Mission Statement

Our desire is to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and to equip His people to grow together in faithful Christian living and joyful service to His Kingdom. Having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, we exist to glorify God in all things.

We seek to fulfill this calling chiefly through our life together as a local church. As a gospel-shaped community, we display the love of Christ through our love for one another, so that the world may know we belong to Him (John 13:35).

As we gather, we devote ourselves to hearing and receiving God’s Word, singing His praise, offering prayer, and caring for one another in Christian fellowship. As we scatter, we work side by side to make Christ known, longing to see Him worshiped as King both here in Franklin and to the ends of the earth.

A warm welcome awaits you in our fellowship!

BCF Statement of Faith

(Updated from the 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith)

1. Concerning the Bible

We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is God's inspired Word, written by

human authors as they were moved by God's Spirit. It has God as its author, salvation as its aim, and truth unmixed with error.

Above all human knowledge, it alone reveals God's holy will, and is the final standard against which all conduct, beliefs, and

opinions should be judged.

2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:20-21, Ps 19:7-11, Jn 17:17, Is 55:10-11, Heb 4:12, Matt 5:18, Rev 22:18-19

2. Concerning the Triune God

We believe that there is only one God, an infinite yet personal Spirit possessing will, affections, and intelligence, whose name is

Yahweh, the Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious, holy, and worthy of all honor, trust

and love.

In the oneness of God's Being there are three eternal persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each fully God, working

distinct but harmonious roles in the great work of redemption.

In the fullness of time, the Father sent his Son, our Lord Jesus, who took on human nature by being born of a virgin. Jesus is

both fully God and fully man, making him the perfect Mediator between us and God. The Spirit, given to those who believe in

the Son, unites them to the Son so that they receive all the benefits he has earned, including being adopted as God's children,

being right with God, and being assured that they belong to God.

Deut 6:4, Ex 3:14-15; 34:6-7, Is 40:28; 42:8; 44:6; 45:5-7, Ps 90:2; 145:3; 147:5, Jer 10:10, Neh 9:6, Matt 22:37-38, Jn 4:24; 17:3, Acts

17:24-25, 1 Tim 1:17, Rev 4:11

Matt 3:16-17; 28:19, Jn 1:1-3; 1:14; 3:16; 14:16-17; 14:26; 17:3, Acts 2:33; 5:3-4, Rom 8:9-17, 2 Cor 13:14, Gal 4:4-6, Phil 2:5-8, Col

1:15-20; 2:9, Heb 1:1-3; 4:15, 1 Tim 2:5, Tit 3:4-7, 1 Jn 4:13-15

3. Concerning Humanity

We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in his divine image, to love him and reign with him as his sons

and daughters. Humans were originally sinless but, tempted by Satan to distrust God, they voluntarily chose to disobey God's

command and fell from their holy and happy condition. All humans are now sinners by nature, devoid of the holiness God

requires, their hearts bent on trusting things other than God. They are therefore under God's just condemnation, without defense

or excuse.

Gen 1:26-28; 2:7; 2:16-17; 3:1-7, Ps 51:5, Ecc 7:29, Is 53:6, Jer 17:9, Rom 1:18-21; 3:10-12; 3:23; 5:12-19; 6:23, 1 Cor 15:21-22, Eph

2:1-3, Col 1:21, Jm 1:14-15

4. Concerning Salvation

We believe that salvation in its fullest sense is the final uniting of heaven and earth, a sure and certain future that has been

inaugurated by Jesus' resurrection from the dead and will be consummated in the renewal of all things.

In the meantime, in a narrower sense, salvation is God's work of saving sinners by grace alone through Jesus Christ his Son.

Appointed by the Father, Jesus took on human nature without sin, perfectly obeyed God's law, and fully atoned for our sins

through his death on the cross. Risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven and gives the Holy Spirit, full forgiveness,

and true freedom to all who trust in him. Combining tender compassion with divine majesty, he is our perfect Savior.

Gen 3:15, Is 53:4-6; 61:1-3, Matt 19:28, Jn 1:14; 3:16-17; 19:30, Acts 4:12, Rom 3:23-26; 5:6-10; 6:23; 8:18-23; 10:9-10, 1 Cor 15:3-4;

15:20-22, 2 Cor 5:17-21, Gal 4:4-5, Eph 1:7-10; 2:8-9, Phil 2:6-11, Col 1:13-20, Heb 4:14-16; 7:25-27, 1 Pet 1:18-21, Rev 21:1-5

5. Concerning Election

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves

sinners. It is perfectly consistent with human free will and includes both the methods and results of salvation. It gloriously

displays God's sovereign goodness, freedom, wisdom, holiness, and unchanging nature. It removes any basis for human pride

and promotes humility, love, prayer, and praise. It also motivates believers to engage in practices such as sharing the gospel,

praying, and discipleship, and it serves as the foundation for Christian assurance.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 11:25-27; 22:14; 28:19-20, John 6:37; 6:44; 15:16; 17:6-9, Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30;

9:10-24; 10:13-15; 11:5-6; 11:33-36, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Ephesians 1:4-11; 2:8-10, Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13, Colossians 3:12, 2

Thessalonians 2:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2:9, 2 Peter 1:10, Revelation 13:8; 17:8

6. Concerning the Free Offer of Salvation

We believe that salvation is freely offered to everyone, and it is the urgent duty of all to accept it by repenting of sins and

believing the gospel.

