The Bible
The Bible is the verbally (each word) and plenary (complete) inspired word of God in the original autographs (II Tim. 3:16). It is the sole authority of faith and practice for every believer (Matt. 15:3; I Cor. 2:14). The Word of God is complete in the sixty-six books of the Bible we now have, and nothing may be added to it or taken from it (Rev. 22:18,19). We believe in a literal interpretation of the Scriptures.
The Godhead
God exists in three persons all equal with each other and eternal in one being (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:1,2). The three persons of the Godhead are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).
Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary Matt. 1:18-25); He is God manifest in the flesh (Jn. 1:1,14); He was sent by the Father for the purpose of being the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Jn. 3:14-17); He died in our stead, was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures (I Cor. 15:3,4).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person equal with the Father and Son and of the same nature (Matt. 28:19,20; II Cor 13:14). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:7-11). He indwells and sanctifies the believer (Rom. 8:9-11; I Pet. 1:2).
Creation
The Genesis account of creation is the literal, historical account of the direct and immediate creative acts of God apart from any evolutionary process of any kind (Gen. 1:1-2:25; Col. 1:16; Jn. 1:3,10).
Man
Man was created from the dust of the ground by a direct act of God. He was created sinless and innocent in the image of God, but through disobedience to his Creator, he incurred physical and spiritual death (Gen 1:1-3). This spiritual death occurred immediately after the original sin of man in the Garden of Eden (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1). The eventual consequences of sin are physical death (Heb. 9:27), and the second or eternal death in hell (Rev. 20:11-15). By faith in Christ alone man is able to be restored to the original condition of his creation in part now (II Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:10), and eventually in the whole at the resurrection (Rom. 8:19-23; I Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:21).
Salvation
Salvation is granted to sinners solely by the grace of God apart from any human effort or merit. Man responds to this grace by placing faith in Christ alone (Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8,9). Biblical faith involves repentance which is a change of mind toward sin and the Savior (Lk. 21:47; 13:3; Acts 26:20). We believe in the eternal security of the believer (Jn. 10:28).
The Church
The Church exists universally as the bride of Christ with Christ as her redeemer and head (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:20-23; 3:3-11; Col. 1:18), and locally as a distinct group of believers (being part of the universal bride) who organize for the purpose of edifying one another and evangelizing the lost (Eph. 8:11-13; II Cor. 5:18-21). The local church is led by a pastor and a group of elders whose duties are to feed the flock (I Pet. 5:2), protect the flock from false teachers and sinning brethren (Acts 20:28-32; I Tim. 4:16), and to be an example to the flock (I Pet. 5:3).
Ordinances
The ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion [for the purpose of obedience and identification with Christ (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5)] and the Lord’s supper [in which the cup and bread are consumed by obedient believers for the purpose of symbolically commemorating the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and looking forward to His return (I Cor. 11:17-34)]. Neither of these ordinances is in any way a means of salvation.
Separation
Ecclesiastical — The church must stand against and separate from all forms of religious error, apostasy, and compromise.
Personal — Individual believers have the responsibility of separating from all manner of sinful practices and philosophies of this world. This is done in order to be a proper example to weaker brethren and to bring glory to the name of Christ before a sinful world (Rom. 12:1,2; II Cor. 6:14-18; I Jn. 2:15-17).
Future Events
We believe that the rapture of the church is the next event in the prophetical future, prior to the tribulation (Rev. 4-19). This seven-year tribulation will end with the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19) and the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus Christ will then have a literal, 1,000 year reign on the earth known as the millennium (Rev. 20:1-6).
Would you describe your soteriology as primarily Calvinist or Arminian?
I would rather think of our position on salvation (soteriology) as scriptural. As our page also states “It (the Bible) is the sole authority of faith and practice for every believer (Matt. 15:3; I Cor. 2:14).” In short, any system defined by human logic that requires us to change verses or concepts in Scripture to meet our logical system needs to be rejected. I believe both Calvinism and Arminianism do this in their “logical extremes.” While some people call this a cop out – I simply try to stay true to what God’s word states.
That being said, God is clearly in control of the salvation process (John 6:44 along with so many other passages, like John 3 and the “new birth”…who can birth themselves?). Some would say that this idea firmly rooted in Scripture would lean me towards Calvinism. God started this process of salvation (Rom. 5:8) not me (Rom. 3:11)! Much more could be said, I know that is simplistic.
However, man clearly has a response to God’s working in his heart (John 3:16; Rom. 10:10 “man believeth”; Rom. 10:13, et al.). Does man having a free will response lean me towards Arminianism? Again, I understand this may be simplistic to some people. But I don’t mind having simple faith in what God says (Luke 17:6; Heb. 11:6).
One preacher said it this way, “The elect don’t walk around with a bright dot on their foreheads, so you preach ‘whosoever will may come.’ If someone who isn’t elect gets saved, well, God will forgive em!”
Much more could be said in all of these but I’m trying to keep it simple. If you have a specific question about a verse or more specific question about a topic I can do my best to discuss the issue more thoroughly. I thank you for the question and opportunity to discuss some wonderful verses concerning our Savior and the salvation He has provided for us (Romans 11:33-36)! May God bless you – feel free to visit us anytime! or respond to me via email @ gracebiblenf@gmail.com. Thanks!
Pastor Adam Burtt
Adam, I am not associated with your church but was just looking at your web site for we may in the future be moving to
the area. I just wanted to comment on your response to the calvin & Arminian questions. I also find that when one comes up with a label for a belief that is supposed to be as best as possible a literal interpretation of Gods word based
from the Hebrew & Greek not just a off shoot of what our english bible has in black and white. I truly think that there is something missing in there approach or a very large push from a preconception when one makes these kind of views. Instead of doing a little actual scripture research which is the only way to determine a real strong personal application of the doctrine being taught ( comparing scripture verse against scripture verse ) even when it is without exegesis from the greek and hebrew word by word in each passage one can in essence proof or confirm the application.
I would like to share my thoughts, the way you handled the question, always going back to the word and grace was very
refreshing that you stood your ground that Gods grace is the foundation of salvation thru his Son on the cross and by Faith alone in Christ alone is his grace gift of salvation. All the other mumbo jumbo is not part of that Truth/Word he has given to us based on who and what his son Jesus Christ is. Just some thoughts I needed to share. Keep abiding in him
and never allow Gods ( logistical or greater ) grace be minimized for it his the foundation of the Christian way of life and
his plan for us as believers. In Him who is able to keep us from falling, Michael D.
Thanks Michael,
If you move into the area, we’d love to see you at Grace! I appreciate the encouraging comments.
Pastor Adam 🙂