About Scripture: We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are the supreme and final authority for faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
About God: We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing as the creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. His glory, majesty, and holiness are inexpressable. The unity of the Godhead exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 8:6; Ex. 20:2-3; Deut. 6:4; 2 Cor. 13:4)
About Jesus Christ: We believe in the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, that he is both fully God and fully man, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He eternally existed, and yet was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life here on earth, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind by dying on the cross. After three days, He rose bodily from the dead, demonstrated his victory over sin and death, and securing redemption for all who would believe. Forty days after his resurrection, Christ ascended physically from the earth and was received into heaven, where he now acts as our intercessor and advocate (Jn. 1:1-2, 14; Lk. 1:35; 1 Cor. 15:17; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 Jn. 2:2; Matt. 28:6).
About the Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal in existence, co-equal with the Father and the Son, and the same in nature and attributes. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment, leading men to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, whereupon he indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption. He is actively involved in the life of every Christian, providing the power for living godly lives, giving understanding of spiritual truth, and providing directions for our daily lives (Jn. 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14)
About the Condition of Man: We believe that mankind was created in the image of God. Mankind was created in holiness, but fell by voluntary disobedience of God's command. This disobedience brought about not only physical death, but also spiritual death, separation from God. All human beings are now born with a sinful nature, and are inclined toward evil and rebellion against God in word, thought, and deed. Because of this rebellion, mankind is under just condemnation to eternal ruin and separation from God (Gen. 3:1-6:24; Rom. 5:12: Eph. 2:13; Tit. 3:3).
About Salvation:
- Atonement for Sin: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice (1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; Acts 4:12).
- By Grace through Faith: We believe that salvation is a gracious and free gift of God to mankind, which no one deserves or could ever earn. Eternal life is offered to anyone who acknowledges their sinfulness and personal need for a Savior, believes that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for our sin, rose from the dead, and trusts in Christ's work alone for salvation (Jn. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:2-5).
- Eternal Security: We believe in the eternal security of all who believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. From the moment of belief in Christ's offer of eternal life, an individual is kept by God's power and is secure in Christ forever (Jn. 6:35-40; Jn. 10:27-29; Rom. 8:1; Eph. 1:13-14). This assurance in no way gives the believer license to continue to sin (Rom. 6:1-2; Rom. 13:13-14; Tit. 2:11-12).
About Resurrection:
- Of Believers: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the justified unto everlasting joy in heaven's glory in the presence of God (2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 20:6).
- Of the Unsaved: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the wicked dead unto everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
About the Church:
- Universally: We believe that the Church consists of all believers from the Day of Pentecost, to the rapture of the church, having become part of the body of Christ at the moment of conversion (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 5:25-27).
- Locally: We believe that the local church is a congregation of believers associated by the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. It shall be governed by the Scriptural standards of elders and deacons, with every believer utilizing the gift of grace within them, being active in the work of self-edification, evangelism, and observance of the ordinances (Mt. 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:7, 11-13; 1 Tim. 3).
About Church Ordinances:
- Baptism: We believe that Christian baptism is an ordinance commanded by Jesus. We believe in believer's baptism by immersion in water, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. Baptism demonstrates the believer's death to sin, commitment to a new life, and public identity with Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:38-39; Rom. 6:1-4).
- The Lord's Supper: We believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance commanded by Jesus, which serves as a memorial to the historical event of the cross that secured salvation, looking back to Jesus' broken body and shed blood. During the Lord's Supper, believers remember and proclaim the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, as well as examine their lives against the standards of holiness found in Scripture (Lk. 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:24-28).
About Gender and Sexuality: We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person in His image as male or female. We believe that God created the two genders to be distinct and complementary (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 139:13-16). Rejection of one's biological gender is rejection of the image of God within that person and God's purpose for which they were created.
About Marriage: We believe that God created marriage to be the joining of one man (born physically a male) and one woman (born physically a female) in a single exclusive union meant for a lifetime (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5;22-23).
About Christian Living:
- Sanctification: We believe that Christians are set apart unto God and that through the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification coupled with the believer's obedience to Scripture can enable each believer to live a life characterized by holiness (Gal. 5:16; Rom. 6:22; Rom. 12:1).
- Separation: We believe that Christians should not bring reproach to the Lord and should thus separate themselves from all worldly practices, associations, and religious apostasy (1 Jn. 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 2 Jn. 9-11).
Member's Lifestyle Statement:
Members of Grace Bible Church promise that they have trusted in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for salvation, and are in accord with the Doctrinal statement of the Church. They also promise to do the following:
- That I will make it a practice to pray for the church and its members (1 Thess. 5:17).
- That I will live before the world in such a way that the name of my Lord and the church will not be brought into disrepute (Phil. 2:14-15).
- That I will endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with the other members of the church (Eph. 4:1-3).
- That I will attend the services as often as God permits, absenting myself only when I can do so in good conscience toward Him (Heb. 10:24-25).
- That I will give to the support of the church in proportion as the Lord prospers me (1 Cor. 16:12).