"And they devoted themselves to the Apostles' teachings and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42).
Our Vision: Glorifying God.
The vision of FBC Richmond Hill is simply to glorify God.
We are created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). We were saved so we can actually have the ability to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 6:20). Glorifying God defines who we are as a church.
Psalm 115:1 - Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Our Mission: Connecting People To Jesus.
The mission of FBC Richmond Hill is to glorify God by connecting people to Jesus.
We are followers of Jesus who want to be used by God to see others also become followers of Jesus. After all , this is what Jesus commands us to be committed to in the Great Commission.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Our mission statement defines how we are to go about accomplishing our vision. We desire to be a church that brings God glory as we serve Him together both locally to reach our family, friends, neighbors and c0-workers, and globally to reach those around the world with the good news of the gospel. Once people embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, we desire to connect them into a community where they can grow in their relationship and commitment to Him.
We desire to be a church that equips every generation to make disciples.
First Baptist Church Richmond Hill cooperates with other area churches to see the message of Jesus Christ proclaimed to all people. The following paragraphs simply summarizes what we believe as a church family.
About God
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; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
About God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
(Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; I Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8: Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13: Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11: 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; I Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; I Peter 1:17; I John 5:7)
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a 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 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-18; Romans 10:9-10)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their 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. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:7-12)
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word. It was penned by human writers, under the supernatural guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because the Bible is inspired by God, it is the truth without any error.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Proverbs 30:5; Psalms 119:105, 160)
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation and ALL human life is precious and sacred. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by a nature of disobedience toward God called "sin." Sin separates people from God and is the source of all of our problems in life.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2)
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. We must first acknowledge our sin. Then, we must trust in Jesus Christ’s death as full payment for our sin. Eternal life begins the moment one turns from sin (repents) and turns to Jesus Christ in faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 14:6, 1:12; Luke 9:23-26; Luke 13:3; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
About Baptism
Baptism is being immersed into water, which is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the act of obedience as a new believer which identifies you with Christ. It is not salvation, but is a public declaration of your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and outwardly expresses the cleansing and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that has already happened on the inside through faith in Christ.
(Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12, 36-37; Acts 10:43,44,47)
About the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby believers, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
(Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5: I Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12)
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If one has been genuinely saved, he cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. Hell is a place of punishment. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16; 1 John 5:11-13; Roman 6:23)
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First Baptist Church fully supports the Baptist Faith and Message and belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention.