I.
OF THE SCRIPTURES:
We believe
that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has
truth without any admixture of error for its matter and therefore is and
shall remain to the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of
the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union; and the supreme
standard by which all human conduct, creed and opinions should be tried. (II
Sam. 23:3; Luke 16:29-31; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16, 3:21,
John 10:35; Rom. 3:1-2).
A. By "The
Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to
Revelation which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey
the word of God, but is the very word of God.
B. By
"inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men
of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that
their writings have ever been and ever will be inspired.
C. As a
matter of conviction we believe the authorized version 1611 KJV is the
preserved word of God and it is the only version to be used in the pulpit
and educational classes of Grace Baptist Church (Psalms 12:6-7).
II.
THE TRUE GOD:
We
believe that God is a title applied equally to the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. We believe
that there is one, and only one, living and true God; an infinite,
intelligent spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness; and worthy of all possible honor,
confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead where are three
persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost -- equal in every divine
perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work
of redemption. (Jer. 10:10; Isa. 6:3, Rom. 1:20: John 10:30; Eph. 2:18;
Matt. 28:19; I John 5:7).
III.
THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe
that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father, the Son
and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His
relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God's
purpose is fulfilled -- for He convicts of sin, judgement and righteousness:
that he baptizes, seals, endures, guides, teaches, witnesses,
sanctifies and helps the believer. The Holy Spirit fills the believer,
empowering him for soul-winning service. We do not believe that the evidence
of salvation or being filled with the Holy Spirit is now, or ever has been,
speaking in tongues. We reject the modern day movement referred to as
“charismatic,” “faith healers,”, and other para church groups that suggest
this group of people has some sort of “Pentecostal power” that we do not
have as born again Bible believing Christians. (John 14:25, 16:13; Ezek.
36:27; Rom. 8:13; I Thess. 5:19; Eph. 4:30, Acts 2:1-5; I Cor. 12:13).
IV. CHRIST:
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has been in existence throughout all
eternity
equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He was born of the
Virgin Mary being conceived of the Holy Ghost. He possessed the nature of
God and the nature of man. He lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary
death on the cross, was resurrected bodily in three days, ascended to be
with the Father and is there seated at His right hand making intercession
for us and will return bodily. (Heb. 1:2; John 17:5; Luke 1:31-35; I Peter
1:19-20; I Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 7:25).
V.
OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN:
We believe
that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and
ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels;
that he is now the malignant Prince of the Power of the Air, and the unholy
god of this world consisting of the unholy trinity -- the anti-christ,
beast and false prophet. We hold him to be man's greatest tempter, the
enemy of God and Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false
religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the
Antichrist and the author of all powers of darkness; destined however, to
final defeat at the hands of God's Son and judgment of an eternal justice in
hell -- a place prepared for him and his angels. (Isa. 14:12-17; Gen. 3:15;
Ezek. 28:15-19; Luke 10:18; II Peter 2:4; James 2:19; Acts 5:3; Rev. 12:9)
VI.
OF THE CREATION:
We believe
in the Genesis account of creation; that it is to be accepted literally, not
allegorically or figuratively; the man was created directly in God's image
and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of
evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through
interminable periods of time from lower of higher forms; that all animal and
vegetable life was made directly; and God's established law was that they
should bring forth only "after their kind."
VII. OF
THE CREATION AND FALL OF MAN:
We believe
that man was created in innocence under the law of his maker, but by
voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state; in
consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by
choice; and therefore, under just condemnation, without defense or excuse.
(Gen. 1:27, 2:7, 3:4-7; Psa. 51:5; John 1:2-3; Rom. 5:12-14, 7:23-25; Col.
1:21)
VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN:
We believe
that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial
offices of the son of God; who, by the appointment of the Father, freely
took upon Him our nature; yet without sin, honored the divine law by His
personal obedience; and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for
our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His
death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the
sinner's place; the just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our
sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now
enthroned in Heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tender
sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be a
suitable, compassionate and all sufficient Saviour. (Exo. 29:38-39; Lev.
23:26-27, 17:11; Matt. 20:28; John 1:7, 6:51; Rev. 1:5; Col. 1:14)
IX.
OF THE GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION:
We believe
that in order to be saved sinners must be born again; that the new birth is
a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process;
that in new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made partaker of
the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the
new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension; not by
culture, not by character, nor by the will of man; but wholly and solely by
the power of the holy Spirit, in a connection with divine truth so as to
secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence
appear in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John
3:1-8; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:8-9, 4:30; Titus 3:3-7)
X.
OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION:
We believe
in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to
all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a
cordial, penitent and obedient faith and that nothing prevents the salvation
of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated
condemnation. (Mark 16:16; John 3:14-18; Rom. 5:1-11; Eph. 1:5, 2:4-10;
Rev. 22:17).
XI.
OF JUSTIFICATION:
We believe
that the Gospel which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is
justification. The justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of
eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in
consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely
through faith in the Redeemer's blood. His righteousness is imputed unto
us. (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5).
XII. OF
REPENTANCE AND FAITH:
We believe
that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and also inseparable
graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening spirit of God thereby, being
deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of
salvation by Christ. We turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession
and supplication for mercy at the same time heartily receiving the Lord
Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all sufficient
Saviour. (Mark 1:14-15, 6:12; John 16:8-11; Acts 3:19, 16:30-32, 17:30; Rom.
10:7)
XIII. OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe
that a Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers who are
associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing
the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws and exercising the gifts,
rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of
ordination are Pastors or Elders and Deacons whose qualifications, claims
and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true
mission of the Church is found in the Great Commission. We further
acknowledge that all those won through these efforts are true members of the
Body, Bride and Building of Christ, and share the same rewards. We hold
that the local Church has the absolute right of self-government free from
the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations and that
the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it
is scriptural for true Churches to cooperate with each other in contending
for the furtherance of the gospel; that every Church is the sole and only
judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. on all matters of
membership, policy, government, discipline and of benevolence the will of
the local Church is final. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 1:1-13, 11:2,
5:5-6; Matt. 28:20; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3; Titus 1).