God wants a pure church.  A bride without spot or wrinkle.  We plan to be part of that bride
A church composed of people who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.

We believe in the Ephesians 4 approach to growing the body unto a perfect man and preventing error 

It is the only method given us in scripture. It eliminates the distinction between the clergy and the laity, which did not exist in the early church.

2 ¶  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

There are many who are not lowly or meek and care only for their opinions or interpretations.  But God says each of us knows and sees only in part. We need the parts that all see in order to properly know Him.  In any sharing, forbearance is needed for those who have their egos engaged

3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It is often a challenge to keep unity when egos are involved.  Jesus is trying to have us live in the Spirit and not by our egos.  The destruction of egos, in love, is one of the purposes of the saint’s gatherings

4  [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

the body is not divided in any way. Some giftings, callings, and understandings may seem more important, but it takes the entire body moving as one to properly represent Christ in His fullness

5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

We are to celebrate those differences and encourage each to be the most in their callings and giftings

6  One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

In us ALL, not just the most knowledgeable or the most gifted

7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

And we should use that grace for the betterment of all

8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

ALL the saints. Our purpose is to help each saint know and grow in their gift so that Christ may be properly represented by each saint

9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Not a different Jesus, but the same Jesus.  His desire is to fill all things with Himself

11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

And where do these gifts come from?  They are not outsiders but arise from within the local saints/church

12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The entire purpose of the church is to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry God has called them to. 

13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That should be the desire of all saints, and Ephesians 4 tells us how He makes that happen

14  That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Jesus warned of such things happening in abundance in the last days.  Very few churches are warning about them and false teachings and doctrines have invaded the church 

15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

We imagine that love is a soft, comforting, Hallmark type of thing.  True love rescues from error and sin and kills it out.  Usually to the hurt of the ego. Hebrews 12:6-9 or his rebuke of Peter or the woman with the issue of blood or His exchanges with the Pharisees.  He is not gentle with sin.

16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.Every joint supplieth is the key.  That can not and does not happen in a pastor-led church.  Time and respect must be given to every opinion as it is held to the truth of scripture. The only purpose of opinions is to arrive at the truth through discussing scripture..17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

One man’s gifting, regardless of how great, was never meant to build the church.

Jesus is the only one who can do that and we are His body, flesh of His flesh, and bone of His bone.
Ephesians 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

He has called ALL of the church to speak as members of His body

                                          History of the

First Baptist Church of Albany

by Pastor C.A. Ehrhardt

The organization of the First Baptist church of Albany took place March 3rd, 1877.  In January preceding this Rev. Robert Smith, of the Monticello Prairie church (later known as the Gap church) held a series of meetings in the Pebbles School house three miles east of Albany, and later in the village itself, in the Grange Hall, now known as the Town Hall.  A large number of conversions was the result.  There were also a few Baptists, the remnant of a former organization in the English settlement.  How to Shepherd these widely scattered forces was the problem.  February 24th, 1877, fifteen members were dismissed from the Monticello Prairie church, some of these with a few of those in the English settlement, the Pebbles district and recent converts in the village, met Saturday, March 3rd 1877, at the home of John Lacey, (known as the Deacon Carver house) and perfected the organization.  Sixteen members entered into this covenant, which number was increased to forty-six during the next six months.

      Brethren John Lacey and L. F. Moore were elected deacons.  It was recognized as a regularly constituted Baptist church by a council which convened May 29th, 1877, and was admitted into the Janesville Association at Juda, Sept 20th, of the same year.

     The young organization was subjected to many vicissitudes, meeting from house to house, now in the Congregational church and then in the Grange Hall.  Rev. Smith served as pastor preaching Sunday afternoon until the following September.  In Feb. 1878, Rev S. E. Sweet took up the work preaching alternate Sunday evenings.

(NOTE-Owing to the loss of early church records in the fire of Deacon Maywood’s store in Nov, 1883, the first part of this history is necessarily incomplete).

