Statement of Faith

Bylaws & Doctrinal Statement (some portions removed to save space)

Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Holding the Line for Truth

Article I: Name

The name of this church is Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg incorporated under the laws of Mississippi.

Article II: Purpose

Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg is established for the glory of God to carry out the God-ordained responsibilities of the local church.

Our mission is outlined in Matthew 28:18-20: Make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The making of a disciple is a two-fold process. First, a person must come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Second, the believer must be instructed and nurtured in the faith.

We accomplish this mission through:

Our ministry to one another: (Ephesians 4:12, Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:24-25)

In order to be instructed and nurtured in the faith, we unite for corporate worship, instruction from the Word of God, fellowship, accountability, and service to one another.

2. Our ministry to non-Christians: (Acts 4:12, Romans 1:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20)

It is our intention to continually and regularly exhort and encourage each other toward a loving ministry of personal evangelism – proclaiming the Gospel to the lost.

a. The gospel is the good news that God loved the world by sending His Son to die for sinners who had rebelled against Him. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and what we deserve for our sins is eternal death. Yet Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead provide the payment for sin and the guarantee of everlasting life to all who trust in Him. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. Yet to all who believed Him, he gave the power to become children of God. That is good news indeed! (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Acts 13:28-30, 38-41, John 14:6, John 1:12, Romans 1:16-17.)

Article III: Doctrine

Section 1 – The Importance of Doctrine

This church shall function as an independent, evangelical church committed to the Biblical truths recorded in God’s inerrant and final revelation – the Holy Scriptures.

All elders must agree with the Doctrinal Statement, the Doctrinal and Religious Absolute Statement on Marriage, Gender and Human Sexuality, and the Position Statements.

Anyone who holds opposing views to the Doctrinal Statement, the Doctrinal and Religious Absolute Statement on Marriage, Gender and Human Sexuality, and the Position Statements shall refrain from teaching their views.

Section 2 – Doctrinal Statement

The Scriptures We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. Different men, while writing according to their own styles and personalities, were supernaturally moved along by the Holy Spirit to record God’s very words, inerrant in the original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God’s Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Triune God We believe in the one living and true God, eternally existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory and honor and obedience. (John 1:1-4, 17:3, Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:3-4).

God the Father We believe God the Father created all things in six literal days for His glory according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption. (Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3)

God the Son We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh. Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father’s right hand, He is now Head of His Body the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission. (John 1:1, 14, 18; John 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16).

God the Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer, bringing that person into union with Christ and the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, seals, fills, guides, instructs, comforts, equips, empowers, permanently indwells at salvation, and bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for Christ-like living and service. (John 16:8, 13:15; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12)

Man We believe that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created as an innocent being, free from sin. In consequence of Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will of God, man lost his innocence, became subject to both imputed and inherent sin, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, and became subject to the wrath of God, justly condemned in His sight, wholly unable to save himself. Apart from God’s salvation, man is eternally lost. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:16-17; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:36; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 6:23; 5:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 2:10; 1 John 1:8)

Sanctity of Human Life We believe all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the elderly, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are, therefore, called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)

Salvation Eternal salvation from sin, death and hell is the free gift of God's grace, and is based solely upon man's personal faith and belief in Jesus Christ. He voluntarily died as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and arose bodily from the dead, thus guaranteeing our own resurrection to eternal life. This salvation is not received by, nor based on, any sacrament, merit, or good work on our part. This one who receives Christ's salvation is eternally secure. (John 1:11-13, 3:16, 5:24, 10:28-30, 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:23-26, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:24-25; I Peter 1:18-19, I John 5:11-13).

The Assembly We believe that the universal Church consists of all true believers in the Lord Jesus from Pentecost to the Rapture. Each local assembly or church should be a miniature of the universal Church. The local assembly consists of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who meet regularly for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and discipleship. Christ is the head of the assembly, and He entrusts leadership to the elders, men who are recognized as Christ’s undershepherds. Each assembly may also have deacons to serve the practical needs of the assembly (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:24-25, 30; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 13:17).

