Mission:
Doctrinal Statement.
1.We believe that God is our eternal, heavenly Father (Colossians 1:77). He is a third part of the Trinity. He created heaven and earth. There was nothing created without Him (Colossians 1:16). We also believe that He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2.We believe that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God (John 3:16) was totally human, yet totally divine (Colossians 2:9&10). As the 2nd part of the Trinity, He was God in human form. Jesus was tempted in every way we are (Hebrews 4:15), yet He remained sinless. Jesus suffered and was crucified on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He was resurrected in bodily form. He appeared to His disciples after three days in the tomb. Then Jesus returned to Heaven (Acts 1:1-9). Through Jesus' death and resurrection there is assurance of eternal salvation for all who repent of their sins and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. It is only through Jesus Christ can people obtain salvation (John 14:6).

3.We believe that the Holy Spirit is a third part of the Trinity.In that, we believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the father and God the Son. the indwelling Holy Spirit is our teacher (John 14:26). He is also our Comforter (John 16:7) and our abiding guest (John 14:16). It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that the sinner is drawn to God through Christ Jesus (John 168). He enables Christians to have the power to live a life that honors God and witness to the lost (Acts 1:8).

4.We believe that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant and unchanging Word of God. I was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2Timothy 3:16), thus it is not a collection of human thoughts and ideas. As such, the Bible is profitable for doctrine, for reproof and correction for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16&17).

5.We believe that the church is the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Jesus is the head of the church (ephesians 4:15) and not man. The purpose of the church is to spread the Gospel and to encourage each member in spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:11-16).
As Baptists we believe that babtism by immersion is the only true form of babtism. It is an act of obedience to Jesus (Matthew 28:19). To become a member of First Baptist Church, Wathena we require baptism by total immersion.