Complete Statement of Faith, Constitution and Bylaws of Grace Church  (PDF)

We believe:

A. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the plenary*, verbal**, inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the divine and final authority for Christian faith and life (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). *(every word), **(the very words)

B. In one triune God, Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—co-equal in being, co-equal in power and glory, and having exactly the same attributes and perfections (Genesis 1:1-3, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 John 5:7).

C. That God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Genesis 1:1; Psalms 145:8-9; I Corinthians 8:6). That He is the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, that He is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Psalms 103:19; Romans 11:36). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 1:11). He upholds, directs and governs all creatures and events (I Chronicles 29:11). He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (I Peter 1:17-19).  He saves from sin all who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).

D. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 28:1-6; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:24-27; Titus 2:11-13).

E. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, seal, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13).

F. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost; and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:26; John 3:36; Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12; Titus 3:4-7, Ephesians 2:1).

G. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who repent and believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:10-13).

H. And teach that all the redeemed once saved are given eternal life and are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; Romans 8:1, Romans 38-39; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; I Peter 1:4-5).

I. That water baptism of believers by immersion and the Lord’s supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation (Matthew 3:16, Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-8;               1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

J. That the true church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).

K. That only those who are, thus, members of the body of Christ shall be eligible for membership in Grace Church (1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 2:21-22).

L. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the church and that Grace Church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs (Acts 14:23, Acts 15:1-12, Acts 16:4; 1 Corinthians 12:5-7).

M. Regarding Last Things:

1. The Rapture of the Church – we believe and teach the imminent and personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ in the air when He will call His church (both the living and the dead) to meet Him in the clouds above this earth (I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

2. The 70th Week of Daniel – we believe and teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgment of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27, Daniel 12:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

3. The Second Coming and Millennial Reign – we believe and teach that immediately following the 70th Week of Daniel, Christ will come again to earth and establish His Messianic kingdom and occupy the throne of David for one thousand years (Matthew 25:29-31; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:10-11, Acts 2:29-30; Revelation 20:1-7).

N. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:14-15; Revelation 20:11-15).