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All About Us "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Matthew 18:20 Church Motto Purpose The purpose of First Baptist Church of Morganton, North Carolina is to:
 Church Covenant
History First Baptist Church Morganton was organized in 1879 with eight charter members. A detailed study reveals scores of dedicated people - the real church - along with their contributions of time, talent, love, and money given to honor God and further His purposes. The work of dedicated pastors, of whom there have been twenty-two could fill volumes. To this record of over 120 years of dedicated leadership, is added countless years of individual records of love and service by dedicated adults and young people, all comprising a precious testimony of Christian service to further the Lord's kingdom in Morganton, North Carolina. A more detailed history may be found here.  Affiliations While believing that individual churches should be free, autonomous, independent bodies, First Baptist Church of Morganton, North Carolina recognizes the mutual helpfulness in collaborating with other organizations which have similar a commitment to Christian education, to the support of missions and evangelistic efforts, and to servant ministry to people in need. First Baptist actively participates with the:
Individual members and church sponsored groups also engage in joint activities with other local, state, national, and international groups that seek to implement the missionary, educational, and benevolent interests and obligations of individual Christians and the collective church family. Becoming a Member
Persons interested in becoming a member of First Baptist may indicate this desire publicly during a Sunday morning worship service, during Wednesday evening Bible study and fellowship, or at another time agreed upon with one of the Ministers. Members are expected to be faithful in all responsibilities inherent in the Christian life, to attend regularly the services of the Church, to give regularly and systematically to its support and to Kingdom causes, and to share in its organized work. Plan of Salvation
Step 1 God's Purpose: Peace and Life God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal. The Bible says ... "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (NIV) "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 (NIV) Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have? Step 2 The Problem: Our Separation God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God. The Bible says ... "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV) Our Attempts to Reach God People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God. The Bible says ... "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Isaiah 59:2 (NIV) No bridge reaches God . . . except one. Step 3 God's Bridge: The Cross Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people. The Bible says ... "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV) God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice. Step 4 Our Response: Receive Christ We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation. The Bible says ... "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (NIV) "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" John 1:12 (NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (NIV) Where are you? Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? Here is how you can receive Christ:
Step 5 Prayer How to Pray (an example): Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen. God's Assurance: His Word If you prayed this prayer, The Bible says ... "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 (NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) Having received Christ, we are born again into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer. This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship, you should:
(Adapted from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.) Contact: Tom Bland, Senior Minister, 828/437-2544, ext. 12, tabland@hci.net
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A believer may become a member of First Baptist Church:
