What We Believe

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

Our Affiliation

Fairview Baptist Church is in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), and as such, we uphold the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our primary statement of faith. Fairview Baptist is also in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) and the Grayson Baptist Association (GBA). Additionally, Fairview Baptist Church reserves the right to cooperate with other like-minded entities. 

The Bible

We believe that the Bible, made up of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God and is wholly without error, altogether sufficient as our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. (Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5a; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

God

 We believe in the one true and living God, the creator, and sustainer of all things. He is infinite, unchangeable, eternal, perfect, sovereign, and personal. He is eternal in His being, love, holiness, wisdom, and power. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons without division of nature, being, or mission. The Father is the head of the Godhead; the Son is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit is the One sent from God to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who illuminates scripture for our understanding. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18, 139:7-9; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30, 15:26)

Jesus

We believe that Jesus is the second Person of the Triune God, the eternal Word, and Only Begotten Son; that without any change in His divine Person, he became man by the miracle of the Virgin Birth, thus to continue forever as both true God and true Man,One person with two natures. As Man, He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. As the perfect Lamb of God, He gave Himself in death upon the cross, bearing there the sin of the world, and suffering its full penalty of divine wrath in our stead, and He arose from the grave in a glorified body. As our great High Priest, he ascended into Heaven, there to appear before the face of God as our Advocate and Intercessory. (John 1:1, 14; 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4- 5; Philippians 2:6-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2)

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity and the divine Agent in nature, revelation, and redemption. He was sent from God to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals, and anoints all who become children of God through Christ; He further empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and fills believers who daily surrender to Him. (John 3:5, 14:16, 17, 26; 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

Mankind

We believe that man was created in God's likeness and image, that Satan tempted him, and by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, became a sinful creature. Man became the father of a fallen race, which is universally sinful in both nature and practice. He is alienated from God and has within himself no possible means of salvation apart from God. (Genesis 1:27; 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; 15:12, 19; Galatians 3:11)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is a free gift from God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man. All men are born dead in their sins and trespasses, and as such, are under condemnation. Escape from condemnation comes only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This righteousness can only be received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The sinner is justified by faith alone in Christ alone as an act of God's grace alone. The Holy Spirit regenerates the dead to new life in Christ, and the life begun in regeneration is never lost. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 1:12; 3:14; 10:28-29; Romans 8:1, Ephesians 2:1-9; Philippians 1:6)

Works

We believe that righteousness and godly works are not a means of salvation in any sense but are its proper evidence and fruit. Therefore, as Christians, we should obey the Word of our Lord, seek the things which are above, walk as He walked, and accept as our solemn responsibility the duty and privileges of bearing the gospel to a lost world. (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:16)

Satan

We believe that Satan was originally created as a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition, rebelled against God. He became utterly depraved in character, the great adversary of God and His people, leader of all other evil angels and wicked spirits, and the deceiver and god of this present world. His powers are vast but strictly limited by the permissive will of God, who overrules all his wicked devices for good. He was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final doom is certain. We are able to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God, by the blood of the Lamb, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 12:9-11, 20:10)

Christ's Second Coming

We believe in a physical and victorious return of Christ. At which time He will establish His reign for 1,000 years. During this time, Satan will be bound. After the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be loosed for a short time before being cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. We believe Christ's righteous and holy judgment will be executed before the Great White Throne of Judgement. Those found guilty will be cast into the lake of fire, and those found to be justified will enter into the eternal rest of the Lord. We believe the culmination of redemption history is realized in the New Heavens and the New Earth, where the redeemed of God will worship him in all his glory for eternity, from New Jerusalem. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:8; Hebrews 10:37-38; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 19:11-21:27)

Future Life, Bodily Resurrection, and Eternal Judgment

We believe in the final resurrection of all men, just and unjust. We believe that those who commit their lives to Christ during this life will be raised to everlasting life. The souls of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in Heaven, and their works shall be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ for the determination of rewards which will take place at the time when Christ comes for His own. Those who do not commit to Jesus Christ in this life will be raised to everlasting condemnation. The spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades, where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment, at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, and they shall be judged and cast into Hell, the place of final everlasting punishment. (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; Luke 16:19-23; Revelation 20:11-15)

Separation of Church and State

We believe that the Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom, no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The Church should not resort to civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7)

Priesthood of the Believer

We believe that Christ is our Great High Priest, and through Him every born-again person has direct access into God's presence without the need of a human priest. The believer has the right and responsibility through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to study and interpret the Scriptures. (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 2:1,5,9)

Lordship of Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ alone is the head of the Body of Christ, into which all true believers are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit. All members of this one spiritual body should then assemble and identify themselves in a local church. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-15; Galatians 2:20)

Importance of the Local Church

We believe that a New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again, baptized believers united in organization to practice New Testament ordinances. They meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and united testimony. The mission of the local Church is to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission. (Acts 2:41-42; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 28:19-20)

Independence & Autonomy of the Local Church

We believe that each New Testament church is free to govern itself without ecclesiastical interference and should cooperate with other New Testament churches as the Holy Spirit leads. Each local Church is responsible for following the pattern of the New Testament church and is directly accountable to God. (Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:1-5; 13:1-3; 15:22-23)

Baptism & the Lord's Supper

We believe that the local Church has only been given two ordinances by God; baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is by immersion of believers, thus portraying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper is a memorial to the Lord's death. The bread symbolizes His body which was given for us. The fruit of the vine symbolizes His blood which was shed for us. (Matthew 28:19- 20; Acts 2:41; 8:38-39; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)

Marriage, Sexual Activity, & Gender Identity

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. We believe God created a gender binary, which is to say God has created mankind, both male and female, in his image. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)

Sexual Preferences

We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, and adultery are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; 19:5-13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

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