a. We believe in the one God, expressed in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19
b. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by inspiration of God. They are without error (inerrant) as given in the original manuscripts and are the only rule of faith and practice. 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:19-21
c. We believe that God created the first man, Adam, Gen 1:27; “So God created man in his own image, male and female created he them ...” in His likeness, and upright and in His nature a holy being, capable of obeying, enjoying, and glorifying Him forever. Col 3:9-11
d. We believe there was a righteous display of God’s moral government when He gave to man a law by which to be governed. Gal 3:12; Gen 2:17
e. We believe that our first parent sinned and became a corrupt seed, so therefore all their descendants have become corrupt and “every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually,” and in this they are justly deserving the curse of God’s holy law. Gen 3:1-7, 6:5; Rom 5:12
f. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, to be the only Savior, (the way, the truth and the life) by whom any of the lost race of Adam can be restored to favor with their maker and that Christ, being truly God and truly man, by a glorious union of the two natures, is well able to secure the honor of God and the salvation of man. John 1:14; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5
g. We believe that those who hear the Gospel are under God’s command to repent and believe the Gospel. Those who willfully refuse are left without excuse. John 1:12; John 3:36; Acts 2:38; Rom 1:18-21
h. We believe that God is the Sovereign of the universe and for His own glory and for Christ’s sake He has chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world a people to serve Him. Their salvation was secured in the covenant of redemption in behalf of the elect on whom grace and glory was settled in Christ. Eph 1:4-7; 1 Pet 1:18-20
i. We believe there will be specific resurrections of both the just and the unjust as recorded in I Corinthians 15 and Revelation 20. The just shall be raised in life everlasting and the unjust to “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” The judgment of the works of both will follow their respective resurrections. Matt 25:41
j. We believe a Christian church is composed of those who have accepted Christ as personal Savior and Lord, and have obediently followed Him in the waters of baptism, and are united together in the fellowship of the Gospel, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, “Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone.” 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph 2:19-22; 1 Pet 2:6
k. We believe that baptism and the Lord’s supper were instituted by Christ to be continued in His church until His second coming, and that only those who have been immersed in water, on the profession of their faith in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are eligible to be admitted into membership and fellowship of The First Baptist Church of Holley. Matt 28:19; Rom 6:4; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
l. We believe that the first day of the week, in accordance with the Gospel account (Luke 24:1-3), is the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. All believers are encouraged to assemble in public worship as consistent with Hebrews 10:24-25. The early church met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) and it is our desire to continue that practice and observance as we seek to worship the Lord corporately, as well as individually, throughout the day.
m. We believe, in addition to the Lord’s day, that it is the responsibility of all members to attend other meetings of the church, when Providence permits, and to be punctual to the time appointed by the church. Heb 10:25
n. We believe it to be our responsibility to support the proclamation of the Gospel through our missionaries, pastors, and local workers. All expenses of the church should be met by free-will tithes and offerings in the spirit of 2 Corinthians 9:7 as the Lord prospers, and not one eased and another burdened. 2 Cor 8:13-15
o. We believe in accordance with 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 that elders and deacons, as elected by the membership of the church, are to provide leadership in accordance with all Scripture and shall be held accountable to the church body.
p. We believe that our members, because they have professed salvation, are required, in accordance with the Word of God, to demonstrate the evidence of their salvation through a worthy walk. Rom 6:4; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 4:1; Phil 2:12-13; Titus 2:11-12
q. We believe it to be our duty to submit to the Word of God regarding discipline and government of the church. Matt 18: 15-17
r. We believe in the great commission which our Lord has given to His church to evangelize the world, and that this evangelization is the mission of the church, corporately and individually. Matt 28:18-20
s. We believe that the people of God in our church must stand by these great truths that are so much rejected in our day, and must contend earnestly for the faith which our God has, in His holy word, delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3