What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of First Baptist Martinsburg 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 is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
[Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14]

We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God's creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates us from God.
[Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2]

We are all created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God.
[John 3:16, Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:27]

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of lords.
[Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13]

Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins from the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith.
[Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1]

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in the salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives security.
[John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10; 1 Peter 1:3-5]

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
[2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:3, 5:1; Galatians 5:25]

The Bible is God's word to all mankind. It is written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. We believe the Bible to be inerrant. 
[2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5]