Throughout the great tradition of First Parish Congregational Church, Wakefield, Massachusetts, we have affirmed and continue to affirm the Apostles’ Creed. More specifically:
1. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1, 14, 18; 3:16; Acts 1:11; Ephesians 1:20-21; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14-17; 7:23-25)
3. We believe that for salvation of lost and sinful people personal regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 3:5-8, 14:16)
4. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling power and fullness the Christian is enabled to live a godly life in this present evil world. (John 16:7- 14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:30;5:18)
5. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:17-19; 28:18-20; John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:1-6)
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Revelation 20:11-15)
In addition to the Apostles’ Creed,
7. We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the only inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God written. (Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23)
8. We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. We believe the biblical standard of marriage is between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:22-24; Exodus 20:12; Matthew 19:4-6; Colossians 3:18-19)
9. We believe in celebrating two sacraments of the Church as instructed by Jesus Christ, Baptism and Communion. (Matthew 28:19, 20, Luke 22:19)
First Parish provides Believer’s Baptism and Covenantal Infant Baptism. Baptisms may be administered by sprinkling, pouring or immersion. Those desiring baptism will meet with the pastor and or a member of the diaconate, and attend a baptism class.
Believer’s Baptism applies to believers of an age accountability and understanding and upon their personal profession of personal faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:1-5) Believer’s Baptism is an inward change in a believer and a sign of obedience. We believe salvation is received by faith, evidenced by the fruit of a changed heart.
Covenantal Infant Baptism is provided for children of believing parents) who desire through baptism to identify their children with God’s Covenant. This baptism does not provide salvation for the infant baptized but represents the establishing of a covenant relationship with a gracious and saving God along with their parents covenant with God to raise their children in the Christian faith with the help of the church and the grace of God. (Acts 10:48, 11:14, 16:15, 33) “The important thing is to ensure that both expressions of baptism are practiced sincerely and with a good conscience (and) that the meaning is clear to all.” (J. Legg)
We believe Communion is a time of remembrance of sacrificial death of Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sins.
We believe, the elements of bread and wine are symbols of the Lord’s body broken and shed blood for the remission of our sins. We believe it is also a time in the church when we renew our faith commitment together as the body of Christ. (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:17-34)
Revised 1.28.2024