I. The Scriptures We believe that the Holy Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testament as originally written, is the inspired Word of God. This is the product of men chosen and empowered by God and moved by the Holy Spirit and is therefore true in all that it says and sufficient to know all that God commands. The Scriptures are the center of Christian unity and the standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions will be tried.[1]
II. The True God We believe that there is one living and true God who is an infinite and sovereign Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.[2]
God the Father We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all that come to him through Jesus Christ.[3]
God the Son We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man (without ceasing to be God), being supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem man.[4]
We believe Jesus accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.[5]
We believe Jesus ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where as our High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercessor and advocate.[6]
God the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person equal with God the Father and God the Son. He was active in the creation, restrains the evil one, and convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel and is the Agent of the new birth that seals, guides, teaches, helps and sanctifies the believer.[7]
III. The Devil (Satan) We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed Heavenly honors, but through his pride and ambition to be as the Almighty fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. He is the enemy of God, the tempter of mankind, the accuser of the saints, the author of false religions, and the ruler of all powers of darkness. He is destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in Hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.[8]
IV. The Creation We believe that the Biblical account of creation is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively. All life was created directly by God and commanded to bring forth only “after their kind” and not through evolutionary changes of species. Creation, according to the design of God, was good.[9]
V. The Image of God in Man God made humanity—male and female—in His own image. Set apart as His image bearers, every human life from conception through natural death is sacred. All men and women, bearing the image of God, are meant to represent God in His creation. God declares the created order to be very good, distinguishing men and women as His agents to care for, manage and govern over it. They enjoy equal access to God by faith in Christ Jesus. Adam and Eve (from whom all mankind has descended) were made to complement each other in a one-flesh union in the covenant of marriage that establishes the only God-ordained pattern of sexual relations for men and women. In God’s wise purposes, men and women are not simply interchangeable, but rather they complement each other in mutually enriching ways.[10]
VI. The Fall of Man We believe that mankind was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but voluntarily sinned and fell from his sinless and happy state. Now the entire human race has inherited a corrupt nature that willfully opposes God’s law. This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to the mind, will, body and affections. We are therefore under just condemnation without excuse or defense.[11] VII. Salvation We believe that the salvation of sinners is by grace through faith in the Son of God who perfectly obeyed the law and died in our place as a complete payment for our sins. Jesus was our substitute, the righteous dying for the unrighteous, bearing our sins in his body on the tree. This salvation is freely offered to all who would believe.[12]
We believe that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again. When a sinner is drawn by the Holy Spirit, repents of his sin, and turns to Christ as Savior, he is immediately brought from spiritual death to spiritual life. He is made a new creation in Christ and adopted into God’s family as His sons and daughters. Nothing can add to the value of Christ’s blood or the merit of His finished work. Repentance of sin and faith in the person and work of Christ are the only conditions of salvation.[13]
We believe that the great gospel blessing that Christ secures for those who believe in Him is justification. Justification is the pardon of sin and declaration of righteousness, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done but is solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. In justification, our sins are applied to Christ and His righteousness is applied to us.[14]
VIII. Sanctification We believe sanctification is being set apart from sin to God. It is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer is conformed to the image of Christ.[15]
Sanctification is seen in three stages: 1. When we are saved, we are made holy. 2. As we walk through our Christian life, we are becoming holy. 3. When we are with Christ, we will finally be holy.
IX. The Security of The Saints We believe that because of the eternal purposes of God, the advocacy of Christ and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit that every true believer, once saved, shall be kept saved forever and will endure to the end. A persevering relationship with Christ (through His power) is the mark that distinguishes genuine followers of Christ.[16]
X. The Priesthood of all Believers We believe that every born-again believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ. We may draw near to God in full assurance of faith and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.[17]
XI. The Church We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by fellowship through the gospel and a covenant of faith. They observe the ordinances of baptism and communion, sustain the faithful preaching of the Word, and exercise spiritual gifts. The church’s officers are elders (pastors) and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.[18]
We believe the mission of the church is to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching obedience to all that Christ has commanded.[19]
We believe the local church decides for itself matters of governance, membership, discipline, and benevolence. It is not bound to any hierarchy of individuals, organizations, or governments, for the head of the church is Christ. The local church is free to fellowship with like-minded organizations to grow in faith, advance the gospel, and promote unity in the body of Christ.[20]
We believe everyone who has repented of their sin and accepted Christ as their Savior are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.[21]
XII. Baptism and The Lord’s Supper We believe that Christian baptism is the believer's immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a picture of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and shows the believer’s desire to follow Jesus as Lord.[22]
We believe the Lord’s Supper (Communion) symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf. We are to come to the table with an attitude of faith and self-examination. As we remember and proclaim Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, we receive spiritual nourishment for our souls and signify our unity with one another.[23]
XIII. Spiritual Gifts We believe the Holy Spirit has given spiritual gifts to every believer for the building up of the church. We believe the “miraculous” gifts of the Spirit gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established.[24]
XIV. Missions We believe that the commission given by the Lord Jesus to make disciples of all nations is binding on His Church to the end of the age. This task is to proclaim the Gospel to every tribe and tongue and people and nations baptizing them, teaching them the words and ways of the Lord, and gathering them into local bodies of Christ able to fulfill their Christian calling. The ultimate aim of world missions is that God would create, by His Word, worshippers who glorify His name through glad-hearted faith and obedience. [25]
XV. Civil Government We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Our civil leaders are to be prayed for, honored and obeyed (except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ). [26]
XVI. Israel We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God's covenant people. She is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ but will be regathered and saved at the second coming of Christ.[27]
XVII. The Return of Christ We believe in the physical, visible, personal and glorious return of Jesus Christ. He will descend from heaven with a cry of command and catch away (rapture) his church. Believers who have died in Christ will be raised at His coming and those alive in Christ will be glorified.[28]
He will judge the nations and set up His millennial kingdom on earth and reign upon the throne of David. At the close of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan, his hosts, and all unbelievers will be separated from the benevolent presence of God and will endure eternal punishment.[29]
The righteous, in glorious bodies, will live and reign with Him forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory. Then the eager expectation of creation will be fulfilled, and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God, who makes all things new.[30]
XVIII. Conclusion We believe in the Word of God which tells of Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, spoke in power, performed miraculous acts, and lived a perfect life. He died in our place, arose in power, ascended in splendor, intercedes as our High Priest, and will one day come in glory to establish his Eternal Kingdom.
This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Grace Baptist Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Bible is the final authority.
[1] 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, John 17:17
[2] Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 John 4:13-14, John 16:13-15
[3] Isaiah 6:1-6, Psalm 115:3
[4] John 1:1-14, Luke 1:27
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
[6] Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 7:25
[7] 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Titus 3:4-6, Ephesians 1:13-14
[8] Isaiah 14:12-15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8
[9] Genesis 1-2, Psalm 33:6-9, Job 38-41
[10] Genesis 1:26-2:25, Psalm 139:13-16, Matthew 19:4-6