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In October of 2006, Brother Edwin Hayes of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptist’s visited our congregation and taught on the subject, Why I Am A Free Will Baptist. The following is an outline of what he taught. He also stated in his outline that, “All Bible believing churches have these basic beliefs, 1) Inspiration of Scripture. 2) The Virgin Birth. 3) The Deity of Jesus Christ. 4) The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 5) Eternity in Heaven or Hell. 6) The Coming Judgment. However, the Free Will Baptists have some distinctions from other denominations which are important.” As Brother Hayes says, and as our congregation believes, this is why we are Free Will Baptists. Below are links to those lessons. The quality isn't the greatest, but what you can make out is wonderful doctrine to build a congregation on.
Why I Am A Free Will Baptist Part One
Follow this link to the right, and you will find the official outline of this lesson. Feel free to make a copy and follow along with Brother Hayes as he teaches this wonderful lesson. Below to the left is a shorter version of that outline.
Why I Am A Free Will Baptist Part Two
Brother Edwin Hayes
Free Will Baptist Church Covenant
I. The Doctrine of Salvation
  A. Calvinism was predominant view of the churches in the earl 1700’s.
    1. Developed by the great Swiss reformer – John Calvin
    2. The Basic beliefs of Calvinism
        A. Total Depravity – no way to God
        B. Unconditional Election – before God chose who would be saved and lost.
        C. Limited Atonement – Christ only died for the elect.
        D. Irresistible Grace – If you were one of the chosen, you could not resist the call!
        E. Preservation of the Saints – Once you are saved you cannot go back.
  B. Free Will Baptists – Men like Paul Palmer and Benjamin Randall preached something else!
    1. That all men have a free will to accept or reject the Gospel.
    2. That men in their free will can make shipwreck of their faith.
II. The Doctrine of Ordinances
  A. Church Ordinances
  B. Free Will Baptists believe in Divine Ordinances – They originate wit Christ and no the church!
III. The Doctrine of Baptism
  A. Believers Baptism
  B. No Baptismal Regeneration
  C. Baptism by Immersion
IV. Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  A. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at Conversion
  B. Progressive Sanctification that will be complete when Jesus comes.
V. Doctrine of the Bible
  A. The Bible is inspired
  B. The Bible is Infallible and Inerrant
  C. The Bible is our Authority – not man!
  D. The Bible is Complete
   Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.
     We promise, by His grace, to love and obey Him in all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to obstain from sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and sale of intoxicating beverages, and to "provide things honest in the sight of all men."
     We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in reference to the study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to "grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
     We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the ordinances of the Gospel; nor fail to pay according to our ability for the support of the church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.
     We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to "keep unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one another's happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage the inflicted, admonish the erroring, and as far as we are able, promote the success of the church and of the Gospel.
     We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in soceity, constantly praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done of earth as it is heaven.
     To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational and denominational enterprises, the supoort of missions, the success of Sunday schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world. And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.