 
LET'S GET ACQUAINTED SERIES

GOSPEL GRACE 101

Welcome to our get acquainted series! We like to call this series GOSPEL GRACE 101. We are thrilled that you are interested in learning about Gospel Grace Church and how you can connect with us. You have joined an exciting journey through some of the foundational beliefs and core objectives of our church. If you have been a Christian for some time, much of the territory will be refreshingly familiar. If you are still searching for spiritual answers or have come to Christ recently, you are in for some exciting new discoveries.

When you are about to take a trip, you typically are guided by an itinerary that helps orient you for the journey. In the weeks ahead we will make three important stops to explore key components of our church.

At our first stop, we will explore Gospel Grace Church's MISSION and Identity. Who are we, and what has God called us to do as a body of believers? By the time we move on to the next stop, we hope you will have answers to these questions. Our goal in this segment is to help you understand our mission and expose you to the values and vision God has given us to fulfill for His glory.

The next stop is perhaps the most important of the three. We will spend several weeks together talking about Gospel Grace's Doctrinal MESSAGE. We will explore the core beliefs and doctrines we hold from the New Testament. While this will not be a full-orbed doctrinal class, we do feel it is important that you know what we believe and where we stand on several primary doctrines of the Christian faith. An important part of our discussion will be the implications these beliefs have for our daily living as we try to live out what we believe in ways that honor God and reflect Christ accurately and attractively to a spiritually darkened world.

On the final section of our trip, we will explore the MINISTRY side of Gospel Grace Church. This will give you a good flavor of the atmosphere and culture you will find here at Gospel Grace Church.

We look forward to meeting together with you each week, and if you have any questions, don't feel that you have to wait week to week for answers. You can contact any of the pastoral team members by email at info@gospelgracechurch.com, or you can text or call us at (801) 508-4610.

We look forward to getting to know you better,

The Pastoral Team

Gospel Grace Church
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION ONE: OUR MISSION

Week 1 - Understanding Our Mission

The Mission of Gospel Grace Church

Week 2 - Understanding Our Identity 1

What Is the Church? / What Is Community?

Week 3 - Understanding Our Identity 2

Embracing Our Ministry Culture

Core Values

Historic Baptist Distinctives

SECTION TWO: OUR MESSAGE

Week 4 - Understanding Our Message 1

Why Does Doctrine Matter?

Week 5 - Understanding Our Message 2

Doctrinal Statement

Week 6 - Understanding Our Message 2

Doctrinal Statement - continued

SECTION THREE: OUR MINISTRY

Week 7 - Great Expectations (Part 1)

Church Covenant

Week 8 - Great Expectations (Part 2)

Commitments of Church Leadership

What Is the Next Step?

APPENDIX

Constitution

Statement of Faith Scripture References

SECTION 1

OUR MISSION
week #1

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MISSION

The Importance of Our Mission

Churches today expend great amounts of energy and resources pursuing success. However, not everyone agrees on what success in the church looks like. Multitudes of books have been written in an attempt to help pastors and church leaders define success and build successful churches. Interestingly, there are almost as many ideas as to what success looks like as there are books on the topic.

Some church leaders equate success with the numeric increase of the congregation. These leaders believe that growth in size is one of the primary evidences of spiritual success. They contend that as long as the church is growing and people are coming, they must be doing something right, and God must be pleased or else He would not be blessing them.

Other church leaders equate success not so much with size but with accomplishment. As long as programs are organized and carried out effectively and things are running smoothly, the ministry is succeeding. Effective outreach strategies for ministry in the community, number of foreign missionaries supported, social ministry to the poor and hungry, and programs to entertain or minister to families in the membership are all benchmarks by which some churches measure success.

Some churches even equate success with mass evangelism and will do almost anything to get more decisions. Sadly, at the end of the day, many that make decisions in these churches are nowhere to be found as healthy growing disciples.

In the midst of this confusion, what will help Gospel Grace Church achieve biblical success in the eyes of God? How will we avoid the pitfall of pursuing the wrong type of success and thereby end up missing God's design and desire for His church?

The answer is amazingly simple. Gospel Grace Church will only succeed if we can accomplish the goals and objectives God has set for His church. Furthermore, not only must we accomplish the right goals and objectives, we must strive to reach them in right ways. And God clearly identified His mission for the Church in His Word, the Bible.

Since biblical success is measured by how well a church accomplishes the right mission in the right ways, getting the mission right is one of the most important things you need to understand if you desire to connect with our church family.

We believe God is the only One who has the right to set the mission for Gospel Grace Church, and we believe He has given us very clear and direct statements that leave no question about the nature of that mission.

Identifying Our Mission

We exist as a church to glorify God...

A mission doesn't just happen. It must be intentionally identified and implemented. Everything we do as a church must help advance the goals and objectives set by God as our mission. The New Testament book that best explains God's mission for His Church is Ephesians. Here God reveals He has determined to accomplish His objectives and goals in His universe through a group of people He has redeemed, forgiven, and formed into a body called the Church. The ultimate end or objective to all God is doing in His Church is expressed in the final words of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian Christians.

"...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:21

According to this verse, the ultimate measure of success for Gospel Grace Church is how well we bring glory to God through Christ. In other words, our mission is to glorify God by causing others to come to a right opinion of God.

This means at the end of the day it will not matter how big our church gets, or how many decisions we can point to, or how many programs we have developed and implemented. If we have not glorified God and caused others to come to right opinions about Him, then we have failed.

Implementing Our Mission

...by making gospel-centered, grace-saturated disciples of Jesus Christ.

DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

Ephesians does not just identify God's primary mission as His glory; Paul goes on to reveal some important ways God has determined to use to bring Himself glory through the Church.

  1. First, God wants to glorify Himself in this age and in the age to come by redeeming and saving wicked, rebellious people who are hopelessly lost in sin. He extends saving grace to these individuals to display His exceeding rich grace in one glorious expression of kindness to undeserving sinners.

"[4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

  2. A second important way God intends to magnify His glory is by displaying His unmatched, multi-faceted wisdom to all created intelligences in the universe. God displays His rich grace by redeeming lost sinners and forming them into His Church. The marvelous plan God designed to accomplish this gracious goal without violating His righteous character serves as a permanent glorious display of His brilliant wisdom.

"[8] To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, [10] so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [11] This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord," Ephesians 3:8-11

The mission of the Church is to bring God glory by serving as a permanent, living display of both His redeeming grace and His sovereign wisdom. This mission happens practically when born again members of God's Church live transformed lives that display this grace and wisdom in glad obedience to His word.

How do believers display the grace and wisdom of God?

...BY LIVING GOSPEL-CENTERED LIVES

The Scriptures teach that the Christian life is not lived out through self-centered religious performance but through a passionate pursuit of and deep security and satisfaction in Christ. The reality of the forgiveness and grace experienced at salvation is lived out daily as the center of the believer's life. We have new life because of the Gospel, and we center our lives on that same Gospel. The reality is that we cannot live the Christian life on our own.

"[20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [21] I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." Galatians 2:20-21

...BY LIVING GRACE-SATURATED LIVES

This gospel-centered living is also evidenced in a life that is experiencing and demonstrating the grace of God. This grace demonstrates itself through a life that is growing in grace, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and expressing authentic love towards others. The believer experiences this saving grace of God when he is born again and continues to live in that grace as he matures into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Grace is God's divine enablement to live more like Christ and less like the world. This grace is accessed and displayed as we give ourselves to the daily discipline of spending time alone with God through Scripture reading and prayer.

"[2] May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [8] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:2-11

"[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

"[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' [20] To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21

Communicating Our Mission

By now you should have a fairly clear picture of the mission God has established for Gospel Grace Church. We have included several important passages of Scripture to help you understand that this mission was not informed by our leadership team. We did not decide what our mission would be as a church. Our mission was established for us by the Head of the Church Himself. That is how important it is. Our job is to identify God's mission from His Word and then implement it in our lives as growing, obedient members of Gospel Grace Church. We don't have to grow as a church numerically, but we do have to obey God and glorify His Name!

Both the congregation and the leadership team must articulate the mission clearly, concisely, and consistently.

Remember, we didn't come up with the mission, God did, but we do have the responsibility as a local church to come up with a way to communicate and articulate that mission clearly. To help all of us stay on the same page, our leadership team has crafted two ways to communicate our mission.

Our Mission Statement

"We exist as a church to glorify God by making gospel-centered, grace-saturated disciples of Jesus Christ."

Our Clarifying & Connecting Motto

Live the Gospel...

Channel Grace...

Be the Church...

For the Glory of God.

week #2

UNDERSTANDING

OUR IDENTITY

What Is the Church?

In the New Testament, the English word that describes the people of God is "church" and can be used to describe both a small local congregation and the group of believers everywhere. The Greek word for church in the New Testament is ekklesia, which literally means "assembly," or "called out ones."

God has always identified Himself with a specific group of people that He has called out to follow and identify with Him. In the Old Testament, it was the nation of Israel. Today God's people include all those who have been born again from Pentecost to the Rapture, also called His Church (Universal). The church is organized and gathers in smaller expressions called "local churches," which derive their function, mission, and practice from the New Testament Scripture.

Because Gospel Grace Church is part of God's Church, because He bought it with the blood of His Son, and because it is His plan for displaying His glory to the Universe, we desire to be directed and function according to His plan as revealed in the teaching of the Scriptures alone.

Descriptions of the Church's Nature

We are informed concerning the importance of the doctrine of the church when we look at the various descriptions or pictures of the church found in the New Testament. These descriptions are almost always in the form of analogy. If theologian Paul Minear is correct, there may be as many as 100 images or analogies. Obviously, we're not going to attempt to exhaust this resource, but there are several images that especially suggest the importance of the church.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Perhaps the most popular description of the church is that of the body of Christ, of which our Lord is the Head (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:24).

With this analogy, Paul emphasizes both the unity of the body and the individuality of each particular member. That Jesus Christ is the Head of the body suggests that it is our Lord who directs and guides the body and that its unity comes from the Head of the body, Who coordinates and directs each individual part. Each member of the body functions according to the Spirit-empowered gifts God has given them.

THE TEMPLE OF GOD

The church is referred to in Scripture as the temple of God. Each individual Christian is a stone, all of which make up God's temple, still under construction, and our Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief or Cornerstone (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:5f). The temple is the place where God dwells, so the church is the dwelling place of God. God not only dwells in each Christian individually but in all Christians corporately. As the Cornerstone, Jesus is the One who binds the walls, made up of Jews and Gentiles, in unity in Himself (Eph. 2:14f). Not only was the temple the place in which God dwelt, it was also the place of worship from which praise was to ascend to God.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Another description of the church is that of the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:22f; Rev. 19:7). Here we have emphasis upon the love of Christ for His church and His full and adequate provision for His bride. In addition, we see the responsibility of the bride to keep herself pure and unspotted for her Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE FLOCK OF GOD

The church is also described as the flock of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2), and our Lord Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of His flock. Here we are reminded of His loving and tender care for His church in feeding, leading, and protecting it from harm. We are likewise reminded of our dependency upon Him and our helplessness apart from His care.

All of these images or analogies indicate an extremely intimate relationship between our Lord Jesus Christ and His church. Not only are we instructed by these analogies of the church's absolute need of Jesus but of His great interest and concern and care for His church as well. In short, the church is vitally important to us, because it is of vital importance to God. These analogies indicate to us that the believer is not merely an attendee of the church, but rather every believer is an integral part of it.

Essential Elements That Define the Local Church

The Scriptures not only give us clear descriptions as to the nature of the church, they also communicate the essential elements that define the church.

A Local Church...

  * assembles regularly to render worship to God.

"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

  * rightly divides the Word of God.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching" Acts 2:42

"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching." 1 Timothy 4:13

  * practices the two ordinances – Baptism & Lord's Supper

"And they devoted themselves...to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

"And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'...So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls." Acts 2:38,41

  * embraces leadership and service through the establishment and function of the biblical offices (Elder/Pastor and Deacon)

1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-16

  * practices mutual edification / fellowship between its members in an environment that is intentionally fostered

"And they devoted themselves to...the fellowship" Acts 2:42

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

How do we seek to live out what the New Testament instructs the church to be?

...BY GATHERING TOGETHER ON

SUNDAY MORNINGS

This is the central gathering of Gospel Grace Church, where all of its members meet to intentionally worship God, read Scripture, submit to the preaching and teaching of God's Word, practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's table, and fellowship. This central gathering is absolutely essential to carrying out God's intention for how His church is to assemble, worship, learn, and grow.

