People who have never entered a church and people who have been attending their whole lives have “why” questions. Here are our responses to several of those questions. While the following responses do not claim to be the final and authoritative word on all the “why” questions—we believe the answers can point you in the right direction.
We believe the Bible is God-given, through people of Christian history, to connect us to the heart of God Himself. You can use the Bible daily for encouragement, instruction, comfort and a better understanding of God.
God gives people eternal life through Jesus Christ. The believer is secure in that salvation forever. We do not earn salvation -- it is God’s gift to us. With the gift of salvation, we believe every person has direct access to God.
FBC desires individuals to find a place to belong. We believe every believer has God-given gifts, which should be used in serving Him in a local church. You will also benefit from being around others who can encourage you as you live your life.
The options for joining FBC are:
1. Putting faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and being baptized by immersion. We call this believer’s baptism.
2. If you have already put your faith in Jesus, but have not been baptized by immersion, then by following Him in believer's baptism.
3. Transfer of membership by letter from another Baptist church.
Statement of having previously accepted Christ and experienced baptism by immersion as a member of another church.
Baptism is a visual testimony to God and others that you have a new life in Christ. It is a first step in obedience...getting started on the right foot.
A Word Concerning Infant Baptism
If the purpose of baptism is to publicly identify a believer in Jesus
Christ, the questions may well be asked by some, “What was the significance
of my baptism as a baby?” In the Bible, we find parents bringing their
children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them.
But He did not baptize them, and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them.
Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone
for their salvation.
Our scriptural understanding of baptism:
1. Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Jesus Christ, fulfilled by individuals who have submitted themselves to God’s desire for their life.
2. Baptism symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through God’s forgiveness and the newness of life experienced identifying with Christ in death and resurrection by immersion into the water.
3. Baptism provides an opportunity for believers in Jesus Christ to make a formal declaration of their faith before the church.
4. As a standard for being a Christ-follower, baptism by immersion is a prerequisite for joining our church.
The Lord’s Supper is a time of reflection and remembrance of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and celebrates the imminent second coming of Him to earth. The two elements -- bread and cup represent His body and blood.
Giving requires the highest standard of personal integrity and discipline. Giving is not a casual or occasional thing. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, the Bible teaches we are to give willingly, generously, and cheerfully. And our pattern should reflect a regular and systematic plan. In Malachi 3:10, we learn God's standard of the tithe or first tenth being set apart in all of our earnings as a gift to God. Through our tithes and offerings, we prove trustworthy in the stewardship of all God has provided for us.
Our church budgets funds for ministries, personnel, administration, facilities and various mission projects. A detailed disbursement of monies within our church and outside of church is in our church budget and is a matter of public record (you can obtain a copy of the budget at the church office).
Our church voluntarily chooses to work with other Baptist churches through the following relationships: Southern Baptist Convention, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Baptist General Convention of Texas, and Denton Baptist Association.
Instead of each church adopting individual missionaries as their exclusive investment in mission action, the SBC, CBF, and BGCT work with permission of the churches they represent to find the best avenue to advance missions.
We believe small groups and Bible study represent the best method for establishing the kind of relational community that strengthens life change and supports the Christian journey. Ultimately we want to use all the small groups Bible studies at FBC to encourage people toward love for God and people.
If you desire to know more details or look at Biblical support for our beliefs,
we as a church utilize the Baptist Faith and Message 1963 version as a guide
and outline of our beliefs. Our church office has copies of this and it is also
available online at http://www.bgct.org/TexasBaptists/Document.Doc?&id=569