Statement of Faith
The Bible
While God reveals Himself through His creation, so that no one is without excuse; He also reveals Himself through the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is complete in its present form, and we should not add to it or subtract from it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is truth inerrant and infallible – the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
Rom 1:20; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 1:13; Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18-19; Ps119:105; 12:6; Pro 30:5.
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three comprise the Trinity, are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. The Son and the Holy Spirit are equal with the Father, but voluntarily submit to His will. The Father is an invisible spirit who is all-knowing, all-powerful and present everywhere at all times. Gen 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Ps 90:2; Matt 28:19; 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Cor13:14; Phil 2:5-11; Rom 1:20
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. We teach that Jesus will return for His Church before the Great Tribulation and before His Millennial Kingdom, at which time He will return again to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matt 1:22-23; Is 7:14; 9:6; Lk 1:27,34; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-31; Heb 4:14-15; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1Thess 4:13-5:11.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with sanctification – power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under the Holy Spirit’s control daily. He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. 2 Cor 3:17; Jn 16:7-14; 14:25-26; Acts 1:8; 1Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13, 5:18; Gal 5:25
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. All of us are sinners by nature and by choice. Sin is missing the mark of God’s perfection. This sin nature separates us from God Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Is 53:6a; Jer17:9; Rom 3:23; Is 59:1-2
Salvation
Salvation is by God’s grace – a free gift to us; but we must accept it in order to obtain eternal life in heaven – thus avoiding eternity in hell. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Trusting in Jesus Christ, as God’s only offer of forgiveness is anyone saved from sin’s penalty. When we repent, turn to God from our self-ruled sin-filled life, turning to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one trusts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. Jn 3:16-17; Rom 6:23; Ez 36:26-27; Eph2:8-9; Jn 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1
Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is justified and secure in their salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and power of God that gives this security. Jn 10:29; 2Tim 1:12; Heb 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Pt 1:3-5
The Believer
Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to full-time Christian service, regardless of their vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. The Holy Spirit endows each believer with spiritual gifts. Grace Fellowship does not encourage the use of “sign gifts”. Instead, we seek to emphasize the more excellent way of love as well as zeal for the more edifying gifts. 1 Pr 2:9; Eph 2:18; 1 Tim 2:5; Matt 4:4; 1 Cor 2:15; Jn 14:15; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Cor 12:4-5, 12:11-13, 12:19, 12:31; Gal 5:25
While God reveals Himself through His creation, so that no one is without excuse; He also reveals Himself through the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is complete in its present form, and we should not add to it or subtract from it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is truth inerrant and infallible – the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
Rom 1:20; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 1:13; Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18-19; Ps119:105; 12:6; Pro 30:5.
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three comprise the Trinity, are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. The Son and the Holy Spirit are equal with the Father, but voluntarily submit to His will. The Father is an invisible spirit who is all-knowing, all-powerful and present everywhere at all times. Gen 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Ps 90:2; Matt 28:19; 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Cor13:14; Phil 2:5-11; Rom 1:20
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. We teach that Jesus will return for His Church before the Great Tribulation and before His Millennial Kingdom, at which time He will return again to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matt 1:22-23; Is 7:14; 9:6; Lk 1:27,34; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-31; Heb 4:14-15; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1Thess 4:13-5:11.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with sanctification – power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under the Holy Spirit’s control daily. He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. 2 Cor 3:17; Jn 16:7-14; 14:25-26; Acts 1:8; 1Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13, 5:18; Gal 5:25
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. All of us are sinners by nature and by choice. Sin is missing the mark of God’s perfection. This sin nature separates us from God Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Is 53:6a; Jer17:9; Rom 3:23; Is 59:1-2
Salvation
Salvation is by God’s grace – a free gift to us; but we must accept it in order to obtain eternal life in heaven – thus avoiding eternity in hell. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Trusting in Jesus Christ, as God’s only offer of forgiveness is anyone saved from sin’s penalty. When we repent, turn to God from our self-ruled sin-filled life, turning to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one trusts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. Jn 3:16-17; Rom 6:23; Ez 36:26-27; Eph2:8-9; Jn 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1
Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is justified and secure in their salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and power of God that gives this security. Jn 10:29; 2Tim 1:12; Heb 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Pt 1:3-5
The Believer
Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to full-time Christian service, regardless of their vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. The Holy Spirit endows each believer with spiritual gifts. Grace Fellowship does not encourage the use of “sign gifts”. Instead, we seek to emphasize the more excellent way of love as well as zeal for the more edifying gifts. 1 Pr 2:9; Eph 2:18; 1 Tim 2:5; Matt 4:4; 1 Cor 2:15; Jn 14:15; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Cor 12:4-5, 12:11-13, 12:19, 12:31; Gal 5:25