Christ-Centered

First and foremost, we are a Christian church, and that means Jesus Christ is at the very center of everything we are and do.

We believe that "Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ 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 human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord." —Baptist Faith and Message

Biblical Foundation

Secondly, we uphold the Bible as God's Word. It is our authority for what we believe and how we live.

"The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation." —Baptist Faith and Message

Baptist Beliefs

Third, we are a Baptist church. More specifically, we are a Southern Baptist Church.

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be Southern Baptist. For example, we've been asked if we're all southerners. No, we're not. Our pastor happens to be from Oklahoma, but we don't hold that against him! We've also been asked if we celebrate Christmas. Yes, we do, and in a big way! Some have even wondered if we have bizarre, cultic practices such as snake handling. No, definitely not; however, a ground squirrel did sneak into our services once.

The truth is, we're just like you. We're real people with real lives.

Regarding our beliefs, they are similar to those of other Protestant churches. For a detailed description, click on the following link: www.sbc.net/bfm

Church Membership

How to become a member of Orchard Hills Baptist Church:

Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord

One does this by: a) admitting to God you are a sinner and that your sin separates you from Him (Romans 3.23; 6.23), b) believing that Jesus is God's Son Who died as payment for your sin and was resurrected (John 3.16; Romans 5.8; 10.9), and c) inviting Jesus to take charge of your life while trusting Him to completely forgive you and freely grant you eternal life (Colossians 2.13; John 10.28).

When a person makes this life-changing decision, they are "born again" by God's Spirit (John 3.1-9, 16; 2 Cor. 5.17).

Follow Jesus' example and teaching by being baptized by immersion (Matthew 3.13-15; 28.19-20).

Biblical baptism is by immersion in water after a person accepts Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 2.41; 8.12-13, 34-38). Baptism does not save a person or wash away sin; rather it identifies a person with Christ and with His church (Romans 6.3-4). Like a wedding ring, baptism is a visible testimony of one's relationship with Jesus Christ.

If transferring membership from another church of like faith and practice (see 1. and 2.), one becomes a member by promise of a letter of recommendation.

If no letter is obtainable, a statement of one's faith and baptism will be considered.

All prospective members will be received during the response time after the sermon.