First Baptist is a church that believes applying God's Word to daily life is important, and we seek ways to express this in a variety of programs and activities. As part of God's family we want to encourage others to find that the spiritual part of a person's life is a key to having a real and meaningful life, and we wish to share what we have found to be a blessing.

The Church Covenant is a document which any prospective member would need to agree to and sign.  This is not necessary for attendance and fellowship at First Baptist, but only if you would like to become a member of the church.

The Essentials We Believe

1. ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is God-breathed, it is the truth without any mixture of error. Its contents must be believed and obeyed.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; James 1:22

2. ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27;3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14.

JESUS CHRIST

is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross to pay for the sins of the world, and to be the perfect Substitute for all who trust in Him. He arose from the dead in three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to judge the living and the dead.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

3. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience. All are spiritually dead in sins, needing new life. This condition separates us from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Isaiah 59:1,2

4. ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, which we receive through faith.

We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s way of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into His life.
It is by GRACE through FAITH.

If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 10:27-28; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5

5. ABOUT ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real and eternal existences.

John 3:16; John 12:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41, 46

6. ABOUT THE CHURCH

The church on earth is a body of baptized believers who voluntarily associate together in the teaching and fellowship of the Word of God.

Christ is the recognized Head of the each church, not any person, group, or organization. Every local church should be self-governing and independent from denominational control. Its pastors are to lead by teaching and example. Its mission is to transform un-churched people into fully dedicated followers of Christ.
Acts 2:41-42; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:11-12; I Peter 5:2,3; Mark 12:30;

Matthew 28:19-20

7. ABOUT BAPTISM

Baptism is immersion in water of a believer.

It must be done with a biblical motive. It is an outward expression of an inward trust in Christ. It must be done by the biblical method. The word “Baptize” comes from the Greek word that means to dip or immerse. It must be done to proclaim the biblical message regarding salvation—that we were saved through faith by identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection as our Substitute.
Luke 3:21; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12;

Acts 8:12, 36-39; 10:47-48; 18:8

 

Church Covenant of First Baptist Church Oakhurst

Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and upon the public profession of our Faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We purpose, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its services regularly; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it sacred priority over all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also purpose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to be circumspect in our conduct, just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity that dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ; to be zealous on our efforts to advance the cause of Christ our Savior and to give Him preeminence in all things.

We further purpose to encourage and watch over one another in brotherly love; to pray for one another; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to seek it without delay.

We moreover purpose that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and principles of God’s Word. In the event there is no such church, we shall seek, with the Lord’s help, to establish one.