...BY GATHERING TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY GROUPS

Although it is possible for the church to gather weekly at a central meeting (Sunday morning gathering) and accomplish God's design for the church, it is unlikely in our day for people to give themselves to the type of fellowship and mutual edification that is assumed as part of the life of the church. In order for Gospel Grace Church to be the healthy church the New Testament calls it to be, we believe that it is essential to provide additional times for the church to instruct each other in the Word, care for one another, proclaim the Gospel, and disciple one another to learn practical ministry skills.

How do we foster this biblical, healthy community?

Fellowship (Koinonia) is not incidental in Christianity. It is part and parcel of what it means to follow Jesus. Koinonia is the close association that involves mutual interests and sharing. As believers, we should find our identity not only in what Jesus has done for us but also in the relationships God is creating with other believers. Acts 2:42-47 shows a description of the early church interacting as a community of people that was growing—together.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship [koinonia], to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ...And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42,46-47

So if we as believers are called to live our lives together, what should this togetherness look like, or to put it another way, what should we be doing in community?

 We live in homes or apartments that have a number of rooms, and each room serves a different function or activity of our lives. In the same way, believers live together in community where there are different activities and types of care for each other. We use a picture of a house to describe the way we are to live with those that are part of Gospel Grace Church.

Dining Room – INSTRUCTING

The Dining Room picture reminds us that the word is our life and we must speak it and share it one with another. In the dining room, we have guests over and share food and conversation together. In biblical community, we share literal food together as well as the food of studying, listening to, and speaking the word to one another. Each of us prepares a part of the meal of the Word, and we share it with one another.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..." Acts 2:42

But [Jesus] answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

Living Room – CARING

In the Living Room, we remember that the gospel causes us both to care for the needs of those around us and to open up about the needs of our own lives. In our living rooms, we share our lives with others, spending time with one another, laughing at stories, working through difficulties, and rejoicing in triumphs. In biblical community, we also share our lives by practicing hospitality, listening to each other, offering words of encouragement, and even confronting sin when necessary.

"...that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." I Cor. 12:25-27

Front Porch – INVITING

The picture of a Front Porch is our reminder that community reaches out. From our front porches, we welcome others into our home. In biblical community, we proclaim the gospel through our words and actions both to those outside community and those already inside it. We invite others to join us in community and display living, Christ-like love one for another in front of those we welcome in.

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Basement – DISCIPLING

The Basement pictures our discipleship of one another. In our basements, we learn and practice our skills. Maybe there's a workbench or a sewing room set up to enjoy a hobby or work on a broken appliance. We learn those hobbies from each other by participating together in a task. In Christian community, trained leaders welcome others into their skill. Servants are discipled by one life touching another in mutual participation of ministry. As God-given gifts are identified, they are employed for service for the benefit and blessing of the whole Body.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" 1 Peter 4:10

In a healthy biblical community, we are spending time together in all these rooms.
week #3

UNDERSTANDING

OUR IDENTITY

Embracing Our Ministry Culture

Every church has a ministry culture—a set of beliefs, values, and customs that characterize the way ministry is carried out in that congregation.

BELIEFS – Core biblical and moral absolutes that drive the ministry

VALUES – Strong convictions, preferences, tastes, and methodologies derived from the application of the core beliefs that flavor the ministry culture and safeguard its mission

In short, corporate culture is "the way things are done" in an organization. In church congregational life, ministry culture is the defining atmosphere in which ministry is done in a particular church. Failure to recognize and adjust to the ministry culture of a local church will make connecting difficult at best and impossible at worst!

While ministry culture should never be viewed as inspired and unchangeable, it should also not be viewed as soft, fluid, and easily adjusted. Ministry culture is a valuable asset to a local church, and as such, it should be carefully cultivated, shaped, and guarded.

All churches have a ministry culture. Ministry culture exists either intentionally (driven by the mission, beliefs, and values) or unintentionally (set by the whims of the people). Therefore, it is important to understand and intentionally cultivate the right kind of ministry culture at Gospel Grace Church.

Establishing, cultivating, and maintaining a good ministry culture requires two primary components...

  1. Ministry culture must be driven by a clear Mission Statement.

The NEED for a Mission Statement

  * It is like a glue – it holds people together.

  * It is like a magnet – it attracts like-hearted people to the ministry.

  * It is like a compass – it provides direction for charting the course.

  * It is like a ruler – it measures progress and forward movement.

The NATURE of a Mission Statement

  * It must be personally incorporated.

  * It must be specific in focus.

  * It must be pervasive in application.

  * It must be eternal in consequence / value.

People get involved in ministry because they want to give themselves to something bigger than themselves—to something of eternal value!

A good example of a personal life mission statement in the Bible is Paul's familiar statement: "For to me live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Paul's statement "for to me" shows that his mission was personally incorporated in his life and ministry for Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Paul's mission had a specific focus: "to live is Christ." Additionally, this focus was pervasive in application: "to live." It affected everything Paul did in his life. Finally, this mission had eternal consequences: "to die is gain."

We exist as a church to glorify God by making gospel-centered, grace-saturated disciples of Jesus Christ.

The OBJECTIVE of a Mission Statement

  * Effective, Focused Ministry

  * Years ago, Warren Wiersbe observed that ministry happens when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.

  * No church or ministry can afford to be all things to all men. Rather, it must strive to direct the energies and resources provided by God through the channel of committed and loving believers in order to meet the real and legitimate needs of people for the glory of God and the good of others. And all of this must happen through opportunities provided by God, in directions guided by God, and in the ways that please God.

  2. Ministry culture must be shaped and flavored by Core Values.

The following core values have been claimed as the defining characteristics that we desire to shape and flavor the culture of Gospel Grace Church. You will notice they all either flow directly out of scriptural command or naturally from biblical principle.

Authentic Worship

God made us to magnify His greatness and live for His pleasure. Therefore, the overarching goal of Gospel Grace Church is to glorify Him in word and deed. Our personal pursuit of God should overflow in joyful worship together as a church, involving the whole man—mind, emotion, and will.

Christian Community

Christ's intention is that believers live in community with one another through life-touching-life relationships. When we are secure in God's love, we become free and responsible to love one another in transparency, accountability, and mutual edification.

Committed Discipleship

To be a disciple means to be a disciple-maker. From the seniors down to the children, we want to see them grow in grace. With the help of God's Spirit, we lovingly commit ourselves to helping other believers mature in Christlikeness. Through scriptural instruction and life example, we want to provoke one another to love and good works.

Intentional Evangelism

Because of the compelling love of Christ, we want to be intentional in our evangelism through preaching, witnessing, serving, and redemptive relationships. We are outward-facing with Gospel light in both word and deed so that our neighbors and the nations might hear and be saved.

Scriptural Truth

We want God's revealed truth to permeate all of life and ministry. To live means to consume God's Word (Matt. 4:4). Our goal is to see believers get past the milk of the Word and dig into doctrinal meat. The Bible will take priority and prominence in our worship services, for it has the power to change lives. Scripture makes it clear that our true problems are internal rather than external. Therefore, we apply the Word to the heart and not just to outward symptoms (Heb. 4:12).

Mercy and Compassion

Because God has been merciful to us, we will not confine our love to "lovely" people but will rather strive to show mercy to all types, to all colors, from all backgrounds, throughout the world.

Evident Faith

At Gospel Grace Church, we want to obey God regardless of the cost and even if we don't know all the details. We refuse to dig our roots into that which is passing away. We willingly invest our families, our finances, and our future, because we bank everything on the promises of God. We communicate and exercise this faith through our emphasis on corporate and individual prayer.

Commitment to Holiness

God's design for the church is that we would be a "called-out" people. By grace, we have been delivered from a lifestyle of sin and taught to live in holiness (Titus 2:11-12). Therefore, we are committed to personal and corporate purity through accountability, discipline, and separation from sin and false teaching.

Eternally-minded Stewardship

Because God owns everything, we commit both personally and corporately to wise spending, sharing, and investing with eternity in mind. We will not hoard people or resources but will gladly give to the church at large. We place a priority on people above programs or facilities, therefore our investment of resources will reflect that.

Purposeful Multiplication

The church is God's means of displaying His character to a lost and dying world, therefore we will invest in reproducing church-planting churches in strategic communities throughout the Salt Lake Valley. We realize that in order to accomplish this, we need leaders who train leaders (2 Tim. 2:2). For that reason, we are committed to a team philosophy of ministry.

Embracing a Heritage: Historic Baptist Distinctives

People come to Gospel Grace Church from many different backgrounds and walks of life. For some, this is the first church they have experienced. Others come from churches whose faith and practice is similar to Gospel Grace. Many, however, come to Gospel Grace from churches that are in other denominations.

No matter what your background might be, we are thankful God brought you to our church, and we think it is important for you to understand our identity. It is evident that when you look at the name of our church that it does not immediately signal an identification with a particular church denomination. However, we are not a non-denominational church. So why not just include our denominational affiliation in the name of our church? Was this intentional, because we are unsure of the kind of commitments we have as a church? Let us answer these questions by making some simple observations.

First of all, in our day, churches sometimes become known for, or are assessed by, a common knowledge about a particular denomination's characteristics, even if that common knowledge does not accurately represent the true nature of that church. That can be positive if the common understanding in a particular community accurately reflects the nature of that church, or it can be negative if the common understanding misrepresents the commitments and beliefs of that church.

Let us give you an example of how that reality plays out in the community God has called us to plant in Gospel Grace Church. It was planted with specific commitments that have been historically identified as the "Baptist Distinctives," which we will define for you. However, there are many different kinds of Baptist churches. You may have heard of some, such as Southern Baptists, American Baptists, General Conference Baptists, General Association of Regular Baptists, Particular Baptists, Reformed Baptists, and many others too numerous to list out here.

In light of the many perceptions that dominate one's understanding of a church denomination (particularly the wide range of types of Baptist churches), we believe it possible to be committed and unashamed to be a Baptist church without including the name "Baptist" directly in our church name. We understand that in a community like Salt Lake City, misinformed understandings of what kind of Baptist church we desire to be are wide-spread and could potentially hinder or polarize us from the ability to proclaim our primary message (the Gospel) to the community we are trying to reach.

We believe our church name accurately reflects who we are (primary identification with the Gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ) while also allowing us to teach our secondary identification as a Baptist church in a sequence that is intentional and most helpful for the people we are striving to reach for the Gospel.

So, what kind of church are we?

Gospel Grace Church is a Historic Baptist Church, and since names and labels mean something, it will be important for you to know what we mean by our name and identification. When we say that we are a Historic Baptist Church, we simply mean that we are not an official part of any organization or conference of churches where we would be subject to any authority outside of our own congregation. We exist as an independent church and are led by qualified elders, served by qualified deacons, and submit ourselves to the authority of the Bible. We are free as a church to fellowship and participate with any other good church or ministry of like-faith and practice should we so desire and feel directed by God to do so.

When we say that we are a Historic Baptist Church, we are also referring to our form of church government and practice as derived from what we believe best reflects the New Testament's teaching. These principles have been "historically" embraced as "Baptist Distinctives." There are many ways to describe these principles, and if you are interested, we can refer you to additional resources to help you explore the long history and heritage of the Baptist movement.

For the purpose of our discussion, we need to explore eight important characteristics that historically have been held to by Baptist churches.

Biblical Authority

Autonomy of the Local Church

Priesthood of the Believer

Two Ordinances

Individual Soul Liberty

Saved & Baptized Church Membership

Two Offices

Separation of Church & State

What are the Historic Baptist Distinctives?

Biblical Authority

A Historic Baptist church accepts the Bible as the Word of God and as the only rule of faith and practice.

"[14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Autonomy of the Local Church

A Historic Baptist church is self-governing.

The local church is an independent body accountable to no one but our Lord and His Word. There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate what a local church can or should do. (Acts 15; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 6:1-5)

Priesthood of the Believer

A Historic Baptist church believes that every believer has the right and duty to approach God in prayer and praise for himself. Each believer has access to God directly without the aid of human priest, preachers, mediators, or human ceremonies or forms.

This is a very important doctrine because it helps us to understand that we may approach God personally, pray to Him individually, and worship Him freely and fully at any time. We do not need to go through a human mediator. We have been given direct access to God through Jesus Christ. Three important biblical passages teach this wonderful truth to us.

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5)

"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

(1 Peter 2:5)

"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."

(1 John 2:27)

Two Ordinances

A Historic Baptist church practices the two ordinances. (Baptism & the Lord's Supper)

Neither ordinance has any saving merit, but both are taught and commanded by Jesus Himself. Both ordinances are visible pictures that represent and commemorate Christ's death and our salvation.

Paul describes the Lord's Supper or Communion in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:23-34). This passage teaches that one must be a believer in right standing with God in order to partake in communion.

