Our Beliefs
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
• In essential beliefs — we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Eph. 4:4-6
• In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22
• In all our beliefs — we show charity.
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
1. ABOUT GOD
We believe in the only true and living God (John 17:3), the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19), Who created all things (Rev. 4:11), and upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3), in Whom we live, and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He (Deut. 32:4), and He shall judge the world (Ps. 9:8). We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience.
Mark 12:29-30 John 1:1-4 Exodus 20:2-3 Mat. 28:19-20 Jeremiah 10:10 1 John 5:7 Revelation 14:11 Genesis 17:1 Acts 5:3-4 John 4:241 Timothy 1:17 2 Corinthians 13:14 1 Corinthians 8:6 John 17:5 Ephesians 2:18 Philippians 2:5-6 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 John 15:26 Psalm 83:18 Psalm 147:5
•God is the only Supreme Being. He is Holy (Rev. 4:8), Eternal (Isaiah 57:15), Omnipotent (Jer. 32:17,27), Omnipresent (Psalm 119:7-12), Omniscient (1 John 3:20)
•God is Love (1 John 4:8,16); Light (1 John 1:5); Spirit (John 4:24); Truth (Psalm 117:2); Creator (Isaiah 40:12,22,26)
•God is to be worshiped (Gen. 24:26; Exodus 4:31; 2 Chron. 29:28; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 7:11)
•God is to be served (Matt. 4:10; 1 Cor. 6:19; Phil. 3:7; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14)
•God is to be proclaimed (Matt. 28:19f.; John 14:15f.; Acts 1:8)
•God is a Trinity - One God who exists simultaneously in three persons. Each is co-equal, co-powerful, and co-eternal with the other. Each person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is not the other. Without either there is no God; all comprise the one God.
2. ABOUT GOD THE FATHER
We believe God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7 Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3 Leviticus 22:2 Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6 1 Chronicles 29:10 Psalm 19:1-3 Isaiah 43:3 Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13 Matthew 6:9ff; 7:11 Mark 1:9-11 John 4:24; 5:26 Romans 8:14-15 1 Corinthians 8:6 Galatians 4:6 Ephesians 4:6 Colossians 1:15
3. ABOUT GOD THE SON – JESUS CHRIST
We believe Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before the crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Psalms 2:7ff Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-23 Mark 1:1; 3:11 John 1:1-18; 10:30 John 11:25-27 John 17:1-5, 21-22 Romans 3:23-26 Romans 5:6-21 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24 1 Corinthians 1:30 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 Galatians 4:4-5 Ephesians 1:20; 3:11 Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:13-22 1 Thessalonians 4:14 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Hebrews 1:1-3 1 Peter 2:21-25 Revelation 1:13-16 Revelation 5:9-14 Revelation 12:10-11 Revelation 13:8
4. ABOUT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 (Genesis 1:1-2); 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 (John 16:8); that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (John 15:26-27); that He is the agent in the New birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. We believe that the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to unify all believers into one body, the church, in fulfillment of the promise Jesus gave to the apostles (Acts 1:5; 1 Cor. 12:13). His presence in the lives of believers is revealed by His fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). We believe that the Holy Spirit, not as an influence, but as a Divine Person, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, is our abiding Comforter and Helper, that He never takes His departure, from the church, nor from the feeblest of the saints, but is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him, and not with ourselves nor with our experiences.
John 3:5-6 John 7:38-39 John 14:16-17;26 John 15:26-27 John 16:8-11 John 16:13-14 Acts 1:8 Rom. 8:9 Phil. 3:3 Romans 8:14-16 Romans 8:26-27 Ephesians 1:13-14 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Luke 3:16 Luke 3:16 Mark 1:8
5. ABOUT THE BIBLE
We believe all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We believe that the sixty six books of the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation) are all given by the inspiration of God in the sense that the Holy Spirit guided holy men of old in their choice of the very words of the sacred writings; and that His divine inspiration is not in different degrees, but extends equally and fully to all parts of these writings, historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical, and to the smallest word, provided such word was present in the original manuscripts.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 2 Peter 1:19-21 1 Corinthians 2:13 Mark 12:26,36, 13:11 Acts 1:16; 2:4 Acts 28:25 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 19:7-11 Romans 3:4 Romans 15:4 Luke 24:25-27;44-45 1 Peter 1:2-3 Luke 16:31 John 17:17 John 5:39 Revelation 22:19
6. ABOUT CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not figuratively or allegorically. God created the physical and spiritual universe out of nothing (Genesis 1:1f; Psalm 3:6; John 1:3; Romans 4:17; 1 Corinthians 1:28) and man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was they should bring forth only “after their kind.” Because God created all things, He is before all things and beyond all things. Therefore, the entire universe is under His control.
