We'd love to just tell you we believe the Bible and be done with it. However, we find that if 10 different people read the Bible we sometimes get 12 different opinions about what it means. With that in mind, some interpretation of the scriptures is necessary. Even within our local church, we don't agree on everything. We do believe that it is important to agree on some key things however.
Southern Baptist have agreed on a statement of faith, based on a holistic view of scripture, that explains the key areas that we agree on. That statement is called The Baptist Faith and Message. For a quick summary of what most Southern Baptist believe click here.
This statement also provides guidance to seminaries and mission agencies to make sure that our agencies are teaching is in line with those key items that most of us agree on. This statement is not a creed, because we do not believe the scriptures should be subjugated to other writings.
January 1, 2006
What We Believe
How to Join Our Church
First Baptist Church of Lovejoy accepts new members in one of three ways:
- Baptism
- Promise of Letter
- Statement of Faith
Baptism
One of the distinctive characteristics of Baptists is that we practice baptism of believers by immersion. This is not unique to Baptists, but it does set us apart from many other groups. We do not baptize infants because we believe that the New Testament teaches that we are to baptize believers. Jesus told us to make disciples and baptize them (Matthew 28:19). The Bible says that if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). If you are a believer in Jesus, and you publicly confess that he is Lord of your life, you may join our church by baptism.
Why do we baptize by immersion? There are several reasons. First, it is the biblical model. The Greek word baptizo means to dip or immerse. The gospels speak of Jesus coming up out of the water (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10). Baptism is not only a symbol of God cleansing us from our sin, but also a symbol that we have died to sin, and have hope in the resurrection of believers (Romans 6:1-10). Being raised from beneath the waters symbolizes our hope that we will one day be raised from the grave. Immersion is the only form of baptism that illustrates this death to sin and hope in eternal life.
Promise of Letter
If you are already a member of another Baptist church, you may transfer your membership to Lovejoy First Baptist. When you join our church we will get the name and address of the Baptist church where you are currently a member. Our church clerk will request a letter of recommendation from that church.
By Statement
Occasionally someone desires to become a member of our church, but the church where they were formerly a member is not able to send a letter of recommendation. Perhaps the church has disbanded, or membership records have been destroyed by fire or flood. Perhaps the church was not a Baptist church, and for whatever reasons does not grant letters of recommendation to Baptist churches. You may still join by stating that 1) you believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead and, 2) that you have been baptized by immersion after becoming a believer.
We hope that you will prayerfully consider becoming a part of the First Family at Lovejoy. If you are not already a believer, we would love to tell you how to become a Christian.
Contact Us
| Mailing Addresss PO Box 579 Lovejoy, GA 30250 | Email Pastor Mike Hardin |
| Street Address 2347 Talmadge Road Hampton, GA 30228 | Map and Directions |
| Telephone 770.478.8795 | |
