Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
When looking for a church, it's important to understand what it believes. Churches usually express this through a Statement of Faith. While not Scripture itself, nor a substitute for God's Word, a Statement of Faith summarizes the essential truths that define our faith as Christians and the shared beliefs that unite us in fellowship as a local congregation.
Everyone who becomes a member of Grace Community Church must affirm the following Statement of Faith, which identifies us as a historically Christian, evangelical, congregational, and Baptist church. Our Statement of Faith is based on the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1853), a doctrinal standard embraced by thousands of other Baptist churches.
I. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Bible, which consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testament, was written by men divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. We believe it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, revealing the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be judged.
Num 23:19; Deut 4:1-2; Ps 19:7-10; 119:89; Prov 30:5-6; Is 40:8; Mt 5:17-18; Lk 21:33; 24:44-46; Jn 5:39; 17:17; Rom 2:12; 15:4; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Pt 1:25; 2 Pt 1:19-21; 1 John 4:1
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one, and only one true and living God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is the YAHWEH, the Creator and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; glorious in holiness, and worthy of all honor, confidence and love. We believe there are three persons in the unity of the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious roles in the work of redemption.
John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2:12-13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4-5; 1 Cor 8:6; John 1:1-3; Ps 33:6; Gal 4:4-6; Eph 4:4-6; Tit 3:4-7
III. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe humanity was created in the image of God, male and female, in holiness, under the law of their Creator, in perfect fellowship with God, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy state; and as a result all mankind are now sinners, by nature and by choice; being utterly void of the holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternity in Hell, without defense or excuse.
Gen 1:27; Gen 1:31; Eccl 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:6-24; Rom 5:12; Rom 5:15-19; Ps 51:5; Rom 8:7; Isa 53:6; Gen 6:12; Rom 3:9-18; Eph 2:1-3; Rom 1:18, 32; Rom 2:1-16; Gal 3:10; 1 John 5:19; Matt 20:15; Ezek 18:19-20; Matt 25:46; Rom 1:20; Rom 3:19; Gal 3:2
IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace; and that the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full and substitutionary atonement for our sins on the cross. Now risen from the dead, he is enthroned in heaven; and being truly God and truly man, having united in his person tender sympathy with divine perfection, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
Eph 2:3; Matt 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb 4:14; Heb 12:24; Phil 2:9, 14; 2 Cor 5:21; Isa 42:21; Phil 2:8; Gal 4:4-5; Rom 3:21; Isa 53:4-5; Matt 20:28; Rom 4:25; Rom 3:21-26; 1 John 2:3; 1 Cor 15:1-3; Heb 9:13-15; Heb 1:8; Heb 1:3; Col 3:1-4; Heb 7:25; Col 2:18; Heb 7:26; Ps 89:19; Ps 34:1-22
V. JUSTIFICATION
We believe justification is the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who have faith in Him; that it includes the just pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life; that it is given not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. Through this faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God. And we believe justification brings us into a state of blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needed for our eternal salvation.
John 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11-12; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom 5:21; Rom 4:4-5; Rom 6:23; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 5:19; Rom 3:24-26; Rom 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom 5:3; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:30-31; 2 Cor 5:21; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8
VI. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe the blessings of salvation are offered freely to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a sincere, repentant, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel.
Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Rom 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt 23:37; Rom 9:32; Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt 11:20; Luke 10:27; 2 Thess 1:8
VII. GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. We believe God bestows regeneration by the power of the Holy Spirit and in a manner above our comprehension and without our cooperation; transforming our minds, securing our voluntary obedience to the gospel, and showing evidence in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life, regeneration being the cause and not the effect of these God-glorifying fruits.
John 3:3; John 3:6-7; 1 Cor 3:14; Rev 14:3; Rev 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28-29; Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; Jas 1:16-18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:9-11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 3:14-21; Matt 3:8-10; Matt 7:20; 1 John 5:1-4, 18; Eph 2:1-10
VIII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe repentance and faith are inseparable, sacred acts and graces, formed in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation through Christ, we turn to God with genuine contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy, endeavoring by the help of the Spirit to live no longer for human passions, but for the will of God; while at the same time receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; Jas 4:7-10; 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Cor 10:12-13; Ps 51:1-19; Rom 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb 4:14; Ps 2:6; Heb 1:8; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12
IX. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe election is God’s eternal purpose to graciously regenerate, sanctify, and save sinners. We believe election is perfectly consistent with the free agency of mankind, that it encompasses all the means in connection with the end, and that it is a glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. We believe election completely excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. We believe election encourages evangelism and discipleship; that it may be perceived by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to perceive it in ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
2 Tim 1:8-9; Eph 1:3-14; 1 Pet 1:1-2; Rom 11:5-6; John 15:16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18-19; Matt 20:15; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23-24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28-29; Jas 1:17-18; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 11:32-36; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Rom 3:27; Rom 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5-7; 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Pet 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 1 Thess 1:4-10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pet 1:10-11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11
X. SANCTIFICATION
We believe sanctification is the process by which God makes us partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it begins in regeneration; and that it is accomplished in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, through appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. We believe the Holy Spirit's work of transforming and conforming us to the image of Christ occurs as He opens and enlightens the eyes of our hearts to behold the all-satisfying glory of Christ.
