We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 // 2 Peter 1:19-21 // Isaiah 40:8 // 1 Peter 24-25
We believe in the biblical account of the creation of the physical universe, angels, and man.
Genesis 1 & 2 // Colossians 1:16-17 // John 1:3
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 // John 1-:28-29 // Romans 8:35-39
We believe there is only one living and true God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Exodus 20:2-3 // 1 Corinthians 8:6 // Revelation 4:11
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of a virgin, Mary.
Genesis 3:15 // Isaiah 7:14 // Matthew 1:18-25 // Luke 1:35 // John 1:14
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father andGod the Son and of the same nature. He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. The Holy Spirit is the Agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
1 Corinthians 12:13 // John 14:16-17 // Matthew 28:19 // Hebrews 9:14 // John 14:26 // Luke 1:35 // Genesis 1:1-3
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. After His resurrection, He ascended visibly into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, continually interceding for us.
Matthew 28:6-7 // Luke 24:39 // John 20:27 // 1 Corinthians 15:4 // Mark 16:6 // Luke 24:2-6, 51 // Acts 1:9-11
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment.
Genesis 1:26-28 & 2:15-25 // Exodus 20:12 // Deuteronomy 6:4-9 // Proverbs 5:15-20, 6:20-22, 13:24 & 22:6 // Malachi 2:14-16 // Matthew 5:31-32, 18:2-5 & 19:3-9 // Mark 10:6-12 // Romans 1:18-32 // 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 // Ephesians 5:21-33 & 6:1-4 // 1 Timothy 5:14 // Hebrews 13:4 // 1 Peter 3:1-7
We believe that God wonderfully and immutable creates each person as a male or a female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, rape, pedophilia, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.
Genesis 1:26-27 // Matthew 5:16 & 15:18-20 // Mark 12:28-31 // Luke 6:31 // Romans 6:23 & 10:9-10 // 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 // Philippians 2:14-16 // I Thessalonians 5:22
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including the unborn babes, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
Psalm 139
We believe that salvation of sinners comes through the belief in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8 // Acts 5:11 // Romans 3:24-25 // John 3:16 // Philippians 2:7-8 // Hebrews 2:14-17 // Isaiah 53:4-7
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.
Matthew 3:12 // Genesis 18:23 // 1 John 5:19 // Romans 6:23 // Proverbs 14:32 // Luke 16:25 // Matthew 25:34-41 // John 8:21 // Revelation 20:14-15
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner. First, an eternal act of God, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the savior. Second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life. Third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return.
Hebrews 10:10-14 & 3:1 // John 17:17 // 2 Corinthians 2:18 // 1 Corinthians 1:30 // Ephesians 5:25-27 // 1 Thess. 4:3-4 // 1 John 3:2 // Jude 24-25
We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous based on the righteousness of Christ. It is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done.
Romans 3:24, 4:5, 5:1 & 9 // Galatians 2:16 // Philippians 3:9
We believe that in order to be saved sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. 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.
John 3:3 // 2 Corinthians 5:17 // 1 John 5:1 // Acts 16-20-33 // 2 Peter 1:4 // Romans 6:23 // Ephesians 2:1 & 5 // John 3:8
We believe that man was created in innocence but by the voluntary transgression of Adam, all men are sinners. We are sinners by nature, totally depraved and are under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6 // Romans 3:10-19, 5:12, 19 & 1:18, 32
We believe in the separation of the local church from all affiliation, fellowship and cooperation with those who deny the true Christian faith. We believe in the separation of the individual from all worldly practices that would dishonor the Savior, including membership in a secret order or lodge.
2 Corinthians 6:14 // 2 John 9-11
We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of immersed believes associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel. Observing the ordinances of Christ and governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, right and privileges invested in them by His Word.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 // Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:1-6, 4:11 & 5:23 // Colossians 1:18 // Acts 15:13-18
We believe that the civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming King of kings.
Romans 13:1-7 // Acts 23:5 // Matthew 22:21 // Acts 5:29 & 4:19-20 // Daniel 3:17-18
We believe that the Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth the solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life. We believe the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of the His death until He comes and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39 // John 3:23 // Romans 6:3-5 // Matthew 3:16 // Colossians 2:12 // 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 // Matthew 28:18-20 // Acts 2:41-42
We believe in the premillennial return of Christ, an event which can occur at any moment. We believe that the tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish the millennial kingdom.
Daniel 9:25-27 // Matthew 24:29-31 // Luke 1:30-33 // Isaiah 9:6-7 & 11:1-9 // Acts 2:29-30 // Revelation 20:1-4 & 6 // 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 // 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 & 51-54 // Philippians 3:30-21
We value the supremacy of Christ over all things and willingly submit to Him in all thought, word and deed in order to magnify him.
Colossians 1:15-23 // Philippians 2:9-11 // Galatians 4:19
We value the word of God and commit to accurately and boldly proclaim it throughout every facet of Emmanuel and the Toledo community.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 // Colossians 3:16-17
We value communion with God through prayer where we can confidently come before Him to rely solely on His grace and strength.
