Our Basic Beliefs on:
Marriage
Anna First Baptist Church operates on a strongly held belief that the marriage relationship has been established by God as a union between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31). Anna First Baptist Church further holds that, in accordance with scripture, sexual intimacy, and sexual activity is appropriate only within the marriage relationship, between one husband and one wife. (1 Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4). Anna First Baptist Church believes God has created two distinct and complementary genders, male and female, and each person is created in accordance with God's perfect design (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4).
Accordingly, Anna First Baptist Church views the following behaviors as inappropriate and contrary to scripture:
1. Any sexual intimacy or sexual act between individuals who are not married to one another.
2. Any marriage or civil union that is not between one man and one woman.
3. Any attempt to adopt or present as a different gender than that assigned at birth.
4. Any other activity, teaching, or behavior that is contrary to a biblical view of marriage, gender, and/or appropriate behavior as outlined in this provision.
All members of Anna First Baptist Church and all individuals involved in Anna First Baptist Church operations, activities, and events are expected to uphold the ministry's perspective on marriage, gender, sexual intimacy, and appropriate behavior as set forth in this provision. Individuals and organizations who desire to use Anna First Baptist Church's facilities must also act in accordance with this provision.
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So, He is God in Three Persons.
References: Genesis 1:1.26.27;3:22; Psalm 90:2; I Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
JESUS
Jesus Christ is God’s Son who has always existed, came to earth and lived a sinless human life, offering himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to glory and will return to earth again to gather His own and reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
References: Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. We seek to live under His control daily.
References: 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to all people, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
References: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
HUMANITY
Mankind is made in the image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although people have tremendous potential for good, they are marred by disobedience toward God, which is called sin. Sin separates people from God.
References: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
SALVATION
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith. It is the gift of God to all people who choose freely to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. We are saved from sin’s penalty by trusting Christ and His sacrifice as God’s offer of forgiveness.
References: John 1:12; 14:4, Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
BAPTISM
Baptism is by immersion of a believer in water. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.
References: Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:44-48; 16:14-15, 32-33
LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper is a meal offered to obey the command of Christ and remember His broken body and shed blood on the cross through partaking of the fruit of the vine and unleavened bread until He returns. It is not a sacrifice but rather an act of obedience and a pledge of renewed unity to Christ and other believers.
References: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
ETERNITY
Eternity is how long we were created to exist with God. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. Eternal separation from God means spending eternity in hell apart from Him. Believers spend eternity with Jesus Christ in what Christians refer to as heaven.
References: John 3:16; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15
THE CHURCH
The Church is the body of Christ on earth. The church exists to communicate the good news of the new life in Jesus Christ to the world; teach His followers to obey His teachings; and equip His followers for ministry. The church is made up of those who have placed their faith in Christ. Christ is the only head of the church. The church’s procedures and governance are vested in the body of believers, which composes it. While it’s subject to no other ecclesiastical body, the church recognizes and sustains the obligation of mutual control and cooperation of other Southern Baptist churches. It also affiliates itself with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Illinois Baptist Association and Clear Creek Baptist Association.
References: 1 Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:10; Ephesians 4:11-14; Acts 2:38