At Gospel Grace Church, we baptize believers when one desires to take this step of obedience, and we observe the Lord's Supper regularly during our Sunday Morning Worship services.

Baptism is to be done by immersion in water. The word "baptize" literally means to dip or dunk in water. All of the New Testament examples involve people going down into fairly large bodies of water or coming up out of large bodies of water. This same picture is seen in the Lord's own personal baptism as recorded for us in Matthew's gospel (Matt. 3:13-17). The idea of immersion seems to be supported in Paul's reference to baptism in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 6:1-4).

Individual Soul Liberty

A Historic Baptist church contains believers who live their Christian lives in ultimate accountability to God through Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit.

For historic Baptists, Christian faith is uniquely individual. Each person is responsible, accountable, and blessed with the individual opportunity to receive God and his Word themselves. No other entity or person can participate in this encounter with God, therefore confession by proxy and forced conversion are ruled out. People can and must respond personally to God and His Word.

"[10] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; [11] for it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' [12] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12)

"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" (Acts 5:29)

Saved & Baptized Church Membership

A Historic Baptist church is made up of born again believers who have been scripturally baptized.

In a historic Baptist church, a person becomes a member by their profession of faith in Christ rather than by being born into the church. Scriptural baptism is commanded and assumed as a step of obedience as a follower of Christ and identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is not a means of salvation (Titus 3:5). It is only for believers after they have believed (Acts 8:36-39).

Two offices

A Historic Baptist church embraces and practices biblical leadership within the church through the function of the two offices outlined in the New Testament.

"[1] The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. [2] Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, [3] not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. [4] He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, [5] for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? [6] He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. [7] Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. [8] Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." (1 Tim. 3:1-13)

Separation of Church and State

A Historic Baptist Church believes there is to be a separation of the church and the state.

The clear teaching of the New Testament is that all believers are to be subject to the governing political authorities that God has ordained over them (Rom. 13:1-7). In fact, not only are believers to obey these governors, they must pray for them faithfully (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

However, it is also clear that the governments which coexisted with early Christianity in the New Testament were both separate from and hostile to Christianity. It wasn't until almost 300 years after Christ's death that the first state government adopted a form of Christianity as the state religion. Historically, Baptists have held the conviction that there should be a separation between the State and the Church so as to avoid the danger that has historically plagued Christians in churches run by or established under the State. A historic Baptist also recognizes Jesus Christ as the true head of the Church rather than a pontiff or human hierarchy of church leadership (Ephesians 1:22).

SECTION 3

OUR MESSAGE

week #4

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MESSAGE

Why Does Doctrine Matter?

Without question, the most important part of any church is what the leadership and congregation believe. The word "doctrine" comes from the Latin doctrine, which means "a code of beliefs," "a body of teachings," or "instructions." When we speak of biblical doctrine, it refers to the body of timeless, universal, unchanging truths delineated in the teachings, instructions, and precepts of Scripture.

These common beliefs comprise the doctrine of the church and are often collected and spelled out in a doctrinal statement. The doctrines in our doctrinal statement are commonly held by the leadership and the congregation and are representative of what you can expect to hear at all levels and venues of Gospel Grace's preaching and teaching ministries.

A word of explanation might be prudent at this point in our discussion. When it comes to identifying and explaining the biblical doctrines that Gospel Grace Church believes, promotes, and is willing to defend, it is important to note that not all beliefs or doctrines taught in the New Testament are at the same level of emphasis and clarity.

"[3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

"[37] And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'" (Matthew 22:37-40)

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42)

Before we jump into a study of the important doctrines we believe at Gospel Grace Church, we need to answer several important questions.

  1. Why does doctrine matter so much at Gospel Grace Church?

God the Father took doctrine seriously. - HE REVEALED IT.

Doctrine matters to us because it matters to God. He gave us an inspired Bible full of His self-revelation. Much of what is in the Bible is instruction or teaching about topics like the nature of God, the nature of Man, the nature of sin and the Fall, the way of salvation through faith in Christ, the nature and purpose of the church, the future of God's people and the end of the age, and many other doctrinal truths. Since God has taken the time to speak to these matters of doctrine, we as a church and you as an individual Christian should take the time to understand what God has said. This means we need to take doctrine seriously.

Jesus took doctrine seriously. - HE TAUGHT IT.

When Jesus spoke to the disciples, He often stressed the importance of knowing and believing His teaching. It was important that they understand His teaching, because through it they would find eternal life.

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works." (John 14:10)

Jesus said right doctrine would be an identifying mark of those who truly love Him and the Father.

"Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me." (John 14:24)

Because doctrine/instruction was so important to Jesus, it must be important to us.

Paul and the Apostles took doctrine seriously. - THEY PRESERVED IT.

Jude stated that there is a body of doctrines called "the faith" that has been authoritatively and fully delivered to the Church and for which the Church must at times be willing to fight for.

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3)

Paul instructs believers to stand firm in this body of doctrine.

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)

He said we are to guard the deposit of this body of truth...

"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,'" (1 Timothy 6:20)

"and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also". (2 Timothy 2:2)

...to test ourselves to make sure we remain true to this body of truth

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5)

...and to be careful not to stray away from the doctrines that make up "the faith."

"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you." (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

Because Paul and the Apostles were serious enough about doctrine to write it down and preserve it for future generations (2 Timothy 2:2), we must take it seriously as the present day recipients of what was passed down.

Christian heroes took doctrine seriously. - THEY DIED FOR IT.

Over the 2000 years of Church history there have been men willing to suffer and even lay down their lives for the doctrines that make up "The Faith." In other words, some doctrines are so important that the Christians charged with guarding and teaching them to the next generation of believers were willing to die for them if necessary—and many of them did. We know them as the Martyrs for the Faith, and their deaths testify to the importance of doctrine. Let's look at two examples of men who were willing to stand for doctrines that cost them their lives.

Polycarp was a well-known, highly respected pastor of the church at Smyrna, a town in Asia Minor. In his youth, he studied at the feet of the aged Apostle John himself and learned the precious doctrines of the faith from the lips of the last living apostle. At the age of 86, he was brought before the Roman governor and asked to deny Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar or be cast to the beasts or burned in the arena. Here is an abridged version of the story as recounted by the first historian of the Christian church, Eusebius.

When the hour was come for him to go, conducted him to the city where he was met by the governors who, taking him into their vehicle, said "What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and to sacrifice, and thus save your life?" He replied, "I shall not do as you advice me." Failing therefore to persuade him, they uttered dreadful language, and thrust him from the car with great vehemence, so that as he descended he sprained his thigh. But not at all moved from his purpose, as if nothing had happened, he eagerly went on, and was conducted to the stadium. As he advanced, the proconsul attempted to persuade him to renounce Christ saying, "Have a regard for your age. Swear by Caesar and recant by saying 'away with those who deny the gods.' If you so swear I will dismiss you. Simply revile Christ." To this, Polycarp responded, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me wrong; and how can I now blaspheme my king that has saved me?" The governor continued to urge him saying, "I have wild beasts at hand and I will cast you to them unless you change your mind." Polycarp responded, "Call them. For we have no reason to repent from the better to the worse." The governor continued his threats, "I will cause you to be burned with fire should you not change your mind." Polycarp's final answer was, "You threaten fire that burns for a moment and is soon extinguished, for you know nothing of the judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment reserved for the wicked. But why do you delay? Bring what you wish."

Someone once observed, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Polycarp was not the first or the last Christian to give up his life for the doctrines of Christianity. In England alone, 288 Christian leaders were burned at the stake during the reign of "Bloody Mary." J.C. Ryle, a bishop in the Church of England at the turn of the 20th century, observed,

"It is a broad fact that these 288 sufferers were not put to death for any offence against property or person. They were not rebels against the Queen's authority, or unbelievers, or men and women of immoral lives. On the contrary, they were with barely an exception, some of the holiest, purest, and best Christians in England, and several of them the most learned men of their day."

So why were these Christians burned? Simply for holding fast to doctrines Evangelical churches still claim to believe—doctrines that were defended and re-established for the Christian church by Martin Luther and those that launched the Protestant Reformation. In particular, these men and women were willing to die for the doctrines specifically related to Christ, the atonement, and justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Doctrine mattered greatly to these Christians in whose line we stand, and it is a shame and dishonor on our heads when doctrine matters less to us than it did to them. We must give doctrine its proper importance given the price others paid that we might have these truths to believe.

Satan takes doctrine seriously. - HE ATTACKS IT.

It might surprise you to learn that Satan takes doctrine seriously. One of his primary strategies to destroy the church is to pervert her doctrine. His attacks come from without and from within the Church. Peter and Paul warn us that false teachers will come, unstable Christians will twist the teaching of Scripture to their own harm and that of others, and that as the age progresses more and more, people will have less and less interest in sound doctrine.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1)

"as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures." (2 Peter 3:16)

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," (2 Timothy 4:3)

In short, as we have seen, doctrine is very important. Because it was important enough to Christians of the past to die for, it must be important to those of us who are living in the present or else there won't be a Christian faith worthy of dying for in the future.

  2. If sound doctrine is so important, how am I going to know it, so I can guard it, obey it, and pass it along to others?

The primary way to learn sound doctrine is to study the Bible in order to rightly understand the doctrinal truth it teaches. The Apostle Paul said to:

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

The writer of Hebrews goes even further and rebukes a group of Christians who, after years of being Christians, were still ignorant of the basic teachings of the Christian faith they claimed to follow.

"[11] About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:11-14)

  3. Why do good people seem to disagree over doctrinal matters, and how should we handle those who disagree with us? Shouldn't we just set aside our differences and agree to get along for the sake of unity?

No matter what your background might be, we are thankful God brought you to Gospel Grace Church, and we think it is important for you to understand our commitment to unity. We take the unity of God's Church very seriously. We do so because biblical unity was important to Jesus (John 17). However, it is important to recognize this in order to preserve the kind of unity that would please the Father; Jesus stated His Word as truth, which would sanctify all genuine believers (John 17:17-21.) In other words, genuine unity is built on agreement on biblical truth. Careful study of the New Testament reveals neither Jesus nor the Apostles were willing to give up true doctrine for the sake of unity. What this means for us in order for biblical unity to exist is that it must be built on the common ground of right doctrine. To set aside our doctrinal differences when they are settled around a proper understanding of biblical truth simply to preserve unity is to make a compromise not permitted by the New Testament. Listen to the words of Erwin Lutzer on this point from his book, The Doctrines That Divide:

To speak of unity and to minimize doctrinal differences is to sacrifice truth on the altar of wishful thinking. Unity, unless it is based on agreement regarding the content of the gospel, would not be worth the price. To this day, irreconcilable differences exist within Christendom on the most fundamental teaching of the gospel...There is no need to repent for doctrinal differences if the truth of the gospel is at stake. When Peter began to misrepresent the gospel by withdrawing from the Gentiles and siding with Jews who believed circumcision was necessary for salvation, Paul rebuked him publically (Galatians 2:14). Just giving the wrong impression about the content of the gospel gave Paul the right to rebuke publically the most prominent apostle. There is no such thing as a harmless addition to the gospel. Indeed, Paul was so concerned about the purity of the message that he wrote, "If any man is preaching to you a gospel that is contrary to that which you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9). Without agreement on this central point, all attempts at unity are misguided.

Obviously, as we have observed, not all doctrines taught in the New Testament are of the same level of importance or are taught at the same level of clarity. Because all biblical doctrines are authoritative, we should work hard to understand them in order to obey what they teach. However, there will be room for legitimate differences over certain doctrines that are less important or taught with less clarity by the New Testament writers. However, when the Bible speaks clearly on a doctrinal matter such as the inspiration of Scripture, the nature of Christ, the way of salvation, etc., believers must be willing to defend these doctrines when they are attacked by apostates and false teachers or betrayed by disobedient Christians.

The teaching of the New Testament on this point is very clear. The Apostle John instructs believers to avoid any contact with apostate teachers who deny Christ.

"[9] Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, [11] for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (2 John 1:9-11)

Paul addressed a similar issue at Corinth and instructed them through a series of penetrating questions designed to force these believers to think about the very character of God as a basis for making decisions about truth and doctrine.

"[14] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, [18] and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.'" (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

Paul also tells us to mark men who twist doctrine or bring heretical teaching into the church and after warning them, to withdraw from them.

"[17] I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. [18] For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Romans 16:17-18)

Paul goes on to tell us we are to withdraw from any Christian who betrays the faith by refusing to withdraw from unbelievers who deny it.

"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

  4. If Doctrine is so important to God, why does He allow wrong doctrine to creep into the church?

Two Bible passages help us answer this question by providing some important spiritual insight into God's purposes for His people.

