The Old Paths Bible Fellowship was begun in 2010 on the east side of Tucson, Arizona, by 9 believers who separated from the First Baptist Church of Tombstone. Led by Pastor Greg Baird Sr., they believed in the vision the Lord laid on their heart to establish a local church the was free from the doctrines of men, free from the confines of a single building, and most importantly free from the confines of the earthly snares so many modern ministries are caught up in.
We had become weary of the many "come as you are and leave as you came" ministries that, while entertaining, leave those seeking Christ and new believers "tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine".
Our ministry takes it's name "Old Paths" from Jeremiah 6:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...".
We seek to live a more meaningful life by applying Biblical principles in our day to day walk with the Lord. We have made much progress over the years and invite you to join us. Simply reach out on our Contact page for more information.
The following is provided that you might understand the doctrinal principles we adhere to. Scripture references are included for your examination.
GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit. The maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. That in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:2,3; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; I John 5:7)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son is infinite God, co-existent and co-equal with the Father; that He condescended to man but in His incarnation never lost any of His deity, that He is sinless and the Savior of all mankind. (John 1:l-4, John 10:30; Hebrews 1:1-3)
THE HOLY GHOST
We believe that the Holy Ghost is a divine person, with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, embues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 14:16; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5,6; Ephesians 1:13; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:26,27)
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled man; and therefore, has truth without any inference of error in its content. I believe the Bible is the Word of God and not that it just contains the Word of God. I believe it to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme stand. (II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:19-21)
A Note from Pastor Greg: I believe in the preservation of God's Word through the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus. I believe that the King James Bible of 1611 is "the" accurate translation of God's preserved Word, is God's Word for English speaking people, and is the only version used in my ministry.
SATAN THE DEVIL
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)
CREATION
We accept the Genesis account of Creation and believe that man came by the direct creation of God and not by any process of evolution. (Genesis 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16,17; John 1:3)
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state and as a consequence all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but by choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Genesis 3:1-6,24; Romans 5:12, 19; 10-l9; 1:18,32)
VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:35; John 1:14)
ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust; Christ the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree, that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21)
REGENERATION OR THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3:3, II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:1-7; Acts 16:30-31; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8)
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification. (a) That justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, on principles of righteousness. (b) That it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed to us.
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of conscience and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus18:21,22: Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:28-29; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18)
THE RESURRECTION, PERSONAL, VISIBLE, PREMILLENIAL RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
A Note from Pastor Greg: I believe in the pretribulational rapture of the church)
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6) 2. The Ascension (Acts l:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 9:28) 3. The High Priesthood (Hebrews 8:6; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 5:9,10) 4. The Second Coming (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16; James 5:8; Hebrews 9:28) 5. The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead (I Thessalonians 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15:42-44; I Corinthians 15:52) 7. The Change of the Living in Christ (I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-2l) 9. The Throne of David (Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6,7; Acts 2:29,30) 10. The Millenial Reign (I Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 11:4,5 Psalms 72:8; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:6)We are committed to preaching, baptizing, and helping people grow in their daily walk through life. This vision is realized in many different forms as we teach others to embrace their God-given gifts to carry out their portion of the Lord's work.
Here's a list of some of the things we offer: