What We Teach

The Doctrinal Statement of Grace Bible Church

Ratified by the Elders of Grace Bible Church April 2, 2000 

Download a PDF of this document.

Table of Contents

Preface

Recognizing that the Bible is the very Word of the Living God to man, and understanding the priority of knowing and obeying its truths, the elders of Grace Bible Church are deeply committed to studying and teaching Scripture with diligence and authority. Thus, the central ministry of our church is the continuous imparting of biblical truth to the people of God that they may better know, live, and defend the Truth and serve Him in worship, ministry, and evangelism.

The Holy Scriptures

  • We teach that God has revealed Himself. In nature, characteristics of God can be seen in the created universe and in man’s conscience (Psalm 19:1-4; Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-29; Romans 1:19-21; 2:15). God has also specially revealed Himself in His Word (Ps. 19:7-11) and in His Son (Heb. 1:1-4). In the Bible God has revealed to us specifics about Himself and His ways that cannot be known apart from His Word.
  • We teach that the Bible (limited to the 39 books of Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament) is the supernatural, inerrant, authoritative, and inspired revelation of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21). We teach that God is the source of the Bible and that He miraculously worked through human instruments (2 Sam. 23:2; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Matt. 1:22; 1 Thes. 2:13). We teach the completion and sufficiency of Scripture so that there is no need for fantastic continuous revelations of God such as modern dreams, prophecies, and visions (Deut. 4:2; Heb. 2:4). We teach the power of the Word to sanctify believers (Ps. 119:9-11), give life (John 6:63), grant faith (Rom. 10:17), illuminate and reveal spiritual truth (1 Cor. 2:9-14), and so on (Heb. 4:12-13). We teach that God has preserved His word for centuries through the faithful duplication of manuscripts and translation into modern languages. We do not teach that inerrancy extends to copied manuscripts or modern translations but trust translations that are faithful to the manuscripts (Neh. 8:8).
  • Based upon this high view of the Holy Scriptures, we teach that mankind is to studiously search the Scriptures, seeking by historical-grammatical interpretation to discover God’s intended meaning (2 Pet. 1:21) and apply the unchanging truth to modern settings.

God

  • We teach the existence of God (Heb. 11:6). Ultimately the belief in God must be a faith issue, not a reason or logic issue, though we teach that this is not an irrational faith (1 Cor. 1-2). We teach that God is one (Dt. 6:4; Is. 44:6; John 17:3), yet eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Trinitarian formulas &em; Matt. 28:19; Matt. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14).

