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Grace Community Church Doctrinal Statement

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Grace Community Church Doctrinal Statement

Grace Community Church Doctrinal Statement.pdf

What We Teach

The Doctrinal Statement of Grace Community Church

The Holy Scriptures

  • We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God ( 1 Corinthians 2:7-14 ; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ). We teach that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation ( 1 Thessalonians 2:13 ; 1 Corinthians 2:13 ), verbally inspired in every word ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. We teach the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days ( Genesis 1:31 ; Exodus 31:17 ). We teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice ( Matthew 5:18 ; 24:35 ; John 10:35 ; 16:12-13 ; 17:17 ; 1 Corinthians 2:13 ; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; Hebrews 4:12 ; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ).
  • We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man ( 2 Peter 1:20-21 ) without error in the whole or in the part ( Matthew 5:18 ; 2 Timothy 3:16 ).
  • We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit ( John 7:17 ; 16:12-15 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15 ; 1 John 2:20 ). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

God

God the Father.

  • We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace ( Psalm 145:8-9 ; 1 Corinthians 8:6 ). He is the Creator of all things ( Genesis 1:1-31 ; Ephesians 3:9 ). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption ( Psalm 103:19 ; Romans 11:36 ). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men ( Ephesians 4:6 ), but He is spiritual Father only to believers ( Romans 8:14 ; 2 Corinthians 6:18 ). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass ( Ephesians 1:11 ). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events ( 1 Chronicles 29:11 ). In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin ( Habakkuk 1:13 ; John 8:38-47 ), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures ( 1 Peter 1:17 ). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own ( Ephesians 1:4-6 ); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those 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 ).

God the Son.

  • We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father ( John 10:30 ; 14:9 ).
  • We teach that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation ( John 1:3 ; Colossians 1:15-17 ; Hebrews 1:2 ).
  • We teach that in the incarnation the eternal Son, the second Person of the Trinity, without altering His divine nature or surrendering any of the divine attributes, made Himself of no reputation by taking on a full human nature consubstantial with our own, yet without sin ( Philippians 2:5-8 ; Hebrews 4:15 ; 7:26 ).
  • We teach that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary ( Luke 1:35 ) and thus born of a woman ( Galatians 4:4-5 ), so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the divine and the human, were joined together in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation. He is therefore very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
  • We teach that in His incarnation, Christ fully possessed His divine nature, attributes, and prerogatives ( Colossians 2:9 ; cf. Luke 5:18-26 ; John 16:30 ; 20:28 ). However, in the state of His humiliation, He did not always fully express the glories of His majesty, concealing them behind the veil of His genuine humanity ( Matthew 17:2 ; Mark 13:32 ; Philippians 2:5-8 ). According to His human nature, He acts in submission to the Father ( John 4:34 ; 5:19 , 30 ; 6:38 ) by the power of Holy Spirit ( Isaiah 42:1 ; Matthew 12:28 ; Luke 4:1 , 14 ), while, according to His divine nature, He acts by His authority and power as the eternal Son ( John 1:14 ; cf. 2:11 ; 10:37–38 ; 14:10–11 ).
  • We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive ( John 10:15 ; Romans 3:24-25 ; 5:8 ; 1 Peter 2:24 ).
  • We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God ( Romans 3:25 ; 5:8-9 ; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ; 1 Peter 2:24 ; 3:18 ).
  • We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest ( Matthew 28:6 ; Luke 24:38-39 ; Acts 2:30-31 ; Romans 4:25 ; 8:34 ; Hebrews 7:25 ; 9:24 ; 1 John 2:1 ).
  • We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers ( John 5:26-29 ; 14:19 ; Romans 1:4 ; 4:25 ; 6:5-10 ; 1 Corinthians 15:20 , 23 ).
  • We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth ( Acts 1:9-11 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; Revelation 20).
  • We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind ( John 5:22-23 ):
  • As the Mediator between God and man ( 1 Timothy 2:5 ), the Head of His Body the church ( Ephesians 1:22 ; 5:23 ; Colossians 1:18 ), and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David ( Isaiah 9:6 ; Luke 1:31-33 ), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior ( Matthew 25:14-46 ; Acts 17:30-31 ).

God the Holy Spirit.

Man

  • We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God ( Genesis 2:7 , 15-25 ; James 3:9 ).
  • We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world ( Isaiah 43:7 ; Colossians 1:16 ; Revelation 4:11 ).
  • We teach that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Genesis 2:16-17 ; 3:1-19 ; John 3:36 ; Romans 3:23 ; 6:23 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; Ephesians 2:1-3 ; 1 Timothy 2:13-14 ; 1 John 1:8 ).
  • We teach that, because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration ( Psalm 14:1-3 ; Jeremiah 17:9 ; Romans 3:9-18 , 23 ; 5:10-12 ).

Salvation

  • We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works ( John 1:12 ; Ephesians 1:7 ; 2:8-10 ; 1 Peter 1:18-19 ).

Regeneration.

  • We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given ( John 3:3-7 ; Titus 3:5 ). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God ( John 5:24 ) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ; Ephesians 2:10 ), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God ( Ephesians 5:17-21 ; Philippians 2:12b ; Colossians 3:16 ; 2 Peter 1:4-10 ). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ).
  • Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming ( Romans 8:17 ; 2 Peter 1:4 ; 1 John 3:2-3 ).

Election.

  • We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies ( Romans 8:28-30 ; Ephesians 1:4-11 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; 2 Timothy 2:10 ; 1 Peter 1:1-2 ).
  • We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord ( Ezekiel 18:23 , 32 ; 33:11 ; John 3:18-19 , 36 ; 5:40 ; Romans 9:22-23 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 ; Revelation 22:17 ). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will receive ( John 6:37-40 , 44 ; Acts 13:48 ; James 4:8 ).
  • We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part or to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy ( Ephesians 1:4-7 ; Titus 3:4-7 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ).
  • We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love ( Romans 9:11-16 ). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Matthew 11:25-28 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 ).