Genesis 1:26-27 Exodus 20:11 Revelation 10:6 Acts 4:24
Romans 1:20 Acts 17:23-26 Jeremiah 10:12 Nehemiah 9:6
Hebrews 11:3 Colossians 1:16-17 Genesis 1:24 Genesis 1:11
7. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
We believe that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Rom. 5:12), and judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Rom. 5:18). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23). We believe that man, originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, fell from his high and holy estate by eating the forbidden fruit, and as the consequence of his disobedience the threatened penalty of death was then and there inflicted, so that his moral nature was not only grievously injured by the fall, but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil (Gen. 1:26; 2:17; John 5:40; 6:53; 1 Tim. 5:6; 1 John 3:8).
Genesis 3:6, 24 Ephesians 2:1-3 Romans 1:20 Romans 3:10 Romans 3:23 Galatians 3:22 Ezekiel 18:19-20 Romans 5:19
Man is not only the crown of creation, but also the object of God’s special care. Man was created different than the animals. He had the breath of life breathed into him from God (Gen. 2:7). The animals did not. Also Man was given dominion over the animals. Man can know God, worship Him, and love Him. Animals cannot.
8. ABOUT SALVATION
We believe there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). We also believe that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4), and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3), now to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:24). We believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16), and he that believe not God has made Him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of His Son, and this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:10-11); he that believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he that believes not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on Him (John 3:36), who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power (2 Thes. 1:9). We believe that Christ, in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His obedience unto death is received by faith alone, and that the moment we trust in Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, being justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved, and having His place and portion, as linked unto Him, and one with Him forever.
John 5:24; 17:23 Acts 13:39 Rom. 5:1; 5:9 Romans 8:1 Eph. 2:4-6, 13 Hebrews 2:14-15 Matthew 1:21 1 John 4:17; 5:11-12 1 Peter 1:2 John 6:37 John 3:36 Acts 2:38
9. ABOUT CHURCH
We believe that the church is composed of all who are united by the Holy Spirit to the risen and ascended Son of God, that by the same Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, and thus being members one of another, we are responsible in good conscience to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, loving one another with a pure heart fervently. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head over all the church (Eph. 1:22) commanded His people to observe two ordinances, neither of which is essential to salvation, but both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord. In neither of them has the unbeliever any part. Jesus commanded us to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19). Furthermore, in the same night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, and when He had given thanks He brake it and said, “Take, eat. This is My body which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” After the same manner, also, He took the cup when He had supped, saying, “This cup is the New Testament in My blood. This you do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do proclaim the Lord’s death until He come” (1 Cor. 11:23-26). In accordance with His command, therefore, we observe the ordinances of believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We also believe the true mission of the church is fund in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as he has commanded.
Matthew 16:16-18 Acts 2:32-47 Romans 12:5 Acts 8:5-6 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Eph. 1:20-23; 4:3-10 Col. 3:14-15 Acts 15:22-23 1 Timothy 3:1-13 1 Corin. 5:11-13 Col.1:18 Jude 3-4 Leviticus 27:32 Matthew 29:19-20 Malachi 3:10 2 Corin. 8:23
11. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16 John 14:17 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:17-18;
Revelation 20:15 1 Cor. 2:7-9
OUR LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
What We Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices:
BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.” 2 Tim. 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
AUTONOMY OF EACH LOCAL CHURCH
“Christ is the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life…” Col. 1:18 (GN)
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.
PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God…” Rev. 1:6 (GN) “You are…the King’s priests…God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” 1 Pet. 2:9 (GN)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer Bible reading.
TITHING
“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 26:30
At GMM we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.
IMMERSION
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ…” Col. 2:12 (GN)
We practice baptism by immersion under water — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
SPIRIT-LED LIVING
(Jesus said), “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:13, Eph. 5:18)
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.