Isaiah 55:1-3, Ezekiel 18:30-32, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; 24:46-47, John 3:16-18; 6:37; 7:37, Acts 2:38; 3:19;

17:30-31; 20:21, Romans 1:16; 10:9-13, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Revelation 22:17

7. Concerning Regeneration

We believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. In regeneration, the

Holy Spirit brings someone from spiritual death to life, making them a new creation and leading them to a life of faith and

repentance. The Spirit opens their minds to understand God's Word and transforms their nature so they begin to show the fruit of

the Spirit.

John 3:3-8; 6:63, Acts 16:14, Romans 8:5-9, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-5, Titus 3:5-7, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:3; 1:23, 1 John

5:1, Galatians 5:22-23

8. Concerning Repentance & Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable, both brought about by God's Spirit. Through this work, a person becomes

deeply aware of their guilt, helplessness, and Christ's way of salvation. They turn to God, sincerely confessing their sins and

asking for mercy. At the same time, they fully rely on Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King, trusting in him alone as their allsufficient

Savior.

Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32; 15:7, John 3:16-18, Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 16:31, Romans 10:9-13, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians

2:8-9, Philippians 3:8-9, Hebrews 12:2, 1 John 1:9

9. Concerning Justification

We believe that one of the great benefits of salvation, which Christ secures for those who trust in him, is justification.

Justification is the act by which God removes the guilt of sinners, declares them righteous, and reconciles them to himself. It is

not based on anything we have done, but only through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death and resurrection, by which

God freely imputes to us his righteousness. Justification brings us into a state of peace and favor with God and guarantees all

other blessings for both this life and eternity.

Genesis 15:6, Isaiah 53:5-6, Jeremiah 23:6, Matthew 9:2, John 1:12, John 3:16-18, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:22-24; 4:5-8; 5:1-2, 2

Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, Titus 3:5-7, Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Peter 3:18

10. Concerning Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which believers grow in holiness and become more like Jesus. It is a gradual

work that begins at regeneration and continues in the hearts of believers through the presence and power of God's Spirit, who

seals, convicts, and comforts them. This process happens through the consistent means of grace, such as God's Word, fellowship

with other believers, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

John 17:17, Acts 26:18, Romans 6:19-22; 8:1-13, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 2:12-13,

Colossians 3:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 10:10; 12:14, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:3-11, 1

John 3:2-3

11. Concerning the Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that those whom God has regenerated will never fully or finally fall away from their salvation but will persist in

faith to the end. Perseverance is the key mark that distinguishes true believers from false ones, and it is God who enables their

perseverance. Though believers may stumble and sin through temptation, grieving the Spirit and suffering consequences, they

will be renewed to repentance and kept by God's power through faith for salvation.

John 6:37-40; 10:27-30, Romans 8:30-39, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 10:13, Philippians 1:6, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Hebrews 3:12-14; 6:4-6; 10:36-39,

1 John 2:19, Jude 24-25, Matthew 24:13, Luke 22:32, John 17:11-12, Romans 11:29, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 12:2-4, 1 Peter 5:10,

Revelation 3:5

12. Concerning the Church

We believe that the universal church is the body of Christ, made up of all God's people throughout time and across the world.

Local churches are specific, visible expressions of this universal body, existing in particular places and times.

Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:42-47; 9:31, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews

10:24-25; 12:22-23, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 5:9-10, Acts 11:22-26, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 5:25-27, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy

3:15, 1 Peter 1:1-2

Christians are called to join local churches, which are congregations of baptized believers in voluntary covenant, united by the

gospel. Members of local churches are to use the gifts given by the Holy Spirit to build up the body of Christ and share the

gospel. The main duties of the church include faithfully teaching God's Word, properly administering Christ's ordinances

(baptism and the Lord's Supper), and lovingly encouraging its members to faithfully follow Jesus. The only scriptural officers

are pastors and deacons, whose roles and qualifications are outlined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-37, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:11-16, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-13,

2 Timothy 4:1-2, Titus 1:5-9, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1-4

13. Concerning Baptism

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Spirit. Baptism is a solemn and beautiful symbol of our union with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, representing our

death to sin and resurrection to new life through the Holy Spirit. The proper subjects of baptism are those who profess faith in

Christ, and baptism is a prerequisite for church membership.

Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-13; 8:36-39; 10:47-48; 16:31-33, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27,

Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21

14. Concerning the Lord's Supper

We believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be observed by believers until his return. As we

eat the bread and drink from the cup, we remember Christ's sacrificial death, look forward to his return, strengthen our faith, and

renew our commitment to him and to each other.

Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:53-58, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-26, Revelation 19:9, 1

Corinthians 5:7-8, 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, Hebrews 9:11-15

15. Concerning Sabbath Rest & the Lord's Day

We believe that under the New Covenant believers find their Sabbath rest in Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, whose work of

redemption releases us from slavery to sin. The command to "remember the Sabbath day," accordingly, is an invitation and

reminder to cease from our own works and to find rest in Christ's completed work.

We believe that the first day of the week is rightly called "the Lord's Day" in honor of Christ's resurrection, which heralds the

beginning of God's new creation. It is fitting, therefore, for Christians to devote this day to celebrating and worshiping the Lord

Jesus by resting from ordinary labor, serving others, and gathering with the church in joyful anticipation of the eternal rest we

will enjoy in God's presence.

Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 16:23-30; 20:8-11; 31:12-17, Leviticus 23:3, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 2:27-28, Luke 4:16;

23:56, John 5:17-18; 19:31, Acts 20:7, Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 4:9-10, Revelation 1:10

16. Concerning the Civil Government

We believe that God has established civil government to allow society to flourish and maintain order. We should pray for, honor,

and obey government leaders, unless their laws contradict the will of Jesus Christ, who is the true Lord of our conscience and

the ultimate ruler over all other rulers.

Genesis 9:6, Exodus 18:21-22, 1 Samuel 8:7, Daniel 2:21, Matthew 22:17-21, Luke 20:25, John 19:11, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2,

Titus 3:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Revelation 1:5; 19:16, Acts 4:19-20; 5:29, Revelation 21:24-26

17. Concerning Spiritual Beings

We believe that God's creation of heaven and earth included the entire spiritual realm, inhabited by spirit beings generally

referred to as angels. Like the rest of creation, all these beings were originally good. Many, however, rebelled against God's

good order and were cast out of heaven. Their leader, Satan, is a real personal being who slanders God's people and tries to

destroy them. At the cross, Jesus Christ disarmed these powers of their ability to condemn the saints and declared that their

future destruction is sure.

The angels who remained obedient to God are called "elect angels." They continue to serve God and minister to God's people,

and one day we will join them in praising God forever.

Gen 1:31, Col 1:16, Job 38:6-7, Ps 148:5, Matt 22:30, 1 Tim 5:21, Gen 3:1, Jd 6-7, Rev 12:9, Job 1:6-7, Col 2:13-15, Jn 12:31-32, Heb

1:14, Rev 7:9-12

18. Concerning the Return of Christ, Final Judgment, & the World to Come

We believe that this present age is passing away, and that at a time known only to God, Christ will return visibly, bodily, and

gloriously. He will judge both the living and the dead, leading to a final separation that will determine each person's eternal

destiny in heaven or hell. The wicked will face eternal punishment, while the righteous will receive endless life and joy. Then,

in the final fulfillment of his covenant, God will unite heaven and earth, dwelling in everlasting fellowship with his people who,

beholding the radiance of his face, will reign in glory with him forever.

• Christ's Return Matthew 24:30-31, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 13:26-27, Luke 21:27-28, John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Corinthians 15:22-24,

Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16

• The Final Judgment Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 2:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-15, Hebrews 9:27, Jude 1:14-15, Acts

17:31

• Eternal Punishment for the Wicked Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 9:43-48, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Revelation 14:9-11; 20:10, 21:8, 2 Peter

2:4-9, Jude 1:7

• Eternal Life and Glory for the Righteous Matthew 25:34-40, John 5:28-29, John 17:3, Romans 6:22-23, Philippians 3:20-21, 2

Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, Revelation 21:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 22:3-5, Matthew 5:3-12

• The New Creation and Union of Heaven and Earth Romans 8:18-25, 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, Ephesians 1:9-10, Colossians 1:19-20,

Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 22:1-5, 2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:22-27

BCF Members' Covenant

As members of the Baptist Church of Franklin, we commit:

·         ​To walk together in faith, love, and hope (1 Thess 1:3);

·         To devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42);

·         To hold steadfastly that our salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, and not of our own doing (Eph 2:8-9);

·         To treasure the Word of God as our daily bread by obeying it,  meditating on it, and hiding it in our hearts (Ps 119:11);

·         To present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (Rom 12:1);

·         To forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, but to gather consistently to exhort and edify one another (Heb 10:24);

·         To use our spiritual gifts according to the grace Christ has given us, loving one another with brotherly affection, aiding one another in sickness and distress, and, insofar as it depends on us, living peaceably with all (1 Cor 12:11, Rom 1210-18);

·         To speak the truth in love by comforting, encouraging, and, when necessary, rebuking; to reconcile conflicts, putting away bitterness and anger, being kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us (Eph 4:13-32);

·         To give gladly to support the ministry, relieve the poor, and spread the gospel to all nations (2 Cor 9:7, 1 Tim 5:17);

·         To renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, being controlled not by wine but by the Holy Spirit; to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Tit 2:11-14, Eph 5:18);

·         To advance God’s purpose for his church by bearing witness to Christ at home and work, at school and play, in private and public, in word and deed, for all our lives, so that all might come to know Christ whom to know is life eternal (Col 3:16, Jn 3:16).

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