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, (Deuteronomy 13:1)

"for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." (1 Corinthians 11:19)

God tells us He allows these men to come among His people to put us to the test so that those who are "approved" may be recognized! How we respond to divisive and disobedient teachers and their teaching will reveal what kind of a believer we really are. When we encounter people that claim to be spiritual teachers of truth from God but their teaching produces attitudes, actions, and speech that is clearly unbiblical, how we respond is important.

  5. How should the Spiritual Leaders in the Church respond to False Teachers?

  6.

False doctrine and false teachers must be dealt with very seriously, very firmly, very directly, and very decisively. False doctrine and those who teach it are not new problems for the modern church. Sadly, false teachers existed in Paul's day, and his instruction to the leaders and members of those early churches is as important now as it was then. Here are some of the more important instructions regarding the matter of false teachers and their bad doctrine.

  * Guard the truth vigilantly against them. –

  * 1 Timothy 4:1-5,16

  * Note divisive or disobedient teachers or leaders and stay away from them. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

  * Warn them and then eject them from the church. – Titus 3:10

  7. How can I avoid being influenced by them and their teaching?

  8.

The best defense is a good offense. And the best offense against error is to aggressively pursue knowing God through His Word. Often believers want to protect sound doctrine by studying false doctrine in an effort to refute it. While such studies have limited profitability in certain settings, by far the best approach to false doctrine is to avoid it entirely. You will recognize error when you see it if you have filled your mind with truth from God's Word. Someone once observed that the sign of a growing Christian is a well-marked Bible. Here are some quick suggestions to get you started.

  * Be Word-filled

  * Love and study the Word of God.

  * Be obedient and holy

  * Deny self, resist sin, and mortify the flesh.

  * Be humble and submissive

  * ...to God and to God-appointed authorities who are over you.

  * Be supportive and serving

  * ...in the Church of Christ. Declare your loyalties. Don't allow disgruntled or disobedient people to feel comfortable confiding in you. When you are constantly refusing to tolerate or condone evil, then those who are involved will soon avoid you!

  9. What does the importance placed on doctrine mean on a practical level for Gospel Grace Church?

  10.

Since we take these biblical instructions about sound doctrine seriously, there are some practical implications for our ministry. If we take doctrine seriously and commit ourselves to teaching, obeying, and contending for it when necessary, then there are certain events we can't sanction or participate in without compromising the gospel outright, or sending a mixed message about the importance of right doctrine, or disobeying one or more of these clear New Testament texts. Let us give you two specific examples.

Because we value clear teaching in the New Testament regarding the importance of protecting the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are not able to promote or participate in an ecumenical evangelistic crusade where leaders of churches that do not line up with the Bible teaching on salvation or other important doctrines, such as inspiration, are welcome as a part of the platform team or where "converts" of such an effort are sent back to these kinds of churches. We certainly rejoice when anyone is truly saved and born again, but because the New Testament clearly teaches the "end does not justify the means" (2 Corinthians 4:1-6), we sorrowfully can't participate.

Another important implication for us as a church involves our commitment to protect biblical doctrine in a clear, loving, and balanced way so we don't engage in activities that create confusion about what we really believe regarding the major doctrines of our faith. For example, when we are asked to participate in a cooperative event in a context where our commitment to certain doctrines must be temporarily set aside so we can work together for a common cause with those who either deny those doctrines or have no problem with those who deny those doctrines, our commitment to those core doctrines must come first.

  11. How can I find out more about the major doctrines of the Christian faith?

  12.

There are three important ways you can grow in your understanding of biblical doctrine.

  * The first is to be an attentive and aggressive listener in all of our services. Gospel Grace's preaching philosophy is based on preaching through the different books of the Bible paragraph by paragraph. If you listen carefully and preserve your learning by taking notes, you will be amazed at how quickly you will begin to make connections about the major doctrines taught in the Bible.

  * A second important way you can connect doctrinally is through our community groups, which currently meet on Wednesday evenings in various homes of Gospel Grace Church family members.

  * A third way you can connect doctrinally is by investing in a good study Bible that will give you important information about the passage you are reading or hearing preached. There are many good study Bibles available, but there are a couple we would most recommend.

One of them is the MacArthur Study Bible, which is available in New King James, New American Standard, and English Standard versions. Crossway Books has also published a very helpful Bible study tool with its ESV Study Bible.

Finally, if you want to connect quickly and thoroughly with the major doctrines that we hold at Gospel Grace Church and you want something a bit more thorough than our doctrinal statement, you may want to consider reading one or more of the following books.

  *  Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie. This is a good basic, entry-level doctrines book that covers all the major doctrines in a fairly simple and understandable manner. Obviously, you will want to read thoughtfully since, as with all such theological treatments, there are a few places where we differ from Ryrie on debatable interpretations. But for the most part, this is a fair and balanced treatment of the major doctrines taught in the Bible.

  *  A second resource along these lines worth reading is Understanding Christian Theology edited by Charles Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck.

  *  If you are a more serious student and you want to tackle something a bit more thorough, the book you want is Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. We wouldn't necessarily agree on every single interpretation of doctrine, but as a whole, this is a thorough but balanced presentation of the major biblical doctrines of Christianity.

week #5

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MESSAGE

What Is Our Statement of Faith?

The single most important thing about a church is what it believes. The only reason this church exists, the only reason we are gathered together today is because this statement is true—because what we believe matters. What we believe, in fact, is a matter of life and death.

Some Christians are opposed to statements of faith. Christian revelation, Jesus, they say, is too great to be reduced to mere mechanical formulas. In one sense, this is true. No statement of faith can perfectly plumb the depths of God's knowledge and purposes. And yet the good news of Jesus Christ is nonetheless about news, truths, propositional truths about God, ourselves, and Christ, and these truths must be understood, believed, and lived out if we are to have any hope in this life and the life to come. And so what we want to accomplish in the next two weeks is to consider what it is that we as a church believe. Before we begin, let us share a few words about "Statements of Faith."

  * First, they are biblical. We see them in Scripture.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures., that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day..." (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

Paul goes on to list more factual statements about the gospel that the church in Corinth knew from Paul, Jesus, and the apostles and that they must maintain in order to be faithful. They are also biblical in a second sense, in that they are summaries of the Bible's (as opposed to man's) teachings.

  * Second, statements of faith are historical. That is to say, they've been used widely by the Church since the first century to clarify the Bible's teaching and thereby build unity and guard against heresy, or false teaching.

  * Thirdly, statements of faith are exactly that; they are mere statements. They are not meant to be exhaustive statements of doctrine but rather summaries of some essential elements of the Christian faith laid out in Scripture.

Before we walk through each section, you will notice that we have grouped the 11 sections of our Statement of Faith into three categories.

First there are those sections that are HISTORICALLY CHRISTIAN.

These sections would be affirmed by any historic Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, or Protestant church. And you will noticed that they make up the majority of our statement. The reason we say Historically Christian is because there have been two great divides in Christianity over the past 1,000 years. The first was the Reformation in the 1500s, which would lead to the recovery of the gospel and a split between Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church. The second was a liberal/conservative divide during the Enlightenment of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; not in a political sense, but in regards to Scripture and authority. During this period there was a move away from traditional conservative beliefs that the Bible is God's inerrant Word—fully trustworthy and sufficient in all of its teachings. And in its place, people began to believe and teach that our final authority is not Scripture but human reason. Human reason, not divine revelation, would be our guiding principle. This affected almost every Christian church. For the purpose of explaining our statement of faith, we are concerned with what is historically Christian, leaving aside the confusing mess that liberalism has brought in the last two centuries.

Secondly there are a number of sections classified as EVANGELICAL.

These are sections that classify us as Evangelical. These mark us out as a Protestant church, over and against the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Church.

Lastly, we have three sections of our statement of faith that define us as BAPTISTS.

These sections distinguish us from other Protestants, such as Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, etc.

Most simply, our statement says that Gospel Grace Church is a Christian, Evangelical, Baptist church. Our statement of faith is divided into 11 sections, which speak to the fact that we can be called by each of these names.

The Historically Christian sections simply show what Christians have always believed; in other words, issues that there have traditionally been rarely disputed over in Christendom.

The Evangelical category highlights the critical issues related to the Gospel that were recovered during the Reformation.

The Baptist categories highlight what are distinctive features of Gospel Grace Church, which are also true of historic Baptist churches.

 Mark Dever, adapted from (Statement of Faith Overview Chart) Membership Matters: What Is our Statement of Faith?, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., May 1998
week #6

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MESSAGE

Our Statement of Faith

Cited verses are available for reading in the appendix, p. 115.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (2 Pet. 1:20-21), is the only, authoritative, sufficient, infallible Word of God, verbally inspired and without error in the original manuscripts. (2 Tim. 3:16) We hold to a normal, literal interpretation of Scripture. >>READ VERSES

God

We believe in one God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 45:5-7), existing in a unity of three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are coequal, coeternal, and consubstantial (2 Cor. 13:14). He is the Creator of all things, (Gen. 1:1-31; Eph. 3:9) holy (Rev. 4:8), sovereign (Psalm 103:19), loving, and infinitely perfect in every way. >>READ VERSES

The Father

We believe that God the Father is the first person of the Trinity, who is the only absolute, omnipotent ruler in the universe (Rom. 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator, He is the Father of all men (Eph. 4:6), but He is Spiritual Father only to believers (Rom. 8:14). God the Father elects (Eph. 1:4-6), calls, justifies (Rom. 8:30), adopts (Rom. 8:15), and ultimately glorifies His own. >>READ VERSES

Jesus Christ

We believe in the eternal deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His becoming a man without ceasing to be God (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9), in His virgin birth (Is. 7:14), in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His substitutionary and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross (John 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24), in His bodily resurrection (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:20,23), and in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33). We believe He ever lives to make intercession for His saints (Heb. 7:25) and that He is coming again to rule and reign in power and glory (Is. 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33). >>READ VERSES

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-9). He regenerates sinners (Titus 3:5) and places them into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). He also seals (Eph. 1:13), comforts (John 15:26), indwells (Rom. 8:9-11), illuminates (1 Cor. 2:12), guides (Rom. 8:14), and equips and empowers (Gal. 5:22-23) believers for Christ-like living and service. He gives gifts for the building up of the church (1 Cor. 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Every Christian is gifted by the Spirit of God for the purpose of edifying the church and doing the work of the ministry (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Rom. 12:6-8). >>READ VERSES

Mankind

We believe that man was created sinless in the image of God (Gen. 1:26; 2:7; James 3:9) and that through transgression he incurred physical and spiritual death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). As a result, all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God and under His wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). Apart from God's gracious intervention, man is without help or hope and completely depraved (Rom. 5:12). >>READ VERSES

Salvation

We believe that the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life is a miraculous work of God by grace alone, through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9), in Christ alone (John 14:6; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). It is the unmerited demonstration of God's love, available to all those who repent (turn from their sin) and trust in Jesus' atoning death and victorious resurrection (2 Cor. 7:10; Luke 13:3; Heb. 9:28; John 1:12). It is only through God's saving work in Jesus Christ that man can be justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified (1 Cor. 6:11; Rom. 8:30). >>READ VERSES

Christian Living

We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. This should result in a life that is separate from sin and set apart to God (Rom 6:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:7). He commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially (Matt. 22:37-39; John 15:12-13) and to live out our faith in growing obedience to the Word and Holy Spirit such that we are progressively changed into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). Growing Christians use their God-given gifts for the purpose of edifying the church (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Pet. 4:10), doing the work of the ministry, and obeying our Lord's command to make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). >>READ VERSES

Things to Come

We believe in the imminent return of Christ and the gathering up of his church known as the blessed hope (1 Thess. 4:16; Titus 2:13). We believe in the tribulation (2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16), the personal and physical second coming of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev. 20:1-7), and the eternal state wherein the unsaved are judged and condemned to a literal hell (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15) and the saved are glorified to enjoy everlasting blessing in the presence of God (2 Pet 3:10; John 17:3; Rev. 21:2). >>READ VERSES

The Church

We believe that the Church is the body and bride of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8) into which all true believers of the present age are placed and that the members of this spiritual body should assemble themselves together in local churches (1 Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25), which consist of committed, baptized believers. We believe that the New Testament describes congregational church government as being pastor/elder led and deacon served (1 Tim 3:1-13 ; Titus 1:5-9). We believe that the commission of the church is to make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey Christ's commands (Matt 28:19-20). The fulfillment of this commission eventuates in the perpetual, intentional establishment of new local churches (Acts 13; Acts 14:23,27; 2 Tim. 2:2). We believe that the church must maintain its purity by practicing biblical discipline (Matt. 18:15-19) and separation from false teaching (Matt. 7:15-20; 2 Timothy 3:14; Titus 3:10). >>READ VERSES

The Ordinances

We recognize believer's baptism by immersion (Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-4) and the Lord's Supper (Communion) (Acts 2:38-42) as the Scriptural ordinances for the church in this age. Both of them visibly and tangibly express the gospel, and though they are not a means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in faith-filled obedience, these ordinances spiritually nourish the believer and bear witness to the work of our Savior (1 Cor. 11:23-26). >>READ VERSES

Historic Baptist Distinctives

We identify with a rich heritage of those who have held to the following scripturally derived principles: biblical authority, autonomy of the local church, priesthood of the believer, two ordinances, individual soul liberty, saved and baptized church membership, two church offices, and separation of church and state. (See Week #3 – Understanding Our Identity for a thorough explanation and definition of the historic Baptist distinctives.)

