Q: What is the mission of FBC?
A: “We seek to be the presence of Christ in the world fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.”
Q: What are the beliefs of FBC?
A: First Baptist Church of Mount Olive adopts the Baptist Faith and Message, 1963 as a basic confession of faith and doctrine. This is not a creed, but rather a confession that we gladly share. In summary, our Christian beliefs include:
God is experienced as Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and our authority for living. All believers are priests, that is, every Christian is free to access God and interpret scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The local church is an autonomous body of Christians who are a part of the universal Body of Christ. Both male and female are gifted and called to Christian ministry as God chooses. Every Christian is called and gifted to serve in ministry to others. Every Christian and every local church is called to participate in the mission of God in the world of redeeming and restoring fallen creation. As the Father sent the Son Jesus Christ, so we have been sent in the power of the Holy Spirit to be the Body of Christ in the world today.
Q: What is the vision of FBC?
A: We seek to fulfill our mission by loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves; making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all Christ’s commandments; worshiping God as Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; proclaiming the love of God in Christ through our words and actions; nurturing spiritual formation in people’s lives through Bible study and discipleship, enabling them to discover their God-given mission; creating unity through fellowship, love, and forgiveness for the common good of all; serving all as Christ himself served; practicing justice by being an inclusive body of believers; affirming our identity as a people with a rich Baptist heritage and a vision for the future celebrating the autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of every believer and religious liberty; and being a missional church that nurtures a lifestyle of Christian compassion and service in the daily lives of all our members.
Q: How can I unite with First Baptist Church?
A: At the end of our worship service you are invited by the pastor to come forward to make a public profession of your faith in Jesus Christ, and be baptized by immersion at a later date. You may wish to transfer your church membership from another Baptist church, or join by statement of your Christian experience and baptism from a church of another denomination. A final option is to come under the “watchcare” of First Baptist Church, as a baptized believer, while retaining membership in your home church. Whether you formally join our church or visit regularly we welcome you to be a part of the First Baptist Church family.
Q: What does the church logo represent?
A: At First Baptist Church we have both deep roots of tradition and faith, and wide branches of innovation and welcome. The tree in our logo conveys this way of forming our identity. The branches of the tree are made up of three interlocking circles that remind us of the object of our faith, the Holy Trinity–God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The trunk of the tree represents the cross with its roots growing deep into the soil of our lives.
Q: What if I have any questions about the church or about faith?
A: Please feel free to email our pastor or staff. We would love to hear from you!