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A Word From Our Elders
“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.”
We all know these words—perhaps even better than John 3:16—because Amazing Grace has been one of the most beloved hymns of the past two centuries. Even though we now “see dimly” (1 Cor 13:12), to see—to go from darkness to light—is life-changing in every conceivable way. In John 3, we meet Nicodemus, an Israelite whose name means conqueror. His identity was bound up in being a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. In his day, most Jews believed they would enter God’s kingdom by birthright unless they turned away from the faith. Yet Jesus’ words in John 3:3 shattered that assumption:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again—from above—he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The whole passage is about who truly sees and who remains blind; who is found and who is lost; who is perishing and who is being saved. It is all about grace—and what it means to see.
Reading John 3:1-21 in our modern church age raises a searching question: How many of us have grown up in church and quietly assumed we inherit the kingdom by birth? We know the hymns by heart. We know the prayers by routine. We speak the language fluently. But could we, like Nicodemus, know all about religion yet still be in the dark? The Light has come (2 Cor 4:6), yet people love darkness rather than the Light because their deeds are evil. It’s frighteningly easy to be part of a church and still love darkness—to hear truth without obeying it, and thus deceive ourselves (James 1:22-24). Pride blinds us to reality (Gal 6:3). Denying or downplaying sin is self-delusion (1 John 1:8). Trusting our own hearts instead of God’s Word is disastrous (Jer 17:9). So, let us run to Christ! God so loved the world that He gave His Son. Whoever believes—placing all trust and confidence in Him—will not perish but have eternal life. Just as those in the wilderness looked to the bronze serpent and lived, so we look to Christ lifted up and live. We do nothing but look—and live. Let us confess both our sins and our self-righteousness, counting everything outside of Christ alone as filthy rags. Let us lean back wholly on Him—just as John leaned upon Jesus in the upper room—for that is our place of peace.
All glory be to Christ! His blood was shed for us. His righteousness is credited to us. Our guilt and shame He bore at Calvary. Guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, beloved.
—Bro. Tony
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Statement of Faith
What We Teach
From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths that our church teaches as guided by Scripture. Our Doctrinal Statement summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and affirms our belief in the Christian truths which have been held by the church throughout the ages and particularly since the Protestant reformation, including believer’s baptism, and congregational polity (government).
The Freeness of Salvation
We teach that the blessings of salvation are freely offered to all by the gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept the gospel with a glad, obedient faith and Godly sorrow, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth other than his own inherent depravity (sinfulness) by which he refuses to listen and suppresses the truth in unrighteousness thereby rejecting the gospel which makes him wholly responsible for his just condemnation.
Grace in Regeneration
We teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. This results in the mind being spiritually and savingly enlightened to understand the Word of God which is accomplished in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit and the divine truth of the Word of God. This is done in a way that brings about voluntary obedience and faith which is evidenced by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct.
Faith and Repentance
We teach that faith and repentance are required by Scripture and inseparably linked graces that are granted to us as a gift by the regenerating Spirit of God that deeply convince us of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ. We then turn to God with true repentance, confession of sin, and pleas for mercy while whole heartedly receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
Adam Fitzgerald
Primary Preaching and Teaching Elder
THE CHURCH
We are a church that believes in Jesus & loves God and His people
Adam joined the elders at Oak Grove Baptist Church in August of 2022. Prior to that, he served as the Associate Pastor at Sardis Baptist Church in Swansea, SC. Before entering full-time ministry, he taught social studies and coached football in both the Bismarck and Sheridan public school districts.
Adam grew up just outside of El Dorado, AR, graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and eventually went on to complete both a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Religion/Biblical Studies from Liberty University Online.
He and his wife Kelly have three children (AJ, Eddie, and Halle), and they all enjoy spending time doing anything outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, gardening, hiking, or working with the dogs or horses. They are always up for an adventure and see the greatest adventure of all as having their lives spent in service to the savior.