STATEMENT OF FAITH
The doctrinal basis of Grace Community Bible Church Shawville shall be the truths of Christianity as revealed in the Bible, including the following:
THE BIBLE
Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
The Holy Scriptures, as set forth in the original writings of the Old and New Testaments, are divinely inspired, inerrant, and infallible, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
THE TRINITY
Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Hebrews 1:3; John 4:24; John 14:16; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
There is one true God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things who is Spirit, infinite and eternal. God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three persons have the same nature and attributes, but each executes distinct operations in the work of creation, sustenance, and redemption.
HUMAN BEINGS AND SIN
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 3:9-23; Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 20:11-15.
We were created, male and female, each in the image of God, but because of our disobedience and rebellion, sin entered the world. The result is that we all are now sinners by nature and practice, devoid of spiritual life and corrupted in every part of our being, guilty and condemned, and destined to permanent exclusion from the presence of God in hell.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
John 1:1-3,14; Philippians 2:6-11; 1 John 1:1-3; 1 John 4:1-3; Romans 8:34; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:26-27.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who in His incarnation united to His divine nature a true human nature and so was both God and man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He perfectly revealed God and obeyed the Law. He, being sinless, died for our sins and rose again bodily. He ascended to the Father's right hand where He now lives to make intercession for His Church, and He will come again to complete God's purposes of judgment and salvation.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 5:3-4; John 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:1-8; Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 1:8.
The work of God the Holy Spirit makes the death and resurrection of Christ effective to the individual sinner by leading the sinner to repentance and regeneration by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that the believer may be granted the gift of eternal life. All who have been born again have been baptized into the Body of Christ and are indwelt and gifted by the Holy Spirit. All Christians should be constantly filled with the Spirit in order to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and witness in His power.
SALVATION
Ephesians 3:8; Acts 26:20; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 5:1; 1 John 5:11-12; John 10: 27-29; Romans 6:1; John 14:1-6.
God by His grace forgives and saves all who turn from their sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, justifying them through their faith alone in the Saviour, giving them new life by the Holy Spirit and an eternal home in heaven. True believers are kept by the power of God so that none is lost; but the idea that this secure position entitles one to sin with impunity is false.
THE CHURCH
Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:3-13; Hebrews 10:24-25.
The Church is a universal and eternal body made up of all true believers. The Church gathers locally in many places at many times and provides for, the teaching, fellowship, worship, and mobilization of believers.
THE FUTURE
Mark 13:32; John 14:1-4; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Titus 2:11-14; John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:46; John 3:36; Revelation 20.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will return in person and with great glory to take His Church to Himself and to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace. We believe in the physical resurrection of the just and of the unjust, in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and the eternal punishment of the unsaved.
SATAN AND DEMONS
Isaiah 14:13; Ezekiel 28:15; Matthew 13:19,39; Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9-10; Revelation 20:7-10.
Satan is a created being, a fallen angel who has led a spiritual struggle against God and His purposes throughout time. He leads demonic forces in opposition of Christ and His Church. Satan's judgment was secured at Calvary and will be executed at the close of time. Authority and victory over Satan and his forces are provided by Christ.
ANGELS
Luke 9:26; 2 Kings 6:17; John 20:5,12; Hebrews 1:6.
Angels are ministering spirits whose responsibilities are to serve God and His people.