We believe in the absolute sovereignty and freedom of God. This includes His sovereignty in the distribution and application of His grace in the work of saving individuals from sin and eternal destruction. This understanding is also commonly referred to as "the Doctrines of Grace", "Calvinism", or "Reformed Theology". All such labels carry a certain amount of baggage with which we do not want to be associated. On our part, the use of these terms is simply an attempt to express our belief in a biblical view of salvation. That is, a view that places God at the center, understanding Him to be the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and therefore worthy of all credit and glory. In short, we hold that the determining factor in our salvation is the will of God, not the will of man. For further explanation please read articles III & VI of the London Baptist Confession of Faith and consider the following passages from the Bible:

John 1:12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:29-30: For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:3-6: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:11-12: In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The following links will take you to resources that will be helpful in understanding our view of the sovereignty of God. These resources were not produced by Fillmore Baptist Church and will open in a separate window. We pray that God will bless you as you seek to know Him better and love Him more.

What is the Doctrine of Election?

Chosen By God

What We Believe About the Five Points of Calvinism