At grace church, we believe in…
The Scriptures: The Bible is God’s word written—true, authoritative, and sufficient to guide us to live to the glory of God. (Psalm 19.7-11; 2 Timothy 3.16; 2 Peter 1.20-21)
The Trinity: There is only one true, living, and good God, yet he exists eternally in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6.4; Genesis 1.26; Psalm 45.6–7; Matthew 3.13–17; Matthew 28.19; 1 Corinthians 12.4–6)
God the Father is the Creator who rules the universe by his providence. The salvation of human beings is the unfolding of his eternal plan. (Genesis 1.1; Isaiah 55.10–11; Matthew 10.29–31; Ephesians 1.11)
God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the image of the invisible God, the eternal Son of God. He was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully human. (Colossians 1.15; Psalm 2.7; Matthew 1.18–25; Romans 9.5; John 17.3; 1 Timothy 2.5) He died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sinful people. (Romans 3.23–26; 2 Corinthians 5.21; Galatians 3.13; 1 Corinthians 15.3–5; Ephesians 1.7) He rose physically from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will one day physically return. (1 Corinthians 15.3–5, 12–28; Acts 1.9–11)
God the Holy Spirit convinces people of their sin and need for Christ. He draws them to Christ and, when they believe, applies the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection to them. The Holy Spirit lives in and empowers all believers. (John 14.16–17; 16.9–11; John 3.5–7; Titus 3.5; Romans 8.9, 12–13)
Humanity: God made humans in his image. Because of the sin of the first humans, all people, Christ excluded, are sinful by both birth and action. (We recognize that Adam and Eve were not ‘born’ and were not created sinful; rather, they became sinful through their action. Genesis 1.26–28; 6.5; Psalm 51.5; Jeremiah 17.9; Romans 3.23; 5.8; Ephesians 2.1–3)
Salvation: It is only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance from sin that a person may receive forgiveness from God, eternal life, and a restored relationship with God. (John 3.16; Ephesians 2.8–9; Colossians 1.14; John 5.24; Acts 10.43; 11.18; 20.20–21) Those who are saved by God are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation. (1 Peter 1.5; John 10.27–29)
The Christian Life: All believers are responsible to live transformed lives evidenced by purity, holiness, and growth in Christ-like character. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling source of power to live for God. (1 Thessalonians 4.1–8; 1 Peter 1.14; Galatians 5.16–24; Romans 8.13)
The Church: All believers should connect to a local church where they can worship, hear the preaching of God’s word, participate in the covenant signs of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and share in the church’s mission to make disciples of all nations. (Acts 2.42–47; Psalm 29.2; 1 Timothy 4.13; Matthew 28.18–20; 1 Corinthians 11.23–26)
Destiny: Through either death or resurrection at the return of Christ, all believers, and only believers, will be brought into the presence of God to worship and serve him forever in his kingdom. (John 14.1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4.13–18; 2 Corinthians 5.1–10) Those who do not turn from sin and to Jesus will be raised to eternal punishment. (Matthew 25.31–46; John 5.28–29; Acts 24.15)
For a more detailed description of our beliefs, please download our Affirmation of Faith.