Doctrinal Statement

Doctrinal Declaration


PREAMBLE

Whereas, the Word of God, being our authority, demands that the children of God (followers of Jesus Christ) conform to the Word of God in doctrine and practice (Ps. 119:105; Gal. 1:6-8; 2 Tim. 4:1-5), we, the elders, on behalf of GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH, do ordain and establish the following Doctrinal Declarations.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

We are an evangelical church that is deeply committed to living out our faith in the gospel of Christ and practicing ministry in a way that fully conforms to Scripture. As a result, we have become deeply concerned about some movements within traditional evangelicalism (such as seeker sensitive, church growth, easy believism) that seem to be diminishing the church’s life and leading us away from our historic beliefs and practices. We are also troubled by the idolatry of personal consumerism, the politicization of faith, as well as the acceptance of theological and moral relativism. Over the past many years these movements have led to the abandonment of the Bible as our final authority and Jesus Christ as our Lord. We not only hear of these influences; we see their effects. Therefore, in such a corrupt and distracting culture, we have committed ourselves to simple and pure devotion to Christ. It is our hope and desire that the following truths are not only declared but lived.

DOCTRINAL DECLARATIONS

I. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God consisting of the sixty-six (66) books of both the Old and New Testaments. We believe it is verbally inspired and inerrant in the original writings and that they are the supreme and final authority in all of life. We believe God in His sovereignty has preserved His word. We believe God gives no more revelation and that the Scriptures alone are sufficient for life and godliness (Mt. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

II. We believe there is only one Living and True God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; though different in function, they are the same in substance and equal in power and glory. (Gen. 1:26,27; Deut. 6:4; Mk. 12:29; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:3)

III. We believe that God is holy and magnificent in character. We believe that all of His actions from Genesis to Revelation (creation to consummation of the ages) are for the purpose of revealing His glorious attributes. We believe that He is sovereign over the affairs of men and all of His creation, that He is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipresent (ever-present), that He is righteous and just in both judgment (wrath) and salvation (compassion). (Gen. 1-2; Ps. 139; Is. 45:5-7; 46:10-11; Ro. 3:26; 13:1; Rev. 22:13)

IV. We believe Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and 3 Revised April 13, 2017 EIN 81-3352572 is true God and true man, and as such He lived a perfect and sinless life. (Lk. 1:30-35; Jn.1:1-14; 10:30; 2 Cor.5:21; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:1-3; 4:15)

V. We believe that man was created in the image of God, that man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God. We believe that all human beings are born in sin and are spiritually dead. And, apart from the Spirit’s work of regeneration, they are unable to come to Him. (Gen. 1:26,27; Ps. 14:1-3; 51:5; Ro. 3:22,23; 5:6-11; Eph. 2:1-3,12)

VI. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified (forgiven and declared perfect) on the ground of His shed blood and His righteousness. (Is. 53; Jn. 3:16; Ro. 3:24-30; 5:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19)

VII. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and His ascension into Heaven. We believe He presently ministers as High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator to those who trust in the redemptive work of His cross. (Ro. 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25; 9:24; 1 Pet. 1:3; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)

VIII. We believe in the personal, physical, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to set up His kingdom upon the earth, to reign in righteousness and justice. (Zech. 14:4-11; Matt. 25:31-32; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess. 1:6-8; Jude 14-15; Rev.19:11; 20:1-6)

IX. We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone, and that all who repent and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord do so because they are born of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God. We believe that repentance and obedience are outward signs of genuine saving faith. (Jn. 1:12; 3:3,5; 14:17,26; 17:3; 20:30-31; Ro. 5:1; Eph. 2:1- 10; 2 Cor. 3:6)

X. We believe there are two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which are divinely commanded upon all Christians. Without merit in themselves, they serve as an expression of faith regarding the believer’s identification and fellowship with Christ and His church. (Mt. 28:19-20; Lk. 22:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 18:8; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

XI. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost. (Mt. 25:46; Jn. 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6,12-13)

XII. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He regenerates and baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ, indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption; and that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth. It is the desire and pleasure of believers to be filled with the Spirit. (Jn. 16:7-13; Ro. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 12:12-24; Eph. 1:13-14; 5:18; 4 Revised April 13, 2017 EIN 81-3352572 1 Jn.2:20, 27)

