Statement of Faith

                                 What We Believe

(A) THE SCRIPTURES. We believe that the Holy Bible was penned by men who were inspired by God; that it is perfect truth without error; it is the only complete and final authority in faith and practice; and should be esteemed highly and reverently as it is the very Words of God. By “The Holy Bible” we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written and providentially preserved does not only contain and convey the message of God’s Word but IS the very Word of God. (Psalm 119:89 & 160, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:13). By “inspired” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that those writings are as certainly the words of God as they would be if God had penned them Himself. No other writings can claim to be inspired as the Bible is inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21.

(B) DISPENSATIONALISM. We believe that when the Scriptures are interpreted literally in their natural context, divisions must be made. These divisions are made in accordance to

whom the passage is written or when the passage was written. We refer to these divisions as dispensations. These dispensational divisions reveal different methods in which man is given different responsibilities to respond to God's will for him, according to God's holy purpose. Such divisions include differences between the Old and New Testaments, The Church Age and Tribulation Period, the Millennium and Eternity. (Rightly Dividing: 2 Timothy 2:15; New Testament Begins at Christ's Death: Hebrews 9:15-18; Law Versus Faith: Galatians 3:13-25; Dispensations: 1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10, 3:1-10, Colossians 1:25).

(C) THE ONE TRUE GOD. We believe that there is only one living and true God; the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; full of righteousness and holiness, worthy of all glory and honor. We also believe that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. These are equal in every divine purpose; working distinctly but cooperatively in all works of redemption. (One True God - Psalm 90:2, Jeremiah 10:10, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, Ephesians 4:6; Infinite Wisdom - Psalm 147:5, Jeremiah 10:10, Romans 11:33, 1 Timothy 1:17; Three Persons in One -1 John 5:7; John 10:30).

(D) JESUS CHRIST. We Believe that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, that He was virgin born, that He lived a sinless life, He died a substitutionary death on the cross, rose again from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God. (God in the Flesh - John 1:1-2, 14, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Philippians 2:5-8; Virgin Born - Isaiah 7:14, 9:16, Luke 1:35; Sinless Life - 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 7:26, 9:14, 1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 John 3:5; Substitution - Romans 3:24-25, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 2:24; Death, Burial, and Resurrection - Matthew 27:29-66 & 28:1-6, Luke 23:33-56 & 24:1-8; Seated at the Right Hand of God - Acts 1:9-10, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25 & 9:24).

(E) THE HOLY SPIRIT. We believe the Holy Spirit to be divine and equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation of all things; that He convicts of sin righteousness and judgment; that He bears witness to the truth; that He makes permanent residence in the heart of the those born again; and that He seals, endures, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (Holy Spirit & Creation - Genesis 1:2; Holy Spirit & the World - John 16:7-11; Holy Spirit & the Believer - John 14:16-17 & 26, John 15:26-27, John 16:13, Romans 8:14-16 & 26-27).

(F) THE DEVIL OR SATAN. We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors as the Anointed Cherub, but through pride made a failed attempt to overthrow God; that he was cast down and drew with him a host of angels; that he is now the prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the root of all present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness. However, we believe that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Once a Cherub - Ezekiel 28:14-17; Satan’s Fall - Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:19; Fallen Angels - Jude 6; Satan the Tempter - Matthew 4:1-3, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10; Satan’s Fate - Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10).

(G) CREATION. We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man´s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through periods of time from lower to higher forms; and that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” (Creation -Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-3, Acts 17:28, Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 11:3; Warning Against non-Biblical Science and Philosophy - Colossians 2:8; 1Timothy 6:20).

(H) MAN. We believe that man was created in God’s image in a perfect environment, innocent under the law of the Creator, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, and now all mankind are sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 5:12 & 19; Romans 3:10-19, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 1:18, Ezekiel 18:19-20, Romans 1:32, Romans 1:20, Romans 1:28, Galatians 3:22).

