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Statement of Faith
One God:
Holy, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, subsisting in a mysterious and eternal trinity - Father, Son and Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7-8).
One Word:
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, given by plenary and verbal inspiration of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21).
One Condemnation:
There being no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10-26; Romans 6:23; John 3:36; Ezekiel 18:4).
One Savior:
The Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh; in His essential deity, virgin birth (Matthew 1:23), sinless life (1 John 3:5), vicarious , physical and bodily resurrection from the grave and His ascension into heaven from whence He shall return personally and premillennially to set up an earthly kingdom (John 1:1-14; 14:9; Isaiah 7:14; Acts 3:12-26; Hebrews 9:24; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:19-20; 20:1-6; Titus 2:11-14).
One Atonement for Sin:
Made by Jesus Christ in a substitutionary and sacrificial death on the cross, sufficient for all, available for all, taking every legal obstacle out of the way of all, and on these grounds to be offered to all, and that all must be born again or be forever lost (Hebrews 2:9; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Mark 10:45; 2 Peter 2:24).
One Spirit:
God, the Holy Ghost, through whose sovereign agency in regeneration, the soul, in sin, is made alive in Christ, and through whose sovereign agency in sanctification, the soul is changed more and more into the divine image from glory to glory (John 16:6-15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 3:16; John 14:17).
One Life:
The life hid with Christ in God-the life eternal; begun when a sinner believes and receives Him and continues thereafter by effectual and sovereign grace of God (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13; John 1:12; Romans 10:9, 10).
One Church:
Which is Christ's body, all the members of which God hath from the beginning chose in Christ to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (Ephesians 1:4, 14, 22, 23; 5:25; Colossians 1:18).
Two Destinies:
Heaven and Hell; that Heaven is a place of eternal life with Christ, and that Hell is a place of eternal death and separation from God (Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 21:22; Hebrews 9:27; John 3:36; John 3:16).
One Satan:
Both tempter and accuser who exists in personality and reality (Revelation 12:9-10; Matthew 4:2-11; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8).
One Commission:
The great evangelistic and missionary commission given by Jesus Christ to the disciples and the continuing church (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8).
That Blessed Hope:
The personal, premillennial return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13; Matthew 24:44; Acts 1:11).
Ordinances:
The ordinances of the gospel are baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ (". . . in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost . . .") and symbolizes the believer's death, burial and resurrection with Christ to walk in newness of life.
The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of His broken body and shed blood for the remission of sin and symbolizes the fact that the believer identifies himself with the death of Jesus Christ. This ordinance should be partaken only by those whose faith is in Christ and it is to continue till He comes (Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Doctrinal Series Packets Available
The Doctrinal Covenant packets are available on each doctrine: The Scriptures, The Trinity, The Father, Jesus Christ, Angels, Humanity, Salvation, The Church, Separation of Church and State, The Holy Spirit, and Last Things.
These individual packets will be a great tool for sharing with friends and relatives that may have questions about what you believe and why you believe it. Perhaps you would like to review one of the doctrines and then share your packet with a co-worker or neighbor.
Each packet includes the doctrinal statement, a CD of the message and either PowerPoint notes or a brief outline of the message.
You may purchase the packet(s) of your choice at The Perfect Parcel for $5.00 each or check out a packet at the Grace Library (north side of Building E).
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as
you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."
1 Timothy 4:16
Grace Doctrinal Covenant
Scriptures:
We believe the Bible is God's absolute, objective truth for all people for all times. It is without error in concept or detail in the original writings. It is inspired in every word, divinely preserved and therefore trustworthy. It is God's written, propositional revelation. It is complete in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It is the supreme standard in all matters to which it speaks. We believe the Holy Spirit directed the human authors so that through their individual personalities and literary styles they composed and recorded God's Word. We believe the true meaning of Scripture is found as one diligently applies the literal, contextual, grammatical and historical method of interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Support: II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; John 10:35; II Peter 3:16; John 16:7-14; I Corinthians 2:7-16.
The Trinity:
We believe in the one personal, living God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They execute distinct, but harmonious roles in creation, providence, and redemption. They are equal in nature, attributes and perfections. Nevertheless the Son and the Spirit are submissive to the Father's will. The triune God is worthy of our worship, confidence and obedience.
Biblical Support: Deuteronomy 6:4; I Kings 8:60; Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 45:5-6; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-14; Luke 22:70; Luke 11:13; John 10:30; John 14:10-11; John 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6.
