We believe there is only one true God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
We believe that there is only one uncreated almighty God (יְהוָה Yahweh, meaning “I AM”) who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. (Ex 3:14, Deut 6:4, Is 43:10-11). This one God exists simultaneously as three equal and eternal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each of the three possesses the identical divine nature and are therefore due the same measure of honor and praise. Acknowledging this Trinity is fundamental to the whole of Christian doctrine (Matt 28:18-20, 2 Cor 13:14).
This triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is the sovereign ruler over all creation.
See Further Explanations Section
Also See: Psalm 119:105-106, Hebrews 4:12, John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Ezekiel 36:26
We believe that God created humans as either male or female (Gen 1:27-30), and that humanity is to function as such—as evidenced by the scriptures and their cultural contexts. We recognize that gender and sexual confusion find their roots in humanity’s fallen, but redeemable, state. God created humanity in His image, giving every person sacred worth and the purpose of representing Him as stewards over creation from birth (1 Cor 10:31). Men and women are equally valued and have the same access to God (Gal 3:28, 1 Pet 3:7).
Also See: Genesis 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Genesis 2:24; Matthew 15:19; 19:1-9; Mark 10:1-12; Romans 1:26-32; Galatians 5:19-21; I Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4
We believe marriage to be the uniting of one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant before God, and that any sexual, emotional, physical/online activity outside of this boundary constitutes immorality, which is forbidden by Scripture (see also Acts 15:22-29; 1 Timothy 3:12; and Titus 1:5-6). Both are called to active engagement in family, church, and civic life. God designed them to be complementary within covenant, not interchangeable, with the ‘one-flesh’ union of marriage between a man and a woman being the sole pattern for physical or emotional sexual relations.
Also See: Genesis 2:22-25 , Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 6:16-20, Hebrews 13:4
We believe that since mankind is created in God’s image, human life is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, from conception to the grave (Psa 139:13-17).
Also See: Genesis 1:27, Genesis 9:5-7, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 82:3, Is 49:13, 51:12-16.
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We believe that sin is the condition of humanity ‘missing the mark’ of God’s glorious purpose (Rom 3:23). It has broken everything on earth, leaving the world in desperate need of a Savior (Eph 2:1-2). This fracture occurred when humanity, tempted by Satan, disobeyed God and lost its original state of holiness and purpose (Gen 3). As a result, every person is born with a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and His law (Rom. 3:9-20).
Therefore, all people are condemned because this sinfulness is total and pervasive. Unsaved humanity lives under the power of sin and Satan (Eph 2:1-3) and is fundamentally hostile, hateful, and at war with God.
Also See: Rom 1:30, Rom 8:3-4, 1 Thess 5:23
We believe that sin has spiritually separated everyone from God. Because of this universal death(1 Cor 15:22), no one can enter God's Kingdom unless they are "born again" (John 3:5-8). In this process of new birth(or regeneration), the Holy Spirit gives the person a completely new life. They are a new creation in Christ (Gal 2:20, 2 Cor 5:16-17). This transformation changes the person's entire being: their spirit is made alive to commune with God, given a renewed mind, and their previous love for self and sin is replaced with a love for God and holiness, to live a God-centered life. Salvation is a gift (grace), received only through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection (Eph 2:6-8). When someone accepts Jesus as their Lord, God justifies them by declaring them righteous (Rom 5:1) and adopts them as His own child (Heb 10:19-25). Such people have the right to now be called “children of God” (John 1:12-13, Rom 8:14-16).
Also See: Acts 4:12 , Ephesians 1:7-8a, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7 , John 3:3 , Ephesians 2:8-9 , John 3:16-18 , Acts 2:21 , 1 Peter 1:3 , 1 Peter 1:23
We believe that sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, but is also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christ-like through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess 2:13, 1 Cor 6:11). This process of refining and maturing the children of God through endurance and perseverance results in the fullness of salvation (Phil 1:6 Rom 6:22) when those who are being saved receive their glorified state of being fully reunited with God face to face in new resurrection bodies (Php 3:20-21, 2 Cor 3:18).
Also See: Romans 8::17-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ,Philippians 2:12-13
We believe the gospel is the good news about how Jesus Christ's life, death, resurrection through His life-giving Spirit proclaims freedom and restoration for a fallen humanity (detailed under Salvation above). Jesus’ work of salvation on the cross redeems the debt of sin humanity has against the righteous God, restoring people who believe in Him to right-standing before God. This ultimately reconciles anyone who believes in Jesus back to a thriving relationship and ongoing fellowship with God through the work of His Spirit.
