Grace Baptist Church - River Rouge

About Grace

Beliefs

The most important part of any church is what they believe. Grace Baptist Church is founded solely on the Word of God. Here is a short summary of our beliefs followed by our complete doctrinal statement (The New Hampshire Confession of Faith). If you have questions about what we believe, please contact us and we will be glad to open God's word with you to find answers.

We believe that the only true God is the creator of this world, the supreme ruler over his creation, and has revealed himself through his Son Jesus Christ (who is God), and through the Bible. God alone is worthy of our praise, and his glory is the reason we exist.

We believe that the Bible is God's perfect Word, completely without error, and that in the Bible is everything we need to know to be everything that God has called us to be.

We believe that men and women are created in the image of God, but because Adam our father sinned, his sin has infected every single human who has ever lived, except Jesus Christ. Because of our sin, we are separated from God in spiritual death and in need of salvation from sin.

We believe that salvation from sin comes only through faith alone in Christ alone. We can do nothing to earn our salvation, and our works do not contribute to our salvation in anyway. Only by faith in Christ can we be free from the power and penalty of sin in our lives. We believe that God is calling people to himself for salvation through the teaching and preaching of the Bible. We believe that each person who has by faith committed their lives to Christ for salvation should publicly testify of their salvation by being baptized as a sign of their salvation.

We believe that the church is Christ's body, and is God's chosen instrument through which he is working in this age. He expects every true follower of Christ to be involved in a local church body for worship, evangelism, learning, fellowship, and service.

We believe that Christ will return at the close of this age to redeem his followers from this earth, to judge sin, to set up his kingdom, and to reign in righteousness. At the end of the world, every single person will have to give an account to God for their lives. Those who trusted Christ alone for salvation will spend eternity in heaven with God. Those who never came to Christ in faith for salvation will be separated from God for all eternity in hell.

New Hampshire Confession of Faith with Revisions (July 1956)

I. The Scriptures

We believe (a) that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instructions; (b) that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, (c) and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; (d) that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; (e) and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, (f) and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and opinions should be tried.

(a) 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16; 3:21; 2 Samuel 23:2; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalm 3; Psalm 111; Romans 3:1, 2.

(b) 1 Peter 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38, 39.

(d) Romans 2:12; John 12:47,48; 1 Corinthians 4:3,4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48

(e) Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1,2; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:11.

(f) 1 John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3; Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 199:59, 60; Philippians 1:9-11.

II. The True God

We believe that (a) there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; (b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, (c) and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; (d) that in the unity of the God head there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; (e) equal in every divine perfection; (f) and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the work of redemption.

(a) John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; Psalm 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 45:21-22.

(b) Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Revelation 4:6-8.

(d) Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 1:35.

(e) John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6.

(f) Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5; 2:7; Ephesians 1:3-14.

EXPLANATORY NOTES:

1. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both perfect God and perfect man, the Son of God and God the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:47)

2. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, baptizes, empowers, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer in accordance with the Scriptures. (Johan 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:25-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Romans 8:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:26-27).

III. Of The Fall of Man

We believe (a) that man was created in holiness, in the image of God, under the law of his Maker; (b) but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; (c) in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, (d) not by constraint, but choice; (e) being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, (f) without defense or excuse.

(a) Genesis 1:27, 31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:24-29; Genesis 2:16,17

(b) Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12

(d) Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:5, 12; Romans 3:9-18, 23

(e) Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18; 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15

(f) Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:19-32; Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:22

IV. Of The Way of Salvation

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; (b) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; (c) who by the appointment of the Father, freely took up on Him our nature, yet without sin; (d) honored the divine law by His personal obedience, (e) and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; (f) that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven; (g) and uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

(a) Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 3:5, 7; Acts 15:11; Luke 19:10

(b) John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 9:11-12

(d) Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4, 5; Romans 3:21

(e) Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; Romans 3:21-26; Mark 10:45; 1 John 4:10-11; 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15

(f) Hebrews 1:3, 8; Hebrews 8:1; Colossians 3:1-4

(g) Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 7:25, 26; Psalm 89:19; Psalm 34

V. Of Justification

We believe (a) that the great gospel blessing which Christ (b) secures to such as believe in Him is justification; (c) that justification include the pardon of sin, (d) and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; (e) that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; (f) by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; (g) that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures other blessings needful for time and eternity.

(a) John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8

(b) Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11,12; Romans 8:1

(d) Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Romans 5:21

(e) Romans 4:4-5; Romans 3:28; Romans 5:21; Romans 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9

(f) Romans 5:19; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 5:11; 1 John 2:12

(g) Romans 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8

VI. Of the Freeness of Salvation

We believe (a) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; (b) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; (c) and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; (d) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

(a) Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Luke 14:17

(b) Romans 16:26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17

(d) John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8

VII. Of Grace in Regeneration

We believe (a) that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; (b) that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; (c) that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, (d) so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; (e) and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.

(a) John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 1:14; Revelation 8:7-9; 21:27

(b) 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7

(d) 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:9-11

(e) Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18

VIII. Of Repentance and Faith

We believe (a) that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; (b) whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, (c) we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; (d) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

(a) Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:1

(b) John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31

(d) Romans 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Hebrews 4:14; Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; 8:25; 2 Timothy 1:12

VIII. Of God's Purpose of Grace

We believe (a) that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; (b) that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; (c) that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; (d) that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; (e) that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; (f) that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; (g) that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; (h) and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

(a) 2 Timothy 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Romans 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hosea 12:9

(b) 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matthew 20:16; Acts 15:14

(c) Exodus 33:18-19; Matthew 20:15; Ephesians 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 11:32-36

(d) 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; 4:16; Colossians 3:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:12

(e) 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Romans 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Peter 1:10

(f) 1 Thessalonians. 1:4-10

(g) Romans 8:28-30; Isaiah 42:16; Romans 11:29

(h) 2 Peter 1:10-11; Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11

X. Of Sanctification

We believe (a) that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; (b) that it is a progressive work; (c) that it is begun in regeneration; (d) and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means--especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

(a) 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 13:9; Ephesians 1:4

(b) Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16

(d) Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18; 4:30

XI. Of the Perseverance of Saints

We believe (a) that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; (c) that a special Providence watches over their welfare; (d) and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

(a) John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18

(b) 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9

(d) Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 4:4

XII. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We believe (a) that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; (b) that it is holy, just, and good; (c) and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; (d) to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.

(a) Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20; 4:15

(b) Romans 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Galatians 3:21; Psalm 119

(d) Romans 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 8:10; Jude 20-21; Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:28

XIII. Of a Gospel Church

We believe (a) that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, (b) associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; (c) observing the ordinances of Christ; (d) governed by his laws, (e) and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; (f) that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

(a) 1 Corinthians 1:1-13; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Timothy 3:5

(b) Acts 2:41-42; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

(c) 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:17

(d) Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians 4.2; 2 John 6; Galatians 6:2; all the Epistles

(e) Ephesians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:14

(f) Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1

XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is (a) the immersion in water of a believer, (b) into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; (c) to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (d) that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; (e) and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and the cup, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; (f) preceded always by solemn self- examination.

(a) Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8

(b) Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27-28

(d) Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles

(e) 1 Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20

(f) 1 Corinthians 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71

XV. Of the Lord’s Day

We believe (a) that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day; (b) and is to be kept sacred to Christian purposes, (c) by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity; (d) by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; (e) and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.

(a) Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1- 2

(b) Exodus. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psalm 118:24

(d) Psalm 119:15; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44;

(e) Hebrews 4:3-11

XVI. Of Civil Government

We believe (a) that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; (b) and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; (c) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; (d) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

(a) Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-23; Jeremiah 30:21

(b) Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-8

(d) Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:16; Psalms 72:11; Psalms 2; Romans 14:9-13

XVII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe (a) that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; (b) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; (c) while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; (d) and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

(a) Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Jeremiah 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16

(b) Romans. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Romans 6:18, 22; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Proverbs 11:31; 1 Peter 4:17-18

(d) Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14.

XVIII. Of The Revelation and Return of Christ and Related Events

We believe in and accept the sacred Scripture upon these subjects at their face and full value. We believe (a) that our Lord Jesus Christ rose bodily from the tomb on the third day; (b) that He ascended into Heaven; (c) that He is now at the right hand of God the Father as our only sufficient mediator and advocate. (d) We believe in the personal, imminent, premillennial coming of Christ for the Church; (e) the resurrection and physical glorification of the saints, (f) the great tribulation, (g) after which He will return with His saints to this earth where He will sit on the throne of David, and shall subdue all enemies and reign in righteousness for a thousand years. (h) After this shall be the judgment of the Great White Throne when the unsaved dead shall be raised and judged, that this will result for them in eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire which is the second death; (i) and that the saved shall then enjoy eternal glory with God.

(a) Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:30; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6.

(b) Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 12:2; 8:1.

(d) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20, 21; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

(e) 1 Corinthians 15:20-58

(f) Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 7:14.

(g) Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 19:11-16

(h) Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21 and 22; Romans 6:23; John 5:28-29.

(i) 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 4:9; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Revelation 21:27; 22:3; 19:1; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 21:3; 22:14; John 14:1-3; Revelation 21 and 22.

XIX. Of Angels, Fallen and Unfallen

We believe that God created an innumerable company of sinless, spiritual beings, known as angels; that one, “Lucifer, son of the morning”—highest in rank—sinned through pride, thereby becoming Satan; that a great company of angels followed him in his moral fall, some of whom became demons and are active as his agents and associates in the prosecution of his unholy purposes, while others who fell are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28; 1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).

We believe that Satan is the originator of sin, and that, under the permission of God, he, through subtlety, led our first parents into transgression, thereby accomplishing their moral fall and subjecting them and their posterity to his own power; that he is the enemy of God and the people of God, opposing and exalting himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped; and that he who in the beginning said, “I will be like the most High,” in his warfare appears as an angel of light, even counterfeiting the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine, which systems in every case are characterized by a denial of the efficacy of the blood of Christ and of salvation by grace alone (Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12-14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-04; 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3).

We believe that Satan was judged at the cross, though not then executed, and that he, a usurper, now rules as the “god of this world;” that, at the second coming of Christ, Satan will be bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years, and after the thousand years he will be loosed for a little season and the “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,” where he “shall be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:1-3, 10).

We believe that a great company of angels kept their holy estate and are before the throne of God, from whence they are sent forth as ministering spirits to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (Luke 15:10; Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 7:12).

We believe that man was made a little lower than the angels; and that, in His incarnation, Christ took for a little time this lower place that He might lift the believer to His own sphere above the angels (Hebrews 2:6-10).