GRACE PLACE
... grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
· The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, equally in all parts and in the whole and is totally inerrant in the original manuscripts. We further believe it is the supreme revelation from God and of God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to them; and it is therefore our infallible rule in all matters. We believe that all the Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus Christ and hence that no portion is properly read nor understood until it leads to Him and His plan of redemption.
John 5:39; 2Timothy. 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews. 4:12
· The Godhead
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of the same homage and obedience.
Matthew 28:18-19, Mark 12:29, John 1:14, Acts 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 13-14,
Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 1:4-6, I John 5:6-8
· The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the pre-existence, incarnation, and virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to reveal the Father, and was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person; that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, for by Him the worlds were made. We believe that in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that He was very God and very Man, the "I AM”, the Jehovah of the Old Testament. We further believe in the sinless life of the Lord Jesus Christ, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His bodily ascension into Heaven, and His immanent return. We further believe that He is presently seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for His redeemed. We also acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord over all things in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth.
John 1:1-2, I Timothy 3:16, Acts 7:37-38, Philippians 2:9-10, Hebrews 7:25
· The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit though omnipresent from all eternity, after the glorification of Jesus Christ was sent on the day of Pentecost, dwells in every believer, unites all to Christ in one body, and is the source of all power and all acceptable service. We believe that ministries are committed to the Holy Spirit including the restraining of evil in the world, the convicting of the world respecting sin, righteousness and judgment, the regeneration of all believers, the sealing of all believers unto the day of redemption, and the continued filling for power and service of those among the saved who are yielded to Him and to His will.
We believe that the fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of the character of Christ in the believer's life. We further believe that all of the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit demonstrate the power of Christ and are available to Christians today. We believe that all of the gifts and the manifestations of the Spirit should be and must be operative in the church to manifest her full glory under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
John 3:6; 14:16-17; Romans 8:9; 12:10-11; I Corinthians 6:19; 12:8-11; Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 2:22; 4:11-13
· Angels, Fallen and Not Fallen
We believe that God created an innumerable company of sinless spiritual beings known as angels; the one Lucifer, Son of the Morning, perhaps highest in rank, sinned through pride, thereby becoming Satan; that a great company of the angels followed him in his moral fall and have now become demons and are active as his agents
Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6
We believe that Satan is the originator of sin, and that, under the permission of God, he through subtlety led our first parents into transgression, thereby, accomplishing their moral fall and subjecting them and their posterity to his own power and that he is the enemy of God and His people. However, we also believe that Jesus Christ soundly defeated the devil at Calvary and that He has delegated His authority over Satan to his body, the Church. Satan will be bound and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where he shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5: 12-14; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20 1-3, 10
We further believe that a great company of angels kept their holy estate and are before the Throne of God, from whence they are sent forth as ministering spirits to minister to those who are heirs of salvation
Luke 15:10; Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 1:14
· The Creation of the World and Man
We believe that God in sovereignty created the world out of nothing. We further believe that man was created in the image of God and by a direct and immediate act of God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2:4
· Man's Fallen Condition
We believe that man by willful transgression fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created into total spiritual depravity; a state of death in trespasses and sins in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, being unable to attain divine delivered by the power of the Gospel.
Romans 3:23-25, 5:12-21; I Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
· Salvation Only Through Christ
We believe that the terms of salvation are repentance toward God for sin and a personal, heartfelt faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation is entirely by the grace of our Lord and not of works. Works are excluded, except as FRUIT of salvation. Further, we believe that, owing to universal spiritual death through sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born of the Spirit. We also believe that our redemption has been accomplished solely by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died as our substitute (Rom, 5:1; Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 4:1-5; Acts 20:21) Emphasis of heart righteousness and purity, believing in the keeping power of God, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh, in conduct that demonstrates the character of Jesus Christ, not being conformed to the world, but being transformed by the renewing of the mind. We further believe that each believer must lay a foundation of Biblical truth and experience upon which he builds his life. Through the Lordship of Jesus Christ, these foundation stones are established in the new birth and include repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Romans 4:1-5, 8:25, 12:1; I Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 5:16-25; Hebrews 6:1-2; Jude 24
· The Doctrine of Baptisms
We believe that the New Testament teaches at least three baptisms. First being baptism whereby the repentant sinner, upon trusting Christ as his savior, is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5
Second, there is water baptism by immersion for believers only. This we believe to be an ordinance of the church, whereby the believer experiences the reality of co-crucifixion and co-resurrection (identity) with the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-6
Third, there is the filling of baptism of the Holy Spirit by the Lord Jesus Christ, which may occur at or subsequent to conversion, according to Acts 1:2-5,8; 2:4; and is given to all believers who ask for it as promised by the Father, Jesus, and His apostles.
Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; 11:13; Acts 1:4-5,8; 2:38-41
Further, we believe that by the believer's further submission to the Holy Spirit, his very weakness is transformed into strength to witness for Jesus Christ in power and to live according to the will of God.
Acts 1:5, 8; 2:4 & 38; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6
· Divine Healing
We believe that God has, does, and will use doctors, medicines and other material means for healing; but divine healing is also provided for in the Atonement and may be appropriated by the laying on of hands by elders, laying on of hands by believers, by the prayer of the believer(s) to heal the sick, by a direct act of receiving this provision by faith or by forgiveness of sins.
Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; Mark 16:18; Acts 4:30; Mark 11:23; Acts 19:11; I Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14; I Peter 2:24-25; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Matthew. 9:4-6
· The Church
We believe that all who are united by the new birth to Jesus Christ are members of the universal Church, the body of Christ. We also believe that the local congregation or fellowship of Christian believers is divinely instituted and is the chosen instrument of God for the furtherance of God's work upon the earth. While appreciating the work of para-church groups, we believe that the local church is God's chosen vehicle for world evangelism and the nurture of Christians. We further believe in the spiritual unity of all believers and in working together with others who believe in salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the causes of evangelism, missions, and benevolence.
Matthew 16:16-18; John 17:21; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:3-10; Colossians 3:14-15
· The Ordinances
We believe that the two ordinances of the Church are Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
1> Baptism is by immersion, after conversion, as an act of obedience in accord with Jesus' command found in the Great Commission. It is a prerequisite to membership in this local church, an outward sign of the new covenant circumcision of the heart, of remission of sins, and of identification with and participation in Jesus - death, burial, and resurrection, and the subsequent walk in newness of life.
Matthew 3:6-8; 28:18-20; Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:4-5
2> Communion or the Lord's Supper, or the Lord's Table is for baptized believers to
express our deliverance from sin, to remember what Christ has done for us, to examine our hearts, to look forward to Christ's return, to discern rightly His body, and to experience the fellowship of His spiritual presence.
Matthew 26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:28-32
· Worship
We believe that the whole purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him forever. Therefore, we believe in the act of worshipping God with one's total being in spirit and in truth as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.
Psalm 150; Mark 12:29-31; Ephesians 5:18-21; Psalm 25:14
· Ministers to the Church
We believe in the divinely called, commissioned and equipped five-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ after His ascension. We further believe that all Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ and that all believers have been given the ministry of reconciliation.
Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Corinthians 5:20
· Laying On of Hands
We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for:
1. the confirming of believers to commitment and ministry in the local church,
2. the confirming of ones call by God to special ministry in the local church (Acts 13:1,3),
3. the ministering of healing of the sick through the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16), and
4. the blessing and dedicating of children to the Lord (Mark 10:16).
We further believe that in obedience to the Holy Scriptures, we should lay hands on no man suddenly, but that the laying on of hands confirms a ministry which is already observable and has been proven (I Timothy 5:22).
· Evangelism and Missions
We believe that it is the explicit message of our Lord Jesus Christ to those whom He has redeemed, that they are sent forth by Him into the world to be witnesses of His saving grace and that their primary purpose in life should be to glorify God by obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ's command to preach the gospel to every creature
Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15 John 17:18; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; I Peter 1:17; 2:11
· The Eternal State
We believe that at death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus
Christ pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body, when Jesus Christ comes for His own, where upon soul and body reunited shall be with Him forever in glory; but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain after death conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final judgment at the Great White Throne, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His Power.
Luke 16:19-26; 23:42; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15
· Second Coming
We believe in the Blessed Hope, the visible, bodily return of Christ Jesus to gather His
Church (Bride) and judge the world
Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; James 5:8; Revelation 1:7
· Priesthood of Believers
We believe that each believer is a priest of the Lord (Rev. 1:6), and has direct access to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Each person must believe for oneself, be baptized for oneself, obey for oneself, and answer to his creator for himself.
· Government of the Church
We believe that the New Testament Church should be governed by delegated authorities. These authorities are the ordained officers of the church. They shall provide leadership and exemplary oversight of the fellowship working in conjunction with the fellowship When it is deemed best for the life of the church and testimony of the Lord these authorities may direct the fellowship to discipline in the spirit of love, any member who departs from the Word of God or whose conduct is contrary to the spirit and practice of the Body of Christ.
Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-30; Galatians 6:11; James 5:19-20
· Ordained Officers
The ordained officers of the fellowship are elders (also known in the New Testament as bishops or overseers and pastors) and deacons.
Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3; Titus. 1:5-9
· The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly, the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10, 23, 25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10, 11:15, 21-22
· Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal, and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a special debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, material possessions, and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy. 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21, 42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19
Covenant of Fellowship
Having been led, as we believe by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in: knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to support the ministry, the expenses of the church, and relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to spiritually educate our children; to seek the salvation of our family and friends; to walk carefully in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and commendable in our behavior; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from drunkenness, and all other drug abuse; to be zealous in our efforts to the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.