God the Father

  • We teach that the Father is Father of all creation in general (Eph. 4:6) but that He is a special Father to believers (Rom. 8:14-15). We teach that God is personal in that He relates with His creation, especially mankind. As such, He has attributes of purity, integrity, and love.
    • Attributes of Purity
      • Holiness (Lev. 11:44; 1 Sam 2:2; Ps. 5:4; Is. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16)
      • Righteousness (Ezek. 9:15; Ps. 119:137, 142)
      • Justice (Ps. 45:6; Is. 61:8)
      • Anger (Deut. 9:18-20; 1 Kings 11:9-11; Rev. 6:16-17)
    • Attributes of Integrity
      • Genuine (Jer. 10; Jn. 17:3; 1 Thes. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:20)
      • Truth (1 Sam. 15:29; Jer. 10:10; Jn. 14:6)
      • Faithful (2 Sam. 7:28; 1 Kings 8:56; Ps. 33:4; 2 Tim. 2:13)
    • Attributes of Love (Deut. 7:7-8; Ps. 63:3; Jer. 31:3; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)
      • Goodness (Ps. 34:8; 84:11; 106:1; 107:1)
      • Grace (Neh. 9:31; 2 Cor. 12:9; Titus 2:11-13; Is. 30:18)
      • Mercy (Ps. 78:38; Lam. 3:22; Luke 6:36)
      • Patience (Num. 14:18; Ps. 78:38)
      • Initiative (Eph. 1:17)
  • We teach that God is much greater than men and nations and that nothing compares to Him. As such, He has attributes of majesty and greatness. (Ps. 103; Ps. 139; Is. 40).
    • Attributes of Majesty and Greatness
      • He is a Spirit (Jn. 4:24; Acts 7:48-50; 2 Cor. 3:17)
      • He is Infinite or Unlimited
        • In time (eternal) (Ps. 45:6; Is. 40:28; Dan. 4:34; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:8)
        • In space (omnipresent) (Ps. 46:1; Ps. 139:7-10; Matt. 28:20)
        • In wisdom (omniscient) (2 Chr. 16:9; Ps. 139; 147:4; Prov. 15:3; Is. 44)
        • In ability (omnipotent) (Gen. 18:14; Matt. 19:26; Jer. 32:27)
      • He is Unchangeable (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Ps. 102:26; Mal. 3:6)
      • He is Sovereign (Dan. 4:35-36; Ps. 95:3-5; 24:1)
  • We teach that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Gen. 1:1, John 1:1-3, Col. 1:16-17, Heb. 11:3) – creation involving all three persons of the Trinity (1 Cor. 8:6; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). We teach the literal interpretation of Genesis 1 and therefore a six day creation and a young earth (Ex. 20:11). We reject Theistic Evolution (Gen.2:7; Rom. 5:12).
  • We teach that God is actively involved in the preservation of His creation (Ps. 36:6; 63:8; 145; Acts 17:28; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17).
  • We teach that God has intervened in the course of history. He is not a passive observer. We reject Deism (belief in the existence of God on purely rational grounds and denial of His continuing control, influence, and involvement in His creation). We teach God’s miraculous intervention in the history of man (Ex. 4:1-9, 31; John 20:30-31), including the miraculous inspiration of His Word, the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:18-23) and His miraculous resurrection (1 Cor. 15). We teach that God is still miraculously and providentially involved in the affairs of mankind and acts of nature (Dan. 4:34-37; Ps. 104; Prov. 16:33; Phil. 4:19).
  • We teach that, though God is not responsible for sin and its consequences, He is not defeated by evil (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Job).
  • We teach that salvation is, beginning to end, the work of God (Eph. 1:4-6; Rom. 8:15; John 1:12; Gal. 4:5; Heb. 12:5-9).

God the Son

  • We teach that Jesus Christ is God the Son (John 20:31; Phil. 2:6-8). More specifically, we teach that Jesus Christ is Jehovah! We teach the Holy Spirit conception and Virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:22-23).
    • Jesus is called God (John 1:1; 1:18; 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8; 1 Jn. 5:20).
    • Jesus is worshipped as God (Jn. 5:23; Phil. 2:10-11; Heb. 1:6).
    • Jesus is identified as Jehovah (Matt. 3:3 – Is. 40:3; Heb. 1:6 – Psalm 97:7).
  • We teach that Christ is distinct from the Father and Spirit (Ps. 2:7; Matt. 27:46; Gal. 4:4; John 5:32, 27).
  • We teach that Jesus Christ became fully human at the incarnation (Lk. 2:52; Rom. 5; 1 Tim. 2:5; 3:16; Jn. 1:14; 1 John 4:2-3; Gal. 4:4). Therefore, we teach that Christ is at the same time fully God and fully man (Jn. 1:14; Gal. 4:4; 1 Tim. 3:16).
  • We teach that Jesus Christ became the sinless substitute who paid the price for the sin of mankind by the shedding of His blood and His death on the cross of Calvary (Is. 53:4-6; John 3:16; Rom. 3:23-24; 5:8; 1 Cor. 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). We teach that the gospel message is that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4). We teach that following His resurrection Christ’s body was glorified and He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11). We further teach that Christ is currently living and making intercession for believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).
  • We teach that Jesus Christ is the only perfect prophet (Mt. 13:57; 21:4, 11; Jn. 14:26; 16:13), priest (Jn. 17; Heb. 5:5-6; 7:25; 9:24), and king (Is. 9:7; Mt. 13:41; 28:18-20).

