Statement of Faith
First Baptist Church of Kingston, affiliated with the Trenton Valley Association (TVA), the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ), and the Baptist World Alliance (BWA)
At First Baptist Church of Kingston, we joyfully confess the Christian faith revealed in the Bible and lived out in the Baptist tradition. Our desire is to know God, follow Jesus, and share His love with the world.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, given in love to guide us in truth. Through it, we come to know God and understand His will for our lives.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
God
We believe in one God, who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is loving, faithful, and worthy of all our trust and worship.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to us in love. He lived without sin, gave His life on the cross for our salvation, and rose victoriously. Through Him, we find forgiveness, hope, and new life.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18, NIV)
Salvation
We believe that God loves all people and offers salvation to everyone through Jesus Christ. His grace reaches out to all, inviting each person into a restored relationship with Him.
We believe that each person is called to respond to God’s love. By His grace, we are enabled to turn to Him in faith, receiving the gift of salvation or rejecting it.
We trust that God, in His perfect knowledge, knows those who will respond to His grace. Even so, He calls each person personally, respecting their response and inviting them to walk in faith.
“[God] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, NIV)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, drawing us closer to God, guiding us in truth, and helping us grow in love, faith, and obedience.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13, NIV)
The Church
We believe that the Church is the family of God, made up of all who follow Jesus. Together, we worship, learn, care for one another, and share God’s love with our community and beyond.
“He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:18, NIV)
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42, NIV)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We celebrate baptism by immersion as a public expression of new life in Christ.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, NIV)
We also partake in the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of His sacrifice and a thanksgiving for His grace.
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV)
Mission
We believe that we are called to share the good news of Jesus with all people and to serve others with love and compassion.
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” (Mark 16:15, NIV)
Hope for the Future
We believe that Jesus Christ will return and that God will make all things new. This hope strengthens us to live each day with faith and expectation.
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12, NIV)
“…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13, NIV)