SCRIPTURE
We believe that God superintended the authors of the Bible so that, using their own individual literary styles, they composed and recorded without error, in the original manuscripts, God’s divine revelation to man. Because of this, we believe the Bible to be the final authority, under God, in the life of the Christian, and that it is his duty to grow in the knowledge of the Word.
SALVATION
We believe that a person is granted eternal life only by the grace of God. This gift is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose sinless, substitutionary death on the cross completely paid the just penalty for sin.
DOCTRINE
We hold to the basic truth of historic Christianity, namely:
- The inerrant and infallible Word of God
- The Tri-unity of God
- The Deity and Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ
- The creation and fall of all mankind
- Substitutionary atonement
- The bodily resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ
- The spiritual regeneration of the believer
- The person and imminent return of Christ
- The hope of the believer’s bodily resurrection and the Final Judgment
- The eternal destiny in a literal Heaven and Hell
TEACHING
We believe the Bible to be the Word of God and, therefore, trustworthy to give us instruction concerning salvation and spiritual life (II Timothy 3:16, 17). We believe that the Scriptures teach that one can be saved only through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12, Acts 4:12, I Timothy 2:5).
Because of our commitment to the Bible as God’s inerrant Word, we are committed to expository preaching. We preach the Bible book by book and verse by verse with an occasional topical sermon.
Our message is not a program, politics, or philosophy. Our message is not religion, revolution, moral reformation, or recovery. Our message is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who saves us from our sin (Romans 5:8), who gives us hope (Colossians 1:27), and who is able to meet our deepest need (Romans 8:32).
EXPOSITORY PREACHING
We believe that the best method of acquainting God’s people with His Word is expository preaching (2 Timothy 4:2; 2:2; Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:11-12). Expository preaching means teaching Scripture book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse. It means to teach Scripture in a way that brings out of the text what is there and to expose it to view. Expository preaching approaches Scripture from the historical-grammatical perspective and attempts to interpret its meaning so that contemporary man can apply it to his life. The author’s intended meaning of the text is to be understood in its original context (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).
Church Government
The Government (policy) of Grace Bible Church is vested in the Living Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). It is administered through the official board which is made up of elders who function as pastors and who are recognized by the congregation as the God-appointed leaders of the church. These leaders are recognized by their godly lives, maturity, and knowledge of the Word of God (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). The Board operates on the basis of 100% percent consensus of its board members when making decisions affecting the church.
PLURALITY OF LEADERSHIP
We believe that a plurality of elders is in keeping with the New Testament pattern (Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; James 5:14; Hebrews 13:7, 17, & 24). Therefore, we desire more than one pastor. Although we recognize that even among equals one pastor will usually receive prominence (we recognize also the need to correct this perception), he has no biblical pre-eminence. A plurality of leaders (Elders) provides checks and balances (accountability) and prohibits one man from “lording it over the flock” of God (I Peter 5:3).
ELDERS AND PASTORS
Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and Lord of Grace Bible Church. The elder board seeks to submit to His Lordship by making decisions in obedience to the commands of Scripture and based on the principles gleaned from Scripture. We will seek unanimity through His indwelling Holy Spirit in matters concerning His church. Our elders are under-shepherds. Although we have paid pastoral positions the roles vary but they are equal in authority and Jesus Christ is the only head Pastor.
Christian GIVING
We believe that New Testament giving is initiated by the grace of God in believers (2 Corinthians 8:2). We believe that the tithe was an Old Testament method of giving & that it is no longer in force in the Church Age. Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament as a standard of giving. We believe that giving under grace demands no set percentage of our income, but rather is determined by the guidance of the Holy Spirit & should be “according to what a man has” & “as God has prospered.” (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7). Giving, done with a right heart, is an act of worship (2 Corinthians 8:5). When we give according to the New Testament principles set forth in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, we model the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9).