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Preface
Preface
We believe all areas of education should be taught from a Christian worldview, as Christ is Lord over all His creation. This truth of Christ’s lordship encompasses not only an intellectual understanding of creation and man’s fall and redemption, but an understanding in a child’s heart of the depth of his or her sin, the holiness of God, and that child’s need for Christ, our Redeemer.
We believe all areas of education should be taught from a Christian worldview, as Christ is Lord over all His creation. This truth of Christ’s lordship encompasses not only an intellectual understanding of creation and man’s fall and redemption, but an understanding in a child’s heart of the depth of his or her sin, the holiness of God, and that child’s need for Christ, our Redeemer.
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose
• GCA is founded on the belief that a Christian education should nurture the children of believing parents in the transforming truths of the gospel.
• GCA is founded on the belief that a Christian education should nurture the children of believing parents in the transforming truths of the gospel.
• GCA has adopted the historic creeds (particularly the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed) of the Christian church as well as the reformed confessional standards (particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith). It is recognized that these creeds and confessions are standards subordinate to the Word of God, and they are cherished by the leadership of GCA and the session of Grace Church.
• GCA has adopted the historic creeds (particularly the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed) of the Christian church as well as the reformed confessional standards (particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith). It is recognized that these creeds and confessions are standards subordinate to the Word of God, and they are cherished by the leadership of GCA and the session of Grace Church.
• GCA recognizes that there are a variety of doctrinal distinctives among the families at GCA, and we will avoid areas of dispute to the best of our ability in keeping with Christian love and liberty of conscience.
• GCA recognizes that there are a variety of doctrinal distinctives among the families at GCA, and we will avoid areas of dispute to the best of our ability in keeping with Christian love and liberty of conscience.
• Thus GCA adopts a broadly evangelical statement of faith to accommodate the diversity in the body.
• Thus GCA adopts a broadly evangelical statement of faith to accommodate the diversity in the body.
Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith
GCA is a Protestant homeschool cooperative. GCA has been developed to be broadly evangelical in its span, and this statement of faith meets that span. It is derived from the key elements of orthodox, historical Protestant Christianity that will unapologetically be taught in various ways through all grade levels. The substance of this statement will be considered primary doctrine at GCA. Secondary or divisive doctrines and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When these types of doctrines or issues arise, they will be referred to the GCA administration.
GCA is a Protestant homeschool cooperative. GCA has been developed to be broadly evangelical in its span, and this statement of faith meets that span. It is derived from the key elements of orthodox, historical Protestant Christianity that will unapologetically be taught in various ways through all grade levels. The substance of this statement will be considered primary doctrine at GCA. Secondary or divisive doctrines and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When these types of doctrines or issues arise, they will be referred to the GCA administration.
The Bible
The Bible
We believe that the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testament comprise the full word-for-word, truthful, inerrant Word of God, which is the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. Isaiah 40:8; II Timothy 3:16,17; Hebrew 4:12; II Peter 1:20,21
We believe that the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testament comprise the full word-for-word, truthful, inerrant Word of God, which is the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. Isaiah 40:8; II Timothy 3:16,17; Hebrew 4:12; II Peter 1:20,21
The Father
The Father
We believe that as eternal Father, He is the Father of all men in the non-salvific, Creator-creature sense, the Father of the nation Israel, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the spiritual Father of all who believe in Christ. He is the author of salvation, the One who sent the Son, and the spiritual Father of His children. Exodus 4:22; Psalm 2:7-9; John 5:37; Acts 17:29; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:3-6; Hebrews 12:9; I Peter 1:3
We believe that as eternal Father, He is the Father of all men in the non-salvific, Creator-creature sense, the Father of the nation Israel, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the spiritual Father of all who believe in Christ. He is the author of salvation, the One who sent the Son, and the spiritual Father of His children. Exodus 4:22; Psalm 2:7-9; John 5:37; Acts 17:29; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:3-6; Hebrews 12:9; I Peter 1:3
The person and work of Jesus Christ
The person and work of Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is God pre-incarnate existence, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, completely God and completely man. We believe in his pre-existence, His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the grave, His ascension into heaven and His bodily return from heaven. John1:1,14,18; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-26; 4:25; I Peter1:3-5; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Thessalonians 4:13-18;Hebrews 1:3; 7:23-25; I John 2:1,2
We believe Jesus Christ is God pre-incarnate existence, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, completely God and completely man. We believe in his pre-existence, His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the grave, His ascension into heaven and His bodily return from heaven. John1:1,14,18; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-26; 4:25; I Peter1:3-5; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Thessalonians 4:13-18;Hebrews 1:3; 7:23-25; I John 2:1,2
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
