WHAT WE BELIEVE
SCRIPTURE
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God in every word, completely without error in the original writings, and is the supreme and final authority in faith and in life.
GOD
We believe that God is both Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God and that His ministry is to reveal Jesus Christ to men. His work is to regenerate, to convict men of sin, indwell and set apart the believer to a holy life.
THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is a living, spiritual body of which Christ Himself is the Head and is composed of all people everywhere, living and dead, who have trusted in Christ alone for salvation. The local church is a company of believers that come together for the purposes of worship, edification and service to the world.
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is entirely a free gift of God’s grace, acquired through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners.
HUMANITY
We believe that all humanity – male and female – was created in the image of God with the task of giving glory to God by discovering and ruling over God’s creation. But man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. All human beings are born in this state and have a sinful nature.
BAPTISM
We believe that because baptism is universally agreed upon at some points, but disagreed upon in some details, we should have a belief that unifies rather than divides Christianity. Therefore, we agree that baptism is primarily a sign and seal of our unity and identification with Christ. The mode of baptism, sprinkling or immersion, are secondary issues which should not divide believers. In a similar way, the meaning of baptism as either a sign of the covenant or an intent of dedication are so similar as to render the distinction too specific to justify dividing the body of Christ.
ETERNITY
We believe that the hope of the Church of Jesus Christ is the reality of the imminent, personal return of her Lord and Savior. At that time, all who have accepted Christ as their Savior will be resurrected to eternal life and joy in the presence of God, but those who have rejected Christ will be resurrected to judgment and separation from God for all eternity.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
We believe in a structure of Shepherds and Pastors to lead and shepherd the people of God to be biblical. This means we are a church led by elected leaders who evidence biblical wisdom and maturity. In addition, our church is voluntarily connected with and accountable to other congregations, in order that our leaders can enjoy outside accountability for doctrine and personal character.
HISTORICAL CONFESSIONS
GraceLife is non-denominational and evangelical, endorsing several historical faith confessions, including The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), Larger Catechism (WLC) and Shorter Catechism (WSC), The London Baptist Confession of 1689. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and humanity's proper conduct. It is the final source of all that we believe. For our doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, the elders, or our appointed commission, are the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
JESUS
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. He died for our sins, was buried and was raised bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father where even now he reigns as our High Priest and Advocate.