Statement of Faith

We believe that the Bible is inspired Word of God or "God Breathed." It is the one true, infallible and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
- 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:20-21

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness -2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
-2 Peter 1:20-21

We believe that there is one living and true God, enternally existent in three Persons

• Father
• Son
• and Holy Spirit.

-Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
-Deuteronomy 6:4

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
-Matthew 28:19

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14

We believe that man is dead in sin through his fall in the Garden of Eden and that man is absolutely unable to save himself from eternal punishment by his own works.
- Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
-Romans 3:23

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
-Ephesians 2:8-9

We believe in the eternal deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is God who became man (apart from sin), for the purpose of redeeming us from our sins. His atoning death and resurrection is the only means by which we may attain salvation.
- John 1:1,14; Philippians 2:6-8, 1 John 4:9-10

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
-John 1:1,14

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
-Philippians 2:6-8

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
-1 John 4:9-10

We believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Through His substitutionary sacrifice Christ has effected complete and eternal redemption for all who believe on Him. God set His seal of approval on the work of Christ by raising Him from among the dead and enthroning Him at His own right hand in heaven where today He is interceding for the believers, and preparing a glorious, eternal home for them.
- Romans 5:8-11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 14:2, Romans 8:34

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
-Romans 5:8-11

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
-1 Corinthians 15:3-4

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
-John 14:2

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
-Romans 8:34

We believe in the immediate and eternal salvation by grace through faith of every person who believes on Christ and by faith rests in His finished work. Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice is the only righteous ground on which a Holy God can forgive sins.
- Romans 3:23-26, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
-Romans 3:23

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

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
-Ephesians 2:8-9

We believe that all those who have been born again by personal faith in Jesus Christ are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, are eternally secure as God’s children, and can never lose their salvation.
- John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13-24, John 10:28-29

We believe and understand from the Scriptures, that the true Church is not an organization but a living organism made up of all born again believers. Scripture identifies all believers as priests, who are to worship and serve God under their risen Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 1:20-23, Colossians 1:18, 1 Peter 1:18-23; 2:4-5

We believe and observe the two ordinances left by the Lord Jesus Christ for His church:

1. Baptism by immersion for all true believers in Christ
2. The Lord’s Supper.

-Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 8:35-38, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

We believe in the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-milllennial return of Jesus Christ in the air to rapture (catch up) His Church.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, Revelation 20:11-15

We believe in the revelation of Christ in glory at His second advent to establish His kingdom on earth and to reign in righteousness.
- Philppians 2:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

The Lord's Supper

On the night on which He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper with His disciples. He did so on the night of the Passover feast, anticipating His coming sacrifice as the true Lamb of God. As He passed the bread and cup to His disciples, He commanded "This do in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)

Early Christians understood this and made it part of their regular church practice (Acts 2:42). It was customarily done on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), the day Jesus rose from the dead.

The object of this memorial feast is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to remember Him. The bread represents His body, given on the cross for us. (Luke 22:19) The cup represents "the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you". The Lord's Supper reminds us of the person and work of the Lord Jesus. It is a time of remembrance which can involve worship, thanksgiving and adoration centered on Christ Himself, and not a time centered on blessings we have received or petitions (requests) for our own needs, or a time for teaching.

The feast is restricted to believers only. At Grace Gospel Chapel anyone who names the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and is in living fellowship with Him (1 Cor 11:27), is welcome to participate. If someone has not yet accepted salvation in Christ, or if he is unsure of his relationship with Christ, we would ask that he join us as an observer only and not eat of the bread or drink or the cup.

At Grace Gospel Chapel the Lord's Supper is an open meeting where believers are encouraged to share from the Word of God, or offer a hymn or prayer. (1 Cor 14:26) The Holy Spirit Himself directs the time of worship. There is no prearranged program.

Public sharing is restricted to men. (1 Cor 14:34) Women are indeed free to pray and prophesy, but not publicly in the church meetings. (1 Tim 2:11-14) This is a matter of church order, not superiority or inferiority between genders, as God views all equally one. (Gal 3:28) God also instructs women to have their head covered and men to have their head uncovered as they gather for prayer and worship.

Public participation should be thoughtful and prayerful. Attention should be given to words of hymns sung or Scriptures shared in order to harmonize with others in the purpose of worship. We want to glorify Christ with hymns, scripture readings and prayers, all focusing on Him. This is not intended as a time to simply give out favorite hymns, tell anecdotes of our daily life, publicly confess failings, or give some doctrinal teaching that may have appealed to us personally. This is a time to exalt and magnify Christ alone.

Remember, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are a holy priest (1 Peter 2:5) to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. At the Lord's Supper, you are acting in a position of highest privilege to bring honor and glory to His name.

For information only: The tray contains wine on the two inner rings and the outer ring contains grape juice.