Ordinances We believe there are two Christian ordinances: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism (by immersion) is the testimony of a believer showing forth in solemn and beautiful emblem his faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, and his union and identification with Him in the death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11). We teach and practice immersion as the mode of water baptism. We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also believe that while Christ’s flesh and blood is not present actually, the Lord’s Supper is an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26).

Satan and Fallen Angels We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator; involving numerous angels in his fall (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:1;12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Revelation 12:3-4), and introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Matthew 4:1-11; 25:41), the prince of this world who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14), and that he will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Revelation 20:10).

Spiritual Gifts We believe that Christ gives to each believer, at conversion, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, some gift or gifts to equip him to serve the Lord and edify other believers. Gifts are given by a sovereign act of God’s Spirit and not in response to the desires or prayers of men (1 Peter 4:10). It is essential that every believer discovers, develops and employs his spiritual gift or gifts for the edification of the Body and accomplishment of the work of Christ in the world. While we recognize that the existence and exercise of certain spiritual gifts is a debated and divisive issue in the Christian community today, we teach that there were two kinds of spiritual gifts: temporary/foundational confirming gifts and permanent, edifying gifts. The permanent, edifying gifts listed in Scripture are: teaching, helps, administration, service, exhortation, giving, showing mercy, leadership, and evangelism. The temporary gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and Ephesians 2:20 were foundational and gradually ceased when the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established. We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer prayer on the part of every believer, and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering and afflicted (Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 13:8-13; 14:22; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10, 12; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4; James 5:13-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 John 5:14-15).

Things to Come

The Rapture – We believe that, according to the Word of God, the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain until His coming, and also all who have died in Christ. This event is the blessed hope set before us in the Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking, since it could occur at any moment. (John 14:1–3; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Titus 2:11–14; Revelation 3:10).

The Second Coming – We believe that the period of great tribulation on the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth as He went, in person on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory to introduce the millennial age, to bind Satan and place him in the abyss, to lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, to restore Israel to her own land and to give her the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. At that time the whole world will be exposed to the knowledge of God. (Deuteronomy 30:1–10; Isaiah 11:9; Ezekiel 37:21–28; Matthew 24:15–25, 46; Acts 15:16–17; Romans 8:19–23; 11:25–27; Revelation 20:1–3).

The Eternal State – We believe that at death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and remain there in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own. At that time those souls and bodies will be reunited and associated with Him forever in glory. The spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain after death conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body alike shall be reunited and ultimately cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. (Luke 16:19–26; 23:42; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Jude 6–7; Revelation 20:11–15).

DOCTRINAL and RELIGIOUS ABSOLUTE STATEMENT on

MARRIAGE, GENDER and HUMAN SEXUALITY

PREAMBLE

We believe that all matters of faith and conduct must be evaluated on the basis of Holy Scripture, which is our inerrant and infallible guide (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Since the Holy Bible does speak to the nature of human beings, their gender and sexuality, it is imperative that we correctly understand and articulate what the Bible teaches concerning these matters.

We are committed to the biblical standard of personal holiness in the lives of the individual, the home, and family as set forth in Holy Scripture. We believe God has ordained and created marriage to exist between one man and one woman, with absolute marital fidelity. It is our firm conviction that we uphold the dignity of each individual as we embrace the unchanging and longstanding principles of Scriptural truth.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Based upon Holy Scripture and in agreement with the historic, moral teaching of the universal Church, we believe:

•Marriage — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg defines marriage as the exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” covenant union of one biological man and one biological woman from birth, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:59, Ephesians 5:31-33).

•Sexual Immorality — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg believes that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between one man and one woman in the context of the marriage covenant. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Such sexual acts are sinful and offensive to God. Consequently, members of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg must resist and refrain from any and all sexual acts outside marriage — including but not limited to adultery, fornication, incest, zoophilia, pornography, prostitution, masturbation, voyeurism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, sodomy, polygamy, polyamory, sologamy, or same-sex sexual acts (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:7-23; Leviticus 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:27-28; Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-18; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:17-19; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4).

