What We Believe
We Believe the Following:
The Scriptures
The Bible, as originally written, to be the inspired (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21), inerrant Word of God. It is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It is true and eternal (Psalm 119:160, John 17:17). The Scriptures are the standard for Christian living.
The One True God
There is only one true God, Maker and Ruler of Heaven and earth (Deut. 6:4). He is glorious in His holiness, perfect in all ways, all knowing, all powerful, and present everywhere. He is worthy of our honor, our confidence, our praise, and our love (Revelation 4:11). The Godhead consists of three distinct Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (I Peter 1:2). They are equal in divine perfection and unity, yet distinct in the work of redemption and in the lives of every believer.
The Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God the Son (John 8:58), the Savior of mankind. In the virgin birth (Luke 1:26-35) and the sinless life of our Savior (Hebrews 4:15), in His death, burial, and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:3-4). He is at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:56). He is our intercessor (Romans 8:34). One day He will return for His bride, the church (John 14:3, I Thess. 4:16-17).
The Holy Spirit
The third Person of the Godhead is the Holy Spirit, one with the Father and the Son. He was active in creation (Genesis 1:1-3). He is the indwelling Comforter of every believer (John 14:16-17). He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). He intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26). We are sealed (guaranteed secure) by Him (Eph. 1:13), empowered by Him (Acts 1:8), and He will live with us forever (John 14:16).
The Devil (Satan)
In the reality of Satan, the prince of this world and the power of the air (John 14:30, Ephesians 2:2). He is a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12). He deceives the hearts of men (II Cor. 4:4). He will be judged and condemned to the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Creation
The Genesis account of a literal 6-day creation. Man was made by direct creation of God, in His image, and not by evolution (Genesis 1-2, Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:3).
The Fall of Man
Adam and Eve were created in innocence, but willingly sinned against God in the garden by disobeying his one command (Genesis 3:1-6). Every human (except Jesus Christ) has been born with a sinful nature (Romans 5:12). the fall of man affected all of creation, and continues to affect our world today (Romans 8:22)
Faith and Salvation
All men are sinners (Romans 3:23). Because of man's sinful condition, he is lost and separated from God (Isaiah 59:2). Man cannot do anything to merit salvation from God (Titus 3:5). Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins through His death, burial, and resurrection from the grave (I Corinthians 15:3-4). He is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6). We are saved and receive eternal life when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). We are saved by God's grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are justified as a result of God’s grace and our faith in Christ (Romans 3:24 and Romans 5:1). When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit (I John 4:13) Who has sealed us (Ephesians 1:13-14) until the day of redemption. We are a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
The Local Church
The church, the Body of Christ, is made up of all true believers in Christ, those that have placed their faith in Him (Romans 12:5, I Corinthians 12:27). The local church is an extension of the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Head of the church (Colossians 1:18). The local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of a hierarchy of individuals or organizations. As a church body, we are to contend for the faith and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Four main areas of focus are God’s Word, prayer, fellowship and the Lord’s Table (Acts 2:42). As a church, we are to carry out the great commission (Mark 16:15).
Baptism and
The Lord's Table
Baptism (complete immersion in water) is an outward expression of the spiritual change within us. In baptism, a believer publicly identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, openly declaring faith in Him (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12). A Christian who desires to join Grace Baptist Church must first be baptized by immersion.
Eternal Security
All who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation are saved for all eternity, not based on our own works but on the finished work of Jesus Christ and on His promises (John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 13:5).
Civil Government
Civil government is appointed by God for the interests and good of society (Romans 13:1-7). We should pray for civil authorities (I Timothy 2:1-2). Christians are to be submissive to the government and live lives of integrity as an example (I Peter 2:13-15). Respectful objection from Christians should be in matters that violate the Word of God and His will (Acts 5:29).
The Sanctity of Life
Human life begins at conception and an unborn child is a living human being (Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:24, Jeremiah 1:5). We believe that the intentional murder of a human life, before or after birth, is morally wrong (Exodus 20:13). All human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and are cherished by Him.
Marriage, Family,
and Gender
The marriage relationship, as instituted by God, is between one biological man and one biological woman. God intends for sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other, and He has commanded that no sexual activity is to take place outside of marriage. All forms of immorality are sinful and offensive to God.
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In the God given roles, as established in the Bible, for both the husband and the wife, as a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church.
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of society. Believers are not to marry unbelievers. Parents are responsible to teach their children to know, love, and obey the Lord. Parents are responsible to model a consistent Christian lifestyle and lovingly discipline their children to train them to make choices based on Biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents
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Gender is ordained by God, established at conception, and cannot be altered by human will, either by surgery or how one identifies himself/herself. God has created us in His image, and the rejection of how He has created us is a rejection of His perfect design and will for us.