Statement of Faith
What we believe:
1. Fundamental
Free Will Baptists are fundamental in theology. That means that certain, basic, or fundamental Scriptures are essential in order to maintain the integrity of Christianity as taught in the Bible. These include...
The Trinity - We believe that there is one God who exists eternally in three persons, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. These three are equal in power and glory.
The Word - We believe that the Bible is the written word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, and of infallible and Divine authority in all matters that it addresses.
Humanity - We believe that men and women are sinners and are totally unable to save themselves. We believe that sinful choices are the result of an inherited sin nature, which renders humanity insensitive and unresponsive to God without His action upon us.
Salvation - We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We are saved from sin by redemption through Christ's blood to the praise and glory of God's grace and mercy.
Jesus Christ - We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man through the virgin conception. We believe that this union of natures is unmixed and indistinguishable. Further, we believe that the God-man lived, died, and rose again for our justification. He alone is the mediator between God and man.
The Holy Ghost - We believe that the Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead, issued forth from both the Father and the Son. We trust Him for daily strength and wisdom to walk according to God's will and in order to grow into the likeness of Christ.
The Second Coming - We look forward to the glorious day when Jesus Christ will literally return to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself.
Heaven and Hell - We believe in a literal Heaven which will be the eternal home of all who are in Christ, as well as a literal Hell which will be the eternal place of condemnation for all who have rejected God's grace in Christ.
These positions distinguish Free Will Baptists from other groups who subscribe to a liberal theology; that is, who feel that some or all of these fundamental truths affirmed above are not essential.
2. Evangelical
Within the parameters of that which is theologically fundamental, Free Will Baptists most closely identify with those known as evangelical; that is, who actively strive to penetrate the culture, preaching the Gospel of Christ, in order to win to Christ anyone who will choose to accept Him by faith.
3. Distinctive
There are a few doctrinal positions on which Free Will Baptists hold a distinctive position, even from other groups with whom we may enjoy close fellowship and cooperation. So the question often arises, "What's the difference between Free Will Baptists and...
Southern Baptists, Missionary Baptists, or Independent Baptists? - We believe the Scriptures give consistent emphasis to the responsibility every Christian has to continue to trust Christ throughout his life (Hebrews 3:6, 14, 10:23). Contrary to what some say Free Will Baptists do affirm salvation by grace through faith only, and further insist that the faith that saves is an on-going and active faith. (John 10:1-21). Further, Free Will Baptists believe that there are sufficient warnings in scripture that suggest the possibility that one may forfeit the faith (Galatians 5:4, Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:29), though such a forfeiture is not probable. We do not believe that the forfeiture of the faith is easy, nor sudden, but do affirm the truth that if such state is reached, there remains no more sacrifice (Hebrews 6:6). Consequently, that person who forfeits his faith is irreversibly lost.
Nazarene, Methodist, Holiness Groups? - These groups are generally called Wesleyan , the founder of which was the 19th century Methodist Evangelist, John Wesley. A key distinctive of their theology is the teaching that a person may experience a second, definite work of grace, at which time the believer reaches a point of entire sanctification, and from that moment forward, the believer is capable of living a sinless life. We believe, on the other hand, that the Holy spirit is at work in the believer's life to progressively mold him into the image of Christ, and that this process will not be completed until we reach eternity.
Assembly of God, Charismatic/Pentecostal Churches? - We believe that the sign gifts mentioned in the historical record if the early church (the book of Acts) were used by God for the unique purpose of validating the authority of the Apostles, through whom He transmitted the Holy scriptures (I Corinthians 12-14). Do we believe that these gifts have ceased altogether? No, we do however assert that with the completion of the New Testament canon, the need for, and exercise of these sign gifts faded. We do not seek a Baptism of the Spirit sub-sequent to salvation, nor support the use of tongues or other sign gifts as evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in the Christian life.
Presbyterian, Reformed Churches? - Rather than affirming the predestination of specific individuals for grace, as the Reformed Churches do, we believe that when acted upon by the Holy Spirit, and individual as the freedom of will to accept or rejects God's offer of salvation. We do not believe, as we are often accused, in a works oriented salvation, affirming with Paul that faith is not a work (Ephesians 2:8-9). Further, we agree that sinful man is dead in sin, that is, he is unresponsive and insensitive to the work and presence of God unless and until he is acted upon from the outside by the Holy Ghost. Once the individual has experienced this work of grace by the Holy Ghost, it is given that he should persevere in that faith until the end. We hold that whosoever will may exercise his God given freedom of the will to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and in believing, receive everlasting life. (John 3:16)
4. Ordinances
Free Will Baptists practice three ordinances. The ordinances are special services given by our Lord as physical portrayals of significant spiritual truths. Participation in the ordinances does not impart additional grace to the believer, though following our Lord's example as well as sharing these services with the Covenant Family is a great act of obedience to God and in edification of one another. Each of the ordinances is a means of celebrating and identifying ourselves with the work of Christ and His care for His Church. The ordinances include...
Believer's Baptism - Those who have trusted Christ will want to follow His example and commandment to be baptized. The waters of baptism do not wash away sin; we follow the Lord in baptism as an outward symbol of an inward grace. Further, we believe that baptism by immersion most fully portrays our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection, as well as the newness of life we have found in Him.
Communion - Sharing the bread and juice together is a command of the Lord to commemorate His broken body and shed blood. Not only is this a command, but an invitation by the Lord to come and feast at His table despite our frailties and handicaps. At his table we find assurance of our faith and grace that was given to us at the cross. We practice open communion, that is, all believers are welcome to share the Lord's Supper with us, whether members of our local fellowship or not.
Washing of the Saints' Feet - Brothers with brothers, sisters with sisters, we demonstrate our humility and servant heart for one another through the practice of feet washing. Rather than accepting Christ's admonition to His disciples as figurative only (John 13), we interpret the statement both figuratively and literally, as we do the two other ordinances. Through Feet Washing we picture the Gospel, as we take off an outer garment such as a coat of jacket, we picture Christ stripping Himself of His Godhood. As we wrap the towel around our waist, we picture Christ wrapping Himself in fragile human flesh and adorning Himself with the garment of a servant. As we kneel to wash our brother or sister's feet, we picture Christ descending to earth not to be served, but to serve. As baptism is an outward sign of our initial cleansing in Christ, feet washing is an outward sign of our need for daily cleansing.
We subscribe to the preceding statement of faith that can be found in the Newcomer's Class Manual. Copies of the Free Will Baptist treatise are available upon request and provide a more detailed presentation of our faith and practice. We also invite you to browse the web site of the National Association of Free Will Baptists (the denominational group with which we are affiliated) for more information on the history of Free Will Baptists.