BELIEFS

The King James Bible is our Sole Authority for Faith and Practice

II Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Psalm 12:6-7 - "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Acts 8:36-38 - "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

I Corinthians 11:26 - "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

The Word of God

We believe in the inspiration of the Bible as canonized in its 66 Books. the Bible does not simply contain, but is in fact, the Word of God. It is the only complete and final revelation of God's specific will to man. The Holy Scriptures, spoken by men inspired by the Holy Spirit, are inerrant and preserved by God for the English-speaking people in the Authorized King James Bible. It is our final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant and infallible and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church.

Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs 30:5, 6; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; Romans 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19

Dispensationalism

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. As Classic Dispensationalists, we reject the allegorical methods represented by Covenant Theology and its derivatives.

Genesis 1:28; I Corinthians 9:17; II Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6

The Godhead

We believe that there is only one living and true God existing eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in eternally divine perfection while performing distinct but harmonious functions I the great work of redemption and perfection. God is the absolute and sole Creator of the universe and due to His inexpressible glory, power, and holiness, is worthy of all possible honor, praise, confidence, worship, loyalty, and love.

Genesis 1:1, 26; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; I Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 96:4, 5; 145:17; 147:5; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:33; I Corinthians 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 1:17; I John 5:7; Revelation 4:8, 11

The Person and Work of Christ

1. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, becoming man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.

Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, II Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8

2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious (substitutionary), sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead.

Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5, 2:24

3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.

Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; I John 2:1-2

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; and, He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.

John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14

2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures.

Ephesians 1:17-18, 5:18; I John 2:20, 27

3. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of grace gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers, in the assembly, enabling them to do the work of the ministry.

Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12

4. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common nor necessary sign of baptism or of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Ultimate deliverance from sickness or death awaits separation of the body, through physical death, from life here on this Earth, while awaiting the reuniting of a perfect body from sickness or death, for those that remain alive at Christ's appearing, will be accomplished at the "taking up." However, God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing.

I Corinthians 1:22, 13:8, 14:21-22

The Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in complete innocence and in a perfect environment; but because of his own free will he transgressed God. The result of Adam's sin is physical and spiritual death for all mankind and the presence of the sin nature at conception; therefore, all people are sinners, not only by constraint, but by choice, and are unable to regain their former position of innocence, abiding under just condemnation without defense or excuse before God. The Bible teaches that people are not sinners because they sin but sin because they are sinners.

Genesis 3:1-6; Psalm 51:5; 53:1, 3; Isaiah 64:6; Ezekiel 18:19, 20; John 3:18; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19, 23; 5:12, 19; 6:23 Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3, 12; Hebrews 2:3

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God given to man by grace through faith alone in Paul's Gospel. This faith, being more than intellectual ascent, involves complete trust in the blood of Jesus Christ and total confidence in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Salvation is possible only through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ who made a full, vicarious (substitutionary), atonement for sin, redeeming us from the curse of the law and justifying us through His death, burial, and resurrection.

The essence of biblical salvation is birth. This new birth (regeneration) that results in a new creature (transformation) in Jesus Christ is instantaneous and not processional. In the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and sins is imparted a new nature and a spiritual life not previously possessed, is forgiven of sin, and is given eternal life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is totally apart from any effort of man such as good works, baptism, or church membership. Proper evidence of salvation is a walk in newness of life and the fruit of the Spirit. Although sin in his life may interrupt the joy of his fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of his heavenly Father, a child of God is eternally secure - unable to lose his salvation.

Genesis 15:6; Psalm 37:24; 51:1-4, 7, 10, 12; Isaiah 53:4-7, 11, 12; 55:6-7; Matthew 4:17; 16:24, 25; 18:11; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13, 14; John 1:12, 13; 3:3,5-8, 16, 17; 5:24; 6:37; 10:18, 27-30; Acts 2:37, 28; 13:38, 39; 15:11; 16:30, 31; 20:21; Romans 1:17; 3:24, 25, 28; 4:1-8; 5:1, 8, 9, 15, 20; 6:1, 2,10-13, 23; 8:1, 16, 17, 29-39; 9:11; 10:9-13; I Corinthians 3:12-15; 15:3, 4,20; I Corinthians 5:17-19, 21; Galatians 1:4; 3:11; 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:7; 2:1, 8-10; 4:30; 5:9; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:3-7; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 8:12; 10:38; 12:2, 5-8; 13:5; James 2:14-26; I Peter 1:23; 2:24; 3:18; Il Peter 1:4; I John 2:1, 2; 4:10, 15; 5:1, 11-13; Revelation 3:20

The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and

are thus secure in Christ forever.

John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5

2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.

Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15

The Church

1. We believe that the local church, is solely made up of born-again persons.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23

2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.

Acts 14:27, 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11

3. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control, the sole authority for the local church is the Scriptures.

Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1 & 16:4; 1 Corinthians 3:9 & 3:16, 5:4-7 & 5:13; 1 Peter 5:1-4

4. We believe that the two ordinances of the local church are baptism and the Lord's Supper. The ordinances, together, were given to the church to establish and maintain a pure body of believers.

a) The Bible requires that baptism of a born again person by immersion is the only accepted mode and is administered by the church to show the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and establish their membership into the church. Baptism also shows an obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ; is an identification with Christ, a body of doctrine, and a local church; and is a submission to Christ, the local church and its authority.

b) The Lord's Supper was then given to the local church to maintain the purity of it. The Bible instructs that we remember His sacrificial death on the cross by taking the bread, which signifies His broken body, and the cup, to signify His shed blood. This "closed" communion of the local church provides for repentance of the heart, unity of the believers, preservation of doctrine, and church discipline. Neither of the ordinances provide or solidify salvation, nor do they convey grace.

