Our Vision Statement
Discipling the Church to live righteously according to God's word.
"He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD." Ezekiel 18:9 NIV
Our Mission Statement
To demonstrate love to all through outreach and worship that is Christ centered and family oriented. We are committed to tithing and developing disciples in progressive obedience to the great commission.
Matthew 28: 18-20
Discipling the Church to live righteously according to God's word.
"He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD." Ezekiel 18:9 NIV
Our Mission Statement
To demonstrate love to all through outreach and worship that is Christ centered and family oriented. We are committed to tithing and developing disciples in progressive obedience to the great commission.
Matthew 28: 18-20
|
OUR BELIEFS
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF LAUREL embraces the following statements concerning the truth. The Bible is our all – sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental beliefs. We do not presume to say the phraseology employed in this Statement of Fundamental Truths is inspired or that it is the final work on biblical truth. However, we are persuaded it is proper and consistent with the Holy Scriptures to “set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1). ABOUT GOD We believe the Godhead exists eternally in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that these three are one God. We believe God is the absolute Creator and ruler of the universe and that creation was by divine command. He is Holy (Rev.4:8). We believe God, by His sovereign choice and out of love for mankind, sent Christ into the world to save sinners. We believe having fellowship with God emphasizes the friendship relationship with God the Father and the Son. Sin breaks the fellowship; confession of sin restores the fellowship. When in fellowship with God, believers partner with God in service and enjoy a close friendship. The central passages are 1 John 1 and John 13. Since one is no longer walking in darkness (sin), the Holy Spirit also leads and controls the believer as Galatians 5 teaches. John 15:1-9 uses the term “abide” which also refers to fellowship with Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 17:3 We believe that the gospel of the kingdom is God’s absolute answer to man’s total need and total prosperity now:
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind 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 to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man. He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life; He was crucified, died as a penalty for our sins, and was raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He is the head of the church and intercedes for believers. We believe Jesus Christ is coming again personally, bodily, and visibly to this earth to set up His millennial kingdom. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect atonement for sin, through his sacrificial death and shed blood, and has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Men are saved and justified on the simple and single ground of His shed blood. We believe that it is the intent of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:34-40; Isaiah 58:7-8); to care for the poor (Matthew 19:21; Psalm 112:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9); and to care for the widows and orphans (James 1:27). We further believe that such ministry should be toward His name to both saints and unbelievers (Hebrews 6:10). Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13 ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1 ABOUT MAN We believe Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates man from God. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2 ABOUT SALVATION We believe Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. We believe that salvation through Jesus Christ, with its forgiveness of sins, its impartation of a new nature, and its hope of eternal life—is entirely apart from good works, baptism, church membership or mankind’s effort; it is of pure grace. We believe that all who receives Christ become joint heirs with Him, and at death, their spirits and souls depart to be with Christ in conscious blessedness. We believe the rapture is an eschatological (end times) event when Christ returns for the true believers, their bodies will be raised to the likeness of the body of His glory and dwell forever in His divine presence. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 ABOUT FAMILY
We believe the family is the first and most important classroom and training ground for society. The family provides the security, the heritage, and the perpetuation of morality without which no society can survive. Genesis 4:1-2; Ephesians 6:1-4 ABOUT CHILDREN We believe the dedication of children is the presentation of a child to God, and therefore establishes a covenant between God and parents. God promises blessing and protection to the child whose parents are faithful to rear him/her in the services of the Lord. We believe one of our responsibilities is to make sure that our children are educated and we are educated in the godliest manner possible. God has entrusted us with children and He will require an account of how they were raised. Psalms 34:11; Isaiah 54:13; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-16; 1 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Chronicles 17:9; Psalm 78:1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 6:4; John 1:17 ABOUT BAPTISM