SECTION 3

OUR MINISTRY

week #7

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MINISTRY

Great Expectations (Part 1)

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." Solomon's wise words reveal a fundamental key for healthy relationships involving setting proper expectations and meeting them appropriately. Nothing is more discouraging to the soul than unmet expectations. And when unmet expectations are left unaddressed, they can become relationship killers.

Our desire is that when you become a part of the Gospel Grace family, you will find a community of people who, although certainly not perfect, are committed to protecting and enhancing the relational unity of the body by understanding and fulfilling the appropriate expectations set by Christ for His Church and its members. Fulfilling this goal will require both a clear setting forth of what those expectations are on a personal and corporate level as well as a clarification of what those expectations mean for each of us who are members of Gospel Grace Church. It may also involve the removal or setting aside of certain expectations that individuals may bring with them to Gospel Grace Church when they are not in line with the mission, direction, biblical philosophy, or ministry atmosphere that Gospel Grace Church is committed to maintain.

Membership is a scary word for many people. It is especially scary when it comes to becoming a member of a church. The reason that joining a church is so difficult for some people is that membership implies commitment. And, most of the time, we are afraid of commitments. We live in an age and in a culture where personal independence, individual consumerism, and freedom from responsibility abound on every hand. And because we have to some degree been influenced by our surrounding culture, often we tend to shape our involvement with God's church by these same values. However, commitment is a biblical concept and an important aspect of being a part of any family. For any church to move forward for the Lord and to fulfill the mission He has given, it must be made up of faithful and committed members who want to serve Christ more than they want to be "served" (Matthew 20:28).

Whatever the reason, a failure to understand committed church membership from God's perspective is spiritually unhealthy. God's intent is that the local church be central to the life of his people. Becoming a committed church member is how God intends for his people to live out the faith and experience Christian community.

Church membership means commitment. Church membership begins when we commit to a particular body of believers. It is maintained by that same commitment. It is not simply a record of a box we once checked. It is not a sentimental feeling. It is not an expression of loyalty toward parents. It should be a reflection of living commitment. Church is not like a gym membership. People join a gym at the beginning of the year when they feel a surge of motivation to "get in shape." But they soon struggle to stay committed to the club. Year after year, they occasionally attend, always feeling guilty, yet unwilling to change their pattern of un-involvement. Soon the expense is just a hassle and they quit the gym altogether. People do the same with church. They join in a surge of spiritual fervor but soon fall off and then feel guilty. They go once in a while until the expense and hassle seem too much, then they quit altogether. Church memberships require commitment.

Perhaps the best way to make sure we are on the same page when it comes to expectations that you might have of us or we might have of you is to work through a series of questions. And perhaps the best question to start with is one I am sure is at the top of your list.

What are the major commitments Gospel Grace Church expects of each member?

If Gospel Grace Church is going to succeed in accomplishing the mission God has entrusted to us, there are seven commitments each of our members must faithfully strive to fulfill.

  * COMMITMENT ONE

  * Doctrinal & Philosophical Agreement

It is only reasonable that every member be expected to be in full agreement with the major doctrines held and taught by Gospel Grace Church. In our time together, we have clarified there are some areas of doctrine that are taught with less clarity and consequently leave room for charitable disagreement. But when it comes to the major or cardinal doctrines taught in the Scriptures and articulated in our Statement of Faith, there must be committed agreement. Because doctrine must be lived out in life, our practice must be shaped by and should reflect what we say we believe both corporately in our worship and individually in our walk. For this reason, it is important that every member clearly understand and be in agreement with our mission statement as well as our philosophy of ministry as we attempt to fulfill that mission. Both our mission statement and philosophy of ministry were covered in the early sessions of this series.

Perhaps a comment by a pastor of a church that has demonstrated a biblical commitment to truth and obedience might help us to see this point more clearly.

If we were to lay out everything that constitutes sound teaching, we would reproduce the whole Bible. But in practice, every church decides that matters in which there needs to be complete agreement, can be limited agreement, and can be complete liberty. In the church I serve...we require each person who would be a member to believe in salvation through the work of Jesus Christ alone. We also confess the same (or very similar) understandings of believer's baptism and of church polity. Uniformity on these second two points is not essential for salvation, but agreement on them is both helpful practically and healthy for the life of the church (an example of complete agreement). We can allow some disagreement over matters that seem necessary neither for salvation, nor for the practical life of the church. So, for instance, though we all agree that Christ will return, we are not surprised that there may be disagreement among us about the timing of his return (an example of limited agreement). We can enjoy entire liberty of matters still less central or clear such as the authorship of Hebrews or the rightness / appropriateness of certain methods of civil resistance (an example of complete freedom). In all of this the principle should be plain: the closer we get to the heart of our faith, the more we expect to see our unity expressed in a shared understanding of the faith. The early church put it this way. In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity.

Two further clarifications are important. First, while it is to be expected that not every member will agree on every interpretation of certain non-central doctrines, it is also to be expected that every member should hold such views charitably and non-divisively when it comes to other members who disagree with them. Because we greatly value the unity of the Church, we are determined to protect the body against divisive teaching and those who promote it. Second, because we value clarity as well as unity, it is to be expected that any person who is entrusted with a teaching ministry of Gospel Grace Church would be in agreement with the doctrinal positions and biblical interpretations of the pastoral leadership and would teach in such a way as to be supportive of those positions.

  * COMMITMENT TWO

  * Faithful Attendance & Participation

A healthy church is one in which the members are faithful and active in their attendance and participation each time they gather. For this reason, the second major commitment each member should be willing to make is that of faithful participation in our regularly scheduled gatherings. We have two primary gatherings, which take place weekly, Sunday Morning Corporate Worship and mid-week community groups. Some churches have members on the church roll that have not attended for months or even years and yet are still counted as part of the church. While we understand that there are times and circumstances that may necessitate a prolonged absence or prohibit regular attendance for a time, we expect members to make it a priority to be faithful in their attendance. You should view your attendance as the first and most important ministry in the church. Be present, be known, and be active. This includes quality and quantity time (Heb. 10:24-25). If you are a member, you should strive to faithfully be here. A recent statistic from the SBC revealed that "the typical Southern Baptist Church has 233 members with only 70 attending on Sunday morning."

Why is it crucial that I participate in our weekly Sunday Corporate Worship Gatherings?

We simply make it a priority to gather each Sunday as a church, because we recognize the Scriptural imperatives for the church to gather each week to...

...Proclaim the Word through the public reading and preaching of Scripture.

We want to stress the importance of the Word in church life. Preaching is not an antiquated remnant of traditional high church practice left over from the pre-video, pre-amp, pre-microphone days. Preaching is a God-designed means of declaring his truth to his corporate body (Rom. 10:17): "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." 1 Cor. 1:21: "Since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." Sound, expositional preaching is a fountainhead for spiritual growth in the church.

A pastor was teaching a day-long seminar on Puritanism in London. At one point he noted that the Puritan sermons were sometimes two hours long. A member of the class gasped audibly and asked, "What time did that leave for worship?" Clearly, that student assumed that listening to God's Word preached did not constitute worship. The pastor replied, "Many English Protestants in former centuries believed that the most essential part of their worship was hearing God's Word in their own language (a freedom purchased by the blood of more than one martyr) and responding to it in their lives. Whether they had time to sing, though not entirely insignificant, was of comparatively little concern to them."

Pastors should be focused on prayer and ministry of the Word as a core competencies (1 Tim. 5:17): "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." (Acts 6:4, 1 Timothy 3:2, and Titus 2:1.)

...Corporately affirm their faith and worship of God through the singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.

There are many examples of God's people singing in the assembly. There are Old Testament roots to congregational singing. The people of Israel sang (Ex. 15:1). There were special people set up over the service of song in the tabernacle (1 Chron. 6:31-32). There were singers in the temple as well. Early Christians sang together (James 5:13): "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." Pliny, the Roman governor of Bithynia, in his letter to Trajan, the Emperor, in A.D. 112 wrote that believers of his province were in the habit of meeting on a fixed day before dawn and "reciting a hymn antiphonally to Christ as God" Tertullian, toward the end of the second century, tells of the Christian love feast at which "each is invited to sing to God in the presence of the others what he knows of the holy Scripture or from his own heart" (Apology 39). Paul instructed the churches to sing (Col. 3:16): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"; (Eph. 5:19) "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

...Give themselves to prayer.

One of the reasons God assembled the congregation of believers known as the church was for prayer. One of the intended purposes of the church was prayer. The first assembly known as the church is mentioned in Acts 2 after Pentecost. Peter had been preaching, and thousands of people were saved and baptized that day. There were about 3,000 souls added to the church that day (v. 41). Notice one of the things they did as a congregation. (v. 42) Not only did they learn doctrine, fellowship, and break bread...It says that they assembled in prayers! In Acts 4 Peter and John had been threatened by the rulers and elders not to preach in Jesus' name any more. Notice what the church did (Acts 4:24-31). They prayed.

Trace the record of the church, and you will find that one of the intended purposes of the gathering of believers was for prayer. Justin Martyr (2nd century – letter to unsaved Emperor) wrote, "On the day called Sunday there is a meeting in one place of those who live in cities or the country, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits. When the reader has finished, the president in a discourse urges and invites [us] to the imitation of these noble things. Then we all stand up together and offer prayers. And, as said before, when we have finished the prayer, bread is brought, and wine and water, and the president similarly sends up prayers and thanksgivings to the best of his ability, and the congregation assents, saying the Amen;..." [The First Apology by Justin Martyr – 2nd century] God has always intended his people to gather for that purpose. Remember Jesus in the Temple at the triumphal entry (Matt. 21:12-13). In that text, Jesus quotes Jeremiah7:9-11 and Isaiah 56:6-7. He says that the temple was intended to be a "house of prayer." The church is the spiritual temple of God and it too is meant for prayer.

This is why it is essential that each member make a commitment to not just gather each Sunday but to whole-heartedly participate.

Why is it crucial that I participate in Community Groups?

Though each Christian has a personal relationship with God, that relationship is not individual or private. The Christian faith is not intended to be lived in isolation. We were made for community—relationship with God and with each other. The local church is not merely a place that we attend but a people to whom we belong. The Bible calls us members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) with the expectation that we contribute to the body for the glory of God and the good of His people. Gospel-centered community is a radical call amid a culture of mere attendance and casual involvement. It involves mutual love, care, consistency, and authenticity as we seek to adorn the person and work of Christ with our lives.

Where these elements are lacking, we have moved away from gospel-centered community and into the realm of social clubs. Groups are not perfect, and those who participate in them will find them messy at times. However, our hope is that group members will be radically committed to reform from within. This takes time, prayer, effort, patience, love, trust, and hope.

Beyond these two weekly gatherings, we would expect for you to be present for all members' meetings, including the annual congregational meeting held in December of each year.

