Grace Calhoun City Core Beliefs

---

SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
All Scripture is verbally inspired by God as written in the original languages and is inerrant revelation of God to man. The Bible is the infallible authority for faith and conduct. II Timothy 3:16-17

ONE TRUE GOD
The One True God is the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of the universe. He has further revealed Himself as a triune Being, manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I John 5:7, John 14:23, John 14:16

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus is 100% divine (Son of God) while simultaneously being 100% human (Son of Man). As God Incarnate, He is the express image of the Living God in human form. John 1:1,14, Luke 3:22, John 10:30

ORIGINAL SIN / FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright in the image and likeness of God. The first man, Adam, through disobedience, fell from the grace of God and, thus, sin and death entered into the world. Adam’s transgression incurred not only physical death for man, but also spiritual death which is eternal separation from God. Man’s propensity to sin because of his sinful nature necessitates salvation from the power of sin and a Savior to provide that salvation. Genesis 3:7-24, Romans 5:12-19

SALVATION OF MAN
Man’s only hope of redemption and salvation from sin is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood is completely sufficient to deliver every person from the power and penalty of sin. Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:12

BAPTISM IN WATER
Baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Romans 6:3-5, Matthew 28:18-20

HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of bread and a cup of the fruit of the vine, is a memorial of Jesus’ suffering and death and a celebration of His resurrection to be enjoyed by all believers until He comes again. I Cor. 11:23-26, Matthew 26:26-28

DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing is provided for in both Old and New Testaments and is integral to the Gospel. Christ has purchased our freedom redeeming us from the curse of the law which includes every kind of sickness and disease. Manifestations of this miraculous power is not only recorded in the Word of God, but also continues to be seen in the earth today. Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 28:21-65, Psalm 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:4-5, Romans 8:11, I Peter 2:24, James 5:14-15, Hebrews 13:8

TITHE, OFFERINGS AND PROSPERITY
The giving of tithes and offerings is a commandment of the Word of God. Those who withhold their tithes and offerings are robbing God. God will rebuke the devourer for the giver and open up the windows of heaven and pour out His blessings. God delights to respond to giving with gracious provision. Malachi 3:8-12, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:19

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:1-4, Ephesians 5:18, Mark 16:17

CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all believers. Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the Church’s responsibility is: 1) to evangelize the world, and 2) to be a corporate body in which man may worship and glorify God. Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Heb10:25,  

EVER-INCREASING FAITH
Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. God is a faith God and without faith it is impossible to please Him. Our faith should continually increase as we grow in spiritual understanding of God’s Word. Christians are saved through faith, justified by faith, shall live by faith, and overcome the world by faith. Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 5:1, Romans 1:17, I John 5:4

THE BLESSED HOPE
All Christians who have died will one day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air. Christians who have not yet died will be raptured or caught up with them, to be with the Lord. Then Christians of all ages will live with God forever. The scriptural truth of the Lord’s soon return is "the blessed hope." Romans 8:23, I Corinthians 15:51-52, I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Titus 2:13 

SECOND ADVENT AND MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST
The rapture of all Christians, which is our blessed hope, will be followed by the seven year tribulation period on the earth after which is the return of Christ (second advent) with the saints to reign on the earth for 1000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of Israel as a nation and the establishment of universal peace. Matthew 24:27,30, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6, Zephaniah 3:19,20, Romans 11:26,27, Isaiah 11:6-9, Micah 4:3,4

THE FINAL JUDGEMENT
There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead, those who have died without accepting Christ’s salvation, will be raised and judged according to the way they lived. Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life (the recorded list of people who received Christ’s forgiveness), together with the devil, his angels, the beast, and the false prophet, will be sent into everlasting punishment in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (sulfur), which is the second death. Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8