Beliefs & Values

Our Beliefs

Please understand: you do NOT have to agree with these essential beliefs to attend our church — everyone is welcome. If you disagree with one or more of these, or even if you don't believe in God at all, we are glad you are here! The essential beliefs are simply a theological guideline for those who are wishing to become spiritual leaders at First Baptist Richardson.

God:

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Jesus:

Jesus Christ is God the Son. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, lives a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Bible:

The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 

People:

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Salvation:

Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved.

Eternal Security:

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.

Eternity:

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven and eternal life.

Our Values

These core values are the driving principles behind everything we say and do, giving guidance to future decisions and goals.

Christ-Focused

A relationship with Jesus Christ has the power to change our lives and the lives of everyone we come in contact with. We constantly point people to Jesus — the author and finisher of our faith.

Life-Changing

Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives — He came to change us from the inside out. We are committed to seeing lives and situations turned around by sharing the Gospel, ongoing discipleship, and the continual celebration of God's work in our lives.

Grace-Filled

We all fall short. We all need grace. We are not a church who finds its purpose in pointing out people's pasts, but in investing in who they are right now for the sake of their future.

Diversity-Seeking

We look past the things that make us different to see the possibility of Christ in every human heart.

Multi-Generational

We value every generation and build ministry efforts to support each life stage, as we believe that a healthy church is one where people of all ages invest into one another for the cause of Christ.

Mission-Minded

It is not about us. God has placed us Richardson, TX to fulfill a mission not just within our church but within our community, our nation, and around the world for Christ. We see it as our calling to constantly reach outward with the love of Christ.

Our Vision

"To be a people who bring healing and wholeness to our community and beyond as we are being transformed by Jesus."

Find Healing: 

Knowing God through a relationship with Jesus and allowing him to heal the broken parts of our lives each day.

Experience Transformation:

Finding freedom from our past so that our hears and minds are transformed by the power of Jesus.

Discover Wholeness

Discovering purpose so we can find wholeness and make a difference in our community and beyond.

Make Connections:

Intentionally connecting people around us to the hope that we have received in Jesus.