At the time of conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals, and bestows spiritual gifts upon all who know Christ as Lord and Savior. Experientially, He fills, teaches, leads, assures, and prays for believers. John 14:26; 16:6-15; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 11:1-18; Romans 8:14-16,26,27; I Corinthians 6:19; 12:7-11,13; Ephesians 1:13,14; 5:18; II Thessalonians 2:1-10; Titus 3:5
At the time of conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals, and bestows spiritual gifts upon all who know Christ as Lord and Savior. Experientially, He fills, teaches, leads, assures, and prays for believers. John 14:26; 16:6-15; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 11:1-18; Romans 8:14-16,26,27; I Corinthians 6:19; 12:7-11,13; Ephesians 1:13,14; 5:18; II Thessalonians 2:1-10; Titus 3:5
The Trinity
The Trinity
In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father is neither begotten, nor proceeding: Son is eternally begotten of the Father: the Holy Spirit is eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. I John 5:7; Matthew 3:16; 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 1:14; 15:26; Galatians 4:6
In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father is neither begotten, nor proceeding: Son is eternally begotten of the Father: the Holy Spirit is eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. I John 5:7; Matthew 3:16; 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 1:14; 15:26; Galatians 4:6
Man and Sin
Man and Sin
We believe man was created in the image of God, but that Adam in his first sin condemned himself and all mankind to an estate of sin. All of mankind in Adam is now separated from God and in need of a redeemer. Genesis 1:1, 27; 2:17; 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 20:36; Hebrews 1:13,14; 2:5-8; I Peter 2:4; Jude 6; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; Revelations 20:10; John 1:1-3; 8:44; Colossians 1:16,17; Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3
We believe man was created in the image of God, but that Adam in his first sin condemned himself and all mankind to an estate of sin. All of mankind in Adam is now separated from God and in need of a redeemer. Genesis 1:1, 27; 2:17; 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 20:36; Hebrews 1:13,14; 2:5-8; I Peter 2:4; Jude 6; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; Revelations 20:10; John 1:1-3; 8:44; Colossians 1:16,17; Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3
Salvation
Salvation
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14) We affirm that believers are eternally secure, have everlasting life, will not come into condemnation, and shall never perish. We believe that assurance comes to the believer from three primary means: trusting the promises of the Word of God, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and a persevering walk with the Lord. John 1:12; 2:3,16; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:4-7; Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16,36; 5:24; 10:28,29; 11:25,26; Romans 8:28-39; I John 4:11-13; Jude 1; Revelation 20:12-15
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14) We affirm that believers are eternally secure, have everlasting life, will not come into condemnation, and shall never perish. We believe that assurance comes to the believer from three primary means: trusting the promises of the Word of God, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and a persevering walk with the Lord. John 1:12; 2:3,16; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:4-7; Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16,36; 5:24; 10:28,29; 11:25,26; Romans 8:28-39; I John 4:11-13; Jude 1; Revelation 20:12-15
The Church
The Church
We believe in the Church, both universally and locally, as the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The church exercises Christ’s authority until His return. We also believe that the church is entrusted with the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 16:18 cf.; Acts 1:5; 11:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:11-16; 5:22,23; Colossians 1:18
We believe in the Church, both universally and locally, as the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The church exercises Christ’s authority until His return. We also believe that the church is entrusted with the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 16:18 cf.; Acts 1:5; 11:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:11-16; 5:22,23; Colossians 1:18
The Great Commission
The Great Commission
We believe that those whom God has saved are sent into the world by Christ as He was by the Father. Those so sent are ambassadors, commissioned to go make disciples and to make Christ known to the whole world. Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:8; 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1; Romans 10: 14,15; II Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 4:2-6; II Timothy 2:14-26
We believe that those whom God has saved are sent into the world by Christ as He was by the Father. Those so sent are ambassadors, commissioned to go make disciples and to make Christ known to the whole world. Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:8; 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1; Romans 10: 14,15; II Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 4:2-6; II Timothy 2:14-26
Eternity
Eternity
We believe in the physical resurrection of the human body (at the second coming of Christ), in the eternal existence of all individuals in either Heaven or Hell, and in the rewards of the saved and the punishment of the lost for eternity. I Corinthians 15; Luke 16:19-31; II Corinthians 5:8-10; I Corinthians 3:11-15
We believe in the physical resurrection of the human body (at the second coming of Christ), in the eternal existence of all individuals in either Heaven or Hell, and in the rewards of the saved and the punishment of the lost for eternity. I Corinthians 15; Luke 16:19-31; II Corinthians 5:8-10; I Corinthians 3:11-15
Summary
Summary
Our statement of faith is best summarized in the five “Sola’s” of the Reformation:
Our statement of faith is best summarized in the five “Sola’s” of the Reformation:
• Sola Fide – By faith alone
• Sola Fide – By faith alone
• Sola Gratia – By grace alone
• Sola Gratia – By grace alone
• Sola Christus – By Christ alone
• Sola Christus – By Christ alone
• Sola Scriptura – On the Word of God alone
• Sola Scriptura – On the Word of God alone
• Sola Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory
• Sola Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory
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