Hebrews 4:16 // John 15:7-9 // Acts 4:31
We value the oneness of the body of Christ where we find essential relationships for fellowship, encouragement, and service.
Hebrews 10:24-25 // Romans 12:5 //
Galatians 6:2
We value the need to develop and deepen our personal knowledge of God and His Word in order to be ever changing into the image of Christ so that we can practically follow God’s command to make disciples.
2 Peter 3:18 // Ephesians 4:11-16 //
Romans 12:1-2
We value the call for all believers to live, work, and serve in the world around them, magnifying Christ in order to make the gospel known to all people.
Colossians 4:5-6 // 1 Peter 3:15-17
In May of 1898, a small group of men and women in Toledo, Ohio, felt God leading them to start a church in the Dorr Street, Detroit Avenue area. On May 3, the Oakwood Avenue Baptist Church was organized with 48 members who had withdrawn from the Heston Street Baptist Church. At the time of its organization the church adopted Articles of Faith, which remain the same to this very day. Rev. D. S. Mulhern was unanimously called to be the pastor of this new church.
An excerpt from the compiled History of Emmanuel Baptist Church, dated January 1911 states the following: "With the aim of uniting the Baptist churches in the Dorr West End of the city, the Heston Street and the Oakwood Avenue Churches, in the year 1908, called a pastor to preach alternately in the two churches for a period of one year. At the expiration of the year, the spiritual oversight of the work became the responsibility of the City Missionary of the Baptist Union, both churches contributing to his support."
Beginning in January 1910, all services were held in the Oakwood Avenue building. Church minutes dates December 13, 1910, state: "The Baptist brethern and sisters from this end of the city met for the purpose of signing a charter for the new organization. The name, Emmanuel, was adopted by vote." In June 1911, the trustees were instructed to take legal steps to incorporate under the name of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
By May 1960 the church membership was 616. The Lord directed to property on Laskey Road and on June 23, 1960, the congregation accepted the plans for a new building to be built on Laskey Road. The church found itself in a position where they had to vacate their present building by February 1, and their new facility was not completed. On January 6, 1961, the congregation voted to rent Elmhurt School from February 1, 1961, until the new church was finished.
The early months of 1961 were difficult time for Emmanuel Baptist Church. They did not have their own building and were meeting in a school. The Pastor was ill, and there were many important decisions to be made concerning the new building. However, the year ended on a much brighter note. The first service in the new building was held on Thursday, August 10, 1961. This was a service of praise and prayer for God's blessings. This truly was a day of great rejoicing. The dedication service was held on September 17, 1961.
May 31, 1967, the recommendation to begin a Christian Day School in the fall with a Kindergarten class, was approved. The first teacher, who was approved at a later date, was Mrs. Joan Engel. Additional grades were added each year for several years until the school included kindergarten through sixth grade.
For several months a committee had been working on a revision of the church constitution. On February 18, 1968, after several preliminary meetings the congregation approved the new constitution. Among the changes it made were the elimination of the board of Trustees and the "Official Board," changing to a Board of Deacons only. There was quarterly business meetings rather than monthly.
On February 25, 1976, the church voted to purchase property in the 4600 block of Laskey Road for a new high school building. This was a big step of faith, and God provided for our needs. The cost of the property was $250,000 and this had to be paid in full before a building could be erected. A program entitles, "Free Our Land" was instituted with a goal of paying for this property.
The first graduation of Emmanuel Baptist Christian High School was in June 1976. The commencement speaker was Rev. Harold Amstutz. There were nine graduates
May 1988 was designated anniversary month celebrating the 90th anniversary of the church. Former pastors who ministered were: Dr. Ernest Pickering, Dr. L. George Hunt, Dr. Reginald Matthews, Dr. Joseph Bower, Dr. James T. Jeremiah. Former assistant pastors who participated during the month included: Pastor Bruce Snyder, Pastor Myron Williams, Pastor Douglas Beason. Mr. Paul Montgomery also presented special music. A time capsule was buried on May 29, which was opened ten years later. The church was challenged to raise $90,000 during the year to reduce the mortgage on the high school building. Over $105,000 was received for this purpose.
In 2005 there was a fire that destroyed the high school which was rebuilt a year later. The name of the school was changed in 2006 to Emmanuel Christian school.
The building that held its first service on September 17, 1961 is the same building that holds services today at 4207 W. Laskey Road in Toledo, Ohio. Emmanuel Baptist Church has held its name for the better part of 110 years and continues to thrive in serving the people of Northwest Ohio with the Gospel.
Pastor Duke Crawford is the Senior Pastor of a congregation that stretches beyond 600 people. Emmanuel Baptist Church's impact is not reserved to the area in which it resides. They currently support over 30 different missionaries due in large part to the blessings of God's people. The current pastoral leadership and support staff are dedicated to supporting the mission of Emmanuel Baptist Church that was laid forth 120 years ago.
God has been faithful for a long time to the people involved with Emmanuel Baptist Church. Through the good and the bad, God remains on the throne of our lives and our ministry and for the next 120 years and on, that is exactly where he will stay for the people of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
