First Baptist Church is a family of individuals who have put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation. We would be thrilled to talk to you about it personally and explain what the Bible says about how you can know for sure you are on your way to Heaven. If you would like to know more, please contact us today or click on the link below.

Baptism is our first opportunity after salvation to display our obedience to God. Acts 10:48, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord . . . .”  Baptism is not necessary for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) but is important to establish a pattern of obedience. God blesses obedience! Baptism is an outward expression of our inward decision to accept Christ as our Saviour.

The Bible example of baptism is by immersion. The Greek word for baptize is baptizo, which means “to dip, to immerse, or to submerge.” Acts 8:38, “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”  In the Bible, most people were baptized immediately after salvation. Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Baptism is a public statement that we are not ashamed of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:12, “Buried with him in baptism. . . . ” Jesus was willing to identify with our sins on the Cross, so we should not be ashamed to identify with Him in baptism (Romans 10:11). 

A priority for First Baptist Church is to equip all new Christians with the knowledge of what the Christian life is all about. One way we do that is through the Foundations of My Faith Discipleship Program. This is an in-depth program that goes over many of the questions you may have about the Christian life.

Level 1 classes meet at these times:

Sundays at 9:30 a.m. with Pastor Wilkerson
Location: Pastor’s Waiting Room

Sundays at 5:00 p.m. with Stephen Kollar
Location: West Overflow Room

Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. with Chip Dowdey
Location: West Overflow Room

What a privilege it is to be a member of a local body of our Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us sheep, and sheep need to be together and with a shepherd to succeed. In God’s wisdom, He wanted Christians to be attached to a Bible-believing church. 

Since 1887, First Baptist Church has been a called-out assembly of saved and sanctified believers here in Hammond. We are not a perfect church family, but we do long to exalt Christ, edify Christians, and evangelize the world. 

If the Holy Spirit leads you to put your life and influence in this church family, we rejoice. Click here to see our church’s Missions Statement and Doctrinal Statement. We hope these will give you understanding and confidence regarding God’s will for you.

The Sunday school ministry of First Baptist Church of Hammond is designed to connect you with a class that is relevant to your current stage of life. With numerous adult classes to choose from, you are sure to find a teacher and class members who will help you get connected. All of our adult Bible classes begin promptly at 9:45 a.m.

At First Baptist Church, we believe that serving others is a powerful way to grow in faith and make a real difference. We invite you to get involved in one of our many ministries and be used by God to impact the lives of those around you. Just as Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28), we strive to follow His example. Whether you’re passionate about outreach, teaching, or helping others, there’s a place for you to serve and contribute. Be used by God in His church to influence the lives of those around you.

Participate in transformative educational sessions each Tuesday evening at the Hammond Bible Institute. Earn certifications in basic Bible studies, church leadership, and practical theology, all designed to deepen your faith and enhance personal growth.