What We Believe

For persons learning about Baptists for the first time, there is usually some surprise over the consistency and history of Baptist beliefs. From the earliest expression of the Baptist church in England to the present day, certain Baptist distinctive matters of faith can be found. First Baptist Church of Holbrook affirms as our doctrinal statement the  Baptist Faith and Message. First Baptist Church considers the Bible our sole guide for faith and practice.

First Baptist is an autonomous church and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control. Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions, the church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention, Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, and Desert Pines Baptist Association.

 

The Authority of Scripture
As Baptists we see the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We seek to study, understand, and practice what we find in the bible because we believe that the Bible is the record of God’s revelation to us.

Believer’s Baptism
Our belief in baptism provides the origin of our name. We believe that baptism does not bestow any particular grace but is a believer’s initial witness of accepting the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Equality of all Christians
We are ministers to each other. This belief is called the priesthood of all believers. Each believer has equal rights, privileges, and responsibilities under God’s call to service within the church and the world.

The Autonomy of the Local Church
Autonomy simply means that each Baptist church is responsible for its own actions and decisions and is free from the authority or intrusion of any other church body.

Religious Freedom
Perhaps the greatest historical distinctive of Baptists is our adherence to religious freedom. Persecuted for their beliefs in their early history, Baptist have been champions of religious liberty. This belief is as dear to us today as it was in our founding.