1 Thess 4:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Cor 13:10; Phil 3:12-16; 1 John 2:29; Rom 8:5; Eph 1:4; Prov 4:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 6:1; 2 Pet 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil 1:9-11; Eph 1:13-14; Phil 2:12-13; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt 26:41; Eph 6:18; Eph 4:30; Eph 1:18
XI. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe real believers are those who endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the chief mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that God’s special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith to eternal salvation. The persevering faith of the saints is sustained by the preserving faithfulness of their Savior.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom 8:28; Matt 6:30-33; Jer 32:40; Ps 121:3; Ps 91:11-12; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb 1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 John 4:4; John 6:39
XII. THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability of fallen people to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin. We believe that Christ is the Mediator who delivers us from this love of sin and restores us to obedience to the holy law as it's understood in light of it's fulfillment in Him. In the Spirit's work of regeneration, this holy law is written upon the hearts of believers and is strengthened through the church's means of grace.
Rom 3:31; Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 7:12; Rom 7:7, 14-22; Gal 3:21; Ps 119; Rom 8:7-8; Josh 24:19; Jer 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom 8:2-4; Rom 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb 8:10; Jude 20-21
XIII. A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe the universal or invisible Church consists of all the elect, and that the union between Christ and his church is pictured in the one-flesh union of marriage between a man and a woman. This universal church is made visible in the local church, which is a congregation of baptized believers. The local church is associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observes the ordinances of Christ; is governed by his Word; and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in it by the Scriptures and given by his Spirit. We believe the two biblical officers of the local church are Elders (or Pastors) and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor 1:1-3; Matt 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Cor 14:23; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 5:12-13; 1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 3:6; Rom 16:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-24; Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Cor 4:17; Matt 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:7; 1 Cor 14:12; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1
XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin, our resurrection to a new life, and our incorporation into His church; that it is required to enjoy the privileges of being identified with the church, and for receiving the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal 3:26-28; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor 11:26; Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 11:28; 1 Cor 5:1-8; 1 Cor 11:17-32; John 6:26
XV. THE LORD’S DAY
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, commemorating Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is a time for corporate worship, spiritual devotion, and engaging in the church's means of grace as we joyfully anticipate the eschatological rest that awaits the people of God in glory. Activities on the Lord’s Day should align with the Christian’s biblically informed conscience under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:7; Col 2:16-17; Matt 28:1-6; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Rev 1:10; Heb 10:24-25; Heb 4:3-11; Rom 14:5-10
XVI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that governing authorities are to be prayed for, honored according to conscience, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom 13:1-7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3; Ex 18:23; Jer 30:21; Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt 28:1-20; Dan 3:15-18; Dan 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2:1-12; Rom 14:9-13
XVII. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that those justified through faith in Christ are sanctified by the Spirit of our God and are truly righteous in God’s sight; while all who continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse forever.
Mal 3:18; Prov 12:26; Isa 5:20; Gen 18:23; Jer 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom 6:16; Rom 1:17; Rom 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom 6:18;22; 1 Cor 11:32; Prov 11:31; 1 Pet 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Gal 3:10; John 3:36; Isa 57:21; Ps 10:4; Isa 55:6-7; Prov 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; Eccl 3:17; Matt 7:13-14
XVIII. THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless conscious punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of all people in the New Jerusalem or the Lake of Fire, on principles of righteousness.
1 Pet 4:7; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Heb 1:10-12; Matt 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt 28:20; Matt 13:39-40; 2 Pet 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt 13:49; Matt 13:37-43; Matt 24:30-31; Matt 25:31-46; Rev 22:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor 4:18; Rom 3:5-6; 2 Thess 1:6-12; Heb 6:1-2; 1 Cor 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2-16; Rev 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17; 2 Pet 3:11-12