XIII. We believe that the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word and the inward work of His Spirit. (Jn. 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Ro. 8:1-11,35-39; Titus. 2:11-15; I Jn. 5:13)

XIV. We believe that every believer is not only justified by God for heaven but set apart for His glory on earth. We believe the Holy Spirit works in the believer to conform them into the image of Jesus Christ through an increased hatred of sin, an increased love for Christ and His righteousness and a growing desire to show forth the fruit of the Spirit. (Phil. 1:6; Ro. 6:11-14; 7:14-25; 8:1-12; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10; 1 Jn. 3:5-9)

XV. We believe that the local church, the body and bride of Christ, is God’s most precious possession. The local church is the real and visible presence of His love and grace. We believe in the continuance, the establishment and organization of local churches as taught and defined in New Testament. (Acts 13:1-4; Ro. 16:1,4; 1 Co. 3:9,16; 5:4-7; 13:1-13; Eph. 1:22,23; 5:25-27; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus. 1:5-11; 1 Pet. 4:1-4)

XVI. We believe that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message (Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). Miraculous 5 Revised April 13, 2017 EIN 81-3352572

XIX. We believe God’s ultimate priority for His people is to worship and enjoy Him forever. (Jn. 17:3,22-26; Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 1 Tim. 6:17; Heb. 13:15; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5)

XX. We believe that the great commission, i.e. the making of disciples, is the priority of the church. We believe the church’s primary mission is to perpetuate Christ’s kingdom in the hearts of people by showing and sharing His love in both deed and in truth. (Mt. 28:19 -20; Jn. 13:34-35; Ro. 10:14-15)

XXI. We believe the family to be God’s divine institution. Marriage itself is to be between one man and one woman. We believe God, by design, created in man a natural desire for a woman and created in woman a natural desire for a man. (Gen. 2:18-25; Ro. 1:26-27) Thus, we believe that any deviation from God’s design is considered to be in direct violation of God’s will as found in His word and members who are in violation will therefore, be subject to church discipline. (see Appendix A for further explanation)

GLOSSARY OF TERMS & FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS 

SCRIPTURES 

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant and infallible in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority. 

Terms explained: I. Verbally: This means that the individual words of the Bible are true and without error in the original writings. Therefore, more than just the thought or concept is inspired, but also every word (Mt. 5:17-18; Prov. 30:5-6). The term “plenary” is often used with the word “verbal” to give the view that all Scripture is fully and equally inspired (2 Tim. 3:16- 17). II. Inspired (Inspiration): Inspiration is that particular work of God by which the Holy Spirit, being the author of Scripture, supernaturally moved and superintended the writers of Scripture and without excluding their human intelligence, individuality, literary style, personal feelings, or any other human factor, God’s own complete and coherent message to men was recorded in perfect accuracy and the very words of the Bible bear the authority of this divine authorship. Inspiration is not equivalent to dictation except in certain instances, as God uses the experience, feelings and thinking of the human author. The end result, however, is just as accurate as if God Himself had taken the pen. Hence, the Scriptures were inspired or breathed out by God and, though the authors were fallible men, what they wrote was without error (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Inspiration does not suppress the intellectual ability and talent but rather uses that intellectual ability and talent (Luke 1:1-3; 2 Sam. 23:2). III. Inerrant: Inerrant means that the Scriptures in their original writings were without error (Jn. 10:35; Lk. 16:17). IV. Infallible: Infallible means that the Scriptures in their original writings were incapable of error and never wrong (Jn. 10:35; Lk. 16:17). V. Final Authority: The Scriptures are God’s special revelation (communication of truth) to man and because they are inspired and inerrant they are our final authority. However, we take careful note of what the Bible indicates as not being authoritative, such as Satan’s statement to Eve in the Garden of Eden, “You surely shall not die.” (Gen. 3:45; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

TRINITY 

We believe in one God eternally existing in one essence, yet three co-equal persons, the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Terms explained: I. Eternally existing: There is but one God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 45:5-6,14,18,21-22; Mk. 12:29 32), Who has no beginning and no ending (Ps. 90:1-2; Gen. 1:1). II. Three in One: God is one in essence, yet three persons, co-equal, eternally existing (Mt. 28:19; Eph. 4:4-6; Rev. 1:4; Jn. 12:26; 15:26; 16:15; 1 Pet. 1:2; Acts 2:32-36; 1 Cor. 12:3- 6, 2 Cor. 13:14). III. Co-equal: A. The Bible tells us that the Father is God (Jn. 6:27; Ro. 1:7). B. The Son is recognized as God (Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; 1 Jn. 5:19-20; Phil. 2:6). C. The Holy Spirit is also identified as God (Mt. 28:19; Acts 5:4,9). 

