THE CHURCH
A. IT’S HEAD. EPH 1:22, 4:15, 5:23, COL 1:18, 2:10, 2:19
It’s quite simple, really. It is Jesus Christ. He is the one that started the church, (not John the Baptist) He owns the church, and he will be the one that ends the church age. Therefore, there is no one else that has a right to share this position. This means that the church has no human headquarters or government as its authority outside the church walls.
B. IT’S HISTORY. MATT 16:18
Based on matt. 16 the bible promises that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the church. Therefore, we know that the true church has never disappeared from Jesus Christ to today. We do not believe we can specifically trace the succession of our church back to Jesus Christ, nor do we believe the Bible tells us to worry of such frivolous things. (1 Tim 1:4)
On the other hand we believe history is an important thing to study, especially Baptist history. As far as we know our church has been around since the fifties and we truly are the first Baptist church in our town. I believe we are also the first independent Baptist church in the state of Arizona. This distinction is fairly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but we still think it’s neat.
C. IT’S AFFILIATION. COL1:18
Our church is affiliated with Jesus Christ and Him alone! We are an independent, autonomous, Bible-believing church. Whilst we have no problem fellowshipping with like-minded churches, we are not required too, nor are we under the authority of any other church.
Just like there are many “churches”, there are a number of “camps” amongst the independent Baptist. Attempting to follow Heb 13:13, we would much rather stay with Christ “outside the camp.” We don’t judge others by the most “prominent” scholar’s opinions, most “influential” bible colleges, most popular position, or the regard of the largest congregations. We judge according to Christ and his Word!!!!
D. IT’S OFFICERS. 1 TIM 3
There are two officers in the church, but in our church, only one is necessary. Bro Anthony Garrisi is the pastor of Payson First Baptist and has been since Feb 2007. Our pastor doesn’t take a salary from the church, and is paid through love gifts as the Lord lays on the hearts of the congregation. (1 Cor 9:5-14) The pastor understands his calling and his responsibilities to his family and works a secular job as an electrician when needed.
The pastor’s duties are lined out in 2 Tim 4:1-5, 1 Pet 5:1-3, and Acts 20:26-33
The deacon is the second officer in the church found in 1 Tim 3 and Acts 6, but is not found in our church. According to the Bible the office of a deacon is not a leadership position to be voted upon each year. It is a lifetime calling by the Holy Ghost and God’s church. To be a deacon is to be a qualified servant to the widows, and fatherless, and be a helping hand in the church. This appointment is seen only after the Jerusalem church had grown into the thousands and the leadership was unable to handle the magnitude. The deacon is also a Holy Spirit filled preacher that has aligned himself with the qualifications of acts 6, 7, and 1 Tim 3. The Holy Spirit has not led us to appoint deacons in our church at this time.
The pastor’s wife, church secretary, trustees, Sunday school supervisors, etc are not legitimate officers according to the bible.
E. IT’S CONSTITUTION. IS 8:20, PS 138:2
This is a real hard one. The Bible is our constitution. The Bible doesn’t teach us to follow a creed, constitution, confession, or fellowship. Nor does it instruct us to create one in order to appease the lawyers.
We make no apologies for our stand on the King James Bible. We believe it is the inerrant, infallible word of God. We believe the Bible stands on two foundations; Inspiration and preservation. (2 Tim 3:16-17, Ps 12:6-7) Both of these are firmly established in the bible.