Core Beliefs

The Trinity

At First Baptist Church Phenix City, we embrace the mystery and beauty of the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as the foundation of our faith. The Trinity expresses the belief that there is one God who exists in three distinct but inseparable Persons. The Trinity reflects the fullness of God’s love and presence in the world, a divine community of One God in Three Persons, in perfect unity and relationship.

The Trinity is a mystery that transcends human understanding, yet it reveals to us the fullness of God’s love, relational nature, and the interconnectedness of all creation. In embracing the Trinity, we acknowledge the richness and depth of God’s nature and are invited to participate in the divine life through our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father’s boundless love, the Son’s redeeming grace, and the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence invite us all into a life of deeper connection with God and each other. 

God the Father is the Creator of all things, the source of all life, and the loving Parent who sustains the universe. The Father’s love is boundless, extending to all creation and inviting us into a relationship with Him.

God the Son is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals God’s love and offers redemption to humanity. As the Son, He is fully divine and fully human, bridging the gap between God and humanity, showing us the way to live in relationship with God and one another.

God the Holy Spirit is the presence of God active in the world and in the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit provides guidance and comfort, empowering us to live out our faith, bringing us into deeper understanding of God’s truth and helping us to reflect Christ’s love in our lives. The Spirit empowers us to comprehend the deeper meanings of Scripture, helping us to discern God’s will, navigate the complexities of life, and grow in our faith. 

In this sacred space, we seek to express the love of the Trinity, welcoming all with open arms and open hearts, knowing that in God’s Kingdom, there is a place for everyone at the Table.

The Bible 

We believe the Bible is a sacred and inspired collection of texts that reveal God's enduring love, wisdom, and guidance for all people. We affirm that the Bible speaks to the diversity of human experience and invites us to embrace love, justice, and compassion in our relationships with one another and with the world.

We believe the Bible was written by men inspired and guided by God. Because of that divine influence, its truths apply to our lives today, as it has to the lives of our ancestors. The divinely inspired Word of God remains relevant and applicable through time. Through study and influence of the Holy Spirit, its interpretation remains forever relevant. We are committed to reading the Bible with open hearts and minds, seeking to hear God's voice in the richness of His words. 

We believe that engaging with Scripture is essential to our spiritual growth and understanding of God's will. Both private and public reading of the Bible are vital practices, as they allow us to encounter God's Word personally and within the context of community. In private, we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit's guidance, deepening our personal relationship with God.  As a family of faith together, we share in the wisdom and insights of others, strengthening our collective faith and unity as the body of Christ. These practices enrich our lives and draw us closer to God's truth.

As a church, we affirm that the Bible calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to seek justice for the oppressed, and to welcome all people into the embrace of God's love. We reject any interpreted use of Scripture that promotes discrimination, exclusion, or harm. We commit to a faithful interpretation that upholds the dignity and worth of all God’s children.

Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

We affirm that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacred ordinances instituted by Christ, representing the profound grace of God and the unity of the Christian community.

In Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate the unmerited love of God, the unity of the Church, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We commit to practicing these ordinances in a way that reflects the radical hospitality of Christ, welcoming all into the full life of the church.

Baptism

We believe that Baptism is a symbolic act of public profession, representing a believer’s faith in Jesus Christ, their identification with His death, burial, and resurrection, and their entry into the family of God. We recognize the diverse expressions of this faith journey and affirm that Baptism is open to all who profess faith in Christ.

We practice believer’s Baptism by immersion as a testimony to the transformative power of God’s grace. 

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacred meal in which we remember and proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this act, we experience the real presence of Christ in our midst, as we partake of the bread and the cup, symbols of His body broken and His blood shed for the redemption of all.

We believe that the Lord’s Table is open to all who seek to follow Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation, membership status, or personal history. It is a table of grace, where all are invited to come as they are, to be nourished by the love of God, and to be united in the Spirit with all believers.

Missions

We believe that missions are an expression of our call to love our neighbors both near and far. Our mission work is grounded in the values of respect, partnership, and solidarity. We strive to address the needs of marginalized and underserved communities by collaborating with local and global partners to promote social justice, human dignity, and sustainable development. Our approach to missions is rooted in listening, learning, and working alongside those we seek to support, ensuring that our efforts are both empowering and transformative.

In all our endeavors, we seek to embody the inclusive love of Christ through our missions, community service, evangelism, and discipleship. We are committed to creating a church where everyone is valued, where justice and mercy are practiced, and where the transforming power of God’s love is shared and experienced by all who enter our doors.

Evangelism

Evangelism for us means sharing the inclusive love and acceptance of Christ with all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. We are committed to proclaiming the Good News through authentic relationships and compassionate witness. Our approach to evangelism emphasizes respect for diverse perspectives and an invitation to experience the transformative love of God, rather than a call to uniformity or exclusion. We believe that evangelism is about creating spaces where everyone can encounter the grace of God and find a place of belonging.

Discipleship

Discipleship is the journey of growing in faith and becoming more like Christ, embracing the fullness of who God has created us to be. We are committed to providing opportunities for all individuals to deepen their spiritual lives, engage in meaningful study, and participate in the life of the church. 

Community Service

Community service is a vital expression of our faith in action. We are committed to engaging in service that reflects our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Our service initiatives focus on addressing the practical needs of the hungry, homeless, and disenfranchised within our local communities. Through our efforts, we seek to build bridges of understanding and compassion, fostering an environment where everyone is treated with respect and where our collective action contributes to a more just and equitable society.