•Celibacy — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg believes that Holy Scripture prescribes two life-enhancing options for human sexual behavior: (1) the conjugal “one flesh” marital union of one man and one woman, and (2) celibacy, which is abstaining from sexual activity outside of marriage.(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Matthew 19:12; Mark 10:58; Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 7:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Hebrews 13:4).

•Sexual Identity — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg believes that God wonderfully and immutably created mankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman), sexually distinct but with equal personal dignity. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. Consequently, each member of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg affirms his or her biological sex and refrains from any and all attempts to physically change, alter, or disagree with their predominant biological sex — including but not limited to elective sex-reassignment, transvestite, transgender, or nonbinary “genderqueer” acts or conduct (Genesis 1:26-28; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

•Sexual Orientation — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg believes that God created and ordered human sexuality to the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of man and woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. Consequently, Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg members must affirm the sexual complementarity of man and woman and resist any and all same-sex sexual attractions and refrain from any and all same-sex sexual acts or conduct, which are intrinsically disordered (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:2).

•Sexual Redemption — Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg believes that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who repent, turn from their sin, and trust in the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Consequently, we believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, and kindness (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Members of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg should, therefore, welcome and treat with grace and forgiveness those who experience same-sex attractions or confess sexually immoral acts but are committed to a lifestyle in keeping with repentance that would be marked by a commitment to resist sexual temptation, refraining from sexual immorality, and conforming their behavior to the authority of Scripture and Grace Bible Church’s Statement of Faith (Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 3:23; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 10:30; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16).

MARRIAGE, GENDER & HUMAN SEXUALITY

• Genesis 1:26-28

• Genesis 2:18-24

• Genesis 19:5-10

• Exodus 20:14

• Leviticus 18:7-23

• Leviticus 20:10-21

• Deuteronomy 5:18

• Judges 19:22-24

• Matthew 5:27-28

• Matthew 15:19

• Matthew 19:4-9

• Mark 10:5-9

• Romans 1:26-27

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-13

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

• Galatians 5:19

• Ephesians 4:17-19

• Ephesians 5:25-27

• Ephesians 5:31

• Colossians 3:5

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3

• 1 Timothy 1:8-10

• Hebrews 13:4

• Jude 1:7

• Revelation 19:7-9

• Revelation 21:2

PASTORAL CARE

• Matthew 11:28-30

• Romans 3:23

• Ephesians 2:1-10

• 1 Corinthians 10:13

• Hebrews 2:17-18

• Hebrews 4:14-16

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to its members as well as the community, all members, employees, and volunteers of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg must affirm and abide by this Doctrinal and Religious Absolute statement on Marriage, Gender, and Human Sexuality in order to qualify for involvement with the ministry. This is necessary to accomplish our biblical mission, goals and purpose. Behavior or counter-witnessing that does otherwise will impede and burden our integrity and religious mission. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Authority

The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, acting as the source of authority over morality, our beliefs, Christian lifestyle and conduct. The Board of Elders of Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg is charged with the ministerial responsibility of biblical interpretation and promulgating religious policy.

Article IV: Government

Section 1: Authority & Responsibility

The ultimate authority for the operation of the church resides in the head of the church, The Lord Jesus Christ. For the purpose of carrying out our Lord’s will in the life of this church, the congregation and leadership shall have the responsibility as outlined in these Bylaws.

Section 2: Church Government

Grace Bible Church of Hattiesburg practices the form of church government known as elder rule. We believe that God raises up men who are scripturally qualified to be elders and overseers of the local church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9), and that these God-ordained men are the spiritual leaders of the church. We believe that the term elder, overseer, and shepherd are synonymous (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Therefore, we do not recognize a separate office of pastor, but rather the spiritual gift of teaching. We do recognize the office of deacon. Deacons are individuals who are assigned by the elders to exercise leadership and humble service in various areas of need in the church body.