  * COMMITMENT THREE

  * Biblical Stewardship of Resources

God has chosen to supply the financial needs for Gospel Grace Church through the joyful, voluntary, sacrificial, regular giving of its members. As a congregation desiring to follow the teaching of the New Testament, we have adopted the philosophy of "Grace Giving" as modeled and taught by the early Church and her leaders in the New Testament. The biblical basis for "Grace Giving" is found in three chapters all written by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 8-9). These chapters reveal that Grace Giving is based on an Old Testament pattern known as the "tithe," which involved every Jew living in God's earthly kingdom, Israel, giving at least ten percent of their income to the temple for God's use. While we are no longer under the Mosaic Law, which required us to give ten percent of our income to God, we should live in light of God's New Testament expansion of this Old Testament principle. Simply stated, in most cases, God took Old Testament laws and did two things to them. He internalized them, and He intensified them. For example, the Old Testament Law forbade people from committing adultery. Jesus internalized and intensified this prohibition by telling His disciples that it was wrong to even look on a woman with a lustful heart. Under the Old Testament legal system, murder was forbidden. Jesus internalized and intensified this prohibition by forbidding hatred and hurtful speech against an enemy. Jesus did the same thing for positive commands as well. In Old Testament times, a person was commanded to forgive when certain requirements had been met by the offender. Jesus internalized and intensified this by telling His followers to forgive seventy times seven. Jesus' followers were not just to give aid to the desperate; they were to double their aid by going two miles instead of the required one mile, to give their coat as well as monetary aid, and to turn the other cheek when assaulted unjustly. Since the New Testament pattern involved Jesus internalizing and intensifying Old Testament patterns, then, when it comes to financial giving, believers should internalize (God loves a cheerful giver) and intensify (generously and abundantly) their giving. This means that a believer who has experienced God's grace will not be content to remain under the Old Testament tithe but will seek to give regularly and abundantly to God's work.

"[5] and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. [6] Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. [7] But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. [8] I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine." (2 Corinthians 8:5-8)

Implicit in this passage is the call for every believer to not only be willing to give financially but to also surrender their time and labors to the work of God.

  * COMMITMENT FOUR

  * Joyful Submission

When you read the New Testament, you can't get away from the call to submission. You are called to submit as a Christian in the context of the church.

  * You submit to God (James 4:7).

  * You also must submit to one another (Eph. 5:21) in the church.

  * You must submit to church leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5). God set the church up as the highest authority in our lives here on earth (also note 1 Cor. 6:1-2; Matt. 18), and we are called to submit.

  * COMMITMENT FIVE

  * Peaceful Conflict Resolution

It is a fact that all churches will face conflict at some point. The measure of a church's health is by no means the absence of conflict but the manner in which its members handle that conflict peacefully as they submit to God's plan for conflict resolution.

You make a commitment to seek peace (Rom. 14:19; James 3:18). You shouldn't be a contentious, self-seeking, argumentative, un-teachable, stubborn, and unbending person. Seek peace with others.

You make a commitment to deal with problems God's way. You should be a good forgiver (Eph. 4:32). You should pursue reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Matt. 5:23-24). Having been reconciled to God through Christ, Christians have been given the ministry of reconciliation. A committed believer strives to repair breaches and problems as soon as possible.

  * COMMITMENT SIX

  * Joyful Service

A fourth area of commitment for the members of Gospel Grace Church is to invest their time and the use of their spiritual gifts in service to God in some area of the ministry. There are many areas of ministry where opportunities to serve abound. God has equipped every believer with a gift to be employed for the benefit of the entire church body.

"[8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: [11] whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Pet. 4:8-11)

  * COMMITMENT SEVEN

  * Christlike Testimony

A final commitment and one that is no less important than the others is the expectation we have as a church that each member will live in such a way as to be a good testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and of Gospel Grace Church. Jesus instructed His disciples to live in such a way so that when others saw their good deeds they would glorify the Father who is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Our desire as a congregation is to live authentic, loving, and obedient lives so that we can represent the Lord Jesus Christ accurately and attractively to a watching world. This means that we must be committed to living pure lives in the midst of an impure world (Philippians 2:15) this means that we must do all we can to model righteousness both morally and ethically in every relationship both in our homes as well as in the marketplace of life. This means that we must strive to guard our testimony so that we don't give unbelievers occasion to mock our faith or our claim to be followers of Christ. We must do all we can with the Spirit's help and guidance to avoid letting our good be evil spoken of by unbelievers (Romans 14:16).

Church Covenant

By way of reminding us of our commitment as followers and ambassadors of Christ and members of Gospel Grace Church, we have adopted a church covenant that we ask each member to embrace and strive to live by. We intend to remind ourselves of our commitments by affirming this covenant regularly as a church family.

The church covenant of Gospel Grace Church describes a member's commitment to the body. By signing it upon membership and affirming it regularly, we express our commitment to live out our faith. It reminds us that we cannot live in isolated individualism or unrepentant sin. It provides a biblical standard of behavior and reminds us of the obligations that membership entails for our lifestyles and interactions with each other. Living out the spirit of this covenant reduces nominalism and enhances accountability and growth in the church.

Having been brought by the grace of God to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized by immersion upon our profession of faith in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

By God's gracious aid, we will walk together in Christian love, working and praying for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will seek to promote the affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another, as occasion requires. We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows. We will aid one another in sickness and distress and cultivate Christian compassion toward the needy and downtrodden. We will be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation.

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. We will seek to sustain the church's worship, community, ordinances, doctrines and discipline. We will contribute of ourselves and our resources cheerfully, sacrificially, and regularly to the support of the ministry, expenses of the church, relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

We will endeavor to bring up those that are under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example seek the salvation of our family and friends. We will pursue a living relationship with God through the reading and application of His word. We will walk wisely in the world, be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct. We will seek to pursue peace with men and holiness before God.

To these and all other Christian duties we humbly and cheerfully submit ourselves, striving to faithfully perform them in the strength of our Lord. We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

week #8

UNDERSTANDING

OUR MINISTRY

Great Expectations (Part 2)

What can I expect of the leadership of Gospel Grace Church?

  * A Commitment to a

  * Team Philosophy of Leadership

The leadership philosophy of Gospel Grace Church can be summed up in the concept of a "team." This means that while there is certainly accountability and appropriate authority, leadership is shared among godly, qualified men, who have been recognized and appointed by the congregation as their pastor/elder(s) and deacons. Because we believe the New Testament teaching is the final authority for both our doctrine as well as our practice, Gospel Grace Church is committed to limiting the leadership offices to the two mentioned in the New Testament: Pastor/Elder and Deacon. These offices are to be held by men who meet the biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

You can and should expect that the pastors and deacons at Gospel Grace Church will be men who are faithful and committed to the Word and to the work of God and who meet the moral, spiritual, and ministry qualifications set forth in the New Testament.

  * Led by Pastor/Elder(s)

In our congregation, the lead pastor carries the primary responsibility to feed, lead, and equip the flock through expository preaching of God's Word and casting of vision for the ministry. Serving alongside him is a team of pastor/elder(s) who share the responsibility of leading, shepherding, administering, and carrying out the work of the ministry.

  * Served by Deacons

Deacons are also appointed by the pastor/elder(s) and affirmed by the congregation to serve the body. More information about the function of these offices and the manner in which they will minister at Gospel Grace Church is outlined in the church's constitution.

  * A Commitment to Church Discipline

The following statement summarizes what Gospel Grace Church embraces as a biblical understanding of Church Discipline.

Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus may be dishonored, and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 and the example of Scripture. Church discipline should ordinarily be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed. It can include admonition by the elders or congregation, suspension from communion for a definite period, deposition from office, and/or excommunication. Upon the exercise of Scriptural excommunication, all membership privileges shall be immediately suspended and all tokens of Christian fellowship shall immediately cease until such time as restoration and reconciliation take place. Instruction and examples concerning this can be seen in Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5. The purpose of such discipline should be for the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined. It should be for the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians, as an example to them. It should protect the purity of the church as a whole and the integrity of its witness to non-Christians. Church discipline is supremely for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character. (Excerpt from Article VI of the Gospel Grace Church Constitution)

How does Gospel Grace Church handle the diversity of ideas and opinions that people sometimes bring with them into a church like Gospel Grace Church?

Any church of any size is bound to have a diversity of ideas within its membership. And some of those ideas may be strongly held by some members of the congregation and not by others. Some of these ideas might include whether a member believes it best to homeschool their children or send them to public or private school, adopts particular diets, embraces various forms of entertainment, celebrates or chooses not to celebrate certain holidays, or whether a particular family believes it best to allow or not allow their children to engage in dating relationships. We have determined that such decisions are entirely the prerogative of each person to live their lives out in well-reasoned faith before the Lord (Romans 14:5-6).

We believe that choosing to demonstrate love toward each other in the midst of differences of opinions rather than demanding uniformity brings glory to God and reflects His love toward us (Romans 14). (For more thorough teaching on how we intend to deal with these types of differences in the church, please listen to "Mutual Acceptance" and "Liberty Motivated By Love"—two sermons preached from Romans 14 by Pastor Lukus Counterman.

These messages and more can be found at http://www.gospelgracechurch.com/resources/sermon-audio.

How does Gospel Grace Church handle sensitive cultural issues that face the church?

It is true that churches face challenges that stem from a commitment to encourage its members to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Because righteous living can never completely be legislated by a list of rules that each member conforms to, we are committed to applying biblical principles to the issues that Gospel Grace Church may face at any time. We desire to practice biblical and Spirit-directed discernment in whatever cultural issues the church may face in any given generation. Let us also clarify that the issues we are referring to are not major doctrinal issues that are core to the Christian faith.

For example, the cultural issues Gospel Grace Church faces today may not be the exact issues it may face ten or fifteen years from now, but the commitment to apply biblical principles that guide our lives and conduct are timeless and require us to make honest applications in changing generations. We intend to embrace balanced, Scripturally-informed decisions in a way that doesn't trample one's liberty while also promoting unity in the body.

What is the next step in the membership process, and what do I need to do to join?

We hope we will soon have the privilege of presenting you to our congregation for membership! Here are four steps that our church has set for a person who desires to become a member.

  * First, you must take the membership class, which you have obviously done. So be encouraged, you are more than halfway there!

  * Second, you must be a believer in Jesus Christ, profess faith in Him as the sole basis for your salvation, have been baptized by immersion following your conversion, and not be under church discipline from another likeminded assembly. You must also be in agreement with Gospel Grace Church's Statement of Faith (included in both week #5 and #6 in your notebook as well as the Church Constitution).

  * Third, you will need to fill out a membership form and turn it in to one of the pastors. We will provide these forms to you at the close of the membership class. To summarize, one of the sections of the membership form asks you to write out your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and another will ask if you are in agreement with the church's Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, and Core Values, and have read and are willing to submit to the Church Constitution.

  * Fourth, after you have filled out your membership form, you will meet for a brief meeting with one of the pastors. This meeting will give us an opportunity to hear and read how you came to Christ and how He has led you to want to join our church. It will also be a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about Gospel Grace Church and allow us to help identify a place for you to serve the Body. Perhaps in learning more about following the Lord you have come to a realization that you would like to be baptized. We would love to talk with you about how you can take that step of obedience.

Once these steps have been successfully completed, the elders will present you to the congregation for membership.

While our constitution states that a person must be 18 years old to be a voting member, individuals under 18 who meet the qualifications, take the initiative, and desire to take the step of identifying with Gospel Grace Church may pursue church membership.

APPENDIX

CONSTITUTION

It has pleased Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call certain of His servants to unite in 2012 under the name Gospel Grace Church for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore we, the members of Gospel Grace Church, do hereby organize ourselves in accord with the Utah Nonprofit Corporation and Cooperation Association Act and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and adopt this Constitution as our articles of governance, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of and bring glory to Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Holy Bible and articulated in the standards set forth in the Statement of Faith, Covenant, and Bylaws of this church.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this Corporation is Gospel Grace Church as recorded in the Articles of Incorporation in the state of Utah. It is a Utah nonprofit religious Corporation with its principal offices in Salt Lake City, Utah.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

This church exists for the glory of God, which shall be the ultimate purpose in all its activities. It is organized as a Baptist congregation for exclusively religious reasons (including charitable purposes common to church ministry as defined by Scripture). This church seeks to worship God in truth, build communities of faith, serve others with love, and share the story of grace.

ARTICLE III – STATEMENT OF FAITH

(See page 67)

ARTICLE IV – CHURCH COVENANT

Summary \- The church covenant of Gospel Grace Church describes a member's commitment to the body. By signing it upon membership and affirming it regularly, we express our commitment to live out our faith. It reminds us that we cannot live in isolated individualism or unrepentant sin. It provides a biblical standard of behavior and reminds us of the obligations that membership entails for our lifestyles and interactions with each other. Living out the spirit of this covenant reduces nominalism and enhances accountability and growth in the church.

Covenant \- Having been brought by the grace of God to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized by immersion upon our profession of faith in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

By God's gracious aid, we will walk together in Christian love, working and praying for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will seek to promote the affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion requires. We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows. We will aid one another in sickness and distress and cultivate Christian compassion toward the needy and downtrodden. We will be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation.

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. We will seek to sustain the church's worship, community, ordinances, doctrines and discipline. We will contribute of ourselves and our resources cheerfully, sacrificially, and regularly to the support of the ministry, expenses of the church, relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

We will endeavor to bring up those that are under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example seek the salvation of our family and friends. We will pursue a living relationship with God through the reading and application of His word. We will walk wisely in the world, be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct. We will seek to pursue peace with men and holiness before God.

