DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES
Grace & Truth is an evangelical, reformed minded, expository preaching local church. We believe in the inerrancy, sufficency, and authority of Scripture for all things pertaining to life and godliness.
The following five essential and non-negotiable statements of faith are the foundational framework on which Grace & Truth Bible Church stands.
- We believe in a high view of God.
God is absolutely sovereign in all things. The church is established and exists for His glory alone. God is directing and working all things after the counsel of His own will (Ps 115:3; 1 Tim. 6:15-16; Jude 25; Rev 4:11).
- We believe in a high view of Scripture.
Because the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God in the original languages passed down to us, it is the absolute and final authority on all matters (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:19-21).
- We believe in the reverent worship of God.
Worship is the chief priority for the people of God and it is by the Scriptures that we know who God is and who we are. Therefore, we believe that our worship must be consistent with God’s directions as revealed in His Word. Thus, our worship must endeavor to be with sincerity, beauty, and purity in the fear and reverence of the Lord (Deut. 6:13; Jn. 4:24).
- We believe in the expository preaching of sound doctrine.
Maintaining a high view of God and a high view of Scripture for the reverent worship of God necessitates the right preaching, teaching, and practicing of sound doctrine. Doctrine always precedes duty, and sound theology must produce joyful doxology (Ps. 19:1-14; Rom. 11:33-36; Col. 3:15-17; 1 Tim. 4:6; Ti. 2:1). Therefore, we are firmly committed to the expository preaching of God's Word and to the inductive study of Scripture in all ministries of our church.
- We believe in personal holiness under proper Biblical authority.
Though we are in the world, we are not of the world. We are accountable to God and to each other for what we do and how we live, for we have been bought and are not our own. We belong to Christ. Therefore, Christ is the Head of the church, and He mediates His rule through the shepherding oversight of called, qualified, and competent pastors for the Scriptural equipping and joyful service of His Spirit-indwelt men and women. Thus, we believe all the flock of God: the leadership and laity, are to hold each other accountable to Scripture, by Scripture, and in holiness (Matt. 18:15-20; Jn. 15:19; 1 Cor 6:18-20; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Ti. 1:5-9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet 1:18-19, 5:1-5).
GOSPEL DISTINCTIVES
- Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.
- Solus Christus - Christ Alone
We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.
- Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
- Sola Fide - Faith Alone
We reaffirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.
- Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone
We reaffirm that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory and that we must glorify Him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for His glory alone.
TEACHING STATEMENT
We adhere to the doctrinal statement of The Masters University & Seminary and Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA, which can be accessed here.