Grace Community Church
4333 Fortson Road • Fortson, GA 31808 • (706) 327-4220
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe that God communicates with man; that it is His intention to reveal Himself and His ways. We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God: that God, through the Holy Spirit, moved upon the authors of the Scriptures in such a way that they faithfully, accurately, and completely recorded all that God intended to record; that the Scriptures are a reliable, accurate, and fully trustworthy account of God's nature and character, His actions in human history, His laws, and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We affirm that the Scriptures are to be the standard of faith and practice by which the life of the Church and the lives of its individual members and their families are to be governed. We also affirm that the scriptures are the standard by which all revelation and tradition is to be judged.
I. GOD
We believe in the one triune God, revealed in the Bible, as the only true, eternal, and living God. He is infinite in being and perfection; He is spiritual, immortal, and invisible. He is an intelligent and personal Being. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and complete within Himself. He is infinite in holiness, goodness, faithfulness, mercy, righteousness, justice, and all other perfections; and is due the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is Creator, Redeemer, and Sovereign Ruler of creation. He accomplishes all things according to His righteous will for His own glory.
He reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. God the Father determines all things after the counsel of His own will; God the Son is the Word Who speaks that which the Father has determined; God the Holy Spirit is the dynamic Power of God Who brings these things into being. The three Persons act out of one will.
We believe in the one triune God, revealed in the Bible, as the only true, eternal, and living God. He is infinite in being and perfection; He is spiritual, immortal, and invisible. He is an intelligent and personal Being. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and complete within Himself. He is infinite in holiness, goodness, faithfulness, mercy, righteousness, justice, and all other perfections; and is due the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is Creator, Redeemer, and Sovereign Ruler of creation. He accomplishes all things according to His righteous will for His own glory.
He reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. God the Father determines all things after the counsel of His own will; God the Son is the Word Who speaks that which the Father has determined; God the Holy Spirit is the dynamic Power of God Who brings these things into being. The three Persons act out of one will.
•God the Father: The Father sovereignly governs His creation
and human history by His wise and holy providence. He is all-powerful, all loving, all wise, and righteous in all His ways, and just in all His works. He
demonstrates His Fatherly love for all who become His children through Jesus Christ by caring for them, providing for them, instructing them, and
disciplining them. His purpose is to prepare a family of redeemed people to show forth His glory.
•God the Son: Jesus Christ is God
the Son, the second Person of the Trinity. He is eternally the uncreated Word of God. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary. He was God incarnate; He perfectly revealed and did the will of the Father. He took upon Himself human nature and identified fully with humanity,
yet remained wholly without sin. He honored the divine will and law by His obedience, and through His death on the cross He made provision for the
redemption of all who would believe in Him. He was raised from the dead and appeared to His disciples. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the
right hand of God the Father, where He is the One Mediator, effecting the reconciliation between God and man, and providing access to the Father for the
believer.
The Father has established Him as Lord over all things, and has appointed Him as Judge of the world. He is the Head of the Church. He will return in power and glory at the end of the present age to judge the world, to reign with His people, and to complete His redemptive mission by establishing in full measure the Kingdom and Reign of God. He will then return to the Father the government of all things, so that "God may be all in all". (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
He presently dwells in all believers through the Person of the Holy Spirit as the living and ever-present Lord. He is the Heir of all things. He was and is the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King, representing God to humanity and being fully entitled to reign as King.
The Father has established Him as Lord over all things, and has appointed Him as Judge of the world. He is the Head of the Church. He will return in power and glory at the end of the present age to judge the world, to reign with His people, and to complete His redemptive mission by establishing in full measure the Kingdom and Reign of God. He will then return to the Father the government of all things, so that "God may be all in all". (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
He presently dwells in all believers through the Person of the Holy Spirit as the living and ever-present Lord. He is the Heir of all things. He was and is the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King, representing God to humanity and being fully entitled to reign as King.
•God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He exalts Christ. He convicts of
sin, righteousness, and judgment. He calls people to Jesus and effects regeneration. He inspired the authors of Scripture and has superintended both
the recording and transmission of the Scripture. He grants revelation to men and women, enables them to understand and obey the truth, and illuminates and
quickens God's Word to them. He comforts, teaches, and guides God's people, and empowers them to obey God, to cultivate Christ-like character, and to be
witnesses of Jesus Christ. He indwells the hearts of God's people at conversion and bestows upon them the spiritual gifts by which they serve God in and
through the church. His baptism awakens those spiritual gifts with anointing and power.
II. MAN
We believe that man was created in the image of God as the crowning work of His creation. Man stood in a unique relationship with His Creator and was commissioned to rule the earth under God's headship.
