And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. — Colossians 1:18
Welcome Friends!
We would like to invite you to attend our services and worship the Lord with us. If you are looking for a church to do God's work in God's way, this is the place for you. We want to be a blessing and provide an opportunity of service for you. Oakland Historic Baptist Church is a body of Baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ that voluntarily meets together to worship the Lord through hymns, church ordinances, and the preaching of the Word of God.
We would be honored to have you as our guest this Sunday. Our church is a Christ-centered and family-oriented ministry. We want you to feel at home with us during your visit. We extend a heart felt invitation to make Oakland Historic Baptist Church your place to grow and serve.
Meeting Schedule
Sunday School
9:30 AM
Sunday Worship
10:45 AM
Sunday Evening
6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening
6:00 PM
Meeting House
2322 NE Laurent Street
Topeka, Kansas 66616
(Corner of Chester and Laurent in Oakland)
In a day of trendiness, we desire what is !
"Our line of doctrine."
Here is what Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) had to say: C. H. Spurgeon on Baptist perpetuity "We believe that the Baptists are the original Christians. We did not commence our existence at the reformation, we were reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never came from the Church of Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the apostles themselves. We have always existed from the very days of Christ, and our principles, sometimes veiled and forgotten, like a river which may travel underground for a little season, have always had honest and holy adherents. Persecuted alike by Romanists and Protestants of almost every sect, yet there has never existed a Government holding Baptist principles which persecuted others; nor I believe any body of Baptists ever held it to be right to put the consciences of others under the control of man. We have ever been ready to suffer, as our martyrologies will prove, but we are not ready to accept any help from the State, to prostitute the purity of the Bride of Christ to any alliance with the government, and we will never make the Church, although the Queen, the despot over the consciences of men". (From The New Park Street Pulpit, Vol.VII, Page 225). "History has hitherto been written by our enemies, who never would have kept a single fact about us upon the record if they could have helped it, and yet it leaks out every now and then that certain poor people called Anabaptists were brought up for condemnation. From the days of Henry II to those of Elizabeth we hear of certain unhappy heretics who were hated of all men for the truth's sake which was in them. We read of poor men and women, with their garments cut short, turned out into the fields to perish in the cold, and anon of others who were burnt at Newington for the crime of Anabaptism. Long before your Protestants were known of, these horrible Anabaptists, as they were unjustly called, were protesting for the 'one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.' No sooner did the visible church begin to depart from the gospel than these men arose to keep fast by the good old way. The priests and monks wished for peace and slumber, but there was always a Baptist or a Lollard tickling men's ears with holy Scriptures, and calling their attention to the errors of the times. They were a poor persecuted tribe. The halter was thought to be too good for them. At times ill-written history would have us think that they died out, so well had the wolf done his work on the sheep. Yet here we are, blessed and multiplied; and Newington sees other scenes from Sabbath to Sabbath. As I think of your numbers and efforts, I can only say in wonder - what a growth! As I think of the multitudes of our brethren in America, I may well say, What hath God wrought! Our history forbids discouragement." (From the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1881, Vol. 27, page 249.)
"Our Conviction on Church Polity"
We operate simply as a church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are not a corporation, business, or association.
Elder John Leland 1754- 1841
“The Apostles never taught the churches, which they planted, to be incorporated bodies politic, to make use of the civil law to regulate their concerns, nor will we.”
“If any number of real saints are incorporated by human law, they cannot be a church of Christ, by virtue of that formation, but a creature of the state."
"Is conformity of sentiments in matters of religion essential to the happiness of civil government? Not at all. Government has no more to do with the religious opinions of men than it has with the principles of mathematics. Let every man speak freely without fear--maintain the principles that he believes--worship according to his own faith, either one God, three Gods, no God, or twenty Gods; and let government protect him in so doing, i.e., see that he meets with no personal abuse or loss of property for his religious opinions. Instead of discouraging him with proscriptions, fines, confiscation or death, let him be encouraged, as a free man, to bring forth his arguments and maintain his points with all boldness; then if his doctrine is false it will be confuted, and if it is true (though ever so novel) let others credit it. When every man has this liberty what can he wish for more? A liberal man asks for nothing more of government."
