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WHO WE ARE
ABOUT OUR CHURCH
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row video_fullscreen=”true” video_url=”” video_type=”video/youtube”][vc_column el_class=”aligncenter”][distance type=”4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row video_fullscreen=”true” video_url=”” video_type=”video/youtube”][vc_column width=”1/2″][distance type=”3″][subtitle type=”3″ subtitle_content=”WHAT WE BELIEVE”][distance][vc_column_text]Our basic beliefs are contained in a document called “The Baptist Faith and Message”. Click here to read.
The First Baptist Church of Lenoir City is a group of baptized believers who follow Jesus Christ and come together regularly for the purposes of worship, evangelism, discipleship, missions, and fellowship.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][distance type=”3″][subtitle type=”3″ subtitle_content=”PLAN OF SALVATION”][vc_tta_accordion color=”peacoc” c_icon=”chevron” active_section=”0″][vc_tta_section title=”Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH” tab_id=”1455217464556-da25f8ab-0932″][vc_column_text]Written by God’s Plan
What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It’s a matter of FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God’s forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, “In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” But forgiveness is not automatic. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,” says Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent — or turn — from our sin and from ourselves. “But unless you repent, you too will all perish,” Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life “to the full:” “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b).” In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3).”
So how can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don’t need fancy words–only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
- Follow Christ’s example in baptism.
- Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
- In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
- Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.
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Although no original documents have been located concerning founding of First Baptist Church of Lenoir City, information provided by some of the early church members has been included in previously written church histories. The church was organized with 16 charter members in September 1894. Previous to this , a number of people had been meeting for some time in a log schoolhouse located on the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue and B Street. This is the place where Nichols School was later built and is now a parking lot for Trinity Methodist Church. At this time, 1894, Lenoir City had a population of 1,000 or less and had not yet been incorporated. A year later, on October 3, 1895, the Baptist Church of Lenoir City (not yet named First Baptist Church) with 43 members joined the Providence Association of Baptists.
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