What We Believe

The foundation of Grace At The Gathering is The Scriptures.

We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. (Psalm 19:7-11, Matthew 5:17-18, Luke 24:44, John 5:39, Colossians 2:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:16-21; 3:15-16).

The Godhead

We believe in one personal and infinite God eternally existing in three equal persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity. (Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The Person and Work of God the Father

We believe God the Father, with the Son and Holy Spirit, is the Creator of all things. In His nature He is, among other things, completely holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, eternal, just and loving. He is totally sovereign in all that has or shall come to pass. (Genesis 1:1; Job 38:4-13, Psalm 33:6; 33:9; 90:2, Proverbs 16:33; 19:21, Acts 4:24; 17:24-26, Romans 8:28; 11:36, Hebrews 11:3, Revelation 4:11).

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God to man and redeem sinful man. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted at the right hand of God, where, as High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Luke 24:24-25, John 8:54-58; 10:25-30; 20:30-31, Acts 4:11-12, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-4; 7:22-28).

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that God, the Holy Spirit, is the third person of the trinity, and as such, possesses intellect, emotion and will. He restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizing them at the moment of salvation into the Church (the Body of Christ), indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows on them spiritual gifts, and empowers those yielded to Him. It is the Spirit’s ministry to lead, instruct, and fill (or control) believers as they are yielded to Him and are steadfast in the study of Scripture and in prayer. (Luke 11:13, Acts 1:8; 2:3-4; 5:32, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 John 14:16).

The Church

We believe that the universal church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this age. We believe that the church began at Pentecost and that a believer is placed into the church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the church is distinct from Israel. The local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purpose of worship, the study of the Word of God, the observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, prayer and for impacting the community and the world with the love of Christ and His glorious Gospel. (Matthew 18:17, Acts 2:42, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 1:22; 3:8-10, Colossians 1:18).

Mankind

We believe God made human beings different from the rest of creation by placing His image or likeness in them. However, Adam’s sin became our sin because he represented us as our head; therefore, all men and women are born corrupted, sinful, and condemned. Since we are born corrupted, sinful, and condemned, we are enslaved to sin and are unable to understand the things of God without His aid and intervention. (Genesis 1:26; 2:20, John 6:44, Romans 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:23; 8:7-9; 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1-5).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the free gift of God offered to man by grace alone and is received only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose sinless blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, to reconcile us to God, and to provide us with abundant life on Earth and with life everlasting. (John 1:12; 10:10, Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10, 1 Timothy 1: 5-6, 1 John 5:11-13).

The Eternal Security of the Believer

We believe that all believers are held by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. We also believe the Bible teaches that our Christian freedom is not an excuse to sin. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30, Romans 13:13-14, Galatians 5:13, Titus 2:11-14, 1 Peter 1:5).

The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts

We believe ministry and evangelism are the work of all Christians. Spiritual gifts are assigned by God to each member of the Church and should be used with faith for the common good. We are to be informed about and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. We believe all the gifts listed in the New Testament are still active and good for this generation of the Church; however, any spiritual gift used without love is useless and unprofitable. (Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 12:7; 13:1-3; 14:1).

Baptism

We believe that baptism by immersion is for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and are choosing to follow Him. It was commanded by Jesus and identifies us with His death and resurrection. (Matthew 10:32-33; 28:19, Acts 8:35-38; 16:1-15, Romans 6:1-4).

The Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper is the breaking of bread and drinking from the cup by followers of Jesus Christ to remember Jesus’s broken body and His shed blood. It is to be observed often and with reverence. (Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

Spiritual Warfare

We believe that Satan and his angels rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven. They continue to wage war against God, the church and all mankind by blinding the eyes of unbelievers to keep the gospel from spreading. Believers are given authority in the name of Jesus to battle for His glory and for the advance of His kingdom. (Genesis 3:14-15; Matthew 3:24-30; 3:38-39; 12:25-29; 25:41, Mark 9:38, Luke 10:18-20, John 12:31; 16:11, Acts 16:18, 2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:4, Ephesians 6:10-20, Colossians 1:13; 2:15, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Peter 2:4, 1 John 5:19, Jude 6, Revelation 12:7-17; 20:10).