First Southern Baptist Church, Safford, AZ

What We Believe
Home
Music
Calendar of Events
Directions
Contact Us
Good Church - Bad Church
Current Events
What We Believe

 
Marks of the New Testament Church

1.  Its Head and Founder is Jesus Christ!
"And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"  (Matthew 16:18)
 
2.  Its only rule of faith and practice is the BIBLE!
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works"  (II Timothy 3:15-17)
 
3.  Its name - Church, or Churches!
"I Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star"  (Revelation 22:16)
 
4.  Its polity - Congregational!
"...shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many"  (Matthew 20:26-28)
 
5.  Its members - ONLY Saved People!
"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord"  (Ephesians 2:21)
 
6.  Its Ordinances - Believers' Baptism followed by the Lord's Supper!
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"  (Matthew 28:19-20) 
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come"             (I Corinthians 11:26)
 
7.  Its Officers - Pastors and Deacons!
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work"                                       (I Timothy 3:1)
"For they that have used the office of a deacon well puchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.                       (I Timothy 3:13)
 
8.  Its Work - getting folks saved, baptizing them with a baptism that meets all the requirements of God's Word, and teaching them "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"  (Matthew 28:20)
 
9.  Its Financial Plan - Tithes and Offerings!
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel"                                                  (I Corninthians 9:14)
 
10.  Its Weapons of Warfare - Spiritual, not Carnal!
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds"  (II Corinthians 10:4)
 
11.  Its Independence - Separation of Church and State!
"They say unto him, Caesar's.  Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's"  (Matthew 22:21)

 
Church Covenant

"Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; 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, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger.  To abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
 
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay. 
 
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

FSBC Safford, AZ