Grace Fellowship Church
Statement of Faith
Bible
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments to be the Divinely inspired Scriptures, the Word of God in truth, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith, life, and conduct. Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons: FATHER, SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. (1 John 5:7 Deut. 6:4;Phil. 2:6 )
MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
We believe that man was directly created by God in His own image, but fell into sin through disobedience to Gods command. The entire human race is, therefore lost, and only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and regeneration of the Holy Spirit can salvation and Spiritual life be obtained. (Rom. 3:10; 3:23, Rom. 5:14; 1 John 3:8)
WATER BAPTISM & HOLY COMMUNION
We believe that water baptism and the Lords supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age. They are however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39 ).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
We believe the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience may be accompanied by speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4;Acts 2:38,39;Acts 8:4-22;Acts 9:17;Acts 10:44-48;Acts 19:1-7;ICor 13:8-10;ICor14:1-4,18 ).
SANCTIFICATION
We believe the Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ's return (Heb. 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30 ).
DIVINE HEALING –
We believe that the Bible teaches Divine Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today. However, we do not reject medical science and what it can do for us. We believe that God has given man this knowledge also for his physical benefits.[ (James 5:14,15; Mark 16:18; Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24 ).
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD
The angels said to Jesus' disciples, "...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." His coming is imminent. When He comes, "...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16,17 ).
Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 5:10;20:6 ).
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION - The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting," used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20 ).