Elder Isaac Backus 1724- 1806
"When Church and State are separate, the effects are happy, and they do not at all interfere with each other; but where they have been confounded together, no tongue nor pen can fully describe the mischiefs that have ensued."
"Religious matters are to be separated from the jurisdiction of the state, not because they are beneath the interests of the state but, quite to the contrary, because they are too high and holy and thus are beyond the competence of the state."
"God has appointed two kinds of government in the world, which are distinct in their nature, and ought never to be confounded together; one of which is called civil, the other ecclesiastical government."
"Government need not enforce religion; protecting religious freedom is enough. Christ will have no pressed soldiers, indeed."
As a church that desires to honor, glorify and please our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are convinced a strong holding of the doctrines of the Word of God are necessary. Below is a summary of our beliefs. If you have additional questions, please contact our pastor at pastor@historicbaptist.info or (785) 232-6068
- GOD
We believe that there is one true and living God. He is eternal and has manifested Himself in three distinct and divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These three Persons are equal in every divine perfection and they execute distinct and harmonious offices in the work of redemption.
(Gen. 1:26; Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; 14:10, 26; 15:26; I John 5:7)
- THE SON OF GOD
We believe that The Lord Jesus Christ, eternal with The Father, was begotten of The Holy Ghost, born of Mary, a virgin, and is both The Son of God and God The Son. He is both true man and true God; one person with two natures; tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.
(Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 2, 14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:14-15)
- THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, converts the repentant sinner and places him into Christ, seals the believer, interprets The Scripture, and endues God’s children with power to be a bold witness.
(John 3:5-6, 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:10-14, 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
- THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that The Holy Bible was divinely inspired by God and given to man as the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. By the “Holy Bible”, we mean that collection of 66 books (Genesis to Revelation) of the Old and New Testaments, which we believe is the very Word of God. Inspiration without preservation would be meaningless, and the original manuscripts are no longer in existence, therefore we believe that God has supernaturally preserved His Word, without error, for us today in the AV 1611 (King James Version) of The Bible. We believe that this preserved Bible is the final authority for us in all matters of faith, practice, and doctrine. We also believe that Christians should not only believe The Book, but also practice what It commands and teaches.
(Psalm 12:6-7; II Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:22-25; II Peter 1:21)
- ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe that all of the redeemed, once they put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. We also believe that The Word of God strictly forbids the use of Christian liberty as a license to sin.
(John 10:27-29; Romans 8:34-39; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:30; I John 5:13)
- THE CHURCH
We believe that a New Testament church is a congregation of baptized believers that associate together by a covenant of faith that is based solely upon The Word of God. The offices of ordination are pastors and deacons, and the Biblical ordinances are water baptism and The Lord’s Supper. We believe in the autonomy of the local church which means it is to be free from any external authority or control. We believe that the mission of The Church is to be a witness to a lost world of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is the function of the local church to preach the gospel and baptize new believers but its primary function is to instruct and teach the saints with The Word of God in order that they might be a proper witness to the world.
(Matthew 18:15-20, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-21, 6:1-7; I Corinthians 11:20-34; I Timothy 3:1-13; II Timothy 2:2)
- BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that salvation must precede water baptism. We believe that Scriptural baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of The Father, of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost under the authority of the local church. Water baptism does not save you but is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, an identifying mark of the believer, and the first step of obedience. Salvation and Baptism are a prerequisite to become a part of the local church.
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance in which members of the church, by the use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to remember and commemorate the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. We believe that there are three prerequisites necessary in order to participate,
Salvation,
Scriptural Baptism (first step of obedience for the believer) and
Self-examination.
(Matthew 3:16, 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42, 8:26-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-31; Colossians 2:12)
- SEPARATION
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of Separation. This belief is explained in three ways.
The separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with those who deny the doctrines of the “faith which was once delivered to the saints” and from those individuals and organizations similarly associated including Charismatics, Hyper-Calvinists, Arminians, Promise Keepers and so on.
The separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor The Lord Jesus Christ.
The separation of church and state.
(Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; Jude 3)
- CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority. This authority consists of three basic institutions;
The Home,
The Church,
The State.
Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and are governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
(Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15)
ADDENDUM
BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
( II Timothy 3:15 – 17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:20, 21 )
AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body.
( Colossians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:19, 2 Corinthians 8:23 )
PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER
“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God–whether we are a preacher or not.
( I Peter 2:5, I Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:9, 10 )
TWO ORDINANCES
The local church should practice two ordinances:
(1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and
(2) The Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
( Matthew 28:19, 20, I Corinthians 11:23 – 32 )
INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
(Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
SAVED, BAPTIZED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
( Acts 2:41 – 47, I Corinthians 12:12, II Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 4:3 )
TWO OFFICES
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church–pastor and deacon. The three terms–“pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop,” or “overseer”–all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13, Acts 20:17-38, Philippians 1:1)
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.
(Matthew 22:15-22, Acts 15:17-29 )
Our Pastor
Pastor Bobby Johnston was sent by the Lord to Pastor OHBC in August of 2023. He has been preaching the word of God since early 2012 through itinerary evangelist work, pulpit supply, and as a Pastor.
He married his wife, Sarah, in June of 2017.
Their son, Leland, was born in June of 2020. Their daughter, Liberty, was born in December of 2021.
For more information about OHBC, contact Pastor Bobby Johnston at...
- Office number: (785)-232-6068
- Email: pastor@historicbaptist.info
You might want to know what this really means.
Salvation is a subject that is often talked about but also frequently misunderstood. What is it to be saved? What are we supposed to be saved from? Can we work our way into God’s good graces? These are frequently asked questions. Although we could deal with all of the misrepresentations of salvation and what it means, it would be better for us to rely on God’s Word to tell us what we must do to be saved.
When it comes to mankind’s standing before God, we need to understand that all have sinned and come short of God’s Glory.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
As a matter of fact, this sin came into the world a long time ago and now all have been declared sinners before God. This is a fact that we know if we are honest with ourselves.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, their relationship with God was severed. That “one man” brought to himself, as well as all of his descendants, the consequences of that sin. In fact, the Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans tells us that what sin earns us is death.
For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23a)
This death is both physical (we all grow old and die) and spiritual in that our sin earns us an eternity in an everlasting fire. God, as a just Judge, will declare us to be guilty of violating His law.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:13-15)
This should be very concerning to us. In and of ourselves, we could never pay that penalty and satisfy our own guilt. That is where the good news comes in. God has already done this for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 6:23)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
In fact, the penalty of our sin was paid in full on the cross of Calvary and God’s justice was satisfied. Jesus was the only one who could be the perfect sacrifice for us, as He never sinned.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:8)For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
(1Peter 3:18)
That’s great news for ALL of us. It was Jesus Christ that paid the price of our sin on the cross, and did ALL the necessary work for us to be saved. That’s right! No wondering if we are in or out, whether or not we are good enough to go to heaven, and no wondering which of the works we can perform here on earth would make us right before God. There is nothing we can do that would merit salvation; Christ did it all!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(Titus 3:5)
The question then comes up, “what must I do to be saved?” Great question. The Bible tells us we must repent of our sin and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as the one that can pay the penalty for our sins.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Acts 2:21)Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
(Acts 3:19)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Romans 10:9,13)
When we are presented with the truth of salvation, we are brought to a decision. Will we place our faith and trust in Christ or not? Will we see our sin for the offense that it is to God and rely on His Son to save us from the penalty? Will we call out to Christ to save us? He is our only hope!
If you would like to know more or have made a decision for Christ, please contact us at:
(785) 232-6068
Contact Us
Thanks for your message! We’ll be in touch soon.