THE0LOGY

We believe there is one true and holy God. In the beginning, God created the universe and everything in it. He operates continuously to fulfill His redemptive purposes. God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  

Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 3:7-11; Romans 8:9-11.

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Co-equal with the Father and the Spirit, born of a virgin, he is eternal and was not created. He lived a sinless life and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead after three days. He ascended to Heaven and will return to Earth in power and glory to reign as Lord of Lords and to fulfill God’s eternal, redemptive plan.

Mark 1:1; Philemon 2:5-11; John 1:1-14; Acts 2:22-24, Acts 2:32-36; 1 Corinthians. 15:3-4; Luke 24:50-52; Matthew 24:30-31;
Acts 13:32-41.

We believe the Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and the Son, was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to impart to mankind the saving work of Christ. The Holy Spirit  awakens in sinners a recognition of their need for Jesus Christ as their Savior. For the Christian, the Holy Spirit is the source of strength, conviction, wisdom and assurance. The Holy Spirit gives to Christians spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church, guides believers in understanding the Bible and makes it possible for believers to lead lives of Christ-like character and to bear fruit for the greater glory of God.

John 14:16-17; John 16:7-15; 1 Cor. 12:3); Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 5:16-21; 22-25; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 4:10; Gal. 5:22-25.

We believe the Bible is God’s word to us. It is inspired by God and was given through chosen persons. It is composed of the 66 books of the Old and the New Testament. The Bible is the only writing inspired by God and containing all things necessary for salvation. It is the supreme and final authority in matters of faith and life. On biblical matters on which there is genuine disagreement among Grace Church members, decisions shall be made in a spirit of love and caring, guided by Jesus’ prayer that unity be maintained within His Church.

2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21.

We believe that humans are created in the image of God to be like God and to experience fellowship with God. Humanity’s relationship with God is marred by an attitude of disobedience called “sin,” which separates humans from God. The penalty of sin is physical and spiritual death. Jesus Christ died for our sins and thus made possible salvation, which reunites humanity with God and saves us from spiritual death. Salvation is God’s free gift to humanity, but we must accept it through trusting in Jesus Christ. We receive salvation only through receiving Jesus Christ in our lives and not through any self-improvement or good works.

Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:17, 3:6; Rom 3:23; 5:12, 5:18-19; Acts 13:38-39; Rom 4:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:3;
2 Cor. 5:21; John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; John 14:6; Rom 3:23-28.

We believe people were created to exist forever, and thus we will exist either eternally with God, which is Heaven, or eternally separated from God, which is Hell. Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity with God in Heaven. Those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity separated from God in Hell.

John 5:28-29.

We believe the universal Church is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Grace Church is a local body of believers in Jesus Christ, who gather for worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. Members of the Church should seek to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts in useful forms of ministry so as to exercise Christ-like influence on the world.

Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:11-16; Romans 12:3-8; Romans 12:9-21

We believe that baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. Ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ, the sacrament of baptism is a sign of profession of faith in Jesus Christ and an act of obedience.

Matt 28:18-20

We believe that the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion was ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore, every believer should participate. As a sacrament, the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf. The elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

We believe that while the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, Grace Church cannot bind the consciences of individual members in matters in which the Bible is silent. Rather, in such matters, each believer is to be led by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible. We believe members of Grace Church should adopt a spirit of cooperation and love and should refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.

Romans 14; John 17:20-23