Articles of Faith

Revised June 10, 2018

A Member of Grace Bible Church is one who believes in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ: Who had a supernatural birth; Who spoke supernatural words; Who performed supernatural miracles; Who lived a supernatural life; Who died a supernatural death; Who rose in supernatural power; Who ascended in supernatural splendor; Who intercedes as a supernatural priest; Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.

I. Of the Scriptures

We teach that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and opinions should be tried.

By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the World of God, but IS the very Word of God.

By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

II Tim. 3:16, II Peter; 1:19-21; Acts 28:25, Psa. 119:105; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Peter 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11; Rev. 22:19; John 5:45-47; John 5:39

II. Of the True God

We teach that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14

III. Of the Holy Spirit

We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation, that in His relation to the unbelieving word He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endures, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.

John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thess. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; II Thess. 2:13; I Peter 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27

IV. Of the Devil or Satan

We teach that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist and the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:0; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:t; Matt. 4:1-3; I Peter 5:8; I John 3;*; Matt. 13:39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4::3; II John 7:1; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11, 16; Rev. 20:1-3, 10; Matt. 25:41.

V. Of the Creation

We teach the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, as six actual twenty-four hour days, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind”, Since God created mankind into genders distinctly male and female, we believe that the only legitimate marriage is that between one man and one woman. He has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance, proclamation and or identification of any kind.

Gen. 1:1; Ex 20:11; Acts 3:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:21-23; Gen. 1:22; Gen 1:24

VI. Of the Fall of Man

We teach that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 5:12, 19; Rom. 3:10-19; Eph. 2:1,3; Rom 1:18; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20,28,32; Gal. 3:22.

VII. Of the Virgin Birth

We teach that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son.

Gen 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47

VII. Of the Atonement for Sin

We teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without, honored the diving law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.

Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 29:1; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2

IX. Of Grace in the New Creation

We teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sin is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.

John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal 5:22; Eph. 5:9

X. Of the Freeness of Salvation

We teach God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the great sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

I Thess.1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36

XI. Of Justification

We teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification include the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:1,9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-5; Heb. 10:38

XII. Of Repentance and Faith

We teach that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

Acts. 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11, 15-17

XIII. Of the Church

We teach that a Biblical church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the divine and eternal grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His law; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures.

We teach that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions of men and women in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to hold the leadership positions (pastors and deacons) in the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible of licensure and ordination for pastor by the church.

We teach the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim 3:1-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Peter 1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3, 4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13

XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s supper, in which the members of the church, be the sacred use of the fruit of the vine are to commentate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-28

XV. Of the Perseverance of the Saints

We teach that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:28; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; I Peter 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:35-39

XVI. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse and distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Peter 1:18; Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15-22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34- 41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14

XVII. Of Civil Government

We teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

Rom 13:8; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18-21-23; Matt. 22:21; I Peter 2:1-14; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11; I Peter 2:17

XVIII. Of the Resurrection, Return of Christ and Related Events

We teach that Christ rose bodily, “the third day according to the Scripture;” that He ascended to the right hand of the throne of God’; that He alone is our merciful and faithful high priest in thins pertaining to God; that this same Jesus which was taken up to heave shall so come in like manner as He was seen going – bodily, personally, and visibly; that the dead in Christ shall rise first; that the living saints shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet sound; following this personal imminent, pre-tribulational, and premillennial ‘rapture’ of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, there will be a sever year tribulation period that will afflict the earth in order to fulfill God’s purposes, prior to return to the earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial (thousand year) kingdom; and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He has put all enemies under His feet.”

Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20;27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2, 4-6; Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12-2. Heb. 8:6; I Tim 2:5; I John 2:4; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 24-27; Matt. 25:13; James 5:8; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28; I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44, 51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6,7; Acts 9:29,30; I Cor. 15-25; Isa. 1:32; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6

XIX. Of Israel

We teach the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that she was dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Jesus Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ. We also teach that the promises made to Israel are still directed to Israel and are not given to the Church.

Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37

XX. Of Missions

We teach that Jesus Christ has given a “Great Commission” to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group. And language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:20

XXI. Of Giving

We teach that we have been redeemed with the price of Jesus Christ’s blood, everything we are and possess belongs to Him, and His Kingdom should become the true treasure we pursue.

We also teach the tithe (ten percent of one’s income) as the Biblical standard of giving, for the support of the local body and that spiritual growth in the believer will translate into the giving of offerings above the commanded tithe as the needs of the church are evident but moreover, in response to Christ’s abundance giving, we should increasingly seek to submit our personal resources to His Lordship, display a spirit of generosity and cheerfulness, knowing that as His Lordship, displaying a spirit of generosity and cheerfulness, know that as we give our lives will be ‘abounded in the riches of (our) liberality.”

Proverbs 3:9, 10; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:19-21, 33; Matthew 13:44; Matthew 23:23; Luke 6:38; Luke 21:1-4; II Corinthians 8:1-9, 15; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:7,8; Hebrews 9:11-14; I Peter 1:17-19; I Corinthians 9:11.

The Articles of Faith of Grace Bible Church of Lansing are a modified version of the New Hampshire Confession of 1853.