About

History & Philosophy

Our History

On September 5, 1972, First Baptist Academy opened its doors for grades K-7. FBA was founded as a biblically-integrated private Christian school in downtown Dallas, and was the realization of a 27-year dream of Dr. W. A. Criswell, then Pastor of the First Baptist Dallas. Grades were added each year until 1977, when FBA graduated its first senior class.

Our Beliefs

As a ministry of First Baptist Church, Dallas, we hold these beliefs as being essential to fulfilling our purpose of glorifying God.

Worship

We believe that we are created by God to worship Him and that glorifying God is the ultimate reason for our existence (John 4:23-24). Therefore, we will seek to praise and worship Him passionately – as students, as faculty and staff, and as a private Christian school.

Authority of Scripture

We believe that all Scripture is divinely inspired and serves as the final authority in all matters of belief and behavior (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, we value Bible-centered teaching as the foundation for all that we do.

Family

We believe that the family is God’s foundational institution for human society (Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:22-6:4). Therefore, we encourage lifelong commitments to marriage between one man and one woman, and we support the ongoing spiritual nurture of the family.

Prayer

We believe that prayer is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian and that God unleashes His power and leading in the lives of those who spend time in prayer (Matthew 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Therefore, we will intentionally seek to set aside specific times for private, classroom, and school-wide prayer.

Fellowship and Community

We believe that God instructs Christians to cultivate loving relationships as a community of believers (Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7-11). Therefore, we will actively pursue personal, faculty, and staff relationships characterized by integrity, accountability, serving, encouragement, and honoring.

Life Transformation

We believe that all Christians should daily pursue a growing personal relationship with Christ and are responsible for becoming more like Christ in their beliefs and conduct (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28). Therefore, we will provide opportunities for every student to develop a Christian worldview and thus engage the culture wherein he lives, works, and interacts.

Personal Evangelism and Missions

We believe that every person is important to God, that God desires a personal relationship with every individual, and that He has entrusted us with the message of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Therefore, we will endeavor to share the message of salvation with all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status, both in the DFW metroplex and throughout the world.

Stewardship

We believe that biblical stewardship involves the proper management of all that God has given us … time, money, abilities, etc. … to expand His kingdom (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10). Therefore, we encourage every member of the FBA private Christian school family to adopt a lifestyle of stewardship that recognizes God’s ownership of everything and to practice the biblical principle of tithing (giving at least one tenth of one’s income) to support the work of a local church.

Every Member Ministry

We believe that God cares about the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every person. Further, we believe that every member of this school family is called to minister (Ephesians 4:11-12). Therefore, we will develop lay leaders who will function effectively in their respective roles of service and, in turn, train and mentor other believers for ministry.