INCARNATION 

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born to the virgin Mary. Terms explained: I. Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ had two natures in one person, so that He was simultaneously fully God and fully man, and this relationship was such that there was no dividing of person nor confusion between the two natures. (Jn. 1:1-14). 7 Revised April 13, 2017 EIN 81-3352572 II. Conceived by the Holy Spirit: The conception of Jesus was a divine act of God, without human agency (Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:26-38). III. Born to the virgin Mary: At the time of Christ’s conception and birth, Mary was a virgin (Mt. 1:18-25; Isa. 7:14; Lk. 1:27). 

RESURRECTION, ASCENSION, EXALTATION 

We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into Heaven and His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us. Terms Explained: I. Resurrection: We believe that after three days, Jesus Christ arose bodily from the grave (Lk. 24:23-40). The doctrine of the resurrection is essential to salvation (Ro. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:12 23,35-37). II. Ascension: After His resurrection and forty-day ministry Jesus ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:1-11; 1 Peter 3:22). III. High Priest and Advocate: Since Christ’s atonement has restored our relationship with God, we now can approach God through Christ, Who as our High Priest represents us before God. As our Advocate, He compassionately deals with our needs and strengthens us (Jn. 14:18; Heb. 4:14; 5:1-10; 13:5; 7:25; 8:1-2; 9:11-15,24). 

HOLY SPIRIT 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, Who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He equips and sanctifies the believer. He is the life of the believer, and He empowers the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Terms Explained: I. Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal with the Father and the Son (Jn. 14:16; Mt. 28:19). II. Convicts: Jesus Christ said that the Spirit would perform this ministry with respect to the world (Jn. 16:7-11). III. Life: The Holy Spirit is the agent of spiritual birth (Jn. 3:5-8). The Spirit regenerates, indwells, seals, and baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, also known as the church (1 Cor. 12:13; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 1 Cor. 6:19; Ro. 8:9,11; 2 Cor. 1:21,22). The believer’s life is strengthened and guided by the Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 3:16; Jn. 16:13; Ro. 8:4,14,26-27). The believer is commanded to be filled or controlled by the Spirit, so 8 Revised April 13, 2017 EIN 81-3352572 that the characteristics of Christ likeness will be evident in a powerful life (Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:16). IV. Sanctifies: Once the Holy Spirit indwells the believer He begins the work of sanctification. Whereas justification is an act of God on behalf of the sinner, sanctification is the cooperative work whereby the believer is actively involved in being conformed into the image of the Savior. It is the life-long process of learning and doing what pleases his Lord. It is the process of taking what God has given and diligently applying it for His glory. This includes being in God’s Word, putting off the old life and replacing it with the new life in Christ, exercising spiritual gifts and serving one another. (Psalm 119:9-11; Ro. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:17-24; 2 Pet. 1:3-11; 1 Jn. 3:1-3) V. Empowers: The Holy Spirit enables the spreading of God’s word in testimony, preaching and practical living (Jn. 15:26-27). Spiritual obedience will give fruit to a spiritually powerful life of service for Christ (Eph. 5:15-21; Gal. 5:22-25). 

MANKIND 

We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature. Terms explained: I. Created in the image of God: Man is created in the image of God in the sense that he was created to fellowship with God and reflect His rule and care over the rest of creation. (Gen. 1:26-28; 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:7). II. Separation from God: This happened when Adam and Eve (representatives of mankind), of their own free will, chose to disobey God by eating from the tree God commanded them not to eat. This original sin separated us from God, Who, because of His holiness, could not tolerate sin, and therefore, judged such sin and cast Adam and Eve out of the garden (Gen. 3:1-19; Ro. 6:23; 3:10; 8:7; Gal. 3:22).

