Doctrinally‚ Grace Ministry (GM) stands for the fundamentals of the faith as taught in the Holy Scriptures and handed down by the Church. Consistent with this purpose‚ Grace Ministry (GM) acknowledges the creeds of the Apostle’s doctrine. Under God‚ and subject to biblical authority. Grace Ministry (GM) and its ministerial staff bear witness to the following articles‚ to which we subscribe‚ and which we hold to be essential to our ministry.
THE SCRIPTURE
Scripture is the divinely inspired‚ self–disclosure of God’s purpose and plans for humanity. The books of the Old and New Testaments‚ given by divine inspiration‚ are the written Word of God‚ the only infallible rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
THE GODHEAD
Our God is one‚ but three Persons – the Father‚ the Son‚ and the Holy Spirit‚ being Co–equal. (Philippians 2:6) God the Father is the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter. (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14) The Son is the Word made flesh‚ the One Begotten‚ and has existed with the Father from the beginning. He was born of a virgin. (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14) The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal. (John 15:26).
MAN‚ HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
Man is a created being‚ made in the likeness and image of God‚ but through Adam’s transgression and fall‚ sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. “As it is written‚ There is none righteous‚ no‚ not one”. Jesus Christ‚ the Son of God came to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 5:14; Romans 2:23; Romans 3:10; 1 John 3:8) Salvation is the gift of God to man‚ separate from works and the law‚ and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ‚ producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8).
ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that brings about repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men‚ and when experienced‚ produces eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3–5).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism in water is by immersion‚ is a direct commandment of our Lord‚ and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death‚ burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36–39) The following recommendation regarding water baptismal formula is adopted to witness “On the confession of your faith in the blessed Word of God concerning the life‚ death‚ burial‚ resurrection‚ appearance and ascension of Jesus Christ‚ I now baptize you in the Name of the Father‚ Son‚ and Holy Spirit‚ all in the name of Jesus‚ for the remission of sin”.
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the New Birth. The initial evidence of speaking in other tongues‚ magnification of God‚ and boldness as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance accompanies this experience. (Matthew 3:11; John 14:1‚ 16; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:28‚39; Acts 19:1–7; Acts 2:4).
SANCTIFICATION
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of Sanctification as a definite‚ yet progressive work of grace‚ commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ’s return. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2nd Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12–14; 1 Corinthians 1:30.
RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF OUR LORD
God’s redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ to raise the dead‚ to judge all people according to the deeds done in the body and to establish His glorious kingdom. The wicked shall be separated from God’s presence but the righteous in glorious bodies‚ shall live and reign with God forever. Then shall the eager expectation of creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new. (Romans 8:19–25).