God the Holy Spirit

  • We teach that the Holy Spirit is God and is distinct from the Father and Son. In that He is eternal (Heb. 9:14), underived, and possesses intellect (1 Cor. 2:10-13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), and will (1 Cor. 12:11), we teach that the Holy Spirit is a person of the Trinity and not just a "power."
  • We teach that His works include creation (Gen. 1:2), glorifying the Son, convicting the world of sin (John 16:7-14), testifying of Christ (John 15:26), interceding for believers (Rom 8:26), and inspiring Scripture (John 14:26).
  • We teach that believers are indwelled by the Spirit of God the moment of conversion (Rom. 8:9) and that the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Believers are to continually be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 5:18) by yielding to Him (Rom. 6:13) and by submission to the Word of God (Col. 3:12-17). The Holy Spirit transforms believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Rom. 8:29), empowers believers for ministry (John 14:12; 16:7; Acts 1:4-5) and gives spiritual gifts to every believer for the edifying of the Body of Christ (1 Pet. 4:11; Eph. 4:11; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11).
  • We teach that the Spirit of God is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints and that speaking in tongues and the working of verification miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were not intended to be characteristic of the life of every believer (1 Cor. 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:1-4). The authenticity of a messenger, today, is determined by His faithfulness to the truth of the completed Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15). We recognize that miraculous phenomena can be counterfeited in order to lead people astray (Matt. 24:24)

Man

  • We teach that man is more than just a material, natural creature (Gen. 2:7). He has body, soul and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 4:12; 1 Cor. 2:14-3:4). Man has been created in the image of God, with the abilities to think, feel, and decide. Therefore each life has tremendous value (Gen. 1:26-28; 5:1; 9:6).
  • In the image and likeness of God, we teach that man was originally righteous but as a result of the fall into sin, all men are sinners by nature and choice (Rom. 3:10-12; 3:23; 5:19) and are entirely incapable of saving themselves (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Is. 64:6). Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. We teach that God judges each man for his own sin (Ezek. 18:4; Deut. 24:16) but that one person’s sin has an effect on others (Josh. 22; 2 Sam. 21).

Sin

  • We teach that man’s problem is that he has willfully rebelled against God and His commandments (Rom. 5:19; 1 John 3:4). All men are sinners and have fallen short of the perfection of God (Rom. 3:10-12, 23).
  • We teach that all men sinned through our representative, Adam (Rom. 5:19). Mankind is completely depraved (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:18) &em; we do not seek God, we do not obey God’s commands, we are not able to save ourselves (Rom. 3:10-12; Is. 64:6). Every man, woman, and child has sinned and possesses a sinful nature through natural generation (Ps. 51:5-6). The sinful nature must be replaced with a new nature that Christ and His Spirit alone can produce in us (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; 6:15).
  • We teach that the punishment of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). We teach that this includes physical death (Rom. 5:12; ), spiritual death (separation from God) (Is. 59:2), and eternal death (the second death – separation from God forever in a literal lake of fire) (Matt. 35:46; Rev. 20:12-15).

Salvation

  • We teach that salvation is the free gift of God’s grace (not earned or deserved) received by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross (Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:16). We teach that repentance is necessary for salvation (Matt. 3:5-12; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 17:30). We teach that saving faith demonstrates itself in actions and is not mere talk (James 2:14-26).

Regeneration

  • We teach that because of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross sin is forgiven (Heb. 9:22; Rom. 3:25), the believer is reconciled to God (Rom. 5:1), and he receives a new life (Rom. 6, Col. 3) through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6; John 3).