Through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God and fell from his unique relationship to God: thus, all his descendants inherit both a nature and an environment twisted by sin. Because of sin, man is separated from God and is without hope of reconciling himself to a just and holy God through any of his own efforts. Only the grace of God can restore man to his original calling: to live in fellowship with God and to fulfill the purposes for which he was created.
We believe that man was created in the image of God as the crowning work of His creation. Man stood in a unique relationship with His Creator and was commissioned to rule the earth under God's headship.
Through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God and fell from his unique relationship to God: thus, all his descendants inherit both a nature and an environment twisted by sin. Because of sin, man is separated from God and is without hope of reconciling himself to a just and holy God through any of his own efforts. Only the grace of God can restore man to his original calling: to live in fellowship with God and to fulfill the purposes for which he was created.
III. SALVATION
We believe that salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is available only in and through Jesus Christ. It is offered to all people, and is appropriated and experienced by those who respond in faith to God's call to submit to His Son as Lord and Savior. Jesus, through the shedding of His blood, obtained eternal redemption for those who through faith believe in Him. This faith is a gift from God and is preceded by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, Who enables a person to repent of his sin and self-determinism. Repentance is followed by baptism in water. The gift of salvation enables the believer to cultivate a life of obedience to God and to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is available only in and through Jesus Christ. It is offered to all people, and is appropriated and experienced by those who respond in faith to God's call to submit to His Son as Lord and Savior. Jesus, through the shedding of His blood, obtained eternal redemption for those who through faith believe in Him. This faith is a gift from God and is preceded by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, Who enables a person to repent of his sin and self-determinism. Repentance is followed by baptism in water. The gift of salvation enables the believer to cultivate a life of obedience to God and to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
IV. THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church is the people of God. The Scripture gives us several pictures of the Church, each illustrating an aspect of the Church's nature and function. The Church is Christ's body, with Him as its Head. It is His family, with Him as Firstborn. It is His workmanship, with Him as Craftsman. It is His temple, with Him as its Cornerstone. It is His army, with Him as its Captain. It is His bride, with Him as its Bridegroom.
The goal of the Church is to reflect the glory of God and to make disciples of all nations. For the accomplishment of this goal, the Lord has established leadership in His Church. The Scripture lists these offices: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, elder, and deacon. We acknowledge that there are a variety of expressions of Church government and life which seek to fulfill the goal of the Church. Each individual has particular God-given abilities which are different from, and complementary to, those of the other members. Each member is encouraged to function in his own areas of strength, in interdependence with his fellow members. Each individual is given supernatural gifts by the Holy Spirit to be used to strengthen and extend the Church. The families who comprise the Church are the means of its financial support. Their tithes and offerings are for the support of its ministry and the charitable and operational work of the church. Tithes and offerings should be cheerfully and willingly given as each one has so purposed in his heart.
We believe that the Church is the people of God. The Scripture gives us several pictures of the Church, each illustrating an aspect of the Church's nature and function. The Church is Christ's body, with Him as its Head. It is His family, with Him as Firstborn. It is His workmanship, with Him as Craftsman. It is His temple, with Him as its Cornerstone. It is His army, with Him as its Captain. It is His bride, with Him as its Bridegroom.
The goal of the Church is to reflect the glory of God and to make disciples of all nations. For the accomplishment of this goal, the Lord has established leadership in His Church. The Scripture lists these offices: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, elder, and deacon. We acknowledge that there are a variety of expressions of Church government and life which seek to fulfill the goal of the Church. Each individual has particular God-given abilities which are different from, and complementary to, those of the other members. Each member is encouraged to function in his own areas of strength, in interdependence with his fellow members. Each individual is given supernatural gifts by the Holy Spirit to be used to strengthen and extend the Church. The families who comprise the Church are the means of its financial support. Their tithes and offerings are for the support of its ministry and the charitable and operational work of the church. Tithes and offerings should be cheerfully and willingly given as each one has so purposed in his heart.
IV. CHURCH ORDINANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
We believe that God has provided certain ordinances and transactions which are to be a part of the Church's life.
We believe that God has provided certain ordinances and transactions which are to be a part of the Church's life.
•Water Baptism: in which a believer
partakes of the death and resurrection of Christ and is transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of
God's dear Son.
•The Lord's Supper: in which the
participants affirm and renew their covenant with God and His people, remember
and acknowledge the death of the Lord Jesus on their behalf, and share in a
unique way the life of the Trinity.
•Marriage: in which a man and a woman are joined as husband and wife.
•Ordination: in which one, called by
God into ministry in the Church, is confirmed and authorized in his calling by
the church.
VI. AUTHORITY
We believe that God is the source of all legitimate authority, and that all earthly authority is to be subject to, and fulfill the intentions of, the divine authority. God has enjoined man to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue and rule it. To accomplish this goal, He has established for man three spheres of authority: the family, the Church, and civil government. Each has its own set of responsibilities, limits of authority, and procedures with regard to wrongdoers.
