What we believe at Grace Church

OUR PURPOSE

The purpose of Grace Church Ministries is to proclaim the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, God's Word, which shall be the center of all preaching and study material and the only rule of faith and practice, and to encourage, promote and effect the following:

1. Worship

    We hold that, according to the Word of God, the chief end of man is to love God and worship Him. (Mark 12:28-31; John 4:21-24; Isaiah 43:21). We further believe that praise is a pivotal exercise in the process of worship and gladly accept our authentic identity as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that we may show forth the praises of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). Thus, in the continuing exercises of individual and corporate spiritual life, we will seek to keep the practice of praise in its proper and paramount position.  Thus the corporate gatherings of Grace Church are deliberately committed to center upon God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Blessed Holy Spirit. Whatever blessings issued to the worshippers will rise from that which occurs when God is glorified, Jesus Christ is exalted and the Holy Spirit has freedom to do His work.

2. Edification

    The edification of Christians, through pastoral calling, classes, fellowship and formal worship, by means of careful and complete study of words or particular passages of the Bible (the gathering of believers being primarily for the purpose of equipping the saints for personal growth, the work of the ministry and evangelism). (Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:15).

• There is one God (Deut. 6:4). God has revealed Himself not only as the Father of all creation, but He has revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. (Col. 1:15; John 1:14; Jude 25). And He continues to reveal Himself through His Holy Spirit. (John 15:26; Acts 5:3,4).

• Jesus was both fully human, and fully God. (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:15). He is the expressed "image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He is to be worshipped, praised, and ever lives to intercede as our High Priest and Advocate.

• The Holy Spirit is a person, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He regenerates, baptizes, seals, indwells, fills, guides, and empowers the believer for Godly living and service. (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18).

• The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and the revealed will of God. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).

• Salvation is the free gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed on Calvary as atonement for sin. (Eph. 2:8-19; John 1:12, 16).

• Baptism by immersion is a declaration to the world that a believer has died with Christ and that they have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:3-11).

• The Lord's supper is taken as a memorial of what Christ has done for all who believe in Him. (1 Cor. 11:26). Participation in the Lord's supper is for all who have accepted Christ as Savior and leading a life of obedience. (1 Cor. 11:24-31).

• The ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit are indispensable in the spiritual life of both church and individual believer. Without the present ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we would tend to relegate God to the ancient past of the anticipated future. Through His ministry God is working here and now through the Body of Christ the works necessary to the fulfilling of His purposes on earth.

• Balance is necessary and vital in individual and corporate church life. It is necessary in doctrine, relationships, and all spiritual exercises. Such balance is possible only as members of the Body of Christ commit themselves to interdependence and interaction which are available under the dynamic direction of the Holy Spirit.