What We Believe

We are American Baptists

The First Baptist Church is an American Baptist Church. We are part of a family of nearly 1.6 million brothers and sisters who worship in more than 5,800 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico.

As a Church and as a Denomination, we do not require adherence to a doctrinal statement, and you will find a diversity of beliefs among our members. Most of us agree on the matters we think are really important.

WE CONFESS JESUS CHRIST as the Son of the Living God, our Lord and Saviour.

WE BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE as the divinely inspired record of God’s past actions (relevant to life today). We believe it is a trustworthy, authoritative, and all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.

WE BELIEVE that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and we believe Jesus died to save us from our sins.  We believe that because of Jesus’ death on the cross we are forgiven by God and enter into a new life.  That is what Baptists mean when we say that we are born again.

WE OBSERVE TWO ORDINANCES.  We baptize believers by immersion as a symbol of death to the old life, and resurrection to a new life in Christ.  We celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) in memory of the sufferings of Christ.  We practice “open communion” and invite all believers to participate in its celebration.

FINALLY, WE BELIEVE that all Christians, laity and clergy, are called together to be a family of disciples; witnessing at home and throughout the world to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and calling upon all individuals, groups and nations to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before their God.