Jan. 1st, 1890 Rev. Robert Smith who organized the church began full time service as pastor.  During this year 33 new members were added, making the membership 70.

     From May 1881 there was a pastorless period and a suspension of work for four years.  In November 1883 a fire destroying Bro. Mayward’s store, burned also the church records.  Rev. W.  F. Hill supplied the pulpit for several months each alternate Sunday afternoon, but again lacking a place to meet, all services excepting the covenant meetings were discontinued.  In 1886 after a re-organization the membership was reported to the Association as 22.

     Having no church home and irregular meeting places, the question of building a house of Worship was agitated, and Sept. 5th 1885 Bro. J. F. Maynard was appointed to see what could be done.  Subsequently the trustees of the Congregational church transferred the title to the property Lot 1 and 1 rod on Lot 2 Block 10 corner Main and Jackson streets to the trustees of this church.  The committee appointed to examine reported that a new building would be required to replace the old Congregational house.  A building committee consisting of J. F.  Maynard, J. W. Carver and Thomas Flint was appointed which at once disposed of the old building for $60 to Eugene Warren,  who moved it to the east side, making out of it two dwelling houses.  Bro. J. W.  Carver was chosen solicitor of funds for the new building.

     The new plans as adopted were:  Main building 34×50 with 16ft. posts, lecture room 18×24 with 12ft. posts situated on south side of main building with a vestibule and tower extended on the east front.  The building to be heated with steam and seated with chairs.  The work was done by day labor under a competent superintendent.  The cost of the building exclusive of lots was $3642.91.  It was dedicated to the service of God Jan. 16th, 1887 by Dr. D. E. Halteman assisted by Rev. W .F. Hill and Rev. James Lawson, of the Methodist church.  All but $805 of the amount had been provided for, $530 was raised on the day of Dedication, leaving a debt of $275 which was secured during the pastorate of Bro. J .C. Carter in 1892.

     During the summer of 1887 the pulpit was supplied by D. D. Haggard, a student from Morgan Park, and later by Bro. Prescott, of Juda and Dr Bulson, of Brodhead.  Nov 3rd, 1888, a call was extended to Bro. Robert N. Martin to become the first resident pastor since the re-organization.  He was asked to supply the Monticello Prairie church Sunday afternoons.  Thus in the course of time it has come that the mother church which gave so freely of her life and service to the daughter must now be supplied by the strength of the latter.  Bro. Martin was ordained to the ministry by this church Jan.23rd, 1889.  His pastorate closed the last of January 1890.

     The church was next supplied during the summer by Bro. A. H. Craven, a student from the Rochester Seminary.  On October 1st, 1891, Pastor J. C. Carter’s ministry began.  This was the period of the largest numerical increase, in which the famous Dillard and Bond meetings occurred.  Total additions 72 making the membership 122.

     The next pastorate that of Bro. Joseph Mountain was the longest in the history of the church, lasting four years.  An interesting incident of the next pastorate was the marriage of Pastor Rogers to sister Abbie Davis.  Bro. H.  B. Gibbons, the next pastor was ordained here Monday, Sept. 4th, 1899.  Owing to ill health he resigned Oct. 7th, 1900.  During the year 1903 the parsonage valued at $2500, was built.   During the history of the church there were added to the 16 original 172 by Baptism, 54 by letter, 28 by experience and 10 by restoration a total of 280.  The present membership of 125 is the largest in the history of the church, but there is also the largest list of 26 non-resident members.

God is coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkle who is alive with faith and good works.

We are now eliminating all elements that are not scriptural from our practices, traditions, and beliefs.

We are examining doctrines asking for Holy Spirit wisdom and revelation.

We are expecting God to restore His Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians gifts to our assembly once we become a church He can endorse in all our ways

Our only desire is to be pleasing in His sight and show forth the glory that is due is holy and majestic name