The First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg exists to help people experience God’s gift of life in Jesus. We invite people into a dynamic Christian gathering to…
- meet GOD,
- connect with one another, and
- embrace opportunities to impact our world for the good.
At FBC, we may change our method, but the message never changes! Our ongoing message is based on the following beliefs:
Authority
We believe the Bible is the written word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Jesus, Son of God, is the criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted. John 1:18; John 5:39; 2Timothy 3:14 – 17
God
There is one God – creator and sovereign of heaven and earth – revealed in three persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Revelation 1:8; Mark 1:9 - 11
Human Beings
God loves all human beings and intends that we live – with God and with one another – authentically, joyfully, and eternally. John 3:16
Sin
All human beings – in multiple ways and at varying times – reject God’s holy love and attempt to create life of, for and/or by ourselves; an attempt which results in disruption of relations to God and to others, dissolution of the human self and finally death. Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23
Salvation
In Jesus Christ, God acts to rescue all humans from the powers and fatal end of sin, and as we trust and obey Jesus Christ, to recreate us for life with God and with one another. Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:7
Jesus
Jesus Christ – Son of God, wholly God and wholly human – lived a sinless life, died as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all human beings, was buried, arose bodily from the grave, and ascended into heaven, where he reigns as Lord. Philippians 2:5 - 11
Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God acts on, within and through human beings to convince us of our need for God. The Holy Spirit enables us to embrace Jesus as Lord, guides us into truth, energizes our worship, empowers our witness and assures our eternal relationship with God and God’s community. John 16:7 – 14
Personhood in Jesus
To trust and obey Jesus is to embrace life in a relationship with God – a relationship which is marked by a trusting intimacy and obedient service. John 1:12
Community in Jesus
Trusting and obeying Jesus is to embrace life in God’s community, through whom God announces to the world the good news about Jesus, and shapes human beings for authentic and eternal life. John 20:21; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:15 – 16; 1 Peter 2:17
History
God will bring history to its completion: Jesus will return to judge all human beings and to establish God’s eternal kingdom. John 14:1 – 4; 2 Corinthians 5:10