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The Statement of Faith of the Grace Baptist Church,  Dorchester, Dorset. England

  The church is "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), therefore it is the responsibility of every member of the church to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)

  God's truth has always been questioned, attacked, and perverted. The Bible warns us that such deception will continue, and history has demonstrated the accuracy of these warnings. It is no wonder then, that in our day, truth is rare while error is rampant.

  We offer this statement of faith, not as something new or profound, not as a response to any single system of false doctrine, but rather as a simple and sincere attempt to proclaim and defend God's inerrant Word.

  We pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the "fair-minded" people of Berea who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

  "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

  "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

Our Statement of Faith

1. The Holy Scripture

  God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God (1). All Scripture is inerrant and infallible, transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2). Scripture alone* is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men (3).

  2. God and the Trinity

  There is one true and living God (1) who exists in three eternally distinct persons (2): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (3). These three are one in being (4), united in purpose (5), and equally worthy of glory and adoration (6). God is invisible, eternal, omni-present, almighty, all-knowing, unchanging, dependent upon none, sovereign, righteous, holy, just, gracious, loving, merciful, patient, and good (7).

  3. Creation

  God created all that now exists in six days and from nothing, and it was all very good (1). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation (2). Out of all living things, only man was created in God's image. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself (3).

  4. Providence

  God orders and directs His universe in every detail (1). Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose (2). In God's infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people (3), and for His glory (4).

  5. The Fall and Its Effects

  God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright (1), appointing him representative and head of the human race (2). He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command (3). By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature (4).

  6. Man's Inability

  The Fall brought every man into a state of utter depravity, meaning all aspects of his being are distorted by sin (1). Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master (2), God as an enemy (3), and the message of the cross as foolishness (4). Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ (5).

  7. The Birth and Life of Christ

  God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins (1). Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (2), He was and is both God and man (3). He was tempted in all things yet without sin (4), living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people (5).

  8. The Death of Christ

  Christ died on the cross (1) as the perfect sacrifice for sin (2), forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement (3) for His people, the church (4).

  9. The Resurrection of Christ

  On the third day, Christ rose bodily from the grave (1). The resurrection affirms the deity of Christ (2) and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection (3).

  10. The Ascension of Christ

  Jesus ascended into heaven (1) to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin (2). He is the one and only Mediator between God and men (3), and Head of His church (4). He intercedes forever on behalf of His people (5) and rules over all things for their sake (6).

  11. Election and Responsibility

  Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life (1) as an act of His free grace alone*. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit (2). In the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will (3), all men remain responsible beings, subject to God's commands to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ (4).

  12. Calling and Regeneration

  To accomplish God's redemptive purpose (1), the Holy Spirit works effectively through the gospel of Christ (2), regenerating elect sinners (3) and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith (4).

  13. Justification

  The elect are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness (1). Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit (2), nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness (3). It is granted through faith alone* (4) in the person and work of Christ alone* (5).

  14. Sanctification

  According to God's purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed into the image of Christ (1). All true believers direct their will and affections toward this purpose (2), putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh (3) by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (4) as God's Word is more fully understood and applied (5). While sinless perfection will never be attained in this life (6), it is a certainty in heaven (7).

  15. Perseverance

  All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away (1). Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing, transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers (2).

  16. The Church

  The local church is the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone (1). Nevertheless, qualified elders represent Him as they care for His body (2). Qualified deacons are to assist the elders as needs arise (3). Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify the body (4). The local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ represented in other true churches (5).

  17. Baptism

  Baptism is the first act of Christian obedience (1). True baptism is immersion in water (2), symbolizing both the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life (3), and his cleansing from sin (4). Baptism may only be administered to those who demonstrate repentance from sin and make a credible profession of faith in Christ (5).

  18. The Lord's Supper

  Following their baptism, Christians may, and indeed, must regularly partake of the Lord's Supper (1). By breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross (2). Through the Lord's Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness, their separation from the world, and their fellowship with Christ in the New Covenant (3).

  19. Evangelism

  It is the calling of every local church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded (1). It is a priority in evangelism to unite new believers with local churches (2).

  20. The Return of Christ

  The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous (1). The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God's wrath in hell (2).

  21. The Old Covenant

  The Old Covenant, with the Law of Moses as its core (1), was revealed to the nation of Israel (2), promising earthly blessings for obedience (3), and threatening curses for disobedience (4). Its purpose was never to offer eternal life (5), but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel (6), to reveal the extent of man's depravity (7), and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant (8).

  22. The New Covenant

  The New Covenant, established through the Person and redemptive work of Christ (1), provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith (2). The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete (3). God's final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets (4), have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the full revelation through which the Old Testament must be understood, and applied (5).

  23. The Glory of God

  Christians must live for God's glory alone* (1) through their awareness and enjoyment of His Person (2), submission to His authority (3), and reliance upon His goodness (4). In truth, all things that have or will transpire, serve to glorify God as their highest purpose, (5) "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)

* In preserving and defending the true Christian doctrines that were rediscovered during the Protestant Reformation, we affirm and teach these five truths:

  1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)

  The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.

  2. Sola Gratia (by Grace alone)

  In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.

  3. Sola Fide (through Faith alone)

  Justification is by grace alone through faith alone. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness.

  4. Solus Christus (because of Christ alone)

  Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary death alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.

  5. Soli Deo Gloria (for the Glory of God alone)

  God glorifies Himself in all that He does. Therefore we should acknowledge His purpose and live for His glory alone.