Matthew 26:26, 28:19-20; Mark 1:10, 14:22; Luke 22:19; John 14:15; Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39, 16:30-31; I Corinthians 5:1-13, 11:23-34

5. We believe that the Church is a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head and in which all regenerated people in this dispensation (Church Age) are members. Those who are born again are baptized by the Holy Spirit with a spiritual baptism into the Church, which is His beloved Body and Bride. The local church is the only visible expression of the Body of Christ on earth, and as such is a congregation of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who having been scripturally baptized in water by immersion, are associated for worship, teaching, evangelism, edification, observance of the ordinances, and fellowship. The mission of the local church is to glorify God through discipleship, which is accomplished by evangelizing, baptizing, and teaching. The local church has the absolute right of self-government and is autonomous from the interference of extra-biblical, para-church, or any other earthly hierarchy of individuals or organizations. The officers of the local church are pastors, (identified in Scripture by the terms elder, bishop, pastor and teacher), and deacons. The local church is the center of God's program for this age.

Matthew 16:16-18; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-37; 6:1-6; 14:23,27; 15:22; 20:17-28; I Corinthians 3:9-11; 5:1-5, 11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:12-27; 16:1-2; Il Corinthians 8:23-24; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18, 24; I Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-11; I Peter 5:1-5; Revelation 2, 3

Separation

We believe in the three-fold doctrine of separation encompassing:

The separation of the believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor Jesus Christ, that contradict biblical instruction, or that might damage either the individual believer or his local assembly.

The separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with any individual, church, or other organization which denies in word or deed the Word of God.

The separation of church and state which is more accurately stated as the separation of state from church.

Matthew 2:21; Romans 12:1, 2; 14:13, 21; I Corinthians 8:9; I Corinthians 6:11-7:1; Il Timothy 3:1-5; James 4:4; I John 2:15-17; I John 9-11

The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulational rapture of the Church. We believe there will then be a seven year tribulation period (time of Jacob's trouble), during which God will pour out His wrath on the entire world. At the end of the tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His one thousand year, Messianic Kingdom on earth. This Kingdom was promised to the nation of Israel.

Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6

The Eternal State / The Afterlife

1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.

Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13

2. We believe that the souls of the saved are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.

Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6

3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with an everlasting pain of fire and separation from the holiness, glory, power, and love of God.

Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15

The Devil

We believe that Satan was once perfect and enjoyed a tremendous honor as the covering cherub under the name of Lucifer (light-bearer). His pride and ambition to be as God, however, caused him to fall from God's presence. As the result of his fall, he is now the deceptive prince of this world and power of the air and the unholy god of this world. Satan is man's great tempter, the enemy of Christ, the accuser of saints, the father of lies, the author of all false religions, and chancellor of all powers of darkness. He is, however, destined for defeat at the hands of God's Son and will be sentenced by God's judgment to an eternal hell and subsequent lake of fire - a place prepared for the Devil and his angels.

Genesis 3:14, 15; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:1, 3, 6, 9; 13:25, 37-39; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 8:44; 14:30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; I Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1 Peter 5:8; Il Peter 2:4; I John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; I John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-12, 13:13, 14, 19:11, 16, 20, 20:1-3, 10

Creation

We believe in the creation of the existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms in the six literal days of the creation week and in the biblical record of primeval history. This includes the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literal fall and resultant divine curse on creation, the worldwide cataclysmic flood, and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel.

Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11

Civil Government

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. We believe that we must obey the state unless it requires us to act contrary to our faith at which time we must obey God rather than the state.

Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 3:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14

Marriage / Human Sexuality

1. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born biological man and one naturally-born biological woman for life.

Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23

2. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born biological male and one naturally-born biological female.

3. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's original intent of God's gift of sex.

4. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance.

Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29, 7:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9, 7:10; Ephesian 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4

Family Relationships

1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the head of the wife and home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.

Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15, 3:4-5, 12

2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural headship of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are to obey their parents. Fathers are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is accomplished by biblical instruction, consistent example and appropriate discipline. Corporal discipline is both biblical and necessary.

Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.

We further reject any experimentation or development of medical treatments or medications that make use of aborted fetal tissue.

Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44

Euthanasia

We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering, especially when ordered by the state, constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment.

Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28

Love

We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers; those who oppose us; and those who engage in sinful actions. "If it be possible..." (Romans 12:18), we are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence (except for self-defense or time of war) as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.

Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10, 17-21, 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18

Lawsuits Between Believers

We believe that Christians are prohibited, by Scripture, from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.

Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 25:8-10; Matthew 5:40; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Giving

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe (10% of your gross income) as a model for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully, by faith, to the support of the church; the relief of those in need; and the spread of the Gospel.

Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17

Baptist Distinctives

Grace Baptist Church is a Bible-believing, independent Baptist church. We trace our heritage all the way back to Christ and the Apostles. Some of the doctrines that make us distinct from other Christian groups are...

Statement of Faith

Our Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and is therefore binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.

The following summarizes the scriptural beliefs of this church and its members:

Grace Baptist Church

The Autonomy of the Local Church

The Priesthood of Every Believer