(I) THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the cross. (Ephesians 2:8, Acts 15:11, Romans 8:24, John 3:16, Matthew 18:11, Philippians 2:7, Hebrew 2:14, Isaiah 53:4-7, Romans 3:25, 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 10:18, Philippians 2:8, Galatians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:11, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Isaiah 53:12, Hebrews 9:12-15, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:2).

(J) THE NEW CREATURE. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; 2 Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; 2 Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Ephesians 5:9).

(K) FREE SALVATION. We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross plus nothing. Therefore, we do not believe that works are necessary for salvation, although once a person is saved, he should be careful to maintain good works.

(L) JUSTIFICATION. We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood and His righteousness is imputed to us. (Acts 13:39; Isa; 53:11; Zech.13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38).

(M) REPENTANCE AND FAITH. We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God, thereby; being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our Savior. (Acts 20:39; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-39; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Psalms 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-11).

(N) THE CHURCH. We believe that a local Church should be a congregation of baptized Believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; and we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; and Third, to reach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.(Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 4:11;1 Cor. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3:4; Lev. 27:32; 2 Cor. 8:23-24; 1 Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; 1 Cor. 16:2; 1 Cor. 6:1-3; 1 Cor. 5:11-13).

(O) BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a Believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth a symbol our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, represented by our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. We believe baptism is also a token of obedience to Christ after conversion. The Lord’s supper, the second ordinance of the church, is a sacred time of remembrance in which the members of the church, by use of bread and the fruit of the vine. This ordinance is to be preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:1; Matt. 28:9-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-28).

(P) THE ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that it is the privilege of Believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God´s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5; Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).

(Q) SEXUALITY AND MARRIAGE. We believe that God made two distinct genders, man and woman, male and female. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a naturally-born man and a

naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, fornication, and adultery are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter or renounce one’s God-given male or female gender, by surgery, by appearance, or by assumption of no gender, a transient gender or neutral gender. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman. (Gen 2:24, Gen 19:5,13, Gen 26:8-9, Lev 18:1-30, Rom 1:26-29, 1 Cor 5:1, 6:9, 1 Thess 4:1-8, Heb 13:4, Rom 7:2, 1 Cor 7:10, Eph 5:22-23).

(R) FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through Bible study, prayer, consistent lifestyle example, and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3 - 5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; l Pet. 3:1-7).

(S) ABORTIONS. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20: 15-18; Luke 1 :44).

(T) LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32; Matt. 18:15-17).

AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH. The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe the Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members.

SECTION 2.03. CHURCH COVENANT. The mission of Grace Tabernacle Church is to glorify the Lord. We do that by seeking the lost, teaching the found and inspiring Christians to serve the Lord. Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, each and all of our members do now in the presence of God, enter into the covenant with one another as one body in Christ, to fulfill the New Testament work of the local church by doing the following:

(A) Participate in the weekly worship services and respond to the preaching of God’s Word as His Spirit leads. (Heb 10:25; Matthew 18:20; Col 3:16);

(B) Honor the Lord with systematic support of His work through regular tithes and offerings. (Mal 3:10; 1 Cor 16:1–2; 2 Cor 9:7–8.);

(C) Walk faithfully with Christ through Bible study and prayer and seek to live in a manner consistent with His Word. (2 Tim 2:15, 20–22);

(D) Relate to my fellow members in love, avoiding gossip, anger and resentment and exercising the grace, kindness and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. (Col 3:12–16);

(E) Participate in opportunities for spiritual growth as the Lord leads and as my schedule allows, such as adult Bible fellowships, revival services and conferences. (Eph 4:11–16);

(F) Love and nurture the members of my immediate family according to the teachings of God’s Word and teach my family the Word, applying its truths to our lives. (Eph 6:4; Deut 6:6–9);

(G) Find a place to serve in the body where I may exercise my spiritual gifts to advance Christ’s work. (Rom 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10);

(H) Cultivate a servant’s heart toward my fellow members, praying for and supporting those who suffer. (1 Cor 12:25–27; Gal 6:2);

(I) Share the Gospel with those in my family and community, reach out with the love of Christ to my friends and neighbors, support and pray for the missionaries our church is helping to send around the world. (Matt 28:18–20; Acts 1:8).