What We Believe - First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights

1. The Triune God

We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. The Authority of the Scriptures

We believe the Holy Bible is divinely inspired by God and serves as the ultimate, infallible guide for all matters of faith and practice.

3. Salvation by Grace

We believe that salvation (redemption from sin) is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned through good deeds, but is received entirely through personal faith in Jesus Christ, His sacrificial death, and His bodily resurrection.

4. Ordinances of the Church

We practice two sacred ordinances instituted by Christ:

Believer’s Baptism: We believe in baptism by full water immersion. It is not required for salvation, but rather serves as a public profession of faith and a symbol of being buried and raised to new life in Christ.
The Lord’s Supper (Communion): The taking of bread and the cup are observed as a memorial of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

5. Priesthood of All Believers & Soul Competency

We believe that every individual has direct access to God through prayer. Because the Holy Spirit resides in every believer, there is no need for a human intermediary (like a priest or pastor) to confess sins or seek God’s forgiveness.

6. Local Church Autonomy

While we belong to larger national, state, and regional conventions for the purposes of fellowship, missions, and education, each local National Baptist church is autonomous. This means individual churches govern their own affairs, select their own leadership, and
manage their own ministries without external control.

7. Historical and Social Focus

National Baptist Convention’s place a strong emphasis not only on the Great Commission and evangelism, but also on social justice, Christian education, breaking down racial/social barriers, and community uplift.