Core Beliefs
Beliefs: There are three core beliefs we will “Die For”
Grace Fellowship of Hartley adheres to the Holy Scriptures as the inerrant and infallible Word of God as contained in the Holy Bible, which was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the source of our faith and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe the following to be uncompromising and non-negotiable Scriptural truths.
Grace Fellowship of Hartley adheres to the Holy Scriptures as the inerrant and infallible Word of God as contained in the Holy Bible, which was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the source of our faith and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe the following to be uncompromising and non-negotiable Scriptural truths.
#1 – The Triune God – We believe …
- That there is one God, eternally self – existent, who shows Himself to us in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- All are identical in nature and equal in
power and glory. - There is only one God, not three, who is clearly revealed in Scriptures as three distinct persons.
Deut 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 10:30 - I and the Father are one.
#2 – The Person of Jesus Christ –
We Believe …
- That Jesus Christ is true God from the beginning.
- That Jesus Christ was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- That in His sacrifice of life and death, Jesus Christ made the perfect atonement for sin, and victoriously overcame death in His bodily resurrection.
John 1:1-5 - 1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) He was in the beginning with God. 3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4) In him was life, [a] and the life was the light of men. 5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it
JOHN 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son [d] from the Father, full of grace
#3 – salvation –
We Believe …
- That God offers salvation as a free gift in Jesus Christ to all people, but only those who receive this gift by faith are saved.
- That salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit, taking the Word of God and applying it to the heart of man so that whosoever confesses with his mouth Jesus as Lord and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead shall be born again.
- In the necessity of the new birth for entrance into God’s kingdom. All who come by grace through faith to accept the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God. The salvation of humankind is wholly a work of God’s free grace and not the result of human works goodness or merit.
Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
John 1:12-13 - 12) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:3&5 - 3) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again [b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ; 5) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
See also: James 1:18; Ephesians 2:8-9 and Galatians 2:16
SEEK THE TRUTH.
LOVE RELENTLESSLY.
GROW TOGETHER.
SERVE ABUNDANTLY.
pray continuously.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, & FINANCIALLY.
other Beliefs
Beliefs: These are beliefs we will DEFEND
The following are a set of beliefs that are important to us at Grace Fellowship. Every Christ follower has been given at least one spiritual gift to be used by God to serve Himself and the body of Christ.
The following are a set of beliefs that are important to us at Grace Fellowship. Every Christ follower has been given at least one spiritual gift to be used by God to serve Himself and the body of Christ.
Spiritual Gifts
Every Christ follower has been given at least one spiritual gift to be used by God to serve Himself and the body of Christ.
Romans 12:6-8 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his
teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, [f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
See also: 2 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 28; Ephesians 4:11
Christ followers should honor God and others by the way they live every day. Their lives should also be a reflection of continual growth in their walk with Jesus Christ
Galatians 5:22-24 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Followers of Jesus Christ have the privilege and responsibility to function as ministers and relate directly to God
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his
teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, [f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
See also: 2 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 28; Ephesians 4:11
Christ followers should honor God and others by the way they live every day. Their lives should also be a reflection of continual growth in their walk with Jesus Christ
Galatians 5:22-24 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Followers of Jesus Christ have the privilege and responsibility to function as ministers and relate directly to God
other Beliefs
Beliefs: These are beliefs we will DISCUSS
These are beliefs about which we are willing to agree to disagree. We will not allow these discussions to distract us from the mission of our church. In all matters of faith and practice, Scripture is the final authority. In matters where Scripture is silent, believers should conscientiously seek to be led by the Lord because it is to Him alone he or she is ultimately accountable. Nothing is more important to us than to reach and develop people for Jesus Christ.
We are going to willingly participate with God's desire to reach as many people for Jesus Christ as
possible, to assist them in maturing in their faith and to equip them to reach others.
These are beliefs about which we are willing to agree to disagree. We will not allow these discussions to distract us from the mission of our church. In all matters of faith and practice, Scripture is the final authority. In matters where Scripture is silent, believers should conscientiously seek to be led by the Lord because it is to Him alone he or she is ultimately accountable. Nothing is more important to us than to reach and develop people for Jesus Christ.
We are going to willingly participate with God's desire to reach as many people for Jesus Christ as
possible, to assist them in maturing in their faith and to equip them to reach others.
baptism
We believe that water baptism is an ordinance to be observed by the Church during the present age, however, is not to be regarded as a means of salvation. Just as a wedding ring is an outward expression of marriage, baptism is an outward expression of a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. If you have made a commitment to follow Christ as your Savior and are willing to allow Him to be the leader of your life, then Scripture demonstrates that baptism is a vital next step for you. Opportunities will be offered to celebrate your relationship with Christ in the company of your friends, family, and others who have decided to declare what Christ has done for them.
Acts 2:38-39 38) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
the lord's supper
We believe that the Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus' death and a means by which the believing participant thankfully honors the benefits of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. It is not necessary to fully comprehend why or how Christ chooses to give Himself when we partake of the Lord's Supper, but it is important to believe and accept His own words when He instituted this meal.
When He broke the bread and gave it to His disciples, Jesus declared, “This is my body.” And when He gave them the cup, He declared, “This is my blood. "Through this sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ, that we “do in remembrance of Him”
we celebrate the assurance of what the redeeming atonement of His body and blood accomplished. The benefits of participating in the Lord's Supper are deeply spiritual and profound and never to be taken lightly or irreverently.
Matthew 26:26-28 26) Now as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and after blessing it broke it
and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27) And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28) for this is my body of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27) And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28) for this is my body of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”