THEOLOGICAL AND DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WAVERLY
God:
We believe that there is one God who is the Creator of heaven and earth. We also believe that He exists as a trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (as three persons yet one God). How He exists as three persons yet is one God is a mystery, yet this truth is essential in understanding the creative, redemptive and sustaining work of God.
Jesus Christ:
We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity who is both fully God and fully human (John 1). We believe that Christ came to die for the sins of humanity and rose again on the third day. We also believe that He ascended into heaven and will physically return some day. We also believe that He is the only way to salvation (see John 14:6).
The Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity whose task is to convict people of sin, of testifying of the saving work of Jesus Christ and to dispense spiritual gifts to believers in order that they may serve Christ and His church.
a) The Charismatic movement: It is our belief that there are differences of opinion on the use of so-called charismatic gifts (i.e. tongues, prophecy etc.). Our church has not taken an official position neither pro or con on the use of charismatic gifts. However, since the purpose of a spiritual gift is to build up the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 14:26), it is our conviction the gifts should not be used to disrupt or divide the church. Historically, our church can best be described as "Non-Charismatic." Therefore whatever gifts are used should be done in a way that will edify and not divide the church.
The Bible:
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is without error in its original form. We believe that the Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith and living (II Timothy 3:16) We also believe that the Bible must be interpreted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in light of its historical context, literary style and its context with the rest of Scripture. Since the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic and that it must be translated into a language that can be understood in today's culture, it is encouraged, in our church, that a number of translations be used to enhance the full meaning of God's Word.
Regeneration:
We believe that a person must be born again (John 3) and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in order to be saved from sin and to live as a child of God. This happens when a person recognizes that they are a sinner and that only Christ can save him/her because of the cross.
a) Believers Baptism by immersion: As a Baptist Church, we believe that the Baptism is for those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The normative mode is by immersion.
The Second Coming:
We believe that Jesus Christ is physically coming again to call all those who have trusted Him by faith, both past and present, into his glorious presence. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead and that there will be a new heaven and earth. As far as how these events will take place in light of the rapture, the great tribulation and the millennium, our church has not taken any one stand (since there are varying viewpoints among Christians concerning these issues). However our focus as a church is not in the "preliminaries" but in the final and victorious reign of Christ when all things are brought to a close.
The Church:
We believe that the church comprises all those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The church transcends organizational and denominational lines and is a living body of believers who are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The First Baptist Church of Waverly sees itself as a local congregation of the wider church. While we have our distinct doctrines and practices, we are also committed to fellowshipping and cooperating with any church that is seeking to be faithful to the Word of God and in obedience to His will.
Our relationship with the American Baptist Churches, USA:
As a local church, we are affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, USA and are committed to serving the Lord within the context of the denomination. We are also committed to bringing evangelical and Biblical renewal to the denomination, though it crosses the entire theological spectrum. It is our belief that our church's role is to encourage the ABCUSA to return to its theological and Biblical foundations. We feel that the best way to do this is not by separating ourselves from the denomination, but by working within it so that the name of Christ may be glorified.
Evangelism and Mission:
We believe that the church is to go out and preach salvation to those without Christ both locally and to the ends of the earth. The sharing of this message is done both in word and in deed which means that social concern and evangelism are not mutually exclusive. We also support the work of missions financially and prayerfully with the primary focus on the mission work of the American Baptist Churches, USA.
Other issues:
a) The role of women in the church: Among Bible Believing Christians there are a
variety of viewpoints. Some point out the passages (e.g. I Corinthians 14) about women keeping silent while others support women as leaders by pointing out Biblical passages such as I Corinthians 11 which refers to women prophesying and Deborah and Esther of the Old Testament. It is our church's position that each of these passages must be looked at in its context. Since there are differing contexts in the Bible passages outlined, the position of our church has been to allow women to have vital leadership roles in the church.
b) Homosexuality: It is our church's position that the Bible uniformly teaches that homosexuality is incompatible with the Bible's teaching that God created humans as male and female. This means that God's design in creation is for one man and one woman to join together in the bonds of marriage-a covenanting relationship. While the Bible clearly and uniformly forbids homosexuality (and sexual relationship outside of marriage, in general), it is our desire to work with people compassionately and redemptively. This means that, while we uphold the Bible's teaching on human sexuality, we want people to experience the healing power of Christ and to be restored to the way they have been created, physically and emotionally
c) Divorce: We feel that the Bible clearly forbids divorce except in cases of unfaithfulness, desertion (I Corinthians 7) and in instances where it might be dangerous (due to domestic violence) for the parties to stay together. We also believe that God also works redemptively and takes us where we are and not where we have been in the past.
Church Covenant First Baptist Church, Waverly, NY
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ1 as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;2 we do now, in the presence of God, in sincerity and joy enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ.3
We commit, therefore, with the aid of the Holy Spirit,4 to walk together in Christian love;5 to strive for the advancement of His church in knowledge,6 holiness7 and unity; to promote its prosperity and spiritual growth; to maintain and participate in worship, the ordinances, disciplines and doctrine; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry,8 the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor,9 and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.10
We also commit to maintain family and personal devotions; to teach our children from the scriptures;11 to pray for the salvation of our friends and acquaintances; to walk carefully in the world;12 to be just in our dealings, faithful in our commitments, and above reproach in our lifestyles; and to be zealous in our efforts to evangelize the world for our Savior.13
We further commit to care for one another in brotherly love,14 to be faithful in praying for each other,15 to bear each others burdens,16 to cultivate Christian love in actions,17 and kindness in speech, to be slow to take offense, yet eager to forgive18 and obedient in reconciliation.19
We, moreover, commit that when we leave from this ministry, we will as soon as possible join together with a likeminded local church ministry where we can fulfill the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
1 Romans 10:9-10 8 II Cor. 9:6-7 15 II Thess. 1:11-12
2 Romans 6:1-4 9 Rom. 12:13 16 Gal. 6:2
3 I Cor. 12:12-14 10 Matt. 28:19-20 17 Rom. 12:9-16
4 Eph. 5:18 11 Eph. 6:4 18 Eph. 4:32
5 I John 3:11-16 12 Eph. 5:15-16 19 Gal. 6:1-2
6 II Peter 3:18 13 Rom. 10:1
7 I Peter 1:14-16 14 Rom. 12:10