ATONEMENT 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood. Terms Explained: I. Atonement: Christ paying the penalty or the price (death) for our sins. (Ro. 6:23; Heb. 9:23-28). II. Representative: This means that Jesus Christ stood in our place, was treated as if He was a sinner though He never sinned (2 Cor. 5:14-21). III. Substitutionary: This is called the “vicarious” suffering since Christ died in our place. He did not die because of His own sin (Heb. 4:15 16; 1 Jn. 3:5), but died to pay for the sins of others (Mk. 10:45; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Ro. 5:8; 1 Pet. 3:18) IV. All Who Believe: The gift of salvation provided by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ is offered to all mankind (Ro. 1:13; 1 Jn. 2:2), yet only applied to those who exhibit faith in Christ and are therefore justified (Gal. 2:16; 3:11). V. Justified: Justification is that act of God whereby He declares the guilty and depraved sinner to be righteous because of God’s own righteousness having been imputed, or credited to the sinner (Deut. 25:1; Prov. 17:15; Ro. 3:23-26; 4:5-8,25; 5:18; 8:33). 

SALVATION

We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit, and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life. Terms explained: I. Faith: Faith is the “gift of God” (Eph. 2:8) and is produced by the Word of God (Rom. 10:14,17). We are saved by faith alone apart from works (Eph. 2;9; Ro. 3:20; Titus 3:5). However, genuine faith necessarily leads to good works (Eph. 2:10; Mt. 5:16; Jam. 2:17- 26). II. Born again by the Holy Spirit: The new birth (regeneration) is absolutely necessary for fellowship with God (Jn. 3:7). Man is totally passive in regeneration since it is completely a work of God (Jn. 1:13; 3:6). The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:8) by which He creates within a person a new nature, a new heart, a new spirit (Jn. 3:5; 2 Pet. 1:4; Ezek. 11:19; 36:26; 2 Cor. 5:17). III. Children of God: Those who have received the Spirit of Christ have therefore been born again into God’s family (Jn. 1:1-12; Ro. 8:9,14-17). As members of His family we not only have fellowship with our Father in Heaven, but we are being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ, and when Christ returns we will be completely changed in body and spirit to be like Jesus Christ (Ro. 8:19-23; 1 Jn. 3:2). This experience of the life of Jesus Christ within us now by the presence of the Holy Spirit and forever ours in the presence of Jesus Christ is “eternal life”. IV. Justification, Sanctification, Glorification: Justification is an act of God whereby He declares the sinner just (righteous) before Him. Sanctification is the lifelong process whereby the Holy Spirit teaches the child of God to follow Christ. Glorification is the work of God whereby He finishes/completes the work by bringing His child home to be with Him. 

CHURCH 

We believe in the Church, i.e. the body of Christ, whose mission is to preach the Scriptures to all the world, all of its endeavors being guided by multiple leadership and supported by the wise stewardship of God’s people. Terms explained:

I. Body of Christ: The collective body of believers in Jesus Christ is called the church. Though used to describe the universal church (the redeemed from all time) it usually describes a local group of believers who gather for worship and fellowship. (Eph. 5:23- 32; Col. 1:18; Mat. 18:20; Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 2:19; 3:15). II. Mission: The Church is to make committed followers of Jesus Christ. Mt. 28:18-20; Ro. 15:6; Eph. 1:15-23. III. Preach: By this term we encompass all of the believers who are to declare and make known God’s truth through the totality of their lives, in addition to the formal proclamation of the Word of God (Eph. 3:8-10; 4:15,16; Col. 1:10-28). IV. Multiple leadership: Within each local church we believe God provides a team of elders, also known as pastors/overseers to guide, lead and enable the congregation to develop spiritual maturity. They are also known as shepherds, who are responsible to feed the congregation the word of God for spiritual growth and service. Elders are appointed to exercise spiritual oversight for the flock entrusted to them. We believe the functions of elders or bishop/overseers to be identical, and that the term “elder” refers mainly to the person, while “bishop” or “overseer” refers to what an elder does. Deacons serve as helpers, or ministering workers who fulfill various formal or informal roles within the congregation (Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 8-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) V. Stewardship: As members of God’s family we recognize the obligation under which God places us to exercise care and concern with regard to all time, possessions, wealth and persons as may be entrusted to us. One mark of the spiritually wise person is the mature choices made with respect to these areas (Mt. 20:8; Gal. 4:2; Lk. 16:2,3; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 9:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10; Eph. 3:2; Col. 1:25). A. Tithe: We believe the guideline of ten per cent to be highly appropriate, yet we recognize the individual believer as free from compulsion or formal requirements in stewardship matters or church support (Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-29; Deut. 12:5-7,17-18; 14:22-29; 26:12; Gen. 14:17-24; Lk. 11:42; Mt. 23:23f; 2 Cor. 9:6-8; Heb. 7:10). B. Offerings: We believe that offerings consist of any gift, whether money, time or effort, that is freely given in response to the direction of God’s Spirit (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:24-9:15). 