To these and all other Christian duties we humbly and cheerfully submit ourselves, striving to faithfully perform them in the strength of our Lord. We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

ARTICLE V – CHURCH GOVERNMENT

This church acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as its only head and Chief Shepherd. The Bible shall be the sole authority in matters of faith, and shall prescribe the nature and practice of this congregation. The government of this church shall be congregational with authority vested in its members. They shall hold title to all properties, and their vote shall be final in all matters pertaining to the church. The congregation shall be led by scripturally qualified pastor/elder(s) and served by scripturally qualified deacon(s).

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP

Summary \- Members of this church shall be believers in Jesus Christ who profess faith in Him as the sole basis for their salvation. They shall believe wholeheartedly in the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible, have lives that give evidence of regeneration, and have been baptized by immersion following their conversion. Each member must agree to submit to the teaching of scripture as expressed in the Statement of Faith, pledge to keep the commitments expressed in the Church Covenant, and identify with the Mission Statement and Core Values. The pastor/elder(s) shall be responsible for determining each person's qualification for membership. In making this determination, they may rely on a person's profession of faith, or other such evidence as the pastor/elder(s) deem appropriate. Voting in congregational meetings is limited to members who are 18 years or older.

Reception of Members – To be admitted into membership at Gospel Grace Church, applicants shall be recommended by the pastor/elder(s) for admission and accepted by vote of the members at any regular or special meeting of the members. In preparation for membership recommendation, applicants must fill out an application form which includes a written testimony of their salvation, a testimony of believer's baptism by immersion, a declaration that they are not under discipline from another church, and a signed affirmation of agreement with the Constitution of the church. In addition to this, applicants are required to complete the New Members curriculum in order to better understand the history, vision, and values of Gospel Grace Church.

Duties and Privileges of Membership – Under Christ, this congregation is governed by its members. Therefore, it is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend all members' meetings and vote on the election of officers, on decisions regarding membership status, and on such other matters as may be submitted to a vote. In accord with the duties outlined in the Church Covenant, each member shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the church, consistent with God's leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God. Only those shall be entitled to serve in the ministries of the church who are members of this congregation; non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the pastor/elder(s). Non-members may serve the church for the purposes of administration and professional consultation.

Termination of Membership – The church shall recognize the termination of a person's membership after a three-month period of inactivity or absence (without satisfactory explanation to the pastor/elder(s)), after he or she has voluntarily resigned, after joining with another church, or following his or her death. Membership may also be terminated as an act of church discipline upon vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting of the members. The church shall have authority to refuse a member's voluntary resignation or transfer of membership to another church, either for the purpose of proceeding with a process of church discipline, or for any other biblical reason.

Church Discipline – Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus may be dishonored, and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 and the example of Scripture. Church discipline should ordinarily be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed. It can include admonition by the elders or congregation, suspension from communion for a definite period, deposition from office, and/or excommunication. Upon the exercise of Scriptural excommunication, all membership privileges shall be immediately suspended and all tokens of Christian fellowship shall immediately cease until such time as restoration and reconciliation take place. Instruction and examples concerning this can be seen in Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5. The purpose of such discipline should be for the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined. It should be for the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians, as an example to them. It should protect the purity of the church as a whole, and the integrity of its witness to non-Christians. Church discipline is supremely for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character.

ARTICLE VII – CHURCH MEETINGS

Worship and Edification Meetings – The church will meet regularly each Lord's Day (Sunday) for the worship of our God. Additional meetings may be held throughout the week as the church determines. Home discipleship groups, Bible studies, fellowship meetings, baptismal services and other meetings which complement the advancement of the church's objectives may be organized by the pastor/elder(s) as seen fit.

Members' Meetings – In every meeting together, members shall act in that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration which is appropriate within the body of Christ. Things shall be done decently and in order for the glory of God. All members shall actively seek to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There shall be a regular members' meeting at least bi-annually, in the months of June and December. The fiscal year for Gospel Grace Church begins January 1, and ends December 31 each year. As such, the December meeting will include the presentation of the next annual budget to be approved by the membership in attendance. Prior to this approval and subject to the pastor/elder(s)' discretion, expenditures may continue at the prior year's level.

A pastor/elder shall preside as moderator at all members' meetings of the church unless an alternate is chosen by the pastor/elder(s). It is the pastor/elder(s) responsibility to see that the stated meetings of the church are regularly held and that required reports are submitted to the church by the responsible members. Prior to any regular or special members' meeting, an agenda shall be published, made available and announced at least one week in advance. Only recommendations or motions appearing on the meeting agenda will be addressed. Members with ideas or input shall submit a motion in writing to the pastor/elder(s) prior to the posting of an agenda. This will allow the pastor/elder(s) opportunity to evaluate the suggestion and include it in the agenda upon approval. This will allow the the pastor/elder(s) to administrate members' meetings in an orderly and expeditious manner with a minimum of confusion.

Provided all constitutional provisions for notification have been met, a quorum shall be understood to be met by those members present. All votes shall be tallied based on the number of votes cast by the members present. No vote of any member shall be by proxy. A member must be personally present in order to vote. The voting process shall follow a simple majority rule. At any regular or special members' meeting, officers may be elected and positions filled as needed so long as all relevant constitutional requirements are met.

Routine policy matters, such as receiving members into the church, may be transacted when necessary by majority vote, without regard to agenda or previously stated time requirements.

Special Members' Meetings – Special members' meetings may be called as required by the pastor/elder(s), or at the written signatured request, submitted to the pastor/elder(s), of ten percent of the voting membership. The date, time, and purpose of any special meeting shall be announced at the public services of the church at least one week preceding the meeting. In the event of a written request from the members, the pastor/elder(s) shall call a special meeting to be held within one month of their receipt of the request.

Emergency Members' Meetings – Emergency members' meetings may be called by the pastor/elder(s) to deal with issues that are considered extremely important in which it is impractical to wait one week or more. In such cases, widest dissemination of the agenda shall take place to the membership informing them of the impending need. Such meetings shall never be secret or spontaneous. Their intended use is limited to responding to urgent and important matters.

ARTICLE VIII – OFFICERS

Summary – The Biblical offices in the church are pastor/elder(s) and deacon(s). In addition, Gospel Grace Church recognizes the administrative positions under this constitution of clerk and treasurer. All officers must be members of the church in good standing. All officers shall be spiritually mature, of irreproachable Christian character, dedicated, and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the spiritual and material welfare of the church. They shall have faithful attendance and participation in the church. Officers should be a model of spiritual transparency and single-mindedness.

Pastor/Elder(s) – The pastor/elder(s) shall be men who satisfy the qualifications for the office set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Subject to the will of the congregation, the pastor/elder(s) shall oversee the ministry and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1-6 and 1 Peter 5:1-4, the pastor/elder(s) shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by preaching, teaching, counseling, and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding the flock of God.

When more than one pastor/elder comprise the leadership team, one of them shall serve as the "lead pastor/elder." We recognize that there are leaders among the leaders. This was true of the apostolic company, in the early church at Ephesus and Crete, Old Testament Israel, the angelic company, and even the Godhead. We believe that there are distinctions among pastors/elders. 1 Timothy 5:17 conveys that all elders rule, but some also labor in the Word and doctrine. The lead pastor/elder shall be designated as the "first among equals" and function as the primary voice for preaching and vision at Gospel Grace Church.

The pastor/elder(s) shall provide leadership through oversight, spiritual guidance, and shepherding for the congregation. We believe that when this leadership team arrangement is possible, the harmonious blend of scripturally qualified men will enhance the longevity, wisdom, and health of pastoral leadership at Gospel Grace Church. Each member of the pastor/elder(s) shall find great satisfaction in submitting their gifts to the mission of the team as a whole. Leadership decisions will be made by consensus amongst the pastor/elder(s). If consensus cannot be reached, the pastor/elder(s) will abide by the conflict resolution policy which is to be signed at the time they assume office.

The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling and seek to train them up as pastor/elder(s) for service in ministry. According to 2 Timothy 2:2 and Acts 13:1-3, the church has the responsibility and privilege of reproducing faithful servant leaders who will advance the Kingdom cause through pastoral ministry/eldership.

The pastor/elder(s) shall examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, oversee the work of deacons and appointed church agents and committees, conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, equip the membership for the work of the ministry, encourage sound doctrine, practice, admonish, and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline and stewardship of resources, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, and mobilize the church to advance the Great Commission. The pastor/elder(s) are further to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our foundational convictions and faithfully proclaim the Truth.

The pastor/elder(s) may establish ministry positions or committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. They may also propose funding for new paid positions to include additional pastor/elder(s), ministry staff, pastoral assistants, and interns. The membership shall elect by vote all candidates to fill the positions of pastor/elder. All other positions are filled by pastor/elder appointment predicated upon congregational approval of funding.

The scope and approval of job descriptions for ministry staff, pastoral assistants, and interns shall reside in the hands of the pastor/elder(s). The pastor/elder(s) shall have primary responsibility for hiring, employment, supervision, evaluation and when necessary, termination. This responsibility may, on a case-by-case basis, be delegated to another staff member.

Each pastor/elder shall serve for an undesignated period of time.

The pastor/elder(s) shall perform an annual assessment and affirmation regarding the fulfillment of Biblical qualifications, heart for pastoral ministry, unity and health of each elder. For the longevity and health of the pastor/elder(s), regular sabbaticals shall be taken in accordance with the church policy manual. A pastor/elder's term of office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal. Any two members with reason to believe that a pastor/elder should be dismissed should express such concern to the other pastor/elder(s) (or deacon(s) if there is no other elder). Any such action shall be done in accordance with the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Timothy 5:17-21. Following such actions, any pastor/elder may be dismissed by a majority vote of the members at any members' meeting of the church.

Deacon – The office of deacon is described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-7. The church shall recognize, nominate and elect men who are scripturally qualified and given to the service of the church. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as deacons.

New deacons shall be nominated by the congregation, screened for qualification, ability, and desire by the pastor/elder(s) and then voted upon by the congregation at a regularly scheduled members' meeting. The number of deacons at Gospel Grace Church shall correlate with the need as determined by the pastor/elder(s), and the availability of able, qualified, and willing men. A deacon shall be elected to a two-year term. He may be reelected for consecutive terms as long as both he and the pastor/elder(s) concur with the unbroken extension. There may be times when the best interests of the church and/or the deacon's family are served by sabbatical rest. In such cases, reelection would be declined by the pastor/elder(s) and or the deacon for at least one term.

Deacons shall care for the temporal needs of members, attend to the accommodations for public worship, and serve the church in ways that promote and benefit the ministry. They shall disburse a fund for benevolence, reporting on its use to the pastor/elder(s) at their request, and reporting to the church its total receipts and total disbursements.

Paid Ministry Staff and Interns – Church ministry staff and interns shall be called and employed when the church and pastor/elder(s) determine the need for such positions. All ministerial staff and interns will be under the direction of the pastor/elder(s) and shall be required to be in harmony with pastor/elder(s) and their leadership of the church. It is required that all staff members and interns be scripturally qualified and have adequate professional training to perform their designated ministry objectives. The pastor/elder(s) may terminate the employment of any staff member or intern at any time.

Clerk – It shall be the duty of the clerk to record the minutes of all regular, special, and emergency members' meetings of the church, to preserve an accurate roll of the membership, to keep baptismal records, to render reports as requested by the pastor/elder(s), deacon(s), or the church. The clerk shall be nominated by the elders and elected by the congregation to serve a three-year term. In the absence or incapacity of the clerk, the elders shall appoint a member to perform the duties of the church clerk.

Treasurer – The treasurer may not be an active pastor/elder, deacon, or paid church staff member. He or she shall ensure that all funds and securities of the church are properly secured in such banks, financial institutions, or depositories as appropriate. The treasurer shall also be responsible for presenting regular reports of the account balances, revenues, and expenses of the church at least each month to the pastor/elder(s) and to the church at large at least twice a year in June and December at members' meeting. The responsibility may be delegated with the approval of the pastor/elder(s). The treasurer shall ensure that full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in books belonging to the church, and that adequate controls are implemented to guarantee that all funds belonging to the church are appropriately handled by any officer, employee, or agent of the church. The treasurer shall render to the pastor/elder(s) an account of all transactions and the financial condition of the church whenever they may require it. The treasurer shall be nominated by the pastor/elder(s) and elected by the congregation to serve a term of two years.

