What we believe is based on the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God. The following is a general summary of what we believe:
The
Bible
We
believe that every word of the original writings of the Old and New Testaments
is inspired by God, and therefore inerrant, infallible, and authoritative. The
Bible is the final authority for everything we believe and do at GCBC.
God
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three persons; the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the creator, sustainer, and ruler of all
things Who will one day judge every person. The ultimate priority of GCBC is to
know God and glorify Him with our lives.
Jesus
Christ
We believe that the eternal Son of God was begotten by the Holy Spirit,
being born of a virgin name Mary, and therefore is truly God and truly man. He
lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitute for those who receive
Him as their Lord and Savior, resurrected from the grave after three days, and
ascended to God's right hand to be our High Priest and Advocate with the
Father. The person and work of Jesus Christ is the central focus of GCBC.
The
Holy Spirit
We believe the third Person of the Trinity convicts unbelievers of their
need for Christ and regenerates, baptizes, seals and indwells all believers,
and provides them with spiritual gifts to serve and build up the church. GCBC
is completely dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to affect change in
people's lives.
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but through Adam's
sin, all have inherited a sinful nature, which separates them from God. Every
human being is totally depraved and doomed for eternal punishment in hell, and
of himself can do nothing to remedy his lost condition. The joy of GCBC is
showing people how they can be forgiven for their sin.
Salvation
We believe salvation is the free gift of God granted to those who are
willing to repent of their sin and place their faith alone in the finished work
of Jesus Christ. Good works cannot earn salvation. Once a person receives Jesus
Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, his salvation is secure forever through
the preserving power of God. GCBC's mission is to share the good news of
salvation.
Sanctification
We believe that every Christian is in the process of being transformed
into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Through study of God's Word and prayer along
with the encouragement of other Christians, the believer will live a life of
increasing holiness, separating himself from the sinful practices of the world
and developing godly habit patterns. GCBC has the privilege of helping people
along the path toward spiritual maturity.
The
Church
We believe that the universal Church, the body and bride of Christ, is a
spiritual organism made up of all born again believers that God established to
advance His kingdom in the world during this present age. Believers all over
the world group together in local churches to worship God and be a witness for
Christ in their community.
Last
Things
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, His millennial reign
on earth, and the final judgment of all mankind after which the saved will experience
everlasting blessing in heaven and the unsaved will experience everlasting
suffering in hell. This "Blessed Hope" creates a spirit of
anticipation but also a sense of urgency in all we do at GCBC.