Statement of FaithThe members of Windsor Baptist Church are a people of the Book who recognize no other authority for faith and practice but God's Word. Thus, we receive and affirm the doctrines which are revealed in the Bible, and we are unembarrassed to take our stand upon the solid rock of Biblical authority. Our Statement of Faith represents statements of doctrines revealed in the Bible.
The Bible is the source of our authority, not merely a support for our doctrines. Click here to read our Statement of Faith. Members of Windsor Baptist Church are bound together in our love for God and for one another as expressed in our church covenant. Click here to read our Church Covenant. |
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The Good News!
Does man find himself in a predicament as far as god is concerned?
Romans 3:23…"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (See also Romans 8:6-8)
What are the results of this predicament?
Romans 6:23…"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
What is the meaning of “death” in the Bible? Not just the end of physical function, but separation from God.
What is the meaning of “death” in the Bible? Not just the end of physical function, but separation from God.
Has god made provision for man's predicament?
Romans 5:6…"For when we were yet without strength (probably a reference to our “lost” state), in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
The “due time” probably refers to the TIME that God chose to send Christ into the world to live and then be the perfect sacrifice to cover sin(s). See Galatians 4:4
The “due time” probably refers to the TIME that God chose to send Christ into the world to live and then be the perfect sacrifice to cover sin(s). See Galatians 4:4
Has god made provision for man's predicament?
Romans 5:8-9…"But God commendeth (demonstrates, or shows) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
What must a person "do" in order to be right with god (be saved)?
Does a person really DO anything to be saved (born again)?
- Believe (Receive) – Romans 10:9-11…"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
In Romans 10:9-11, CONFESSION is a normal outgrowth of BELIEF. Belief is the foundation. Confession is a byproduct of genuine belief. Be careful about making "confession" a mechanical requirement of salvation.
Romans 10:13..."For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Looks like PRAYER.)
John 1:10-13…"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 1:12 says that “believing” (“receiving”) is the way to become the children of God. That means that “believing” is a very important concept—salvation depends upon it! This is a good time to talk about what SAVING BELIEF (belief that leads to salvation) really is…It is easy for people to SAY “I believe in Jesus.” That is such a vague statement. John 1:12 DEFINES “belief” in terms of “receiving” Christ. There are clearly two kinds of “faith” (belief) in the Bible:- Faith that does NOT "save." James 2:19..."Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." This is “religion” and “mental assent” to some religious propositions.
- Faith that DOES save:
John 3:16..."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Acts 16:30-33…"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."
Keep in mind the “definition” of “belief” we saw in John 1:12.
- REPENT – Biblical, "saving" repentance is "a change of mind that leads to a change of life."
Acts 2:38…"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 3:19…"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
Acts 26:19-20…"Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."
The “works meet for repentance” confirms the definition of “repentance given above.
A person probably cannot have genuine faith without also having genuine repentance.
Some people try to determine whether faith (belief) comes before repentance, or whether repentance comes before faith (belief). The Bible doesn’t specifically address that issue. I think they happen simultaneously as gifts from God.
What most people assume about being saved
Most people in America think they know how to get to heaven. They think that if the GOOD they perform outweighs the BAD they do, then God will kind of balance out the two, see if the scales tip in favor of “the good,” and then let them in heaven if the scales indeed do tip toward “the good.” But see the Bible…
John 3:1-3…"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Eph 2:8-10…"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
If you have questions about this fact sheet, I’d love to sit down and talk with you about what the Bible says about the salvation of YOUR soul. Give me a call and we’ll set up a time to get together over a cup of coffee this week.
Rick Cicio
Windsor Baptist Church
352-375-7316
To email a question or share your response to the Good News, contact us at office@windsorbaptistchurch.com
John 3:1-3…"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Eph 2:8-10…"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
If you have questions about this fact sheet, I’d love to sit down and talk with you about what the Bible says about the salvation of YOUR soul. Give me a call and we’ll set up a time to get together over a cup of coffee this week.
Rick Cicio
Windsor Baptist Church
352-375-7316
To email a question or share your response to the Good News, contact us at office@windsorbaptistchurch.com