Our Beliefs
Statement of Faith
Grace Bible Church has adopted the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith for our Doctrinal Statement. We believe the NHBC lays out in clear and concise form the foundational truths that we hold dear as a church. We have removed two articles from the original document, the article on the Sabbath, and the article on Civil Government. While these topics are important for us to understand as Christians, they are not necessarily things we must all agree on to worship and fellowship together as a church. Grace Bible Church is also in general agreement with a number of historic Creeds and Confessions, including the London Baptist 1689 and The Westminster Confession of Faith.
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible is divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, 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 there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
THE WAY OF SALVATION
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 atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise 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; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe 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 a self-imposed condemnation.
GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced 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 as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. The acts of repentance and faith are to be exercised until the consummation of our faith; our glorification.
GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that its effects may be clearly perceived in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
SANCTIFICATION
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means -- especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
HARMONY OF THE LAW & GOSPEL
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.
A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the 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 only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus and in 1 Peter 5.
BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of Church Membership.
We believe that members of the body of Christ, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
THE RIGHTEOUS & THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
Elder Affirmation of Faith
The purpose of our elder affirmation of faith is to put forth in clear and concise statement the beliefs and doctrines that are to be held by those who seek by God’s grace to lead Grace Bible Church as elders, shepherds and teachers. Our primary rule and guide is the Word of God and the instruction laid out for us in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5, but we feel that it is helpful to have full and robust articulations of our doctrinal positions for the clarity and unity of the church. The following positions are held in agreement by our elders in addition to the statement of faith (The New Hampshire Confession) and membership covenant that all members of GBC are asked to agree to upon entering into covenant with this church.
The Sovereignty of God
We believe that God, from all eternity, in order to display the full extent of His glory for the eternal and ever-increasing enjoyment of all who love Him, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His will, freely and unchangeably ordain and foreknow whatever comes to pass by a single decree.
We believe that God upholds and governs all things from the public plans of politicians to the secret acts of solitary persons and down to the smallest detail of the created universe. All of this is done in accord with His eternal, all-wise purposes to glorify Himself, yet in such a way that He never sins, nor ever condemns a person unjustly; but that His ordaining and governing all things is compatible with the moral accountability of all persons created in His image.
We believe that God’s election of sinners unto salvation is an unconditional act of free grace which was given through His Son Christ Jesus before the world began. By this act God chose, before the foundation of the world, those who would be delivered from bondage to sin and brought to repentance and saving faith in His Son Christ Jesus, to the praise of his glorious grace.
(2 Tim 1:9; Eph 3:11; Eph 1:4; Rom 11:36; Eph 1:6,12,14; Num 23:19; Isa 46:9-10; Proverbs 16:33, 19:21; Isa 40:26; Job 37;6-16; Ps 135; Ps 145:15-18; Ps 33 10-11; Amos 3:6 Gen 50:20; Rom 9:11-18; 1 Cor 1:26-31; John 10:25-29; Rom 8:28-30)
The person and work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit has always been at work in the world, sharing in the work of creation, awakening faith in the remnant of God’s people, performing signs and wonders, giving triumphs in battle, empowering the preaching of prophets and inspiring the writing of Scripture. Yet, when Christ had made atonement for sin, and ascended to the right hand of the Father, He inaugurated a new era of the Spirit by pouring out the promise of the Father on His Church.
We believe that the newness of this era is marked by the unprecedented mission of the Spirit to glorify the crucified and risen Christ. This He does by giving the disciples of Jesus greater power to preach the gospel of the glory of Christ, by opening the hearts of hearers that they might see Christ and believe, by revealing the beauty of Christ in His Word and transforming His people from glory to glory, and by the confirmation of His Word, by calling all the nations into the sway of the gospel of Christ, and, in all this, fulfilling the New Covenant promise to create and preserve a purified people for the everlasting habitation of God.
We believe that, apart from the effectual work of the Spirit, no one would come to faith, because all are dead in trespasses and sins; that they are hostile to God, and morally unable to submit to God or please Him, because the pleasures of sin appear greater than the pleasures of God. Thus, for God‘s elect, the Spirit triumphs over all resistance, wakens the dead, removes blindness, and manifests Christ in such a compellingly beautiful way through the Gospel that He becomes irresistibly attractive to the regenerate heart.
We believe the Holy Spirit does this saving work in connection with the presentation of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. Thus neither the work of the Father in election, nor the work of the Son in atonement, nor the work of the Spirit in regeneration is a hindrance or discouragement to the proclamation of the gospel to all peoples and persons everywhere. On the contrary, this divine saving work of the Trinity is the warrant and the ground of our hope that our evangelization is not in vain in the Lord. The Spirit binds His saving work to the gospel of Christ, because His aim is to glorify the Christ of the Gospel. Therefore we do not believe that there is salvation through any other means than through receiving the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Ps 104:30; Gen 1:2; Rom 8:7-9; Judges 14:6; 2 Peter 1:21; Matt 22:43; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:33; John 16:13-14; John 7:39; Acts 1:8; Rom 15:18-19; John 3:8; Heb 2:4; 2 Cor 4:4-6; 1Peter 4:10)
The Cross and its Effect
We believe that the atonement of Christ for sin both warrants and necessitates a universal offering of the gospel to all persons, so that to every person it may be truly said,―God gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life. Whosoever will may come for cleansing at this fountain, and whoever does come, Jesus will not cast out.
