What We Believe
This doctrinal statement is the belief of Grace Bible Church of Lucas, Ohio, as it interprets the revelation of God in His Holy Word and is the basis for theological qualification of officers, teachers, and missionaries ministering in or supported by this church.
SCRIPTURE
We believe “…all Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and is the final authority in our beliefs and practices (Romans 15:4). We believe the writers of Scripture were given the very words contained in the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). It is truth without error (2 Peter 1:20-21) and is completely relevant to our daily lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4).
TRINITY
We believe God eternally exists (Isaiah 43:13) in three persons: the Father, the Son (Luke 1:35) and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19). They are distinct, yet One! (Deuteronomy 6:4) and together they created all things (Genesis 1:1 - 2:2; Colossians 1:16).
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father (Ephesians 4:6). We believe He is all powerful (Jeremiah 32:17), all knowing (Isaiah 46:9-10), ever present (Jeremiah 23:23-24), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and perfectly holy (Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 6:1-3). Our Father is loving, faithful (1 John 4:7-8), and just (Psalm 89:14) and one day the world will be judged with His perfect justice (Revelation 20:1-15).
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who became a man (John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-8), being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23).
We believe He is fully man (John 1:14) and fully God (Colossians 1:15; 2:9); that He died upon the cross (Philippians 2:8) as the substitutionary sacrifice for all our sins (1 Peter 2:24); He was raised from the dead on the third day in His body (Luke 24:46-47); He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 4:14) where He is now interceding for all who trust in Him (Hebrews 7:25).
We believe He will return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) to take His Church to be with Him in Heaven.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit. His indwelling presence assures believers of their relationship with Christ (Romans 8:16). He guides believers into truth (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:13-14) and exalts Christ (John 15:26). He convicts people of their sin, of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment (John 16:8-11). He intercedes in prayer for (Romans 8:26-27), gives spiritual gifts to (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), and seals the believer until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).
MAN AND SIN
We believe man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This image was marred through sin which man committed first in the garden of Eden through willful disobedience. The result of the fall of man (Genesis 3:1-19) was that man became “dead in his trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:5).
We believe all people have sinned against God and are incapable of meeting God’s standard of righteousness (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23). Without Christ we are incapable of fulfilling the demands of the law (Romans 3:10-12).
SALVATION
We believe redemption has been accomplished by the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was made to be sin for us, so we might have Eternal Life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:6-10).
We believe salvation is by grace and no human effort can add to the work of salvation completed by Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into one’s life by faith (John 3:16).
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity (Hebrews 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:12).
ETERNITY
We believe in a literal Heaven as the final destination for those who have put their faith in Christ (John 14:2-3). We believe in a literal Hell (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:15) as the final destination for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41) and those who cling to unbelief.
Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence (Matthew 25:46).
CHURCH
We believe Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). The true Church is composed of all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone (Romans 12:5).
The Church is manifest in local congregations. As the Church, we are called to edify, admonish, minister to and love one another (Acts 2:43-47) while keeping the unity of the faith through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6).
CHURCH ORDINANCES
We believe water baptism (Matthew 28:19) and the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) are the only ordinances of the Church. Water baptism being a testimony of the transformation that takes place when we put our faith in Christ (Romans 6:4). Communion being a remembrance of the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins (1 Peter 3:18).
CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe Christians are called to live a holy life (1 Peter 1:15-16), demonstrated by the fruit of the Spirit growing in them (Galatians 5:16-25). We should apply effort in pursuing godly virtues in our lives with the strength which God provides (2 Peter 1:3-8).
EVANGELISM
We believe, in obedience to our Savior’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), the members of this local church should be personally involved in evangelizing the unsaved through church outreaches, missions and personal relationships in our own community as well as around the world (Acts 1:8).
GIVING
We believe, concerning the financial support of this local church, each member of the Body of Christ has a personal responsibility to give to the ministry according to his or her means (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
