Doctrinal Statements for First Baptist Church Howard

Statements of Faith


Salvation

• The doctrines of Creator and Creation cannot ultimately be divorced form the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, 1:14-18; Colossians 1:13-20).

• Freedom from the penalty and power of sin is available to man only through the sacrificial death and shed blood of Jesus Christ and his complete bodily resurrection from the dead (Luke 24:39; John 8:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 Peter 1:3).

• Salvation is by God’s grace alone, a gift received by faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-7). 

• The one who is born of God has repented, recognized the death of Christ as full payment for sin, and received the risen Christ as Savior, Lord, and God (John 1:12-13; Acts 3:19, 16:31, 17:30-31, 20:21; Galatians 2:20-21; 1 John 3:9). 

 

Sin

• The special creation of Adam (the first man) and Eve (the first woman) and their subsequent fall into sin is the basis for the necessity of salvation for mankind (Genesis 2:7, 2:17, 2:22-23, 3:6-20; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49). 

• Human death (both physical and spiritual) as well as all animal death, disease, bloodshed, suffering, extinction, thorns, thistles, and all other natural evils (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.) entered this world subsequent to, and as a direct consequence of, man’s sin (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:8, 3:19, 4:4-8; Romans 5:12, 8:20-22; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). 

• All mankind are sinners, inherently from Adam and individually (by choice), and are therefore subject to God’s wrath and condemnation (1 Kings 8:46; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 116:11; Proverbs 16:5; John 3:16-18, 12:48; Romans 3:23). 

• Since all mankind is made in God’s image and also fallen, all humans are equally sinful, equally deserving of eternal punishment, and equally able to receive salvation in Christ (Isaiah 53:6; John 12:32; Romans 3:23, 5:12; 2 Peter 3:9).