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Did God speak to you through His Word... and this simple cartoon illustration? 
The Umbrella Analogy can help a person begin to grasp the essential truths of the Christian faith.
  Jesus said that we must come to the Father (God) with the faith of child. 
Do you understand who Jesus is and what He did and why?

 If you would like to speak to a pastor about, or have questions about, the Christian Gospel
(or "Good News"), please contact us at 817-473-1161 or send us an email. 

 

Good News

First Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention which, by the grace of God, is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. We affirm the fact that there are other devoted Christians who exist in a large number of other denominations. As Baptists, there are certain distinct practices of the faith which we hold dear. Many of these are the same practices that distinguish us from other denominations.

Scripture
The Bible is the Word of God - In accordance with 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21, the Bible was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as a supernatural revelation of God. The Scriptures are literally God-breathed and contain no mixture of error.

Salvation
Salvation is by Grace Alone - In accordance with Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by God's grace at the point of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Man is sinful and does not have the ability to save himself, least of all by good works. However, in accordance with James 2:14-17, our faith will be evidenced by good works, obedience, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Baptism
Baptism is by Immersion for the Believer - In accordance with Matthew 28:19-20 and Romans 6:3-5, baptism is done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is not a means of salvation, but it is the believer's symbolic identification with the death and resurrection of Christ and the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an act of obedience, and it is reserved for persons who can express a certain degree of sincerity and understanding of their faith (as determined by church leaders).

The Church
The church is made up of born-again, baptized believers (Acts 2:41) who are organized to carry out the work of God - In accordance with Colossians 1:18 and Acts 13 and 15, Christ is the head of the church. Under His direction, First Mansfield is elder-led, deacon-served, committee-functioned, and congregationally-approved (Ephesians 5:23, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Acts 6:1-7). The great commission and the ordinances (Baptism and Communion) are given to the church. The church is to handle its own discipline in accordance with God's direction (Matthew 18:15-17) and is financed through the tithes and offerings of that local assembly (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Malachi 3:10).


The Baptist Faith & Message
The Baptist Faith and Message is a confession of faith that details the doctrines we hold as essential to the Baptist tradition of faith and practice.  To review this document click here.