Election

  • We teach that God has graciously elected believers (John 6:37, 44, 65; Acts 13:48; Rom. 9:11, 15-16). We also teach that the legitimate offer of salvation to all man is possible because the atonement of Christ is sufficient for all mankind (Is. 53:6; 1 Tim. 2:3-6; 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Jn. 2:2). It is obvious from the Bible that not all believe, therefore we reject universalism.
  • Scripture presents a balance between God’s sovereignty as the Author of Salvation (Matt. 11:25-27; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:1-2) and man’s responsibility to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Matt. 11:28-30; Ezek. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18, 19, 36; 5:40; 2 Thes. 2:10-12). It is vital to maintain balance and not reject either truth. We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9:11-16).

Justification

  • We teach that a believer is judicially declared to be completely righteous (justified) the moment he trusts Christ as Savior (Rom. 3:24-28). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Sanctification

  • Conversion begins the process of sanctification (practically living righteously) which continues throughout the rest of a believer’s natural life (Rom. 6, 8; 1 Thes. 5:23). We teach that there is also by the work of the Holy Sprit a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23). There will be a day in which we are completely sanctified and our bodies glorified &em; the moment we are like Him for we shall see Him as He is (Rom. 8:18-25; 1 John 3:2).

Security

  • We teach that it is possible for one to know and be assured of His eternal life through a relationship with Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11-13). We further teach that if it were possible for a man to lose or deny his salvation, it would be impossible for him to get it again (Heb. 6). So, the "lose it, get it back, hold on to it" idea is contrary to Scripture. We teach that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God’s power and are this secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24). We recognize that not all who claim to be born again are truly saved and do not offer false assurance to someone who does not demonstrate fruits of salvation.

The Church

  • We teach that the church of Jesus Christ is the body of all born-again believers (Matt. 16:18; John 3:3,5; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:10; 5:24-25; Col. 1:18; Heb. 12:23). We teach that believers in a particular region should join together in a local assembly for edification, equipping, and worship (Acts 2:42; 14:23; Rom. 16:5; Heb. 10:25). We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).
  • We teach that the church is distinct from national Israel (Rom. 11; 1 Cor. 10:32).

Mission

  • We teach that the primary mission of the church is to glorify God by preaching the Gospel to every creature and teaching them to do what He commands (Matt. 28:19-20). We teach that the leadership of the church has been given to equip saints to do ministry (Eph. 4:12).

Separation

  • We teach that the Lord has called His disciples to be salt of the earth &em; believers must be different and distinct from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:11). Christians must also be separated from false teaching (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 3 John 7-11). It is church leadership’s responsibility to discern wolves and warn the sheep about them (Acts 20:28-29). It is also Biblical to separate from disobedient brothers as part of the church discipline process (Matt. 18; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Thes. 3:6). We teach that the reasons for separation are personal holiness, the protection of the testimony of the Lord and the church, and restoration of disobedient brothers (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:24-25). Though separation is clearly taught in Scriptures, in the last days apostasy and worldliness will increase (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5).

Leadership

  • We teach that Christ is the Head of the Church and is the supreme authority for the church (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). We teach that there are two offices of leadership given to a church: elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3) – both of whom must be spiritually qualified (Titus 1:5-9). As leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Tim. 5:17-22), the congregation is to submit to their leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17).
  • We teach the plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17; James 5:14). "Elders," "bishops," or "pastors" (all synonyms) are to shepherd the flock by feeding them the word (Acts 6:4; Ezek. 34:2-10), leading them by example (1 Pet. 5:3; Jer. 23:1-4; Ps. 78:72), protecting them from false teaching (Acts 20:28), tending the flock (John 21:15-17), and praying for them. They are to be spiritually qualified (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1), gifted, and called to shepherd.
  • Deacons are spiritually qualified men who serve in the spiritual capacity of ministering to the physical needs of the church and protect the priorities of the elders so that they do not neglect the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6:1-7).

