First Baptist Church, Nowata

*In the essential beliefs -- we have unity.

     There is one body and one Spirit... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father for us all...Ephesians 4:4-6

*In the non-essential beliefs -- we have liberty.

     It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5: 1

*In all our beliefs -_ we show love.

     If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains -- but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. I Corinthians 13:2

The Essentials We Believe

1.  About the Bible

     All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof; for correction, for training in righteousness... II Timothy 3: 16

*The Bible is the inspired, authoritative and inerrant, Word of God.

*It is from the Bible that we build our beliefs.

2.  About God

*God refers to the One who is three.  Genesis 1 :26-27 and Matthew 28: 19

*God refers to One who is transcendent and personal.

     --To say God is transcendent is to say He is above us. We feel awe in our thoughts of His transcendence.

     --To say God is personal is to say He is like us and we feel drawn to Him.

          * As we come to know God, He becomes personal.

          * As He becomes personal, He becomes real.

          * As He becomes real, He becomes relevant.

3. About Jesus Christ

     Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. What we believe about Jesus and ultimately do with Jesus affects our lives for eternity. Christianity is not just one of several world religions because its founder is unique from all other religious founders.  (Virgin born, sinless life, died and raised from grave)

     Who did Jesus claim to be?

A. John 4: 10 - living water

B. John 5:19 - equal with God

C. John 6:48 - bread of life

D. John 8: 12 - light of the world

E. John 10:10-11- good shepherd

F. John 10:30 - one with the Father

G. John 11 :25 - Resurrection Life

H. John 14:6 - only way to God

Jesus claimed to be God!  Either He is or isn't!

If He's not then the only alternatives is he was a Liar or a Lunatic!

If however, He is who He claimed to be - then He is Lord!

Four things Jesus can do for us that no one else can do:

     1. Give PARDON from our sins.

     2. Give PURPOSE to our lives. Romans 8:28

     3. Give PEACE to our troubled heart. John 14:27

     4. Give POWER to live the abundant life. John 10:10

4. About the Holy Spirit

     The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. 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 the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) 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; 5:18; Galatians 5:25

5.  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 toward God called 'sin'. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

6.  About Salvation

     Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer 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 by faith.Romans 5:1; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26

7.  About Eternal Security

     Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. 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. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 5:11-6:20; 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1 :3-5

8.  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 Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15

9.  About the Church

     First Baptist Church is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Each member seeks to become like Jesus, be involved in the work of ministry, strive for the Kingdom of God, and help to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth.

     Our Affiliation

          *Washington - Osage Southern Baptist Association

          *Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

          *The Southern Baptist Convention -- Over 40,000 churches that cooperate together in ministry and worldwide missions. It is the largest association of churches in America. As an SBC church we give a percentage of our offerings to support Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Baptist causes around the United States and the World.