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Beliefs

 

The doctrinal outlook of Graham Church is expressed in the following statements.

1. Gospel – The gospel is good news that God sets us free. Jesus was crucified as a substitute for sinners and rose again to give forgiveness and new life to those who believe in him.

We believe the gospel is the central message and driving power behind Jesus’ Church. The message of freedom through Christ is central to all we do at Graham. It is only through the gift of the gospel, which is the new birth, that we are able to truly enjoy a new life of obedience to God.

Romans 1:16; Philippians 1:27

2. Scripture – God wrote the Bible through men and without error.

We believe the one, true, eternal God reveals himself to humanity in creation, in Jesus Christ, and in the Bible – both Old and New Testaments. The Bible is the Word of God, and it is how people know God and his will. The Bible is inspired by God, is completely trustworthy, and is free from error in the original writings.

We believe the Bible is sufficient for all God requires us to believe and do. We must believe it as God’s instruction in all that it teaches and trust it as God’s pledge in all that it promises. God’s people are equipped as disciples as they hear and obey God’s Word.

Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21

3. God – God exists eternally in a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the one true and living God, who created the world from nothing, and governs all things at all times in all places. God is eternal, almighty, unchangeable, infinitely powerful, wise, just and holy. God exists forever as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is three distinct persons who act in unity, yet without division of nature, essence, or being. In all three persons of the Trinity, God is worthy of our worship and praise.

Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 1:4-6

4. Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He became a man, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, was buried, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended into Heaven to redeem sinful people.

We believe Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God and is fully God and fully man, yet without sin. He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose from the dead on the third day, and ascended to his Father, at whose hand he makes intercession for his people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church, and Sovereign King of the universe.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-45; John 1:1-14; Acts 1:11, 2:22-27; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 1:3; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2

5. The Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who applies salvation to sinful people.

We believe that the Holy Spirit brings glory to the Father and the Son. He enlightens the minds of sinners and gives them new life in Christ. He applies Christ’s saving work to believers as he regenerates, lives within, and grows them to become like Jesus. He distributes spiritual gifts to every believer to build up the body of Christ, the church. He is the Comforter, the Spirit of adoption, the Seal of our salvation, and the One who guarantees our inheritance in Christ.

John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 4:7-12; Titus 3:5-6

6. Humanity – God creates all people in His image as uniquely male and female.

We believe God created all people in his own image, male and female, in sinless perfection. That means every person has intrinsic value because we were made in the image of God. That image is now distorted in us, but the gospel is all about Jesus fixing that broken image and restoring what has been damaged by sin.

We believe since Adam sinned all people have a natural inclination to sin. We choose to disobey God. Every human being is born with a corrupted nature and without spiritual life, and a person is totally incapable of pleasing God by themselves. This results in lives that are self-destructive and distorted as well as God’s judgment and death.

Genesis 1:26; Romans 3:9-23, 6:23; Galatians 3:22; Colossians 3:10

7. Salvation – All people are sinful and in need of salvation. Salvation is a gift of God, given by grace alone, and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe the gospel is good news, culminating in an event in history when Jesus Christ died to accomplish salvation for people. He rescues sinful people by means of a great substitution as Jesus Christ took the believer’s sin at the cross and gives in exchange his own righteousness. That achievement is offered to anyone through faith, so that when a person believes, they are counted as righteous, set free from the power of sin, and given all the privileges and joys of being a child of God in relationship with him. Those who are truly saved are kept secure by the power of Christ.

Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:4-5; John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12, 10:43; Ephesians 2:8-9

8. Church – The Church is the universal and local body of Christ sent into the world to display the glory of God.

We believe the Church is made up of genuine followers of Jesus Christ who have a unique spiritual unity in Christ. The mission of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples. We make disciples through worship, prayer, the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, the use of spiritual gifts, observing the ordinances of baptism and communion, and by declaring the gospel in the world.

We believe every believer should be baptized by immersion as a symbol of their new life in Christ. Every follower of Jesus should participate in the Lord’s Supper as a symbol to remember Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection; to celebrate our unity in Christ; and to look forward to His return in victory.

Matthew 28:18-20; John 10:16; Acts 20:17; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; Hebrews 10:25

9. Future – Jesus will return to earth to judge all people and to rule and reign with his saints forever.

We believe God, in his own time and his own way, will bring about the promised end of all things and renew the heavens and the earth. This future includes the visible and personal return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the glorification of those alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and the unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ’s kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth.

Satan, with his hosts and all those outside Christ, will be finally separated from the presence of God, enduring eternal punishment in hell. But the righteous, in glorious bodies, will live and reign with Christ forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory. Then the eager hope of creation will be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God, who makes all things new.

Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:7-15, 21:1-5

10. Distinctives – Graham Church believes the following

The ultimate authority of the church is Jesus Christ. The local church has the right of self-government, free from any external authority or interference. Christians should obey all commands of civil authorities which do not violate God’s law. Civil government does not have the right to regulate the affairs of the church.

Marriage is an institution created by God involving the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred fidelity. Sex is God’s beautiful gift to be enjoyed between a biological man and woman in marriage. God says in Scripture that marriage is to be for life and divorce is considered adultery except for sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9) or if an unbelieving spouse leaves (1 Corinthians 7:15). We acknowledge the pain and complexity of divorce. 

Men and women are equal in dignity and worth with different God-given roles in the church and family. All human life is precious from conception to natural death and should be protected. Elective abortion is the termination of unborn, innocent life and is a violation of God’s moral law.

Civil lawsuits between Christians as a means to resolve personal disputes are prohibited in Scripture. God provides adequate resources within the local church for conflict resolution and mediation. 

Since God offers redemption and restoration and forgiveness through Jesus Christ to all who confess and forsake their sin, we see every person as worthy of our compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity, even when they do not hold our values. While we will always speak the truth in love, even when it is painful to hear, we do not condone hateful or harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual. Where we disagree with someone we will always seek to persuade with kindness and compassion and due consideration to God’s love for all people and our own constant need for God’s grace.

This statement of beliefs does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and proper human conduct, and is the final source of all that we believe. For the purposes of Graham Church beliefs, practice, policy, and accountability, the Elder team is the Church’s final arbiter on the Bible’s meaning.

For the full Constitution click HERE (pdf)