Justification.

Sanctification.

  • We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition ( Acts 20:32 ; 1 Corinthians 1:2 , 30 ; 6:11 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Hebrews 2:11 ; 3:1 ; 10:10 , 14 ; 13:12 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ).
  • We teach that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ ( John 17:17 , 19 ; Romans 6:1-22 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ; 5:23 ).
  • In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict—the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh—but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin ( Galatians 5:16-25 ; Ephesians 4:22-24 ; Philippians 3:12 ; Colossians 3:9-10 ; 1 Peter 1:14-16 ; 1 John 3:5-9 ).

Security.

Separation.

The Church

  • We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ), the bride of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; Ephesians 5:23-32 ; Revelation 19:7-8 ), of which Christ is the Head ( Ephesians 1:22 ; 4:15 ; Colossians 1:18 ).
  • We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:1-21 , 38-47 ) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ).
  • We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age ( Ephesians 2:11-3:6 ). The church is distinct from Israel ( 1 Corinthians 10:32 ), a mystery not revealed until this age ( Ephesians 3:1-6 ; 5:32 ).
  • We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures ( Acts 14:23 , 27 ; 20:17 , 28 ; Galatians 1:2 ; Philippians 1:1 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:1 ) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies ( 1 Corinthians 11:18-20 ; Hebrews 10:25 ).
  • We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ ( 1 Corinthians 11:3 ; Ephesians 1:22 ; Colossians 1:18 ) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastorteachers; Acts 20:28 ; Ephesians 4:11 ) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications ( 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ; Titus 1:5-9 ; 1 Peter 5:1-5 ).
  • We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ ( 1 Timothy 5:17-22 ) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership ( Hebrews 13:7 , 17 ).
  • We teach the importance of discipleship ( Matthew 28:19-20 ; 2 Timothy 2:2 ), mutual accountability of all believers to each other ( Matthew 18:5-14 ), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture ( Matthew 18:15-22 ; Acts 5:1-11 ; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 ; 1 Timothy 1:19-20 ; Titus 1:10-16 ).
  • We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations ( Titus 1:5 ). We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well ( Acts 15:19-31 ; 20:28 ; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7 , 13 ; 1 Peter 5:1-4 ).
  • We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God ( Ephesians 3:21 ) by building itself up in the faith ( Ephesians 4:13-16 ), by instruction of the Word ( 2 Timothy 2:2 , 15 ; 3:16-17 ), by fellowship ( Acts 2:47 ; 1 John 1:3 ), by keeping the ordinances ( Luke 22:19 ; Acts 2:38-42 ) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world ( Matthew 28:19 ; Acts 1:8 ; 2:42 ).
  • We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service ( 1 Corinthians 15:58 ; Ephesians 4:12 ; Revelation 22:12 ).
  • We teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry ( Ephesians 4:7-12 ), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ ( Romans 12:5-8 ; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31 ; 1 Peter 4:10-11 ).
  • We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message ( Hebrews 2:3-4 ; 2 Corinthians 12:12 ); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message ( 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 ). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers ( 1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12 ; Revelation 13:13-14 ). The only gifts in operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification ( Romans 12:6-8 ).
  • We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted ( Luke 18:1-6 ; John 5:7-9 ; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 ; James 5:13-16 ; 1 John 5:14-15 ).
  • We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper ( Acts 2:38-42 ). Christian baptism by immersion ( Acts 8:36-39 ) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life ( Romans 6:1-11 ). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ ( Acts 2:41-42 ).
  • We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination ( 1 Corinthians 11:28-32 ). We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people ( 1 Corinthians 10:16 ).

Angels

Holy Angels.

Fallen Angels.

Last Things

Death.

The Rapture of the Church.

The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign.

The Judgment of the Lost.

  • We teach that following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign of Christ ( Revelation 20:7 ), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven ( Revelation 20:9 ). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone ( Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 ), whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men ( John 5:22 ), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.
  • We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment ( John 5:28-29 ), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire ( Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:11-15 ).

Eternity.

  • We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers ( 2 Thessalonians 1:9 ; Revelation 20:7-15 ), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved ( 2 Peter 3:10 ) and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells ( Ephesians 5:5 ; Revelation 20:15 ; 21:1-27 ; 22:1-21 ). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven ( Revelation 21:2 ) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another ( John 17:3 ; Revelation 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father ( 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 ), that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever ( 1 Corinthians 15:28 ).

What It Means To Be a Christian

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.

God Is Sovereign Creator.

Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything ( John 1:3 ; Colossians 1:16 ). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything ( Psalm 103:19 ). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy.

God is absolutely and perfectly holy ( Isaiah 6:3 ), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil ( James 1:13 ). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Mankind Is Sinful.

According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” ( 1 Kings 8:46 ). That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. ( Romans 3:10-12 ).
Sin Demands a Penalty. God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death ( Ezekiel 18:4 ; Romans 6:23 ). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior.

The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything ( Colossians 1:16 ). Therefore He owns and rules everything ( Psalm 103:19 ). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners ( 1 Peter 3:18 ). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him ( Romans 3:26 ).

The Character of Saving Faith.

True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin ( Luke 13:3 ,; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ) and pursue Christ ( Matthew 11:28-30 ; John 17:3 ) and obedience to Him ( 1 John 2:3 ). It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God ( James 2:19 ), but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience ( Ephesians 2:10 ).

If you have questions about how you can become a Christian, or want help in knowing how to live the Christian life, please . get in contact with us

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