20) – this was 430 years before the law 
         (See also – Gen. 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11)

2.      Tithing under the law of Moses 

   A.     Commanded. (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10)

   B.     Five purposes

1.      For Levites. (Num. 18:21-24)

2.      Tithes of tithes for priests. (Num. 18:2; Neh. 10:37; 12:44)

3.      Tithes of tithes every three years for the poor and for ministers. (Dt.14:27-    29; 26: 12-14)

4.      To supply God’s house. (Mal 3:10)

5.      To honor God. (Pr. 3:9-10)

         C.     When brought: yearly along with all other offerings for the feast.

                  (Dt. 12:6-7; 14:22-26)

   D.     The tithes belonged to God not the people who paid them.

            (Lev. 27:30-34;Mal. 3:8)

   E.     There were the tithes to be brought. (2 Chr. 31:12; Neh. 10:38;

            12:44; 13:5-12;   Mal. 3:8)

   F.      If borrowed 20% interest had to be added when paid. (Lev. 27:31)

   G.     If exchanged both it and the exchange must be paid. (Lev. 27:33)

3.      Tithing in the New Testament

         A.   Christ taught it. (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; Mt. 5:20 with Lk.18:11-12; See Mt. 10:10; 
                Lk. 10:7-8. This was teaching for kingdom of heaven. Mt. 11:11-14; Lk. 16:16)

         B.   Paul taught it:

1.     Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:12) or robbing temples (Mal. 3:3-10) and using holy things  (Lev. 27)

2.     Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6)

3.     God ordained support of ministers. (1 Cor. 9:7-14; 1 Tim. 6:11-18.)

4.     Christians to give as God has prospered us. (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

5.     The Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham. (Heb. 6:20; 1: 1-11,21)

6.     Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps. (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 1)

7.     Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings. (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10;  1 Cor. 9:7-14; I Tim 6:17-18; Cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pr. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:10; Dt. 8:10-20)

 4.     The Blessing of Tithing

         A. Blessing for Obedience. (See B7) above

         B. God’s house will not want (Mal. 3:8-10)

         C. God’s ministers will not want (1 Cor. 9:7-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-              10)

         D. Material and spiritual blessings. (Mal 3:8-10; Pr. 3:9-10; Chr. 31; Neh. 13)

5.      Examples of Paying Tithes

         A. Abraham (Gen 14, Heb 7:1-11)

         B. Jacob (Gen. 28:22)

         C. Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9)

         D. Hezekiah and Israel (2 Chr. 31)

         E. Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13)

         F. Hypocrites (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; 18:12)

         G. Christians (1 Cor. 9:7-14; 16:12, 2 Cor 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1 
              Tim. 5:17- 8;    Heb.7)

6.      Familiar Terms Associated with Giving

         A.   Alms and offering (GK Eloise) Acts 24:17

         B.   Contributions (GK Koinonia) = Fellowship. Rom. 15:26

         C.   Service (GK Diakonia) meetings needs through fellowship. Rom 15:31

         D.   Collection (GK Logia) = words= money talks. 1 Cor. 16:3

         E.   Liberality (GK Cbaris) = grace. 1 Cor. 16:23

         F.   Grace (GK Charis) 1 Cor. 16:23

         G.   Bountifully (GK Eulogia) = good words

First Baptist Bracktown

3016 Bracktown Rd | Lexington, Kentucky 40511

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm