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8:30 a.m. - Worship Service9:45 a.m. - Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
Contact Us
Address:First Baptist Church, Ashland
800 Thompson Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Phone:
(804) 798-9014
Fax:
(804) 798-9043
E-mail: fbcashland@verizon.net
Frequently Asked Questions
We always welcome the opportunity to talk to you individually about First Baptist Church, Ashland and the many programs and opportunities here. However, we have found that answers to some of the following questions are helpful to individuals and families as they are getting to know us better.
We hope you will find them informative, but if you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phoning the church at 804-798-9014
1. Do I need to be a Baptist to worship with the church?
2. Do I need to join the church to worship or fellowship with the church?
3. Can I take communion with the church, if I am not a member?
4. How do I join the church?
5. Why should I become a member?
6. Do I need to be baptized? Why?
7. I was baptized as a baby. Why do I have to be baptized again?
8. What is family dedication?
9. How do I get involved?
10. What do I do if I want to talk to a minister?
Do I need to be a Baptist to worship with the church?
No, anyone and everyone are welcome to worship with First Baptist Church, Ashland.
Do I need to join the church to worship or fellowship with the church?
No, church membership is not required to worship or fellowship with us.
Back to List of Questions.
Can I take communion with the church, if I am not a member?
Yes, as long as you have accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are welcome to participate in our communion service, even if you are not a church member or a Baptist.
How do I join the church?
A person may become a member of First Baptist Church, Ashland through profession of faith in Jesus Christ and believer’s baptism, by transfer of membership from another church, or by statement of faith in Christ and prior believer’s baptism. This can be accomplished by public statement following any of our worship services.
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Why should I become a member?
Membership is a commitment that signifies a Christian’s full inclusion in the church family. A full member is entitled to an equal voice and vote in all matters of church governance. However, it is fine simply to attend First Baptist, and you are welcome to do so without commitment for as long as you like. But sooner or later, we hope that you will desire more. You will want to be acknowledged as a full part of the church, and we will want to welcome you into the family.
Do I need to be baptized? Why?
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality—a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. We baptize by immersion in water, which represents the burial of the “old” man, and the resurrection of the “new” believer into life in Christ. Baptism does not "save" you, but it is an act that symbolically seals your relationship to the Christian family. Since baptism is a shared experience within the church family, we expect all of our full members to take part in this meaningful ceremony.
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I was baptized as a baby. Why do I need to be baptized again?
In our tradition, we baptize only those old enough to make personal commitments to follow Christ.
What is family dedication?
First Baptist Church, Ashland does not practice infant baptism, since we believe that a person should not be baptized until they are old enough to understand their commitment to Christ. As a congregation, we do celebrate the commitment of families to Jesus Christ upon the arrival of a new child. It is really a public commitment offered by the child's parents that they will raise their child in a Christ-honoring home. We perform each family dedication individually, because we believe the arrival of each new child into a Christian family is a sacred and special moment that warrants the church's celebration.
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How do I get involved?
There are many ways to get involved in the life of First Baptist Church of Ashland. Here are some suggestions:
- Regularly attend one of our weekly Worship Services.
- Join a Sunday School group offered on Sunday mornings for various age groups and life stages.
- Join us on Wednesday nights for a family dinner, Bible study, children's activities, and more!
What do I do if I want to talk to a minister?
If you would like to speak to a minister, you may indicate that on the Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate. Be sure to include your name and phone number. In addition, you may always call the church office at 804-798-9014.
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