We believe, moreover, that the death of Christ did obtain more than the bona fide offer of the gospel for all; it also obtained the omnipotent New Covenant mercy of repentance and faith for God‘s elect. In His death, Christ expressed a special covenant love to His friends, His sheep, His bride. For them He obtained the infallible and effectual working of the Spirit to triumph over their resistance and bring them to saving faith.
We believe that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was totally sufficient for the sins of the elect and that no other sacrifice was, or ever will be necessary.
We believe that Jesus death on the cross satisfied the just wrath of God and that in this act he became the propitiation for our sins. Through Jesus atoning death the sins of the elect are expiated and his righteousness is imputed. Without Jesus death on the cross, there is no forgiveness of sin.
(John 3:16-17; John 6:37; Heb 8, 9, 10 and 13; John 10:14-15; John 17:6,9,19; Rom 8:28-31; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 2 Cor 5:21)
The Role of Men and Women in the Church
We believe that in all matters of the Christian life and in the life of the church, we are to follow the words of Scripture. In addition to the many affirmations of both men and women, the Scripture also gives direction for their roles in the life of the church. Men are responsible for governance and teaching adults in the local church.
Both men and women share responsibility in teaching children. Men not in leadership and women of the church are called to honor and affirm the leadership of the elders and receive instruction from them, so that they might be equipped for service to Christ.
Positionally the elders of GBC are Complementarian. That is, we believe that God has given the primary responsibility of teaching and preaching and leading in the church to men. This is not done to prove their superiority over women, but to uphold the created order which God established for our good and to cause both men and women to flourish within the roles for which he created them. Because of this conviction, all elders who serve at GBC will be men in keeping with our Constitution.
(1 Timothy 2:12-15; 3:1-7; 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Tim. 2:11, 12; Ephesians 4:12-16; 1 Cor 11:1-3; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Eph 5:22-33)
Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
We believe that marriage is a covenant given by God and is to be entered into solemnly by one man and one woman. As a God-given covenant it is sacred and shall be held in high honor. Marriage is meant to be a gospel picture of Christ and his church, a parable of the relationship of commitment and longevity. We recognize that in our world sin has corrupted every institution and at times left a wake of emotional and relational carnage behind.
While we believe that God’s design for marriage is that man and wife live together until death separate them, we understand that because of sin, untimely separation may be necessary, but is not preferable. In the event that divorce has previously occurred, the re-marriage of an individual will be at the discretion of the elders, taking into consideration the timing of the divorce, as well as the circumstances and context of all involved.
We believe that human sexuality is a gift of God given for the enjoyment of mankind, for the preservation of the human race and is primarily for the glory of God. Mankind in his sinfulness has distorted God’s gift and turned to worship the creature rather than the Creator of the gift. In God’s design sex was meant to be enjoyed and expressed between one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage as an expression of the intimacy we are to have with our heavenly Father. When we follow God’s design we will experience joy and fulfilment.
Because human beings have been made in the image of God as male and female, we believe that there are only two genders. All other variations, iterations, or additions to these two genders (being male and female) should be seen as perversions of God’s good design for humankind. We believe that the living out of a gender ideology that promotes or encourages more than 2 genders will incur the wrath of God, therefore the elders of GBC will not participate in, or support the marriage of any persons other than a biological man to a biological woman as this would be a contradiction of the very institution of marriage which has been established by God
(Gen 2:24; Matt 19:1-12; 1 Cor 7:10-11; Eph 5:31-32; 1 Cor 10:31; Gen 1:28; Rom 1:25; Gen 1:26-31, 2:18-24, Rom 1:18-32, Col 3:5-6, Eph 5:3-6, 22-33)
Last Things
We believe that when Christians die, they are made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, and are taken consciously into the presence of Christ, which is more glorious and more satisfying than any experience on earth.
We believe in the blessed hope that at the end of the age Jesus Christ will return to this earth personally, visibly, physically, and suddenly in power and great glory; and that He will gather His elect, raise the dead, judge the nations, and establish His kingdom. We believe that the righteous will enter into the everlasting joy of their Master, and those who suppressed the truth in unrighteousness will be consigned to everlasting conscious misery.
We believe that the end of all things in this age will be the beginning of a never-ending, ever-increasing happiness in the hearts of the redeemed, as God displays more and more of His infinite and inexhaustible greatness and glory for the enjoyment of His people.
(Heb 12:22-23; Luke 23:43; Phil 1:23; Titus 2:13; Acts 1:9-11; Mark 14:61-62; Phil 2:20-21; Luke 24:39-43; 1 Thess 5:2-3; Luke 21;27; 1 Thess 4:15-17; 1 Cor 15:22-24; 2 Tim 4:1; Psalm 16:11; Matt 25:23,46; Rom 6:23; Dan 12:2; Matt 3:12; 2 Thess 1:9; Eph 2:6-7; 1 Cor 13:12)
Serving as an elder in the local church is a high calling and a great privilege. In order to clearly articulate the purpose of elder ministry, we have put together an Elder Handbook that lays out the qualifications and responsibilities of elders who serve at GBC. You can read or download this document by clicking the link below.