Statement of Beliefs

Statement of Beliefs

Grace Church of Chehalis holds to Believers Baptism by Immersion, Liberty of Conscience, Separation of Church and State, and the Priesthood of the Believer.

We also affirm the following distinctives:

1–The Authority of Scripture

The Bible is the inspired, authoritative and infallible Word of God and is our sole rule of faith and practice.  It is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried. Joshua 1:8, Joshua 23:6, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21.

2–The Trinity

There is only one true and living God who is manifested in three eternal and coequal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  God possesses holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, mercy and all other perfections.  All humankind owes to Him supreme faith and obedience. Genesis 1:26-28, Exodus 34:6-7, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14.

3–Humankind

Humankind has been created in the image of God but through Adam’s fall is now sinful, lost and condemned.  By deliberate choice all participate in sin, which is open rebellion to God’s law.  Not withstanding the fall, all human life through creation has value and dignity. Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12.

4–Justification by Faith

Human beings can be forgiven of sin and justified solely through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ who died for sinners and rose again from the dead.  Only by repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ the Lord can acceptance with God be attained. Acts 3:19, Romans 5:8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9-10, 10:13, Ephesians 2:8-9.

5–Regeneration

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer receives a new nature from God.  Christian growth or sanctification is the continuation of the new life principle that begins in the new birth. Zechariah 36:26, Acts 2:38, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

6–The Church

The church in its widest sense includes all believers of all ages.  The church is manifested visibly in the local body of baptized believers who covenant together to worship, observe the ordinances of baptism and communion, and to evangelize. Acts 2:41-42, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 4:4-8.

7–Human Destiny

Jesus Christ eventually will return visibly at which time He will raise the dead and judge all people.  Believers will enjoy an eternal state of blessedness in heaven while unbelievers will experience eternal separation from God in hell. Acts 1:11, Hebrews 9:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

8–Evangelism and Social Concern

The church has been called to preach the gospel so that individual people can receive salvation.  Also the church is to become involved in the improvement of society by advocating Biblical principles that mitigate poverty, racism, violence and all forms of injustice against humankind. Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Matthew 28:19, Romans 10:14-15

9–Human Sexuality

God’s design is that man and woman either be joined together in a perpetual monogamous relationship or live in a single state.  The practice of extra-marital sex, adultery or homosexuality is inconsistent with Biblical teaching. Genesis 2:21-25, Leviticus 18:22, Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 19:5-6, Galatians 5:19-21.