What We Believe - Thomas Village Baptist Church

Mission StatementWe exist to glorify God and present the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world by proclaiming the gospel, loving mankind, ministering to people’s needs, and nurturing growth and service.Vision StatementTo fulfill the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)Basic Beliefs
Southern Baptists have prepared a statement of generally held convictions called The Baptist Faith and Message. It serves as a guide to understanding who they are. The topics here provide only a brief, partial summary.

The Good News

GRACE	Heaven Is A Free Gift "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 We can't earn our way to heaven and none of us really deserves to go. It is a gift.
MAN	We Are All Sinners "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Every person who has ever lived has missed God's standard of perfection.
GOD	He Loves Us "God is love." 1 John 4:8 While God loves us and doesn't want to punish us, we should also know that, as a just God, He must punish sin. "The soul who sins shall die." Ezekiel 18:4
CHRIST	God Balanced Justice And Love Through His Son Jesus Christ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 Jesus is the infinite God-man, God in the flesh. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place for us in heaven, which He offers as a free gift.
FAITH	The Gift Of Eternal Life Is Received By Faith Saving faith is not merely intellectual assent. It is trusting in Jesus Christ alone and what He has done rather than what we can do to get us to heaven. "What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Acts 16:30b, 31 The Bible says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." You can do that now by simply praying The Sinner's Prayer:Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in heaven for me. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins, and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation, and I accept your free gift of eternal life. Amen If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at the promise of Jesus in John 6:47: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal life." If you have made the decision to trust Jesus for eternal life, please contact Pastor Gary Edwards at 431-4101. We want to share your joy in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually through Baptism, fellowship with other Christians, and church membership.

Why Join a Church?

Church membership is an important commitment because it is a tangible expression of a life that is committed to Jesus Christ. Church membership has its theological base clearly set forth in the New Testament in Acts 2:41 and Acts 2:47.

Church membership provides a place for service and ministry. We would like to invite you to consider making TVBC your church home.

How do I join?
There are several ways a person may join TVBC. Regardless of your church background, we invite you to speak to the minister about your decision so he may answer questions you might have regarding membership. The most important thing to us is that you have every opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We believe that church membership is an important element in this growth process.

How do I become a member:
(1) by profession of faith and baptism.
(2) by baptism (if you are coming from a church that does not teach the same thing we believe the Bible teaches about baptism).
(3) by transferring your membership from another Baptist church.(4) by statement of your experience in Christ (if you have made a profession of faith and been baptized in a church that believes and teaches what we believe and teach about baptism).

What is Baptism?
Baptism is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience for every person who has become a follower of Jesus. Once you have committed your life to be a follower of Christ, you should be baptized.
Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” KJV

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to your faith in the final resurrection of the dead.