Our Faith Essentials

Our Historic Faith

The essential foundational convictions upon which Grace Bible Church is built are the cardinal doctrines of the historic Christian faith, expressed by the early Ecumenical Creeds (Apostle’s, Nicene, Athanasian) and held by orthodox churches through the ages. We believe these doctrines express the central truths revealed in Scripture regarding the Triune God and His works of creation and redemption, particularly as they confess the centrality of the Person and saving work of the Mediator Jesus Christ.

The Protestant Reformation

In addition to the cardinal doctrines expressed by the early creeds, we hold to those convictions which were recovered by the reformers during the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. These doctrinal concerns can be summarized in the following terms:

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

We believe that the Scripture alone is our ultimate authority for faith and practice, since it alone is without error and God-breathed. The Word of God through the power and work of the Holy Spirit is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

We believe that all men have sinned in Adam’s disobedience and therefore, stand condemned before God and have wholly lost all ability of will to perform any spiritual good necessary for salvation. Therefore, in the salvation of sinners, the convicting, regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary. Salvation is entirely of the grace of God and is not caused by any merit of our own or from anything foreseen in man (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

We believe that men are justified by faith alone and not by works in addition to faith. Yet, the faith by which we are saved is a living faith which works through love. This living faith is empowered by the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. As a result, the Christian is enabled to live a godly life, minister in the Body of Christ, and evangelize (Romans 3:28).

Solo Christo (Christ Alone)

We believe in the deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present, as well as future victorious kingdom, and in His personal, visible return in power and glory.

By His fulfillment of the Law and obedience unto death on the cross, He did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified by faith in Him. There is salvation in no one else since His work and merit alone provide for our righteousness before a holy God; not by infusing righteousness in us, but by pardoning our sins, and by accounting and accepting our persons as righteous (Acts 4:12).

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory)

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. Because He is the author and finisher of our faith it is our ultimate and overarching purpose to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Every act in the life of the church and each individual Christian is to be brought under His lordship and carried out to His glory (1 Peter 4:11)

AFFIRMATION

We affirm these truths, not because of their role in any particular Protestant or Reformed tradition, but because we believe they are central to the Bible. For a detailed summarization of our beliefs, see the Doctrinal Statement.