We believe Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20 ABOUT COMMUNION
We believe 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 juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a witness of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19:20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 |
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. We believe that a true believer is eternally secure, that he cannot lose his salvation, but that sin may interrupt the joy of his fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of his heavenly Father. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5 ABOUT ETERNITY We believe Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46 ABOUT THE BIBLE We believe The Bible is God’s word to all mankind. 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 truth without error. We believe the Bible is the Word of God, supernaturally inspired. It is inerrant in the original manuscripts and preserved by God in its verbal, plenary inspiration; and that it is a divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life. The Bible is infallible. It cannot fail. It is entirely trustworthy, because it has its origin in the God ‘who does not lie’ (Tit 1:2). 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5 ABOUT MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as described in Scripture (Genesis 2:22 and 24). The marriage covenant requires the married parties to be faithful, loving and helpful to each other as long as they both shall live (Mark 10:3-10). Those whom God has directed to be joined together shall, after counseling with the pastor concerning what God requires of them, be joined in Christian marriage ( Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:5-6,9; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-23). We believe and observe the wedding ceremony as holy and unto God. It is a religious ceremony and cannot be conducted in this church without pastoral consideration. Any couple wishing to conduct their wedding ceremony in this church must first submit to pastoral counseling that is approved by the board of directors. The couple must also live a lifestyle that is consistent with this church’s beliefs. We believe that God our Creator established marriage as a sacred institution between one man and one woman. There is no passage in Scripture that mentions a marriage involving anything other than a man and a woman. It is impossible for human reproduction to take place sexually without a man and a woman (Matthew 19: 4-6). The fact that God has ordained marriage is clearly conveyed in God's inerrant Scriptures. Since God ordained sex to only take place between married couples, it shows that God's design is for the family unit to be formed when a man and woman come together in a sexual relationship and have children. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be rejected and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church. We believe Jesus referred to the fact that “he which made them at the beginning made them male and female (Genesis 1:27)”, the Church hereby creates this policy, which shall be known as the Marriage and Sexuality Policy.” Under this Church’s Marriage and Sexuality Policy, the Traditional Definition of Marriage and Sexuality are the only definitions that will be recognized or accepted. ( No elder, officer, employer, servant, agent, or any person, corporation, organization, or entity under the direction or control of this Church shall commit any act or omission, or make any decision, that would be inconsistent with, or that could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with, full support of this Church’s Marriage and Sexuality Policy and strict adherence to the Traditional Definition of Marriage and Sexuality rather than any alternative to the Traditional Definition of Marriage and Sexuality.) We believe this Church’s Marriage and Sexuality Policy specifically prohibits acts or omissions including, but not limited to, permitting any Church assets or property, whether real property, personal property, intangible property, or any property or asset of any kind that is subject to the direction or control of the Church, to be used in any manner that would be or could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with this Church’s Marriage and Sexuality Policy or the Traditional Definition of Marriage and Sexuality, including but not limited to permitting any church facilities to be used by any person, organization, corporation, or group that would or might use such facilities to convey, intentionally or by implication, what might be perceived as a favorable impression about any definition of marriage other than the Traditional Definition of Marriage and Sexuality. We believe this Church’s Marriage and Sexuality Policy is based upon God’s will for human life as conveyed to us through the Holy Scriptures, upon which this Church has been founded and anchored, and this Marriage and Sexuality Policy shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of members or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal matters on the local, state or federal level. ABOUT CHRISTIANS We believe that every true Christian is to be a dynamic part of a local church since this is God’s primary context for spiritual development and community impact. We believe that it is the goal of every Christian to become a disciple of Christ by growing toward spiritual maturity through the knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God and submission to the Holy Spirit, who indwells, baptizes and seals all believers at the moment of salvation. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect atonement for sin, through his sacrificial death and shed blood, and has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Men are saved and justified by the shed blood of Jesus. We believe Christian service is serving God and believers through the power of the Holy Spirit, mainly in the area of one’s spiritual gift, through godly love, when abiding in Christ, and to God’s glory. This is the application and expression of the Christian life. We believe Evangelism, the communication of the gospel message, includes a warning, an explanation and a call. Evangelism includes warning people about sin and the consequences of sin (John 16:8; Acts 24:25; Revelation 20:11-15). It includes an explanation of God’s remedy for sin-the gospel (Acts 8:29-35; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21), and it includes the clear call to repent (to turn from sin and to turn toward God) and believe the gospel, by faith (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 17:29-31; Romans 1:17; Romans 10:9-13). Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; John 15:1-5; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Corinthians 10:31 ABOUT GIVING
We believe biblical giving is the giving of self and wealth to God and His work, and doing so voluntarily and out of love for God and His work. Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 6:6-8; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:8, 17-18; 3 John 5-8 |
Our Pastor
Pastor Robert Wood
Pastor Rob is a native of Bowie, Maryland and the youngest of three children. His first time in a church service was in 2001 when he was invited by a friend to visit Enon Baptist Church in Washington, D.C and he was so overwhelmed by the love he received by people that never knew him. Later that year, he heard Jesus knocking at the door of his heart and he let him in. The friend that invited him to church became his wife, Mrs. Tamara Wood in April of 2003. After two years of marriage they were blessed with their first child, Little Rob in October of 2005 and in July of 2009, they were blessed with their beautiful daughter named Robyn. Pastor Rob is a devoted husband and father who loves his family very much.
Pastor Rob was a foundational member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in 2002 under the pastorate of Reverend Byron Day. The first ministry introduced to him was the Evangelism Ministry and from that day to this day he never looked back. He was also a member of the Trustee Board, Men’s Ministry, Prayer Ministry and the Building Project Committee.
Pastor Rob answered the call to preach the gospel in 2007 and preached his trial sermon on July 8, 2007 and received his license to preach the gospel on December 30, 2007. To further his ministry he attended Maple Springs Bible College and now will be attending Liberty University in the fall of 2015 . On December 6, 2009, the Wood family joined Edgewood Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Frankey D. Grayton. Pastor Rob was ordained on December 13, 2014.
Pastor Rob's devotion to the Lord has been shown in his efforts as the Pastor of Edgewood’s Outreach Ministry where there are various on-going evangelism efforts including a monthly food pantry, monthly evangelism in the community, free clothing drives throughout the year, free community breakfast and cookout annually and feeding of the homeless. He was also the leader of the Men’s Ministry and taught the weekly Men’s Bible Study. Finally, on January 5, 2015 the First Christian Church of Laurel's, Board of Directors voted and installed Pastor Rob as Senior Pastor. Pastor Rob believes how Joshua 24:15 puts it, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Pastor Rob was a foundational member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in 2002 under the pastorate of Reverend Byron Day. The first ministry introduced to him was the Evangelism Ministry and from that day to this day he never looked back. He was also a member of the Trustee Board, Men’s Ministry, Prayer Ministry and the Building Project Committee.
Pastor Rob answered the call to preach the gospel in 2007 and preached his trial sermon on July 8, 2007 and received his license to preach the gospel on December 30, 2007. To further his ministry he attended Maple Springs Bible College and now will be attending Liberty University in the fall of 2015 . On December 6, 2009, the Wood family joined Edgewood Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Frankey D. Grayton. Pastor Rob was ordained on December 13, 2014.
Pastor Rob's devotion to the Lord has been shown in his efforts as the Pastor of Edgewood’s Outreach Ministry where there are various on-going evangelism efforts including a monthly food pantry, monthly evangelism in the community, free clothing drives throughout the year, free community breakfast and cookout annually and feeding of the homeless. He was also the leader of the Men’s Ministry and taught the weekly Men’s Bible Study. Finally, on January 5, 2015 the First Christian Church of Laurel's, Board of Directors voted and installed Pastor Rob as Senior Pastor. Pastor Rob believes how Joshua 24:15 puts it, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."