Also See: John 3:16, Romans 8:14-16, Galatians 4:4-6; Luke 24:46-47; 1 John 4:2; 5:9-13, John 1:12; 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 3:19; 4:12; 20:21; Romans 1:16; 3:28; 4:4-5; 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Titus 2:11; 3:5; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2
We believe that Christ’s call is for us to make disciples of all nations, doing all that we can to help form God’s covenant children into the image of Christ, in our local community and the whole world. We believe this takes place through preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus alone, the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power through signs and wonders, and through the exemplary lives of Christians in the world.
See Also: Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 5:25-27, Acts 1:8
We believe that meeting with the local church and other believers is an essential part of growing in the ways of God. We believe that the global Church exists to worship and glorify God by exalting the work of Jesus. This is a work of God’s manifold grace operating through all its varied cultural expressions in song, prayers, encouragement, teaching, fellowship, and other ways of building up the church. The ministry of each local church is an extension of the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Spirit, teaching and discipling followers of Jesus to live in a way that worships and glorifies Jesus, demonstrating the gospel and the transforming power of God in our communities (1 Cor 12:12-14)
Also See: Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
We believe that the church of Jesus, grows through the watering of the Word (Eph 5:26) by which every believer grows into maturity together with the rest of the Body of Christ. This is through the public reading of scripture, sharing among believers, expository teaching in gatherings, topical Bible studies, and personal devotion.
Also See: Matthew 28:19–20, 2 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 5:26
We believe in Baptism by immersion in water as a public declaration of a new believer’s entry into the new covenant in Christ. This bears witness to the gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection for us, our own new life in Him, and our brotherhood with all true believers. It serves as a public sign to the earthly community and spiritual realm that our allegiance and loyalty is to Christ.
Also See: Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:34, 1 Peter 3:18-22
We believe that Communion, representing the broken body of Christ and His shed blood, when shared by believers in the local church gathering, witnesses the saving power of Jesus’ work on the cross, the unity of His church, and the anticipation of His return. We do this regularly as part of our gatherings to proclaim Christ’s death and looks forward to His resurrection until He returns.
Also See: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, John 6:53-58
We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8), and in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit as evidenced in supernatural works such as physical healing, grace gifts, and ministries (Eph 4:11-13, 1 Cor 12-14), as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is nurtured in the life of the believer (Gal 5:22-23).
Also See: Mark 1:7-8, Acts 2:1-4, Ephesians 5:17-20, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Galatians 5:22-23
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We believe the consummation (or final completion) of all things will be marked by the physical, visible, and glorious return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the transformation (glorification) of all living believers, the final judgment of both those who are righteous and those who are unrighteous, and the full establishment of Christ's kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1-5).
In this final state, Satan and all those who reject Christ will be eternally separated from God's presence and face eternal punishment (Rev 20:7-15). Meanwhile, the righteous will receive glorious bodies to live and reign in the new earth with Christ forever, offering unending praise. At that time, all of creation will be renewed and fully reflect God's glory.
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DEITY OF CHRIST
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ:
His virgin birth and sinless life as a human, miracles, vicarious death and atonement through shed blood, bodily resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father as both the High Priest and only sacrificial Lamb of God (1 Cor 15:3-5).
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit:
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave the Holy Spirit as the revealer of Christ, bringing about conviction of sin and regeneration of spirit in those who receive salvation. God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, inspired the Hebrew prophets and Jesus’ apostles to write the scriptures we hold today and empowered their ministries with signs and wonders. From scripture, we believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work empowering the local church for witness and preparing for Christ’s return. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives gifts to equip and strengthen the church, disciple the nations, and display God’s power through signs and wonders to the world.
Also See: Luke 1:26-35; Acts 10:38; Romans 3:25-26; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-8, 4:15, Ephesians 4:11-15
Distinctive: We also believe that the spiritual transformation seen through the new creation life (2 Cor 5:16-17) in Jesus gives hope and offers redemption to anyone who struggles within their gender, sexuality, or marital state. This is found by renouncing the flesh (bodily desires and inclinations) daily through repentance and turning to Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), receiving God’s grace to say no to sin (Titus 2:12) and seeking the Holy Spirit to empower the ‘new creation’ life (Rom 6:3-4). This standard and redemptive framework applies to all forms of fallenness including any sexual behavior practiced outside the covenant of marriage- pre / extra-marital relationships, homosexual / heterosexual lust, pornography, abusive or licentious behavior, amongst others.
We believe that while marriage is intended as a singular lifelong commitment, God’s heart is grieved by abuses within that covenant which cause a separating of what God calls one (Mal 2:16). In these situations, on a case-by-case basis, a person may be able to seek divorce on the biblical grounds of unfaithfulness seen in adultery (Matt 19:9), abandonment/desertion (1 Cor 7:15, 1 Tim 5:8) or abuse/violence (Ex 21:10-11). None of these grounds are taken for granted, but are to be handled with care and honor for the covenant that existed in the first place.
