First Baptist Church of Baker, MT, was founded in March 23, 1931. For almost a century, First Baptist has served families the Word of God. This is our focus and mission: to disciple all nations with the gospel and the teaching of Jesus Christ.
When you walk into our doors we hope that you notice that we love each other and that we love God and His Word. We strive to keep the service from becoming a show, but we also strive to worship with excellence.
We would love for you to join us, as we grow in love and grace and our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testament were God-breathed in their original writings (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Further, that God used Spirit-controlled men to write His revelation (2 Peter 1:21), without any admixture of error. We believe the Bible to be verbally, and plenary inspired of God, and our only rule or standard for faith and conduct. We also believe that God preserved His word for us today, so that we have the very Word of God. With Christ being the central theme of God’s Word, we believe that all truth points to Him (Mark 12:26, 36; Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 10:1).
We believe that there is one, and only one, God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is one in essence and exists as spirit (John 4:24). We also believe that God exists as a trinity. By trinity we mean that in the one essence of God resides three distinct persons, namely; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). We believe that God is worthy of our obedience, faith and love. Each person of the Godhead is equal in nature, attributes, and perfections, and is executing distinct, yet harmonious, offices in the great work of redemption (John 1:14; Acts 5:34; Hebrews 1:1-3).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is very God (John 1:1), that He existed before creation (John 8:58), and is eternal. Being God He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, both visible and invisible (John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-17).
We believe that in the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) the Lord Jesus took upon Himself flesh (John 1:14). He was born of Mary, the virgin, by the means of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). He is, therefore, truly God and truly man.
We believe Christ’s main mission in life was His work on the cross (Luke 19:10). As our substitute he paid the ransom for our sins (1 Timothy 2:1-5). His death is payment-in-full for our sins, and is the only necessary sacrifice (Hebrews 9:27-28).
We believe that after His actual physical death occurred, the same body that hung on the cross was laid in the tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). After three days and three nights He called life back into this same body and arose from the dead (Romans 8:11; John 10:14-18, 25-28). He then ascended back into Heaven, where He is making intercession for the saints (Hebrews 7:23-25).We believe that He is preparing a place for His chosen Bride (John 14:1-6). He will again return, before the 70th week of Daniel, that is, pre-tribulational, to catch His Bride away (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). His coming is imminent, and should cause hope and a pure life (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 John 3:1-3). We, therefore, believe in the pretribulational, premillennial return of Christ.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is as much God as the Father and Son (Acts 5:3-6). He proceeds from both the Father and Son (John 15:26; 16:7).
His work in the present age revolves around reproving the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come (John 16:7-10).
We believe that through the ministry of the Holy Spirit regeneration is effected to the spiritually dead sinner (Ephesians 2:1-10). After regeneration, which is an instantaneous act, the Holy Spirit indwells, fills, baptizes, teaches, and equips the saints for service (John 3:6; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 John 2:20-27).
Among the gifts listed in scripture which the Holy Spirit bestows upon believers (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:11-17), we believe some to have been temporary, lasting only until the completed canon of scripture was given (1 Corinthians 13:7-11). Among these temporary gifts are speaking in tongues and healing (1 Corinthians 13:7-10). Although God still heals, it is not through the gift of healings (James 5:14-16).
Among the gifts to the church which are still in existence are: pastor-teacher, evangelist, serving, giving, faith, and others (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:11-16). With these gifts, each believer is to function in his or her place in the local church. All Christians are to be actively seeking the lost, praying for fellow Christians, and desiring fellowship with God’s people. Rewards will be given to believers for their faithfulness of service (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 9:18-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Creation—We believe that the account of creation recorded in Genesis chapter 1 and 2 is to be understood in a literal way. Man was brought into existence, along with all other things, by the direct hand of God. No evolutionary process was necessary for any creature (John 1:1-15; Colossians 1:15-17).
Responsibility—Because of man’s unique relationship with God, he is responsible to Him for his actions. He was created in the “image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26-27), and in a state of innocence.
Fall—Adam fell through direct disobedience to the revealed will of God (Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:12). Because of his fall he incurred both physical and spiritual death upon himself (Genesis 2:15-16), and upon all who come after him (Romans 5:12). Man is thus born in sin (Psalm 51:5). Because of this condition man falls short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Man is totally depraved, that is, sinful in thought, word, and deed, and is unable to save himself (Romans 3:1-10; Ephesians 2:1-10).
Marriage—We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians. 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23).
We believe that salvation is wholly of God, and through His grace (Ephesians 1:4; 2:8-10). Were it not for God’s own love (John 3:16), and compassion (1 Peter 3:9), we would all be eternally lost. However, through the work of Christ on the cross, and the hearing of this message, whoever believes in Christ will be saved (John 1:12; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God, through His matchless love and mercy, keeps us eternally secure in His grace (John 10:28-29; Philippians 1:6). Salvation is a free gift apart from works, merits or penance (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe that all born again believers go through three stages of sanctification, which means being set apart unto God. The first stage looks back to when God set us apart unto Himself in eternity past based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross. The second stage is the present work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The third stage is our future sanctification when we are in glory with the Lord (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 10:10-14). 6:14-7:1; Jude 3-4). Along with this, the believer should keep himself unspotted from the world (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
We believe that the universal church, or body of Christ, is made up of all truly born, again believers from Pentecost until the Rapture (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). All believers are baptized into this body by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (Acts 1:5; 11:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). This body is entirely distinct from Israel, and is manifested in local churches.
We believe that the local church is an organized body of immersed believers, united together for edification, fellowship, and the propagation of the gospel (Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 4:11-17). Two ordinances have been left to the local church which are: immersion and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32). Immersion and the Lord’s Supper are for believers only, and in no way either adds or subtracts from our salvation. Two offices have also been left to the local church which are; pastors and deacons (Philippians 1:1).
We believe that the local church is to be free and independent of all ecclesiastical and government intervention. It should be self governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting. The local church should separate itself from all those who deny the “faith once delivered to the saints” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Jude 3-4). Along with this, the believer should keep himself unspotted from the world (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
The Parks family joined First Baptist on July 4, 2021. James met his wife Janelle at college, in an accounting class. They were married in 2013, and made Pensacola their first residence. During this time, James completed seminary and interned at a local church.
Three years later, the Lord directed James and Janelle to Colorado, where James served as a youth pastor for the next five years. Because of this opportunity, James has a heart for young people and young families.
In 2021, the Lord called James and Janelle to Baker, MT. James loves his family, the Bible, music, mountain biking, basketball, and water. Janelle is the best wife ever (written by James). She loves her husband and kids, cooking, biking, flowers, and chocolate. At the end of the day, the Parks want the Baker community to taste and see that the Lord is good. Christ is all we need; Christ is all we have.