What We Believe

Christianity has historic roots that do not change with the wind of the age.  We call these teachings the essentials, made up of primary and secondary doctrines.  Our statement of faith includes these historic teachings, though it does not cover all theological or practical teachings of the church.  When cultural issues arise, it is the role of the elders to write position papers concerning these secondary doctrines, and to do so with one voice.  And thus, we expect those who participate in our worshipping community at Grace to demonstrate charity about the diversity of non-essentials.

The following are the core beliefs of Grace Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, infallible, inerrant in the original writings, complete as the revelation of God's will sufficient for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in all matters to which they speak (Josh 1:8; Ps. 119:89; Matt. 5:17-20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that they are equal in every divine attribute, and that they execute distinct and harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption (Gen. 1:1-2; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19).

We believe God the Father is Spirit, infinite, personal, sovereign, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He is just and concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of humankind, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14; John 1:18; Rev. 1:4).

We believe that Jesus Christ is God's eternal Son, and has precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He is not only true God, but true Man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal, visible, pre-millennial return from heaven (Matt. 1:21-25; 28:19; John 1:1-18; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:3).

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.  We believe in His work in regeneration, sanctification, and preservation. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and implement Christ's work of redeeming the lost and empowering the believer for godly living and service (Gen. 1:2; John 14:16-26; Eph. 4:30).

We believe that humankind, in the persons of Adam and Eve, was created in the image of God, without sin, and enjoyed unimpaired fellowship with the LORD; but, by voluntary transgression, Adam and Eve fell into sin thus marring the image of God in human beings and condemning humanity to eternal separation from God.  Being alienated from God and having suffered the corruption of his nature, humans are unable to please God or save themselves (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; 18-25; 3:1-7, 20-24; 9:6; Rom. 3:23; 1 cor. 15:49; 2 Cor. 5:17).

We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received through faith apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. We believe salvation results in righteous living, a gospel lifestyle, and proper social concern (John 3:16; Rom. 1:16-3:26; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:8-10).

We believe the Church Universal is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, regardless of denomination. The membership of this local body expresses itself as Grace Church Seattle.  We believe the Lord Jesus gave us two ordinances: believers' baptism by immersion and emersion, and the Lord's Supper (Matt. 16:13-20; 18:15-20; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:48-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; Eph. 4:11-16). 

We believe in the autonomy of the local church (that each church shall be self-governing in all matters and free from any ecclesiastical or political authority), yet we associate ourselves with other local churches and Conservative Baptists Northwest.  Jesus is the Head of the Church who assigns under-shepherds (Elders) to lead through prayer, preaching and teaching, maintaining doctrinal purity, oversight, shepherding, discipling and discipline, and modeling right relationships.  We believe deacons / deaconesses are to assist the elders in ministry.  We believe the Body of Christ is composed of interdependent members, each uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body.  (Acts 6:1-7; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 11-14; 1 Tim. 2:12, 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).

We believe the accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit and the authority of God’s Word (John 16:7-14; Gal. 5:13-6:5; Eph. 2:10; 4:17-5:21; Phil. 2:12-13; Heb. 10:23-25; James 2:18-26; 1 John 2:28-3:3). 

We believe in complete chastity before marriage and complete fidelity in heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 13:4).

We believe that 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 aged, 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 (Gen. 9:6; Psalm 139:13-16; James 1:27).

We believe Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.  God will raise to life the lost and the saved – the lost unto eternal separation from God in hell and the saved in Christ unto eternal life in His Kingdom, which will have no end (Matt. 24:3-31; Rev. 19:11-21:8).