Preamble
First Baptist Church of Fairbury, in accordance with the historic Baptist tradition, holds to Believers Baptism by immersion, liberty of conscience, and the priesthood of all believers. We also affirm these distinctives which need emphasis at this time.
The Authority of Scripture
The Bible is the inspired, authoritative and infallible Word of God and is our sole rule of faith and practice. It is the standard by which all human conduct and beliefs should be tried.
The Trinity
There is only one true and living God who is manifested in three eternal and co-equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God possesses holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, love, mercy and all other perfections. All humankind owes to Him supreme faith and obedience.
Humankind
Humankind has been created in the image of God but through Adam’s fall is now sinful, lost and condemned. By deliberate choice all participate in sin, which is rebellion to God and His Law. Notwithstanding the fall, all human life has dignity, from conception through natural death.
Justification By Faith
Human beings can be forgiven of sin and justified solely through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ who died for sinners and rose again from the dead. Only by repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ the Lord can acceptance with God be attained.
Regeneration
Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer receives a new nature from God. Christian growth or sanctification is the continuation of the new life which results in one who has been born again by faith in Christ.
The Church
The church in the widest sense includes all believers of all ages. The church is made visible by the local body of baptized believers who covenant together to worship, fellowship, minister, make disciples and evangelize.
Human Destiny
Jesus Christ will eventually return visibly at which time He will raise the dead and judge all people. Believers will enjoy an eternal state of blessedness in heaven while unbelievers will experience eternal separation from God in hell.
Evangelism and Social Concerns
The church has been called to preach the gospel so that individuals can receive salvation. Also, the church is to become involved in the improvement of society by advocating Biblical principles which seek resolution of poverty, racism, violence, and all forms of injustice.
Human Sexuality
We believe God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image of God. God’s design is that man and women either be joined together in a perpetual monogamous relationship of marriage or live in a single, celibate state. The practice of extra-marital sex, pre-marital sex, adultery or homosexuality is inconsistent with biblical teaching and is sinful, as is the use of pornography. We believe that “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. And, we believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. And we believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with the Bible nor the beliefs of this church.
Final authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. For the purposes of our faith, doctrine, policy and discipline, the congregation as advised by the Deacons and Pastors hold final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application as guided by the Holy spirit.