Our Beliefs
Albion First Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please feel free to view our denomination’s statement of faith: The Baptist Faith & Message.
The following beliefs are our "ARTICLES OF FAITH".
1. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one true God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the Universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfection to whom we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
2. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christain union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
3. OF PROVIDENCE
God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any wise to be the author or approved of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
4. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
5. OF THE MEDIATOR
We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
6. OF REGENERATION
We believe that regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickens those dead in trespasses of sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.
7. OF REPENTANCE
We believe that repentance is that condition wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbles himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please him in all things.
8. OF FAITH
We believe that Saving Faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and leads to a life of holiness.
9. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boosting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian .assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
10. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness, of all sinners who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ.
11. OF SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; and that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means--especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
12. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
13. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that it's only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus.
14. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the priVileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred ,use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
15. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and it is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
16. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
17. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
18. OF THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of this world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of man in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.