We believe that God is the source of all legitimate authority, and that all earthly authority is to be subject to, and fulfill the intentions of, the divine authority. God has enjoined man to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue and rule it. To accomplish this goal, He has established for man three spheres of authority: the family, the Church, and civil government. Each has its own set of responsibilities, limits of authority, and procedures with regard to wrongdoers.
VII. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD
We believe that while God has ordained both civil and spiritual government, each Christian is individually responsible to God and accountable to Him for his choices and behavior. The believer's personal access to the Father through Jesus makes him responsible to:
We believe that while God has ordained both civil and spiritual government, each Christian is individually responsible to God and accountable to Him for his choices and behavior. The believer's personal access to the Father through Jesus makes him responsible to:
• Cultivate his personal relationship to God through prayer, the study of Scripture, and obedience.
• Function as a priest to God through personal praise, worship and intercessory prayer.
• Represent the Lord to those around him through his life and words.
• Be faithful to his conscience.
VIII. EVANGELISM
We believe that implicit in God's command to His people to be fruitful is the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples of the Lord Jesus of all nations, to baptize new members, and to teach them to observe all of God's commandments.
We believe that implicit in God's command to His people to be fruitful is the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples of the Lord Jesus of all nations, to baptize new members, and to teach them to observe all of God's commandments.
IX. SPIRITUAL WARFARE
We believe that God and His people are opposed by supernatural foes in the persons of Satan and his principalities, powers, and demons. We believe that their power has been definitively and decisively broken by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who now lives within each believer.
We believe that God and His people are opposed by supernatural foes in the persons of Satan and his principalities, powers, and demons. We believe that their power has been definitively and decisively broken by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who now lives within each believer.
X. CHRIST'S RETURN
We believe that Jesus Christ will personally return to earth in power and glory. While there are many viewpoints concerning His second coming, we believe Christians should lovingly look for His appearing, giving full attention to obedience until He comes.
We believe that Jesus Christ will personally return to earth in power and glory. While there are many viewpoints concerning His second coming, we believe Christians should lovingly look for His appearing, giving full attention to obedience until He comes.
X. JUDGEMENT
We believe that every person will stand before God and be judged at the end of this age. For the righteous - those who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior- this judgment will determine their reward. For the unrighteous - those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - the judgment will determine their punishment.
We believe that every person will stand before God and be judged at the end of this age. For the righteous - those who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior- this judgment will determine their reward. For the unrighteous - those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - the judgment will determine their punishment.
STANDARDS AND VALUES
We are a fellowship of believers committed to
the Lordship of Christ, to each other, and to a pilgrimage together into a
total way of life which reflects God's nature and the ways He has for His
people. We recognize that the development of Christian character must of
necessity be a corporate endeavor. We are a people joined together who are
seeking to find a positive and godly alternative to the trends of today. The
following are some of the standards and values to which we are committed:
I.
PERSONAL CHARACTER AND CONDUCT
• Love: Love is a commitment to another's highest good. Love causes one to center himself on others and to act unselfishly, even at his own expense. This other-centered approach to life is rooted in a life laid down, and is reflective of God's own character.
• Self-Control: Self-control is
rulership over one's tongue, appetites, spirit, mind, body, and emotions. It
enables one to live obediently to the Lord. It also enables the Christian to
respond to hardship, personal pain, disappointment, and the attack of enemies
with grace. Self-control is made possible only through the power of the Holy
Spirit.
• Wisdom: Wisdom is the ability to
discern, comprehend, and determine appropriate actions. Wisdom is understanding the heart and ways of God. It is given to all who ask of Him.
• Dignity: Dignity is the quality of
conducting oneself in an appropriate and honorable manner. It emanates from an
inner quality of life, which brings glory to God.
• Stewardship: Stewardship is the
handling of all that is in our charge with the understanding that it belongs to
God and has been entrusted to our care. Good stewardship is the wise and
faithful use of that for which one is responsible.
II.
SOCIAL ETHICS
We affirm that the institution of marriage should be held in honor by all. Rather than viewing it as a partnership between two people, we see it as a sacred covenant by which a man and a woman become one. This relationship is characterized by their love and commitment for one another.
We believe that the family is the basic unit of society, and that it is the place where children are to be born, brought to maturity, and prepared to enter society.
We seek to place the highest priority on the development of healthy family life.
We affirm that the institution of marriage should be held in honor by all. Rather than viewing it as a partnership between two people, we see it as a sacred covenant by which a man and a woman become one. This relationship is characterized by their love and commitment for one another.
We believe that the family is the basic unit of society, and that it is the place where children are to be born, brought to maturity, and prepared to enter society.
We seek to place the highest priority on the development of healthy family life.