RE-MARRIAGE
Distinctive: We also believe that such individuals under the grace of God working in their life, can in certain cases be freed from the burden of preserving a broken marriage covenant, and may seek healing and restoration in God through singleness or re-marriage based on godly counsel. Such a course is only to be taken while walking closely with Christ through the redeeming of this brokenness within church community and care. It should be understood that these options are generally discouraged except when all biblical restoration and discipline have been exhausted.
HUMAN LIFE
Distinctive: We believe that because of the brokenness of humanity, we are often exposed to the reality of lives being tragically lost through bad circumstances or choices made in society. We often see this through violence, murder, abortion, war, or various other acts committed by individuals, groups, and nations by what seems right in their eyes. This calls for the church to stand as a sanctuary of God’s grace working (Is 1:17, Rom 12:11-12, 1 Cor 13:13) through the faith, hope, and love in people’s lives to care for, challenge, and comfort the brokenness around us; even in the midst of broken systems and relationships (Matt 5:4, 2 Cor 1:4).
BAPTISM BY WATER IMMERSION
Distinctive: We believe that only those who profess a personal faith in Christ can be baptized by immersion in water at Word of Grace, recognizing them as part of the Body of Christ and the local church. Personal repentance and faith is seen accompanying this practice in most scriptures regarding water baptism and hence we hold to this in practice and do not baptize or sprinkle infants or children who have not had the opportunity to commit their lives to Jesus first.
COMMUNION
Distinctive: We believe that only those who profess a personal faith in Jesus should participate in taking the bread and the cup (grape juice), so as to honor the work of Christ and receive this in a worthy manner (1 Cor 11:27-28). It is imperative that there is a clear explanation of the significance of Christ’s work on our behalf. Parents of children in the church should take the time to explain the importance of practicing careful consideration when joining in communion.
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Distinctive: We also believe that every believer in Jesus has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit seen through the regeneration of the heart. Following this, it is a mark of grace to walk in this “new and living way” of Christ by receiving the continual in-filling of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is being sanctified and empowered to witness to the world (Eph 5:18). In practical terms, it is yielding to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit internally and expecting God’s gifts of power and grace to be displayed externally for the encouragement and building up of the church body and witnessing to the whole world.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE:
As a church, we set ourselves to see the redemptive work of Jesus transform our humanity into His likeness, which is our primary identity (Col 1:27, 2 Cor 3:18). When someone is caught in a sin or falls prey to temptation in any area of their life, they are to be given counsel and correction within a redemptive framework (barring immediate harm to other persons which has a mandatory reporting mechanism in place). This redemptive framework is to confess sin, ask for forgiveness, correct the error where applicable, and go on to “sin no more" (Matt 18:18, James 5:16). Any person that knowingly practices a pattern of sin is to be disciplined with grace in keeping with God’s Word. If one continues without repentance after warnings and correction should be considered apart from the Household of Faith (1 Cor 5:11-13). However, anyone who receives correction within the church community and responds with true repentance, marked by a change in that area of life is to be received into fellowship with grace.
We believe that the unveiling of God’s purpose in Christ Jesus on the “Day of the Lord” (1 Thess 5:2) when every eye will see Him is when we will inherit the fullness of eternal life kept for us (1 Pet 1:3-5, Col 1:5). We believe that on this day Christ will return in power and great glory, resurrecting those who put their faith in Him to eternal life, and those who rejected him to eternal punishment. He will renew all things in the new Heavens and Earth as He firmly establishes His everlasting kingdom (see also Dan 2:44 and 7:14). We also affirm that no man knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return when He comes to establish His rule (Matt 24:36)
Also See: Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 1:7,
We believe that the “Day of the Lord” is also an unveiling of a time period when God's judgments surrounding His second arrival/advent. In this time period there will be a judging of all things in the heavens and on earth (2 Pet 3:10, Isa 2:12). We believe that those who have placed their faith in Christ will stand before the judgement seat of Christ to account for works done in His Spirit and the flesh (2 Cor 5:9-10, 1 Cor 3:12, Eph 2:10, Rev 11:18). There will also be a presentation of all people at the White Throne of Judgement (Rev 20:11-12) where God will judge people according to the ‘Book of Life’ where those whose names are written, who believed in Jesus' name, will be saved. Those who rejected Jesus are judged to eternal punishment in Hell, which is a place of torment and total separation from God.
Distinctive: We also believe that on the day of His return, the persevering, enduring, and pure Bride of Christ– His church, will be united with Him to rule and reign with Him forever (Rev 5:9-10, 11:17, 20:6, Eph 2:6, Rom 8:7) in the fullness God has purposed for the new heavens and the new earth.
Also Read: Revelation 11:17-18