About First Baptist Church
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We at First Baptist Church in Bristol all still struggle with our own fallenness - daily - despite God's redemptive mercy through Christ. We have been delivered by God's grace from the ultimate penalty of Sin (eternal death), but the scars persist. And we are still sinners - albeit redeemed by God's mercy, and freed from condemnation. So as you come among us, expect to encounter brokenness and sin still on display, and grant us a measure of grace. By God's redeeming mercy we are being gradually drawn towards healing, and we invite you to join us in that journey.
At First Baptist Church, we believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God's Word, the Spirit's power, and fervent prayer in Christ's name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ's commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
About Receiving Christ: We believe the Biblical pattern for receiving Christ includes acknowledging that Jesus Christ is God's Son, repenting from personal sin, and inviting Christ to be Lord of your life. (1 John 1:8-9; Romans 6:1-7)
About Salvation: We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God; that it was purchased by Christ on the cross; that it is received through faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual; and that salvation results in righteous living, good works and biblically informed actions to bring about godly justice wherever we live.