What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of First Baptist Church Douglasville 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. First Baptist is an autonomous church that is aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention. Our beliefs and our governing by-laws reflect the doctrinal position and intent of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Links are provided below to the BF&M2000, to download our First Connection booklet, and to download our church by-laws.

We believe there is one, true God, who exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We affirm that He is Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all things. He is perfect and infinite in all His attributes and is worthy of the highest love, reverence, and obedience. 

We believe the Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and therefore are inerrant and infallible. We believe the Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain, and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and Christian obedience. The Scriptures are therefore to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; and trusted, in all that it promises. As God's people hear, believe, and obey the Word, they are equipped as disciples of Christ and witnesses to the gospel.

We believe God created man in His own image—male and female—with dignity, purpose, and respect. Humans were created free from sin in order to reflect His glory; but, through the temptation of Satan, man sinned (rebelled against God) and incurred both a physical death and a spiritual death (eternal separation from God). We believe that all human beings are born with a sin nature and are thus incapable of rendering to God the highest love, reverence, and obedience, which He is due.

We believe salvation involves the redemption of the whole person (intellect, desires, and will), and is offered feely to all who would repent of their sins and believe upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own perfect life, substitutionary death on the cross, and resurrection form the dead obtained eternal redemption for the believer. We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and is not based on any works we may do. 

We believe the Church is God's primary vehicle for His mission in the world today. We believe the Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and He possesses all power for its government. While FBCD is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention, we practice self-government and independence from any denominational control, and we team up with other networks for greater impact. FBCD determines its own strategy, structure, and style.

We believe the body of Christ (i.e., the Church) has been put here to display the glory of God through making disciples, worship, and proclaiming the gospel here in West Atlanta and throughout the world.

The Church has been commanded to observe two ordinances: Baptism & the Lord's Supper

Baptism: We practice baptism by complete immersion—the way Jesus was baptized and the way the Bible commands. Baptism is a visible picture of a person's commitment to Christ and a sign of his fellowship with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, of the remission of his or her sins, and of his or her giving of themselves to live unto God in newness of life. Baptism is also a prerequisite for enjoying the privileges of church membership and for participating in the Lord's Supper.
Colossians 2:12

Lord's Supper: We practice the Lord's Supper on a regular basis. It is a symbolic act of obedience through which we remember the death of Jesus, anticipate His second coming, and commune with Christ spiritually by faith and with His Church. 1 Corinthians 11:26