Taos First Baptist is a Bible teaching church that is far more concerned with understanding the Bible, rightly divided, than any denominational label. Doctrinal distinctiveness is present in some areas that make Taos FBC unique in relation to many churches in the larger Christian family. While these beliefs are in line with church history and conservative evangelical doctrine, they are becoming endangered in the modern world. The purpose of these distinctives is to explain what is taught and to provide guidance when needed.
1. Taos FBC teaches that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the only source of authority concerning God’s revelation of Himself and of His will. The revelation of the Bible is complete and sufficient in all matters related to theology (Acts 17: 2-3; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Jude 3).
§ What is often called “contemplative prayer,” “centering prayer,” “meditation,” or “hearing a word from the Lord” outside of the Bible is not supported.
§ In the Church Age, God does not give new revelation outside of the completed canon of Scripture.
§ Christians have no need for supernatural signs because the Bible is sufficient for faith and godliness. The age of the Apostles is over and our job now is to live faithfully in line with the apostolic doctrine, not expect or look for what is referred to as sign miracles.
2. Taos FBC teaches a verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).
§ Every word of the original manuscripts is given by God and is fully authoritative within the context of its purpose.
§ Every word of the original manuscripts is infallible and inerrant in all matters.
3. Taos FBC teaches Scripture by interpreting within a literal historic context. (Matt. 22:29; 2 Pet. 3:2, 16).
§ Unless obviously shown or stated otherwise, the words of the text mean what the words in the historic and literal context would normally mean.
§ The application of Scripture is determined by the author, not the reader.
§ Taking Scripture out of context and applying meanings that are not truly present is dangerous to the faith and dishonoring to God’s Word.
4. Taos FBC teaches a dispensational approach in regards to understanding God’s revelation (Eph. 3:9; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:10-12)
§ God has worked at different times in different ways throughout history to bring about His purposes.
§ God’s work throughout various time periods in history is not always normative for the time period in which we live today.
§ The salvation of man by grace through faith is a new dispensation given to Paul, who is our pattern for salvation and Christian living (1 Tim. 1:15-16).
§. Dispensationally, Biblical baptism in today’s age of grace does not involve water. All saved persons have been identified with Christ and made members of His Body by the one divine baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6).
5. Taos FBC teaches that there is a rapture of the church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
§ Those who have been saved and are alive when God begins to judge the world will be raptured out of this world.
§ God will provide escape from His wrath for His church.
6. Taos FBC teaches that there is a distinction between Israel and the church. (Jer. 31:27-40; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9-11; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 3:1-9)
§ The church has not replaced Israel and is not entitled to the Abrahamic promise.
§ God’s plan for Israel remains intact and will be fulfilled in the 1000 year Kingdom.
7. Taos FBC teaches that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven will be established physically on earth at the Second Coming of Christ (Deut. 30:1–10; Isa. 11; Ezek. 37:21–28; Amos 9:11-15; Zech. 14 Matt. 25:31-46; Acts 15:16–17; Rom. 8:19–23; 11:25–27; 1 Cor. 15:28: Rev. 20:1–6; 21:1-4).
§ The Kingdom of God will physically begin when Christ sits on His physical throne on the present earth.
§ Christ will reign supreme on the present earth for 1000 years.
§ The Kingdom of God will continue forever on the new earth with God as all in all.
8. Taos FBC teaches that churches should be doctrinally, not pragmatically, driven (Jer. 5:31; Matt. 7:13-14; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:2).
§ Pragmatics change, doctrine must never change.
§ Though something may work in the church, it does not mean that it is right to have in the church. We care more about being faithful to the truth than drawing in large crowds via questionable methods.
9. Taos FBC teaches that God has structured His creation and the church in an authoritative way, impacting positions in the church and gender roles (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:12; Titus 1:6-7; 2:1-5).
§ The role of pastor in a local church is to be filled distinctively by a man only.
§ Women are not to hold any position in the church where they teach adult men. This is not because women are inferior or incapable, but because God has ordained it has such. God has called men to be leaders and protectors, especially when it comes to teaching God’s Word.
10. Taos FBC teaches and holds strictly to the Biblical definition of marriage (Gen. 2:24; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:22-33; Heb. 13:4).
§ Marriage exists and is possible only between one man and one woman, and God’s design is that it last for life.
§ Heterosexual marriage is the only definition of marriage sanctioned by God’s Word and, as such, is the only form of marriage that will be performed or supported at Taos FBC.
These items are by no means exhaustive of Taos FBC beliefs, but they are areas in which our church may differ from other Baptist or Evangelical churches.