Who we are
Faith Baptist Church is a King James only, Bible believing Baptist Church. We are a Premillennial, Fundamental local body of Believers that have found hope in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of our sins and brokenness and experience the Love that Christ offers as a free gift to all who believe. We stand on the foundation of the solid Rock Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. We believe the Holy Bible is man's Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth B.I.B.L.E. and our source of truth.
Our Statement of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Bible, “as it is in truth, the Word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). We believe in verbal, plenary inspiration in the original writings, and God’s preservation of His pure words to every generation (II Timothy 3:16, Psalms 12:6-8).
We believe that the Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed. This Bible is preserved for the English speaking world without error in the King James Version. We believe the King James Bible to be inerrant. The Bible is our sole and final authority for faith and practice. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21
The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14). We believe that God created the entire universe in six literal, twenty-four-hour days (Genesis 1:1-27).
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, was fully man and fully God, lived a sinless life, in order that He could be our sacrifice and redeem sinful men (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; 7:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His shed blood and finished work on the cross as vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily and that He ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, indwelling all believers and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).
We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayer of believers for physical healing. (II Corinthians 12:12; I Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:17-20; I Corinthians 1:22, 14:21-22).
Satan
We believe in the reality of the person of Satan and that he and the fallen angels wage a spiritual warfare against the plan and purposes of God (John 13:2; Acts 5:3; Ephesians 6:11-12).
We believe that Satan is a created angelic being who rebelled and who tempted man to join him in rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Genesis 3:1-5).
We believe his power is supernatural, yet limited; and that he cannot act without the permission of God (Job 1:6-12; I John 4:4). Satan’s eternal end is everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10).
Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and therefore man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1: 26- 27; Romans 3: 2 2-23; Ephesians 2 : 1-3, 12).
The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image and is mindful of him, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. Lamentations 8:4-9; Colossians 3:9-11).
We believe that the only marriage recognized by Scripture is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)
We believe that God expressly forbids intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that , lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are perversions of God’s intended purposes and therefore, sin. We believe that God forbids any attempt to alter one’s God-given gender identity by any means, including surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 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)
The Way of Salvation
We believe that the clear message of salvation is “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
We believe that salvation is “by grace” plus nothing minus nothing. We believe that Jesus Christ died for every man, and that each individual chooses to accept or reject the grace of God (Hebrews 2:9; I John 2:2).
We believe that men are justified by faith alone and are accounted righteous before God only through the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; I Peter 1:18-19)
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that eternal life is the present possession of every believer (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 2).
The Church
We believe that the New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission. The Lord is doing His work in this world through local churches. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. Christ is the only head of the church (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; I Peter 5:1-4).
We recognize the ordinances of baptism by immersion in water and the Lord’s Supper as a Scriptural means of testimony for local churches in this age (Matthew. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Corinthians 11:23-26).
The heartbeat of the church is to win souls to Christ, Teach new converts obedience to Christs commands, Start New Testament Churches and support Missionaries, thus fulfilling the great commission.
The Return of Christ
We believe the “Blessed Hope” of our Lord’s return is literal, personal, visible, imminent, premillennial, and pre-tribulational. Believers will be caught up to be with the Lord prior to the seven years of tribulation in the Rapture, and at the end of the tribulation Christ will return with His saints to establish His thousand-year reign on the earth (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; Psalm 89:3-4).
Our Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord at the Rapture(Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:4-6; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery in Hell until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment (Luke 16:19-26; Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:11-15).
Priesthood of the Believer
All born-again believers have the privilege of direct access to God. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man. We need no other human agent or spiritual mediator. As God’s priests, we can study His Word, pray for our needs, intercede for others, offer worship, and serve in His work. Every child of God has equal access to their Heavenly Father. (1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:9,10)
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
Saved Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified with Him in believer’s baptism. Church membership is a necessary privilege for believers who follow Christ. Fellowship, guidance, and encouragement of the local church family are essential for believers to maintain an unwavering testimony and a meaningful life of service. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12,18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 10:23-25)
Separation of Church and State
God established both civil and local church governments. They have distinct responsibilities and operations. Neither should control the other. Believers in a free society should influence government toward righteousness, but should not make an unholy alliance for control, influence, or favors. No government should interfere with the local church’s preaching, activities, and ministry. The U.S. First Amendment of the Constitution read as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . ."
(Matthew 22:15-22; 28:19-20; Romans 13:1-7)
Where we come from
The organizational service for Faith Baptist Church was held on Monday night, July 8, 1963. Bro. Paul Smith from Coleman brought a message on the organization of a New Testament Church and Bro. Martin May from Irving, Texas was the moderator. The churches name and governing Articles of Faith and By-laws were adopted. Rev. Ray Vallance was called as its first pastor by unanimous vote. Bro. Ray had come to Brownwood the year before, 1962, with the desire to start Faith Baptist and even held a few services. However, Brady Ave Baptist called him as pastor at that time and he accepted. Bro. Ray resigned Brady Ave after a year because of internal problems in the church. As a result, there were 91 people that left also and became charter members of the new Faith Baptist Church that was formed as a result. The first Building was an old army barracks on Brady Avenue. The new church flourished Bro. Vallance until he resigned October 17,1965. On December 12, 1965 the church called Rev. Jesse Sager from Westside Baptist church, San Angelo, Tx. The Church grew further and on October 18,1967 Brother Sager resigned as pastor. The church called Trinity Baptist in Abilene to see if they anyone who might want to take the church pastorate. Brother Ingram recommended Rev. Phillip Winn and the church called him as pastor on Dec. 6,1967. The church had a couple of old buses and their first Easter service the church has 200 in attendance. Bro. Jack Bell was the music director at the time. Brother Winn served for 18 months before his resignation. The church called Bro. Don Greenway of Northside Baptist in Abilene to see if he knew anyone who could take the pastorate. Rev. J.A. McDaniel was recommended and took the pastorate August 24, 1969. Under Bro. McDaniel the church broke ground for a new facility at its current location on 14th street with a 6800 sq. ft. building on 7 1/2 acres of land. The men of the church did most of the work and the first service was July 9, 1972. The Family life center was built 1974, and later the church offices and chapel were added. Bro. McDaniel and his wife Sue served the church as pastor and wife for 44 years. During that time the church operated 5 bus routes and attendance numbered in the hundreds. Bro. Mike Anderson and wife Karen also served on staff as minister of music for 18 years. Rev. Ray retired in October 20, 2013 and the Church called Dr. Russell Williams who Graduated from BBC in Springfield MO in 1971, and graduated in 1975 BCC in Shreveport LA and holds a doctorate degree from Salt Lake City, Utah and has been a church planter and pastor prior to Faith Baptist. Bro. Russell and Charlene have been a blessing as many upgrades were done to the church during his tenure. Bro. Williams retired the last day of Jan. 2022. Brother Williams served as pastor for 8 years and will serve as pastor emeritus at the church. Brother Williams recommended Hunter Shearin and his wife Stephany as pastor. The church voted in our new pastor, and welcomes Hunter Shearin as he became our pastor February 1, 2022. Brother Hunter was a home missionary supporting and building churches across America as a church building and remodeling missionary. He also served as assistant pastor with his Father Rev. Paul Shearin.
What this means for you
You will be welcome in our church as you seek to discover who God is, and desire to grow in the grace, knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. You will find a place to serve the Lord with the gifts and abilities God has given you at our church. And if you decide to join our church family you will have a place to go where your church family will love you, guide you, pray with you and encourage you through life's difficult journey.
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