Statement of Faith
GraceLife Christian Church

Introduction: As a community of believers in Jesus Christ, we accept those teachings on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians. Because we desire to be a truly non-denominational congregation, we allow freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone and that no such interpretation becomes an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us. (Titus 3:8-10)

The Bible: We accept the 66 books of the Bible as the uniquely inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only basis for our beliefs. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

The Trinity: We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power and glory. We believe that God not only created the world, but also now upholds, sustains, governs and providentially directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of His Name. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; Ephesians 1:9-12; Revelation 1:4-6)

Jesus: We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man; that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as a substitiutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His cross He bought us eternal redemption and eternal life. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for us. (Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:15-22)

Salvation: We believe mankind was originally created in the image of God. Man sinned by disobeying God; thus He was alienated from his Creator. That historic fall brought all mankind under divine condemnation. Man's nature is corrupted, and He is thus totally unable to please God. Every man is in need of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. (John 3:5-6; Romans 3:20-26; Romans 5:18-19)

The Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to people. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith. (1 Corinthians 12:3; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-17)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. At or subsequent to conversion, the Spirit fills, empowers and anoints believers for ministry and witness. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:1)

The Church: We believe that the church is composed of all people who have been joined to Jesus Christ through faith. We believe in the unity of all believers in Jesus and we seek community together. Within this Body of Christ we want to become more like Him in every way, as He is the head of His body. We are called to love Him and one another and are enabled to do this only as His life flows in and through us. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 17:20-23)

Baptism and Communion: We believe in administering water baptism in the name of the Triune God and in celebrating the Lord's Supper until Jesus returns. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

Life after Death: We believe that at physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. At physical death the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation. (Psalm 16:11; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28-29)

The Second Coming: We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth-personally, visibly and bodily-to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.(Matthew 24:27-31; Acts 1:9-11)