The Father:
We believe in God the Father: an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity. We believe He works everything in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty does not eliminate or minimize human responsibility. God's foreknowledge is exhaustive and not dependent on human decisions and actions. We believe He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Biblical Support: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 34:6; Psalm 147:5; John 1:3; John 3:36; John 6:27; Romans 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 15:2-4; Colossians 1:16-26; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 1:5; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 3:20; Revelation 19:6.
Jesus Christ:
We believe that Jesus Christ is God's one and only eternal Son and is fully God and fully Man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe in His sinless life, His accuracy and truthfulness in all He spoke, His death on the cross, His bodily resurrection from the dead and His substitutionary atonement. He ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of God the Father He is our High Priest and advocate.
Biblical Support: John 1:1; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:6; Romans 3:25-26; 1 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; Revelation 19; Revelation 20.
The Holy Spirit:
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, who was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. His ministry glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ's work of redemption. He regenerates, baptizes, seals and indwells all believers, securing them in Christ forever, and empowers them for godly living and service. The ministry of the Spirit in the church does not need signs and wonders to verify it, nor does His work guarantee abundant wealth or life without illness. His presence is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into Christ-likeness. The Spirit controls, leads and gifts believers, but no gift is a sign of his baptism or filling, nor do they provide extra Biblical revelation but all are for the common good.
Biblical Support: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:30; John 16:13-14; John 15:26; John 16:7-8; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Genesis 1:2; II Peter 1:21; Acts 5:3-4; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 5:5; II Corinthians 1:22; I Corinthians 12: Ephesians 5:18.
Humanity:
We believe that humanity, male and female, was uniquely made in the image of God and for His glory, to exercise dominion over the earth, and to enjoy a relationship with Him forever. God created Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam's rib. Subsequent human life, which begins at conception, is a gift from God deserving of respect, care and protection. Sin entered the world when Adam, representing us, disobeyed God. The effect is that all people are sinners by nature and choice, are spiritually dead, and are in need of a Savior. The family is established by God and is the foundation institution of society. He has designed marriage to be a life-long commitment between one man and one woman.
Biblical Support: Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15-25; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; James 3:9; Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 5:22-23; Ephesians 6:1-4.
Salvation:
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, and is received by faith, apart form any human merit, works, or ritual. We further believe salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern, culminating in glorification in God's presence in heaven.
Biblical Support: Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:5; John 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 16:19-20; Romans 6:13; Colossians 3:17; John 5:24; Romans 8:29-39; John 17:15; II Timothy 1:12.
The Church:
We believe the universal Church, launched on the day of Pentecost, is the spiritual body of Christ of which He is the head. The local church is made up of all who having made a credible confession of faith and are baptized by immersion for the purpose of publicly declaring their relationship with Jesus Christ. The local church practices the Lord's Supper for the purpose of remembering His death and burial, anticipating the return of Jesus Christ. The church is built into Christ-likeness through teaching the word, prayer, evangelism, and worship in the context of accountable community. While the local church is autonomous and congregational, we commit to Biblical interdependence with other churches. Her leaders are responsible first to Jesus Christ and then to the congregation. We recognize the calling and giftedness of men and women to serve together in ministry; however, we believe the office of Elder and Lead Pastor are intended to be filled by biblically qualified men. It is imperative that every believer be an active part of a local church.
Biblical Support: Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:4-5; Acts2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:25-27; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:4-6; Acts 2:38-41; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
Separation of Church and State:
We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life and that each one should be free to worship God according to the dictates of conscience.
Biblical Support: Daniel 3:17-18; 6:11; Acts 5:29; I Peter 2:9
Angels:
We believe God created angels, spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, who worship and serve Him. Angels are sent to minister to those who will inherit salvation. Satan is a fallen angel, who masquerades as an angel of light. Satan's role on earth, often performed by demons, is to deceive and destroy. He, along with his demons, have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ at the cross.
Biblical Support: Psalm 148:2-5; Hebrews 1:14; Isaiah 14:12-17; James 2:19; II Peter 2:4; Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:12; II Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:10; John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 20:10.
Last Things:
We believe a person's eternal destiny is forever sealed by their acceptance or rejection of Christ and His work on the cross in this lifetime. Unbelievers will experience eternal seperation from the presence of God in hell, a place of suffering and loss. Believers will experience eternity with God in heaven, a place of joyful worship and fellowship with the redeemed of all ages. We also believe in the pre-millennial coming of Jesus Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His kingdom on earth.
Biblical Support: Luke 16:22-23; Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 2:1; Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 6:1-9; Revelation 6:21; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 11:1-16; Deuteronomy 65:15-17; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Revelation 19:11; Revelation 19:14; Revelation 1-6; Mark 9:43-48; I Corinthians 15:24-28; II Thessalonians 1:9; II Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1-4; Revelation 22:5; Revelation 22:11.
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