What We Believe
We set forth this document to declare those beliefs that we hold to be essential for unity at Grace Baptist Church (Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) In all other matters of belief and preference we emphasize liberty and charity. (Rom. 14:1-14; 1 Cor. 13:2)
About the Bible:
The Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is God’s written communication to mankind. It is the ultimate source of truth in the world and is sufficient in itself as the believer’s rule of faith and practice. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It was inspired in the original manuscripts and preserved by God’s divine providence. It is therefore the truth of God without mixture of error. (Ps. 12:6-7; Ps. 119:105; Pr. 30:5; Mt. 24:35; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21; Heb.4:12)
About God:
The one living and true God is the Sovereign Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct in function, yet one in essence. (Gen. 1:1; Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 90:2; John 1:1, 14; Acts 5:3-4; I Pet. 1:2)
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was God manifested in the flesh. Born of a virgin, He lived a perfect, sinless life and offered Himself on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He arose bodily from the grave on the third day, conquering sin, death, and hell. He ascended to heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and is the one Mediator between God and man. He will return again one day. (Mt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1-3; 14; Acts 1:9-11; I Cor. 15:3-4; II Cor. 5:21; I Thess. 4:13-17; I Tim. 2:5; I Pet. 1:18-19)
About The Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is present in the world, convicting mankind of sin and the need for salvation. He indwells believers at the moment of salvation – providing power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance for righteous living. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the act of the Spirit placing the believer into the Body of Christ at salvation. (Jn. 14:16-17; Jn. 16:7-13; Rom. 8:9-17; I Cor. 2:12-13; I Cor. 12:13)
About Mankind:
God created man without evolutionary processes in the Garden of Eden in complete innocence for the purpose of worshiping and fellowshipping with God. Through man’s own free will he chose to sin against God. The result of man’s sin in the garden is not only physical death and spiritual death (separation from God), but also the passing of a sin nature upon all mankind. Therefore, all individuals are sinners by nature and practice, are incapable of accomplishing their own righteousness, are under condemnation, and are without excuse before their Creator.(Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:7; Gen.2:16-17; Gen. 3:6-7; Is. 59:1-2; Jn. 3:18; Jn. 4:23; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 3:9-10; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3)
About Salvation:
All men are condemned sinners separated from God and in need of salvation. The salvation of mankind was made possible through Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection – all according to the scriptures. Man receives salvation when the Holy Spirit convicts the individual of sin, his guilt before God, and the need of a savior. The individual, by faith, places his trust in Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection as the only payment for sin. Repentance always accompanies saving faith and is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is offered by God’s grace and is accomplished entirely by the work of Christ, not by any human effort. Therefore, a genuine believer is eternally secure in Christ and cannot lose his salvation. (Jn. 10:29; Jn. 16:7-9; Acts 26:20; Rom. 3:24-25; Rom. 6:23; Rom. 8:38-39; I Cor. 15:3-4; II Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9; I Thess. 1:8-9; Titus 3:5)
Eternity
All who receive God’s offer of salvation inherit eternal life and will spend eternity with Him. All who reject His offer of salvation will be judged and ultimately cast into the Lake of Fire. (Is. 66:24; Dan. 12:2; Mt. 25:41; Mt. 25:46; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-23; II Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:14-15; Rev. 21:1-27)
Baptism
Water baptism is the immersion of a believer in water for the purpose of outwardly expressing the believer’s inward faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This displays that the believer has died to sin and is risen to walk in newness of life. Water baptism is not a requirement for salvation and does not convey any additional grace to participants. We encourage every believer to be baptized in obedience to Jesus’ command. (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 16:30-33; Rom. 6:3-5)
Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of Christ’s death upon our behalf. The elements of the bread and cup have no supernatural properties or characteristics, but rather are only symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is for believers only, is not a requirement for salvation, and does not convey any additional grace to participants. (Mt. 26:26-28; I Cor. 11:23-34)
