We have listed below The Apostles’ Creed and GCF’s Statement of Faith. Theology is important because we live out what we truly believe. But theology/doctrine can also get very complex! And sometimes that is very needed. But we have tried to be simple here in terms of what we believe about the gospel: majoring on the majors and not the minors, explaining our central beliefs and not what is peripheral. The Creed and our Statement of Faith are expressions of our understanding of orthodox Christianity.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic1 Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
1 catholic simply means universal
Statement of Faith
The One True God
We believe that there is only one living and true God, who is Spirit, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are equal in divine perfection, performing distinct but harmonious functions in creation, redemption and providence. Genesis 1.1, 26; Isaiah 9.6-7; Matthew 28.18-20; John 1.1, 14; 10.30; Romans 3.24; 13.1; Ephesians 1.11
Scripture
We believe that the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments is the complete and revealed Word of God. It is God’s truth to all people without any mixture of error. It is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Psalm 119.11-17; 138.2; Isaiah 40.6; John 17.17;
II Timothy 3.14-17; II Peter 1.19-21
Humanity
We believe that all people are created in the image of God with dignity and value. But through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the human race. This pursuit of independence from God enslaves us and makes us spiritually dead. As sinners we need God’s mercy and grace. Genesis 1-3; Romans 3.9-20; 6.19-23; Ephesians 2.1-10; Titus 3.5
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and measureless in power. He works to accomplish His purpose in the affairs of all people. He hears and answers our prayers. He saves His people from the judgment of sin and death. Psalm 2; 19; Daniel 4; Matthew 7.7-11; 10.29-31; John 14.13-14; Acts 4.26-28; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4.13
God the Son
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, God’s unique and eternal Son, conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is the Messiah that God had promised to His people. We believe in His teachings, His sinless life, His miracles, His sacrificial death for our sins, His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and the promise of His second coming. Matthew 1.18-23; John 1.1-14; 20.30-31; Romans 5.8-11; Philippians 2.5-11; I Corinthians 15.1-4; Matthew 10.23; 16.27-28; 24-25; 26.64; Mark 13; Luke 21; Hebrews 9.28; 10.37; James 5.7-9; Revelation 1.1-3; 22.6-7,10,12,20
God the Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit who came from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He brings spiritual life to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells the people of God and sanctifies them. He is their helper, teacher and guide. John 3.3-8; 14.15-26; 16.7-15; Romans 8.9-18; I Corinthians 2.10-16; Ephesians 5.15-21
Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. It is a free gift that cannot be earned.
In Christ we are forgiven of our sins, declared righteous in God’s eyes and reborn by the Holy Spirit. Salvation restores our relationship with God. It is the beginning point of personal and social renewal. John 1.12-13; 6.35-38; 10.11-18, 25-30; 14.6; Acts 4.12; 13.48; 20.21; Romans 3.2-24; 6.23; 10.9-13; Ephesians 2.8-10; Titus 3.4-7
The Kingdom of God and the Church
We believe the Church is the living body of Christ on earth, a community sent on mission with God. It is composed of all who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus is the head of the church and source of its life. The church exists to worship the living God, cultivate spiritual growth, love one another, and communicate Christ to the world by word and deed. Matthew 16.18; Mark 1.14-15; Acts 1.8; 2.41; 8.35-38; 20.17-30; I Corinthians 11.23-32; Ephesians 2.8-10; Philippians 1.1; Colossians 1.18-20; I Timothy 3.1-13; 5.17-21
Last Things
We believe in the resurrection of both saved and unsaved; those who believe to resurrection of life and those who do not believe to be condemned eternally. Matthew 25.46; John 5.24-30; Romans 6.23; I Corinthians 15; Hebrews 9.27