“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity”
~Rupertus Meldenius (1582-1651) The GCC Statement of Faith - What We Believe The doctrinal positions below represent a statement of our essential beliefs. It is our intention to map out what we consider the essentials in this shorter doctrinal statement, and also communicate a fuller account of our beliefs in expanded statements on each of these topics. Currently, we have expanded statements on Scripture and Humanity, and are steadily working to add the others, over time. The Scriptures We believe the Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired word of God; as such, they are absolutely trustworthy in all they affirm. The Scriptures provide the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humanity as well as the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and practice. (Matthew 5:17-19; Luke 24:27, 44; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-2, cf. 2:1-4, 4:12, 6:18; 2 Peter 1:20-21; see also Psalms 19; Psalms 119) Expanded Statement The Triune Godhead We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God The Father God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in His attitude toward mankind but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6, 15:24; Ephesians 4:6) God the Son We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin to reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless sacrifice on the cross, satisfying God’s judgment against sin. After confirming the accomplishment of that rescue and validation by His resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who believe in Him. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26, 8:3) God the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin; that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, presents spiritual gifts to them, and fills (controls) those who surrender to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill his desire for the world, but will produce fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8, 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18) Humanity We believe God created human beings in His image, in a state of innocence and free from sin. However, they became sinners when they freely chose to disobey God's command. As a result of their sin, every human being is alienated from God and subject to His wrath, both by nature and by practice, unless forgiven by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-27, 31, 3:1-19; Romans 1:18, 3:9-18, 23, 5:12-21, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; 1 John 1:8-10) Expanded Statement Sanctity of Human Life Because human beings are created by God and in His image, we believe that every human life is sacred. As a result, we believe that all stages of human life from conception through natural death should be valued and protected. (Genesis 1:26-27) Gender, Sexuality, and Marriage We believe God created human beings as either male or female, which reflects His intention for an unchangeable biological distinction between genders and His intention that marriage be a union of one man with one woman until death. (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-25; Deuteronomy 22:5; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27, 7:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9) Atonement for Sin We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe in Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3, 14, 3:1-7; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2) Salvation We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It is not something that can be purchased or earned. It is freely given to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone whose faith is in the Savior is forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God. (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7, 2:4-5, 8-9; Romans 10:9-10) Baptism We believe that baptism at an age of accountability is how Christians acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and their Lord and Savior. Jesus was baptized as a declaration of who he was, and He commands us to make disciples by baptizing as well. (Matthew 3:16, 10:32, 28:19; Acts 2:38-41, 16:30-33) The Great Commission Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and privilege to carry out Christ's Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers salvation to the lost in this world. (Matthew 25:31-46, 28:18-20) Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct This Statement of Faith does not fully encompass the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, is the sole and final source of our church's faith, doctrine, practice, ethics, policy, and discipline. The GCC elder board is our church's final interpretive authority concerning the Bible's meaning and application. |
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