Ordinances

  • We teach that believers are commanded to participate in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26). We are to remember the price that was paid for our sins, using the symbols of bread (representing the body broken for us) and the cup (representing the blood shed for sin). We teach that we should continue observing this act of worship until we partake of it with Christ at His return and we teach that the Lord’s Supper is an excellent object lesson to teach salvation (1 Cor. 11:26). Whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1 Cor. 10:16).
  • We teach that baptism is a significant first step of obedience in the Christian life (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is a public statement of a believer’s faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (Acts 8:36-38). Baptism is also identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6). We teach that it is an excellent object lesson to teach the new life in Christ truths and as an object lesson, we teach that immersion is the best mode, which pictures the identification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. We teach that baptism is to be reserved for believers only (Acts 8:36-38) and reject infant baptism. We prefer the "dedication of infants" and their parents.

Angels

  • We teach God created (Ps. 148:2; Col. 1:16) an innumerable host of spiritual beings called angels (Rev. 5:11; Heb. 12:22). Angels are inferior to God (Heb. 1:4-14) but greater than men (2 Pet. 2:11). Men have seen angels (John 20:12; Lk. 1:11; 2:9,13). Angels perform God’s will by protecting God’s people (Gen. 19; 1 Kings 19; Ps. 91:11-12), announcing His messages (Matt. 1-2), and praising God (Rev. 5:7).
  • We teach that there is a literal enemy of the believers, Satan (1 Pet. 5:8), who was created as a perfect angel named Lucifer (Ezek. 18:12-15). We teach that Lucifer rebelled against his Creator and took a host of angels with him (Is. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:17). Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-4) and Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4). We teach that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ defeated Satan (Rom. 16:20) and that he awaits eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:1-3). We teach that spiritual warfare against Satan and the Kingdom of darkness is primarily a battle in the minds and hearts of men (Eph. 5:12).
  • We teach that demons exist as fallen and sinful angels. Demons have had power to cause dumbness (Matt. 9:32-33), blindness (Matt. 12:22), insanity (Lk. 8:26-35), personal injury (Mk. 9:18), and suffering and deformities (Lk. 13:11-17). These demons are the principalities and powers against which believers wrestle (Eph. 6:12). We teach that they propagate false teachings (1Tim. 4:1).

The End Times - Eschatology

  • We teach the futuristic interpretation of the prophecies found in the book of Revelation and literal interpretations of Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel and the future glorious kingdom.

Death

  • We teach that upon a believer’s death, he is immediately present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:1-10; Phil. 1:19-26). We teach that upon an unbeliever’s death, he is immediately separated from God and punished in hell. We teach the distinction between Hades and Gehenna. We reject the idea of purgatory (Gal. 3:1-14).
  • We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 2 Cor. 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Dan. 12:2; John 5:29; Rev. 20:13-15).

The Rapture of the Church and the Tribulation Period

  • We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the tribulation to translate His church from the earth (1 Thes. 1:10; 4:17; 5:9; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Rev. 3:10; 7:1-3, 14). We teach that Christ can return at any time to rapture His church, followed by a seven-year tribulation of Israel and an unbelieving world (Daniel 9:24-27; Rev. 16), at the end of which Christ will physically return in power and glory and will establish a literal kingdom on earth lasting 1000 years. We teach that Christ will reward believers according to their works at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign

  • We teach that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth (Rev. 20:1-7; Ezek. 37; Acts 1:10-11). We teach that the kingdom will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel to restore them to the land promised to Abraham and to His promise to David to establish his kingdom. We teach that the Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, and righteousness (Is. 11; 65:17-25; Ezek. 36:33-38).

The Judgment of the Lost

  • We teach that the millennium will be followed by the temporary release of Satan (Rev. 20:7), the judgment of Satan, and the judgment of all unbelievers at the Great White Throne judgment, at which the lost will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 25:41).

Eternity

  • We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thes. 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Eph. 5:5; Rev. 20:15; 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Rev. 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Rev. 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Cor. 15:28).