First Baptist Church on Fifth continues to reflect a commitment to historical Baptist distinctives:

Centrality and Authority of Scripture
We affirm the authority of scripture. We believe the Bible, under the Lordship of Christ, is central in the life of the individual and the church. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12a)

Priesthood of All Believers
We affirm the freedom and right of every Christian to interpret and apply scripture under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We affirm the freedom and responsibility of every person to relate directly to God without the imposition of creed or the control of clergy or government. (Luke 23:44-45; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Autonomy of the Local Church

We believe Baptist churches are free, under the Lordship of Christ, to determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whomever they perceive as gifted for ministry, and to participate as they deem appropriate in the larger Body of Christ. (Matthew 18:20)

Freedom of Religion
We believe in the freedom of religion, the freedom for religion, and the freedom from religion. We affirm religious freedom for all people and the separation of church and state. (1 Kings 22:1-9, 13-18, 24-28; Romans 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1, 13; James 4:12)

In terms of common beliefs, First Baptist Church on Fifth recognizes these guides in interpretation:

The Scriptures
We start with the Scriptures, which afford us God’s self-revelation, first in the unfolding of a concern for God’s people, but supremely in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, as related by the Holy Spirit to our contemporary situation, are our authority in all matters of faith and practice. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12a)

God
We believe there is one living and true God. God is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being – the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–each of Whom possesses equally all attributes of deity and characteristics of personality, yet without division, essence, or being. We believe God as Father reigns with providential care over the universe, all creatures, and the flow and stream of human history. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 64:8; Matthew 6:9, 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Romans 8:14-15; Galatians 4:6-7; Ephesians 4:6)

Jesus Christ
We seek to be centered on Christ and follow Him. We believe Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying himself completely with humankind yet without sin. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and consummate His redemptive mission. Jesus Christ now dwells in all those who follow him as the living and ever present Lord. (Matthew 1:18; 3:17; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16; 17:5; 28:1-6; Mark 1:1; John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30; 11:25-27; Romans 8:1-3, 34; 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Colossians 1:13-22; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15)

Holy Spirit
The Spirit was sent into the world by God the Father and Jesus the Son to apply to people the saving work of Christ. The Spirit enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior, and regenerates them. The Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scriptures. The Spirit enables the believer to lead a life of Christlike character and to bear fruit to the glory of God. (Psalm 51:11; 139:1-8; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13)

Salvation
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with God. We believe the first word of the Christian gospel must always be grace–not what we aspire to do, but what God has done for us without any claim or work on our part. The grace of God, expressed in the cross of Jesus Christ, makes possible the restoration of the relationship with God that sin has spoiled. (Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; John 1:11-14, 29; 3:3-21, 36; Romans 1:16-17; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18, 29-39; 10:9-10,13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 5:22-25; 6:15; Philippians 2;12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:21-25; 1 John 1:6-2:11)