What We Believe

OUR MISSION

To declare the whole counsel of God without apology, through biblical preaching and teaching; thereby, leading the lost to Christ and growing Disciples for the service of our Savior.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

This doctrinal statement reflects the core doctrinal position of Grace Community Church. While it is not intended to outline all doctrine associated with evangelical Christianity, we consider these teachings to be essential truths of the Christian faith.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

1.The Bible is the inspired Word of God and that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” to write every word of Scripture. The Bible is therefore without error in its original manuscripts. Also, that it alone is the final authority for doctrine and instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21).

2.God is One- The one true God is triune; existing in three co-eternal, co-equal, distinct Persons: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three Persons share the nature and attributes of the one true God. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Rom. 1:20; Col 2:9).

3.God the Father is the one true living God. He is eternal, all-holy, sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, all-loving, and perfectly just. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:1; Eph. 4:6; John 1:12-13; John 5:19-21; John 17:1-5; Isa. 40:21-28; Isa. 43:10-13; Isa. 46:8-11; Rom. 8:14-16).

4.Jesus Christ is the only begotten, eternal Son of God who equally shares in the divine nature of God. Jesus Christ became flesh to live among men as a man, yet retained his full and complete deity. He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of a virgin; died a sacrificial death on the cross as the perfect "Lamb of God" to the pay for our sins; was buried; bodily resurrected from the dead; ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right of God making intercession for us. We look for his return as he promised to come again to receive us unto himself (Mark 10:45; Luke 1:35; John 1:1,14,18; Rom. 3:25-26; Rom. 8:34; Phil. 2:6-7; Col. 2:9; I Thess. 4:13-18; Heb. 1:3).

5.The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, coming into the world on the day of Pentecost. He is the primary agent for the conviction of sin and for regeneration. Jesus baptizes the believer through the Holy Spirit, into the body of Christ; regenerating the believer's heart for a new life and providing comfort and peace in times of trial. The Holy Spirit indwells and seals the believer unto the day of redemption. He enables believers to bear spiritual fruit, and empowers them to live a life free from the bondage of sin ( John 16:7-8; Rom. 8:5-13; I Cor. 6:19; 12:13; Gal. 5:16-17; 5:22-23; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; I Pet. 4:10-11).

6.Man was created in the image of God by a direct act of God. Man was created to glorify God and to have fellowship with Him. Man separated himself from the favor and fellowship of God by committing the original act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Hence, incurring physical and spiritual death. As a result, the sinful nature of Adam was passed on to all of Mankind so that "all have sinned". Man is totally incapable of saving himself and restoring a right relationship with God by his own merit or effort (Gen. 1:26; 2:7; 3:17-24; Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 3:10-19,23).

7.Satan is a fallen angel who has been cast down from heaven to the earth. Under the sovereign permission of God, he has been given temporary dominion over the earth. His destruction was determined from the beginning, but the conclusion of his judgment will occur at the end of time when he will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. In the meantime, he deceives the world and seeks to establish his kingdom on earth; to discredit and blaspheme God and to tempt, accuse, attack and destroy believers. He can be resisted by the believer through faith and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 3:1-5; Job 2:1-2; Isa. 14:12-17; II Cor. 11:14; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:8-9; Rev. 12:9; 20:1-10).

8.Salvation- We believe that man is incapable of saving himself; that all are guilty before God, and without His intervention would perish eternally. In His mercy, God has provided a means whereby we might be restored to spiritual purity and fellowship with Him, now and for eternity. The way for restoration has been provided for by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God; Who, in all of history, is the only one found worthy to offer Himself for our sins. The shedding of His blood, and His death on the cross of Calvary is the complete provision for the appeasement of God's judgment for our sins - for those who put their faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is the result of the "free gift of God's grace" which is given by God alone. Hence, Man is saved by God's grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. There is nothing that man can or need add to this act of faith, as the work of Jesus Christ on the cross is the finished work of Christ regarding our salvation and our hope of Glory. The power of this act of turning from ourselves to God comes from the Holy Spirit who regenerates our hearts by giving us a new nature by taking up residence in our hearts. He becomes our Comforter and instructs us in all aspects of righteousness. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from death gives us hope and promise of our own resurrection from the grave; a transformation of our body to an incorruptible body; and eternity dwelling with Him in heaven. We also believe that repentance is a result of saving faith; which is a turning away from self and sin to a Lordship relationship with Christ. (John 1:12-13; 3:1-7; 3:14-16; 10:27-29; Acts 26:20; Rom. 1:16; 8:14-17; 8: 31-39; 10:9-10; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:7, 13-14; 2:8-10; I Pet. 1:3-5).

9.The Christian Life is lived by the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing Christ to be manifest in our lives to God’s glory. By ever increasing obedience to the Word of God, each believer should mature and progressively become more like Jesus. In the power of the Spirit, each believer should live a holy life; resist fulfilling the lusts of the flesh; exercise his spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ; witness for Christ; be personally involved in making disciples to fulfill the great commission; and perform good works and bear fruit to the glory of God (Matt. 28:18-20; John 15:8,16; Acts 1:8; Rom. 6:11-13; II Cor. 5:14-15; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:10; 4:11-12; 4:22-24; Col. 1:10; I Pet. 1:15-16; 2:11; 4:10-11).

10.The Church is the body of those who believe by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Although "The Church" is an expression used for the entire body of believers, it is organized into local entities for the sake of service and worship. Jesus Christ himself is the head of The Church and will return some day to take The Church (the Bride of Christ) to dwell with him for eternity in heaven. The local church is lead by pastors in conjunction with other leadership roles outlined in the New Testament. Members of the Body of Christ are united in Christ by the same Spirit. As a result, they should labor together in the love of Christ and serve one another as they fulfill the "Great Commission". The purpose of the church is to make Christ known to lost men, to make disciples, to perfect the saints and to glorify God on earth (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23; 4:1-6; 4:12-16; Col. 1:24-29).