what we believe

Loving God and loving people at home and around the world.

  • OUR MISSION STATEMENT

    "Loving God, Loving People at Home and Around the World."


    The mission of Grace Baptist Church is summarized in a single sentence based on three key scriptures: 

    “This is the most important,” Jesus answered... Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. "The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. ” Mark 12:29-31 (HCSB)


    The Great Commission: Jesus said “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)


    The Great Plan: Jesus said “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (HCSB)

  • OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

    •In essential beliefs — we have unity.

     “There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...”

    Eph. 4:4-6


    •In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.

     “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22


    •In all our beliefs — we show charity.

     “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”

    1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)

  • OUR CORE VALUES: WHAT WE PRACTICE

    1. The Bible - Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 4:13

    2. Kingdom Focus - Matthew 28:19,20; Acts1:8; 4:1-31; 1 Peter 3:15

    3. The Church - Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:18

    4. Empowered by the Holy Spirit - John 14:16,26; 15;5-15; Ephesians 3:16; John 15:5

    5. Relationships - Mathew 18:19-20; Mark 12:30,31, Luke 10:27; John 13:35; Colossians 4:5,6; 1 Peter 3:15

    6. Generosity – 2 Corinthians 9:7,8; Matthew 23:23; Philippians 4:17; Acts 2:4; 1Timothy 6:18

    7. Team Ministry - Ephesians 4:12-16; 1Corinthians 3:6-11

    8. Intentional Methods - Luke 14:28; 1 Corinthians 14:33,40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7,17

    9. Life Groups - Acts 2:46

    10. Fun Fellowship - John 10:10 “Enjoy the Journey”

  • OUR CORE BELIEFS: THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

    1. ABOUT GOD

    God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

    Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

    2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

    Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

    Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15

    3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

    The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

    2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

    4. ABOUT THE BIBLE

    The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

    2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

    5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

    People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

    Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

    6. ABOUT SALVATION

    Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

    Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5

    7. BAPTISM

    We practice baptism by immersion under water — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

    Col. 2:12

    8. PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER

    The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer Bible reading.

    Rev. 1:6 ,1 Pet. 2:9

    9. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

    Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

    Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:17John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

    10. ABOUT ETERNITY

    People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

    John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

  • THE FIVE FUNCTIONS OF THIS CHURCH

    The mission will be accomplished through the Five Functions of a New Testament Church.


    1. CELEBRATE God’s Presence (Worship)


    2. BELONG to God’s Family (Fellowship)


    3. GROW God’s People (Discipleship)


    4. SERVE others through God’s Love (Ministry)


    5. REACH out with God’s Word (Evangelism)