what we believe
Outside the wall of the old city of Jerusalem in 29AD our world was forever changed. A Roman soldier took an amber colored olive tree stake and nailed the hands and feet of what he thought was a criminal. Little did that soldier know he was piercing the flesh of God Himself.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the God of eternity come to live in a human body. That hot April day in Palestine the great God of eternity shed His own blood for our redemption.
That is the basis of our faith at FPC. We ascribe to the tenets of faith of the New Testament. We discard councils, tribunals, and ecclesiastical bodies. We seek to know the original format left by Jesus to His disciples. We ask “What did Jesus say?” We ask “What did Jesus command?” We ask, “What did His disciples teach?”
It is our belief that this is enough. No further dogmas, doctrines, opinions or additions are to be added to Christianity today. This we seek. We want the church of the 2000’s to replicate the church of 29AD as closely as possible.
Therefore we baptize as found in the Book of Acts. We practice receiving the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues, the same as the early church did. We practice going to church on the first day of the week because of their precedent. We still observe healings and the miraculous. We follow the pattern set by Jesus disciples in separation from the world and it’s sin. We believe the Bible is literal. We offer no apology and give no quarter when the Bible is placed in juxtaposition to any other writ.
The Bible is right. This is our statement of faith!
About the Bible
The Bible is the infallible Word of God and the authority for salvation and Christian living.
(See II Timothy 3:15-17.)
About God
There is one God, who has revealed Himself as our Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and as the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is God manifested in flesh. He is both God and man.
(See Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.)
About Sin and Salvation
Everyone has sinned and needs salvation. Salvation comes by grace through faith based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
(See Romans 3:23-25; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9.)
About the Gospel
The saving gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. We obey the gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 4:17) by repentance (death to sin), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (burial), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (resurrection).
(See I Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 2:4, 37-39; Romans 6:3-4.)
About Christian Living
As Christians we are to love God and others. We should live a holy life inwardly and outwardly, and worship God joyfully. The supernatural gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are for the church today.
(See Mark 12:28-31; II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; I Corinthians 12:8-10.)
About the Future
Jesus Christ is coming again to catch away His church. In the end will be the final resurrection and the final judgment. The righteous will inherit eternal life, and the unrighteous eternal death.