Who We Are
Who We Are
In August 2019 we celebrated our 225th year as a congregation and the 200th year of our building with a weekend of festivities to which the community was invited. Although the building is old it is well maintained and is handicapped accessible.
We are a fairly mature Bible-based, conservative congregation which is part of the American Baptist Association of Vermont and New Hampshire. Through the summer and fall of 2020 we have worshipped outside. Our Sunday services are a mixture of traditional hymns and praise songs, occasionally led by our praise team. We frequently have three Bible studies during the week led by members of the leadership board. We are very mission minded and support the ABC missions plus others both local and international. We have a desire to reach more of our town for Jesus.
What We Do
Treasure Seekers
Women's Ministry
Senior Meal
Monthly Outreach
Bible Studies
Weekly Learning
Prayer Ministry
Sunday Mornings
What We believe
Statement Of Faith:
The Bible, the 66 Books of the OId and New Testament
Is God's Word, without error in its original manuscripts, inspired by the Holy Spirit and the final authority in all matters of faith and Christian conduct.
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II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter L:20,21; Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews 4:12
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The Trinity:
We believe in one God creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.
Genesis l:1,2,26,27;3:22, Psalm 90:2, Mat. 28:19, John 1:1-4, 10:30,38; 14:8-11; 16:7-15, Colossians l:15-23
God the Father:
Is holy and perfect, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power, sustainer of all creation, author and
finisher of our faith and He hears and answers our prayers.
Leviticus 19:2, Psalm 34:17; t47:l-6, Luke 1:37, Hebrews l2:2,James3:17; l:5,
God the Son:
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless human life, His
miracles, His voluntary atoning death for us through His blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the
right hand of the Father and His personal return in power and glory. Christ will return at an unknown time
and all humanity will experience a bodily resurrection.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew l:22,23; John l:1-5, 10:31,14:10-30; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9- 11;
Philippians 2:1-11, I Thessalonians 4:17, Hebrews 4:14,15, I Peter 1:2.
God the Holy Spirit:
We believe the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Gospel, has come into the world to reveal and glorify
Jesus, convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually dwells in them from the
moment of spiritual birth and secures their salvation until the day of redemption. He guides, teaches,
sanctifies, helps believers use their spiritual gifts and talents and assists believers with prayer.
John 16:7-13, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians2:12,3:16, II Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians I:13,14; 4:1I-T2; 5: 1, Titus 3:4-6
“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...” Ephesians 4:4-6
Mankind:
We believe that God created mankind in His image and & free from sin. As the result of Adam &
Eve's disobedience we believe all humans are sinful by nature and choice and therefore spiritually dead.
Genesis I:27 ; 2:16,17 ; 3:6,7, Romans 5: 1 2, 1 8, 1 9; 3 :23; 6:23
Salvation:
We believe the only way of salvation from everlasting spiritual death and God's judgment is by God's
sovereign grace not from any human merit, works or ritual. Salvation was purchased by Christ when he
died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Anyone can receive salvation by repentance and faith in
Jesus Christ who took the punishment for our sins. Believers will be received into eternal communion with
God. Those rejecting God will suffer eternal separation from Him.
John 14:6; 1:12, John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:8,9,I Thessalonians 5:1-11,II Peter 3:1-13
Church:
We believe that the church universal is the spiritual body of Christ who is the head. The local church
is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the purpose of worship, prayers, fellowship,
mutual strengthening of one another in the Faith, service, instruction in God's Word, evangelism and
outreach to the world.
Matthew 28:I9-20,I Corinthians l2:t2-26, Ephesians l:22,23;3:10,1 l;4:l-16, Hebrews 3:13; 10:
24,25
Baptism:
By immersion symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and is the believers' public
declaration that they have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.
Baptism does not save them, but shows the world that they have already been saved. It is a
Biblical command and demonstrates their love and obedience to Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6: 1-11
Communion:
Or the Lord's Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice
for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or grape juice are symbols of
Christ's broken body and his shed blood.
Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:19 -20, I Corinthians ll : 23 -26
Marriage:
Is the union of one man and one woman in a lifelong commitment before God.
Genesis 1:18-25
Mission Statement:
The Mission of the First Baptist Church of Bristol is to
share the life giving message of Jesus, while encouraging
and equipping one another to become fully Committed
followers of Christ.
Core values
Worship
We feel that worship is a lifestyle, not a once a week event. Psalm 95:1-7, Romans 12:1-2
Authenticity
We feel there is no need to pretend to be anything we are not. In being real we show what God has done and is doing in our lives. Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 12:3
Prayer
We feel prayer is our opportunity to express our heart to God and listen to His instruction. Everything we do will be covered in honest prayer. Psalm 66:16-20, Matthew 18:19
Bible Study
We feel the Bible should be the focal point of each Christians' day as well as corporate study. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:15
Single-Mindedness
We feel that God has a purpose for us in life and all our efforts will go toward fulfilling that purpose. Matthew 6:33
Community
We feel that each believer should build up each other and the church with the gifts they were given. Romans 12:4,5, 1 Corinthians 12
Time Management
We feel that the church should operate in unity giving as each has need. Acts 2:44-47
Financial Management
We feel that every believer should financially support God's work locally and globally. 2 Corinthians 8:7
Faith Management
We feel that every believer should share their faith both locally and globally. Ephesians 6:19-20
Spiritual Formation
We feel that every believer should continue a pattern of growth that displays the fruit of the Spirit. Matthew 22:37-40, Galatians 5:22-23
FUTURE CHURCH
Together we're going to build the future of our church.