Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of First Baptist Church of Holland based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
GOD
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
REVELATION
God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
MANKIND
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.
THE FALL
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.
SALVATION
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.
THE CHURCH
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
RESURRECTION
Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.
key distinctives.
ABORTION
Exodus 21 says, "When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman...if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life" (Exodus 21:22-23). Clearly, babies in the womb are considered by God to be a separate being from the mother. Psalm 51 says, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5) In this verse, David asserts that he had a sin nature from the moment of conception; that is only possible if you have an eternal soul from the very moment of conception, and the only entity with an eternal soul is a human being. Blobs of non-human tissue would have no soul, being unhuman. Based upon these clear truths, babies should be treated as possessors of God-given sacred life and their intentional killing should be regarded as unthinkable, for any reason.
BIBLE INTERPRETATION
Believing in the inerrant harmony and seamless integrity of the Bible, we pursue biblically-sound conclusions by comparing Scripture with Scripture and not seeking to allegorize or 'make metaphorical' passages that can be understood plainly. More specifically, in all our preaching and teaching, our approach to the text is exegetical, done through a dispensational lens, with a grammatical-historical hermeneutic (for explanation, click HERE), in a way which honors and preserves authorial intent, and recognizes God as the ultimate author and source (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
ESCHATOLOGY (END-TIMES)
We hold to the premillennial rapture of the Church, followed by a 7-year Tribulation, and then the literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ bodily upon the earth, known as the Millennial Kingdom.
GENDERS
There are only two genders. "God created man in his own image...male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). Jesus reinforced this truth when he said, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female...?" (Matthew 19:4)
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH
We believe Scripture is clear that God still has a distinct plan for the nation of Israel, which he will fulfill following the Rapture of the Church. As such, we reject the idea that the Church has replaced Israel, or that the Church is the new Israel. As we study Scripture, we carefully heed these boundaries and are careful not to co-opt directives and promises not meant for us, avoiding the mistake of reading ourselves into the text.
MARRIAGE
Marriage is between one man and one woman. Genesis records, "...the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man...Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:22-24). Jesus reinforced this truth with a direct quote, as recorded in Matthew 19:5.
Exodus 21 says, "When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman...if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life" (Exodus 21:22-23). Clearly, babies in the womb are considered by God to be a separate being from the mother. Psalm 51 says, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5) In this verse, David asserts that he had a sin nature from the moment of conception; that is only possible if you have an eternal soul from the very moment of conception, and the only entity with an eternal soul is a human being. Blobs of non-human tissue would have no soul, being unhuman. Based upon these clear truths, babies should be treated as possessors of God-given sacred life and their intentional killing should be regarded as unthinkable, for any reason.
BIBLE INTERPRETATION
Believing in the inerrant harmony and seamless integrity of the Bible, we pursue biblically-sound conclusions by comparing Scripture with Scripture and not seeking to allegorize or 'make metaphorical' passages that can be understood plainly. More specifically, in all our preaching and teaching, our approach to the text is exegetical, done through a dispensational lens, with a grammatical-historical hermeneutic (for explanation, click HERE), in a way which honors and preserves authorial intent, and recognizes God as the ultimate author and source (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
ESCHATOLOGY (END-TIMES)
We hold to the premillennial rapture of the Church, followed by a 7-year Tribulation, and then the literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ bodily upon the earth, known as the Millennial Kingdom.
GENDERS
There are only two genders. "God created man in his own image...male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). Jesus reinforced this truth when he said, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female...?" (Matthew 19:4)
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH
We believe Scripture is clear that God still has a distinct plan for the nation of Israel, which he will fulfill following the Rapture of the Church. As such, we reject the idea that the Church has replaced Israel, or that the Church is the new Israel. As we study Scripture, we carefully heed these boundaries and are careful not to co-opt directives and promises not meant for us, avoiding the mistake of reading ourselves into the text.
MARRIAGE
Marriage is between one man and one woman. Genesis records, "...the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man...Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:22-24). Jesus reinforced this truth with a direct quote, as recorded in Matthew 19:5.
Our doctrine.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men controlled by the Holy Spirit; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. And that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the Lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all powers of darkness—destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after his own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind”.
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.
ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.
GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION
We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on the principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its scripturally designated officers are pastors (elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to baptize them; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
We believe that Christian baptism is the believer’s immersion in water; into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that in scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ; the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all,” that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.
THE PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, and truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in everlasting life in heaven and on the New Earth for the saved, and in everlasting suffering and torment in Hell and the Lake of Fire for the Lost.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except when instructed to deny or disobey the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST, AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in The Bodily Resurrection, The Ascension, The High Priesthood, The Second Coming, The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead, The Change of the Living in Christ, Jesus' Future Rule On the Throne of David, His Reign on Earth, The Great White Throne Judgment, and The New Jerusalem and the New Earth.
Our full Statement of Faith can be requested from the secretary.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men controlled by the Holy Spirit; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. And that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the Lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all powers of darkness—destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after his own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind”.
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.
ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.
GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION
We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on the principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its scripturally designated officers are pastors (elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to baptize them; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
We believe that Christian baptism is the believer’s immersion in water; into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that in scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ; the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all,” that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.
THE PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, and truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in everlasting life in heaven and on the New Earth for the saved, and in everlasting suffering and torment in Hell and the Lake of Fire for the Lost.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except when instructed to deny or disobey the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST, AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in The Bodily Resurrection, The Ascension, The High Priesthood, The Second Coming, The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead, The Change of the Living in Christ, Jesus' Future Rule On the Throne of David, His Reign on Earth, The Great White Throne Judgment, and The New Jerusalem and the New Earth.
Our full Statement of Faith can be requested from the secretary.