ORDINANCES

We believe that the ordinances of the Church given by our Lord, are Baptism and the Lord’s table (Communion). Terms explained: I. Baptism: water baptism is commanded of all believers and it is an act of obedience signifying the believer’s trust in death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Acts 18:8). The disciples were commanded to see to it that water baptism was a part of their ministry (Mt. 28:19,20; 16:16) and the pattern of the book of Acts (Acts 2:38-41; 8:12,13,36,38) indicates the widespread practice of water baptism for believers. This church does not believe in baptismal regeneration, nor do we hold that baptism is necessary for salvation. II. Lord’s Table (Communion): On the night of His arrest, Jesus instituted what is known as the Eucharist, or Communion service, which symbolizes and calls our attention to the atonement. This celebration is one in which we look back to the finished work of Christ and also forward to the yet to be completed consummation of our redemption (Mt. 26:26-30; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-30).

ESCHATOLOGY 

We believe in the blessed hope, the personal, visible and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Terms Explained: I. Blessed Hope: The return of the Lord is an event that believers ought to wait for with high expectation and excitement. As still imperfect people, we eagerly await the restoration of all things to perfect Christ-likeness after the return of Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:1-3; Titus. 2:13; Ro. 8:18-25; 1 Pet. 1:7,13; 4:13; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:7). II. Personal, visible: Jesus, not just in spirit, but in bodily form, will return to this earth (Acts 1:11). III. Imminent: The Church, as God’s steward, ought to consider the return of Christ as an event which is about to happen, and therefore, though patient, we are to be alert to such an event as we seek to glorify Him through our lives (Mat. 24:22,24,29-51; Lk. 21:34). IV. Patient Lifestyle: The Bible’s teaching concerning the Lord’s impending return is always set in the context of practical exhortation, focusing upon our present lifestyle, rather than upon undue speculation (2 Pet. 3:11; Mt. 24:42-51). 

HEAVEN AND HELL 

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell, and the fellowship of the saved in heaven. Terms explained: I. Bodily resurrection: Those saints who are “asleep in Jesus” will be raised at the same time the living saints are “raptured” and changed (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-58). After the Millennial reign of Christ, all the unsaved will stand before the Great White Throne for judgment, and since their names will not be found in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 20:11-15; 21:8,27; Lk. 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Acts 13:48). II. Everlasting conscious suffering: Lk. 16:19-31; Mt. 25:30; 24:51; Heb. 12:23; Phil. 1:23 III. Heaven: We believe heaven to be a literal place where Jesus Christ is preparing an eternal home for believers of all generations (Jn. 14:1-6; Heb. 1:5-9; Rev. 19:1-8). IV. Hell: We believe hell to be a literal place where all unsaved will spend eternity (Rev. 20:15; Mt. 13:36-43). 

DEVIL

We believe in the existence of a real and personal devil (also known as Satan), who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men and that he, all his angels, and all who do not receive Christ as their Savior will be eternally punished in the lake of fire. Terms explained: I. Devil: Though a created being and one of the highest angels, the devil fell because he wanted to be greater than God (Isa. 14:12-15). II. Eternally perish: The judgment upon the devil and his followers is an unending punishment (Rev. 20:10,14-15; 19:20). 

APPENDIX 

A GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY

We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen 2:18-25). Grace Community Church will only conduct a marriage ceremony and recognize the marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Mt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Ro. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9- 11). We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mk. 12:28-31; Lk. 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Grace Community Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Grace Community Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Grace Community in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by the Scriptures and the doctrines of Grace Community Church.