Core Beliefs
The following is an abbreviated compilation of Biblical truths around which GBC worships and fellowships together. This statement substantially reflects the views found in the great Protestant confessions of faith, and is in no way intended to usurp or replace the Word of God.
Bible
The Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is inerrant in the original writings, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice. Since all Scripture points to Christ, the Old Testament should be interpreted through the New Testament.
God
God is an infinite, eternal, and immutable Spirit, Holy in all His attributes. He has revealed Himself in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet is one in being, essence, and glory.
The Father
God the Father has ordained all that is, has been, or shall be, working all things for His own glory according to His eternal purpose predestinating all events according to the counsel of His own will.
Jesus Christ
God the Son is the creator, and sustainer of all things. In time, He became man conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. The Lord Jesus Christ is the expressed image of the Father, and, without ceasing to be God, became fully man, yet without sin.
The Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit is the agent through whom God’s works are performed. He is coequal in nature and essence with both the Father and the Son, proceeding from them to glorify Christ.
ANGELIC BEINGS
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to be His servants and messengers.
Satan was originally created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition rebelled against God. Leading a portion of the angels in rebellion, he became the great enemy of God, deceiver of man, and god of this present world. His powers are vast, but strictly controlled by the sovereign will of God who works all his wicked devices for good. He was defeated and judged at the cross and will be eternally punished in the lake of fire reserved for the Devil and his angels.
Satan was originally created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition rebelled against God. Leading a portion of the angels in rebellion, he became the great enemy of God, deceiver of man, and god of this present world. His powers are vast, but strictly controlled by the sovereign will of God who works all his wicked devices for good. He was defeated and judged at the cross and will be eternally punished in the lake of fire reserved for the Devil and his angels.
MAN
Humanity came into existence by direct creation of God as male and female uniquely made in the image and likeness of God. Human life is valuable in all its dimensions from conception through death.
The first man, Adam, by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, became a sinful creature, the father of a fallen race which is universally sinful in both nature and practice. Therefore, man is alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation.
The first man, Adam, by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, became a sinful creature, the father of a fallen race which is universally sinful in both nature and practice. Therefore, man is alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation.
SALVATION
God, before the foundation of the world, and according to His own gracious purpose, sovereignly chose individuals for salvation in Christ.
Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life and died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for His elect. His death is sufficient to provide salvation and eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior.
The Holy Spirit is the divine Agent through whom salvation is applied by effectually drawing sinners to Christ. He indwells and empowers the believer for Christ-like living and service.
Because of man’s fallen sinful nature, he has no hope in himself of reconciliation with God. Through belief in the finished work of Christ, man can be saved from the just wrath of God coming on the whole world and inherit eternal life. Though God has chosen a definite number to be saved, this does not negate the responsibility of all men everywhere to repent and believe this Gospel.
Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life and died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for His elect. His death is sufficient to provide salvation and eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior.
The Holy Spirit is the divine Agent through whom salvation is applied by effectually drawing sinners to Christ. He indwells and empowers the believer for Christ-like living and service.
Because of man’s fallen sinful nature, he has no hope in himself of reconciliation with God. Through belief in the finished work of Christ, man can be saved from the just wrath of God coming on the whole world and inherit eternal life. Though God has chosen a definite number to be saved, this does not negate the responsibility of all men everywhere to repent and believe this Gospel.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
THE INDIVIDUAL
Through Christ, the Great High Priest, every born again person has direct access into God’s presence. As priests of God, Christians have the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit. As disciples, they have the responsibility to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. As members of the body of Christ, believers are to assemble in local churches for mutual encouragement and ministry.
THE CHURCH
The Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born again believers with Christ being the Head. It is manifest throughout the world in numerous local assemblies that are directly accountable to God. These believers meet for instruction of the Word, fellowship, keeping the ordinances, and prayer.
There are two ordinances of the Church. Baptism by immersion in water portrays the believer’s death, burial, and resurrection in Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the bread and cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. There is no virtue in the elements used for this memorial.
In the church, believers are taught to obey the Lord, to testify concerning their faith in Christ as Savior, and to honor Him by holy living. The gospel of the grace of God is to be preached to all the world.
Through Christ, the Great High Priest, every born again person has direct access into God’s presence. As priests of God, Christians have the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit. As disciples, they have the responsibility to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. As members of the body of Christ, believers are to assemble in local churches for mutual encouragement and ministry.
THE CHURCH
The Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born again believers with Christ being the Head. It is manifest throughout the world in numerous local assemblies that are directly accountable to God. These believers meet for instruction of the Word, fellowship, keeping the ordinances, and prayer.
There are two ordinances of the Church. Baptism by immersion in water portrays the believer’s death, burial, and resurrection in Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the bread and cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. There is no virtue in the elements used for this memorial.
In the church, believers are taught to obey the Lord, to testify concerning their faith in Christ as Savior, and to honor Him by holy living. The gospel of the grace of God is to be preached to all the world.
SOCIAL ORDER
From creation, God has ordained marriage to be a covenant commitment that joins a man and a woman in a single, exclusive lifetime union. God has given this institution for the procreation of mankind and to illustrate the union between Christ and His church.
The family is the basic unit and expression of social interaction among people.
Nations and governments are instituted by God to maintain order among people within geographical areas.
Believers are called to respect and support these institutions to best reflect the intent and character of the Creator.
The family is the basic unit and expression of social interaction among people.
Nations and governments are instituted by God to maintain order among people within geographical areas.
Believers are called to respect and support these institutions to best reflect the intent and character of the Creator.
THINGS TO COME
Our blessed hope is the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to gather His saints to be with Him for eternity. All human beings will be physically resurrected and judged – the saints to everlasting joy in the New Heavens and New Earth, and the wicked to eternal punishment in the lake of fire.