Removal of Officers – The church congregation has the authority, for good and sufficient cause, to remove from office any elected or appointed person. Grounds for dismissal include immorality, apostasy, heresy, unfaithfulness to duties or Scriptural qualifications, departure from the spirit or principles of the Constitution, or a lack of agreement with the direction or stand of the church. No one shall be removed from office until positive effort has been made to assist that person in correcting (if possible) the cause for proposed removal. All charges against an officer must first be brought directly to the individual(s) concerned. If there is not resolution, the matter must be submitted to the pastor/elder(s) in the form of a signed, written statement. The pastor/elder(s) shall determine if there is sufficient cause for removal and bring recommendations to the church according to Matthew 18:15-20. A simple majority vote of members present at a members' meeting shall be necessary for the removal of an officer.

ARTICLE IX – ELECTIONS

Summary Principles – The process for church election shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfill the following principles: First, biblical standards and qualifications for church leadership shall supersede all other factors under consideration. Second, substantial prayer both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process. Third, nominations should proceed with the support of the pastor/elder(s). Fourth, all candidates for church office should be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members. And fifth, the election process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration that is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Selection of Officers – The election of officers shall be held at a church members' meeting. The names of nominees to serve as pastor/elder, deacon, clerk, or treasurer shall be presented by the pastor/elder(s) to the congregation at least four weeks prior.

The elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process of deacon, treasurer, and clerk. Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the pastor/elder(s). Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the pastor/elder(s) as far in advance as possible before the time of discussion at the members' meeting for election.

The election shall proceed as directed by the moderator of the members' meeting. He shall declare elected all men (or women perhaps in the case of treasurer and clerk) receiving a majority of all votes cast for the office under consideration. Abstentions will not be considered as votes cast. The person elected shall assume his or her respective office upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.

Election of a Pastor/Elder – In the calling of any man to this position, the same basic process of election of an officer must be followed. The current pastor/elder(s) shall nominate prospective candidates. Prior to making its judgment on a potential pastor/elder, the church must be given adequate opportunity to assess his aptness for teaching and his scriptural qualifications regarding character and family. The church shall be given a time for question and answer with the candidate. A majority vote of the congregation at a members' meeting is required for election.

Election of a Lead Pastor/Elder – In the election of a lead pastor/elder, the search committee for prospective candidates will be composed of the other pastor/elder(s) of the church in conjunction with up to three other wise, godly men from the congregation. The inclusion of these additional men is at the discretion of the pastor/elder(s) and may or may not include deacons. In the calling of any man to this position, the same basic process of election of an officer must be followed. In addition, however, the church must be given adequate opportunity to assess the preaching gifts of any potential lead pastor/elder before being asked to express its judgment. They shall be given the opportunity to have an open forum question and answer session with the candidate, and a time to meet and evaluate the candidate's family. Any potential candidate for lead pastor/elder must offer wholehearted assent to the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant.

In the event that Gospel Grace Church has no pastor/elder(s), the deacons will function as a search committee seeking a biblically qualified man to candidate for the office. If the deacons deem fit, they may invite up to three other wise and godly men from the congregation to join the committee and aid in the pastoral search process.

Election of Paid Ministry Staff and Interns– The pastor/elder(s) shall propose funding for new ministry staff and/or interns. Upon approval by majority vote of the congregation at a members' meeting, the pastor/elder(s) may fill ministry staff and intern positions by appointing skilled and scripturally qualified individuals.

ARTICLE X – ORDINATION, LICENSING, AND COMMISSIONING

Licensing & Commissioning – Licensing is available to men called by God to the ministry of the Gospel. It is for those qualified for the role of pastor/elder who have yet to meet the requirements for ordination. License is issued by the pastor/elder(s) and is given in recognition of a man's pursuit of service in ministry. Its aim is to allow a man to perform the ecclesiastical duties and functions of the church while he progresses toward eventual ordination. Licenses will be evaluated and issued or renewed annually at the discretion of the pastor/elder(s). Licenses are issued only to members of Gospel Grace Church.

Where ordination or licensing would be unnecessary or inappropriate, a person is commissioned by the pastor/elder(s) to minister. This authorization continues as long as the opportunity to minister remains in effect and as long as the person maintains the qualifications for ministry.

Ordination – Ordination is conferred upon men who receive a consensus recommendation from the pastor/elder(s) and a vote of affirmation from the congregation. Ordination examines a man's call to the ministry, preparation as a shepherd, qualification to serve and represents the setting apart of a man for gospel ministry. An ordination council shall be composed of ordained ministers including at least one pastor/elder from Gospel Grace Church. The examination for ordination shall include, but is not limited to: the applicant's personal relationship with Christ, the qualifications set forth in Scripture, knowledge of Bible content, knowledge of theology, church polity, and practice of piety. After examination, and upon the recommendation of the council, the congregation shall vote to ordain the applicant to the gospel ministry. Ordination shall be conferred for life, so long as the man continues to manifest the qualifications of the office.

ARTICLE XI – FINANCES

Gospel Grace Church is supported by partnering churches of like faith and voluntary contributions from its members who shall give according to their abilities, according to the principles of Scripture, and according to the dictates of their own consciences.

The church shall have the right to own, buy, or sell tangible properties, both real and personal, in its own name and through its elected pastor/elder(s), when authorized by congregational vote. No profit from the assets, or holdings, or other transactions in which this Corporation may become involved, shall ever accrue to the benefit of any individual(s).

Records of all financial transactions shall be kept by the church treasurer, who shall submit a financial report to the pastor/elder(s) at least monthly. A financial report shall be presented to the congregation for approval at least bi-annually at regular members' meetings. The pastor/elder(s) shall prepare an annual budget for the ministry of the church in conjunction with selected member(s)' consultation as deemed fit. This proposed budget shall be presented at the December members' meeting for examination and approval by congregational vote. The elder/pastor(s) are responsible for all properties and financial dealings of the church within the guidelines of the congregationally approved budget. The pastor/elder(s) may not disburse annually more than 10% of the approved annual budget for non-budgeted church expenditures without congregational approval. Non-budgeted discretionary expenditures will be reported in the financial report. Each year the church financial records will be submitted to an outside audit to maintain accuracy and ensure integrity.

ARTICLE XII – OTHER PROVISIONS

God's plan for Marriage – The members of Gospel Grace Church believe that God created humanity, male and female, to bear His image in the earth. Men and women are created as spiritual and ontological equals, yet designed in complementary order to assume God-given roles in the home, the church, and society. We believe that God designed the marriage relationship to portray Christ's love for the church, to produce godly offspring, to provide companionship, and to promote sexual purity and fulfillment. Marriage is designed by God to join one man and one woman in an exclusive life-long covenant of fidelity and love.

God's plan for Singleness \- The members of Gospel Grace Church believe that God allows some people to be single in order that they may serve Him without the cares of a spouse or children. Singleness carries with it the responsibility to maintain sexual purity as prescribed by Scriptures. Some are divinely gifted to remain single so that they may live their lives with a privileged focus on the things of the Lord and service to others.

God's plan for Moral Purity \- The members of Gospel Grace Church believe that God gave sex as a good gift in marriage between one man and one woman, therefore He forbids intimate sexual activity outside of it. We further believe that any form of adultery, fornication, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, bisexuality, transexuality, bestiality, pedophilia, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. These fleshly practices are contrary to God's creative design and reflect a heart that does not submit to God's good and sovereign right to determine our sex and our boundaries for sexual activity. For an examination of scriptural directives mentioned above, see: (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18, 24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Matthew 19:11-12; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 7:6-11; Galatians 3:28; 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).

Standard of Conduct – Ministry functions and meetings are private events held on private property according to the policies and procedures enacted by the membership. These should not be considered open to the general public under all circumstances. The pastor/elder(s) reserve the right at their discretion to have any participant removed for any reason. A person may be dismissed or removed from any ministry function and asked not to return if he or she demonstrates by conduct or spirit that he or she is out of harmony with the Constitution, the spirit, or the policies of ministry whether on or off property. Readmission considerations following a dismissal or removal will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the pastor/elder(s).

Dispute Resolution – Believing that the Bible commands Christians to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the church (See Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8), the members of Gospel Grace Church are required to resolve conflict among themselves according to biblically based principles, without reliance on the secular courts. Consistent with its call to peacemaking, the church shall encourage the use of biblically based principles to resolve disputes between itself and those outside the church, whether Christian or not and whether individuals or corporate entities.

ARTICLE XIII – DISSOLUTION OF THE CORPORATION

In the event of the dissolution of Gospel Grace Church as a non-profit corporation, all of its debts and liabilities shall be fully satisfied and the remaining assets or holdings shall be irrevocably given and paid over to a non-profit corporation(s) of like faith and practice. The recipient(s) of assets upon dissolution shall be selected by corporate vote of church members prior to dissolution at a special members' meeting. Distribution of assets and holdings shall be in conformity with the requirements of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code, Section 501(c)(3).

ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

The Constitution of Gospel Grace Church (including the Statement of Faith and By-laws) may be amended or revised by a majority vote at any regular members' meeting on the recommendation of the pastor/elder(s), provided at least one week's notice of such proposed revision or amendment is posted on an agenda according to constitutional standards.

STATEMENT OF FAITH VERSES

THE BIBLE

2 Peter 1:20-21 - 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16 - 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

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GOD

Deuteronomy 6:4 - 4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Isaiah 45:5-7 - 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me, I am the Lord, and there is no other.7 I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.

2 Corinthians 13:14 - 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Revelation 4:8 - 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Psalm 103:19 - 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

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THE FATHER

Romans 11:36 - 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:6 - 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Romans 8:14 - 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Ephesians 1:4-6 - 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Romans 8:30 - 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8:15 - 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

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JESUS CHRIST

Philippians 2:5-8 - 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Colossians 2:9 - 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

Isaiah 7:14 - 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

John 10:15 - 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Romans 3:24-25 - 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

1 Peter 2:24 - 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Romans 4:25 - 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

1 Corinthians 15:20, 23 - 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Mark 16:19 - 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Acts 2:33 - 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Hebrews 7:25 - 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Isaiah 9:6-7 - 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 1:31-33 - 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

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HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:7-9 - 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

1 Corinthians 12:13 - 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 - 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

John 15:26 - 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Romans 8:9-11 - 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

1 Corinthians 2:12 - 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

Romans 8:14 - 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 12:11 - 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

1 Peter 4:10-11 - 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 1:8 - 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Romans 12:6-8 - 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

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MANKIND

Genesis 1:26 - 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Genesis 2:7 - 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

James 3:9 - 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Romans 3:23 - 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:1-3 - 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Romans 5:12 - 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

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SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 14:6 - 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 Peter 1:18-19 - 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

2 Corinthians 7:10 - 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Luke 13:3 - 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Hebrews 9:28 - 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

John 1:12 - 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

1 Corinthians 6:11 - 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 8:30 - 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

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CHRISTIAN LIVING

Romans 6:1-2 - 6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

1 Thessalonians 4:7 - 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Matthew 22:37-39 - 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

John 15:12-13 - 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Romans 12:6-8 - 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4:10 - 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Matthew 28:19-20 - 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

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THINGS TO COME

1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Titus 2:13 - 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 - 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Revelation 20:1-7 - 20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison

Matthew 25:41 - 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Revelation 20:11-15 - 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

2 Peter 3:10 - 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

John 17:3 - 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Revelation 21:2 - 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

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THE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesians 5:23-32 \- 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Revelation 19:7-8 - 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

1 Corinthians 11:18-20 - 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.

Hebrews 10:25 - 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 - 3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:5-9 - 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Acts 14:23, 27

23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

2 Timothy 2:2

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Matthew 18:15-19

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:15-20

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

2 Timothy 3:14

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

Titus 3:10

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

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THE ORDINANCES

Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Acts 8:36-39

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Romans 6:3-4

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:38-42

38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Back to statement of faith

 Paul S. Minear, Images of the Church in the New Testament, p. 28

 B. Deffinbaugh, "What is a New Testament Church?

 Ryan McCammack, adapted from "Community Groups – House Illustration," Calvary Baptist Church, Joliet, Il.

 Sam Horn, Content Adapted from "Establishing, Cultivating, and Maintaining a Good Ministry Culture"

 Sam Horn, Outline from "Why Does Sound Doctrine Matter?"

 Sam Horn, "Why Does Sound Doctrine Matter"

 Mark Dever, adapted from Membership Matters: What Is Our Statement of Faith? Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., May 1998

 Adapted from Mark Dever's "What is a Healthy Church?" and Thabiti Anyabwile's "What is a Healthy Church Member?"

 Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

 Mark Dever, "What is a Healthy Church?"

 Pliny, "Epistle to Trajan" (x. 96), A.D. 112.

 Sam Horn, content adapted from "Grace Giving"

96
