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Proposed Alternative Plan for Preserving Fellowship and Affiliation within the Greater Grace World Outreach
Respectively Submitted: Dr. M. Dennis Ellis
{This document is only a rough draft with the idea that there are other options available for the present desire to preserve the legacy of Dr. Carl Stevens and the GGWO. It is in no way meant to suggest a final form or a finished format for the future structure, but an option to consider. GGWO has qualified Pastors who can, with prayer and seeking God’s face do as the writers of our U.S. Constitution did after days of praying and fasting come up with a divine document to direct us into the future.}
Introduction to Document
In studying different worldwide ministries, one must conclude that all ministries come to a time of making what seems like catastrophic decision at some point in their history. This was true in the founding of B.B.F. (Baptist Bible Fellowship), and B.I.M.I. (Baptist International Missions Incorporated) for examples. Their stories reveal the crossroads which they came to and that they chose the right road to take. It was a very difficult time with each ministry. Today these make up two of the largest missionary sending agencies in the world. It seems only a short time ago, even though nearly half a century ago that Dr. Jack Hyles came to a crossroad in deciding whether to venture out independently or try to remain with the Convention. At that time, the Convention disagreed with his tactics of Bus Evangelism and his of ideas of a mega church. At the local Baptist Associational meeting, after they had refused Dr. Hyles’ newly founded, First Baptist Church of Hammond, IN for membership; one old wise Pastor stood and said, “You have just voted down membership (affiliation) to the man who will build the largest Church in America.” That is exactly what young Hyles did. He came to an important crossroad and made the right decision. This has happened to many other ministries such as Jerry Farwell’s whose Church was meeting in an old McDonald Duck soda drink factory. He often told of cleaning the old building where sticky syrup covered the floors. They came to a crossroad, made the right decision, and built the famous Thomas Road Baptist Church, which is a landmark to right decision-making. Later they came to another crossroad and started Liberty University, which has become one of American’s largest Christian Universities. Please understand, it is not the intent of this author to educate you on ministries who have come to crossroads, which required major decisions and the successes they experienced in making a right decision. However, it is very important to see examples of ministries who have faced similar crossroads we now face and today are stronger, larger and growing more than ever. Not all have made the right decision and today many have vanished into obscurity. You could often hear Dr. Hyles say in Pastor’s Conferences, “Change and growth go hand in hand.” The truth in that statement rings out in the testimonies of hundreds of great ministries who have made right decisions at their crossroad.
By our meeting together, we also are saying that we have come to an important crossroad in the history of the Greater Grace World Outreach and now we must make decisions, which will direct our future. In this author’s study, there are basically three roads at this intersection. The first road is the road “Keep it the same”. Ministries who have chosen this road normally experience decline and then begin decaying from the inner core. For a ministry to preserve its legacy but without growth and change it many times leads to dead orthodoxy. Traditions became more than vision. Many European ministries have experienced this during the last 200 years. They have tremendous traditions wrapped in dead orthodoxies In several European countries, there are now more Islamic followers than Fundamental Bible believing Christians. In England, there are more registered witches and cult members than Bible believing Christians. “How, could this happen where once the Gospel was spreading like wild fire?” you may ask. It can and has happened. It can happen to individual ministries or even to an entire country’s religious infrastructure that refuse change in order to grow and yet preserve the “ancient landmarks”. The vision may be lost and replace with the philosophy of “hanging on”.
Second, there is the road of “Separatism”. This has happened to ministries that have found themselves facing the end of a certain era of growth; facing a change in leadership, or even after great revivals. In fear, they chose to disassociate with progressive change; disassociate themselves with others in the ministry; disassociate because of disagreement. They want to preserve the results of the vision while losing the vision itself. They could not accept that an era had passed and now there was a new horizon. Perhaps in the context of this document it is best not to mention or identify those who have experienced such declined and are now seldom ever heard of. However, you may remember in your own minds ministries who once were on every TV station you tuned to and were making an impact on the Christian community which seemed to be eternal, but now people just say, “who?” They came to a crossroad and chose to go it alone. They refused the, “counsel of many” and today they struggle to survive or they have not survived. Accountability was a foreign word that was not in their vocabulary.
Thirdly, may we use the phrase Dr. Hyles coined, and call this road, ‘Change and Growth go hand and hand” road? We have followed a man in GGWO that we agree to be one of the great unique men of God in the Twentieth and Twenty-first centuries. In following that man’s vision now there is one of the fastest and most effective Churches in spreading the Gospel, and planting new Churches, in Church history. Through immense diversification of ministries, a revival of the Biblical approach to Church planting and growth has developed a Philadelphia Church atmosphere instead of a Sardis or Laodicean Church. Dr. Stevens never once feared change in order to grow. He was not building this ministry by a pragmatic philosophy, but was lead by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit never lets us grow stagnate. He lived the phrase of Dr. Hyles, “change and growth go hand and hand”. If we loose this perspective and take roads, one or two we also will descend into the pit of despair and see a slow disintegration of this ministry. The greatest period of time can yet lie ahead of us. It is not a question of God’s availability to move us forward but our determination to make right decisions through His Spirit.
Purpose of this Document
It is the said purpose of this document to offer an alternative plan on how to preserve the legacy of Dr. Carl Stevens and maintain the vision, which God gave him. Hundreds have followed that vision through the years, believing that he is God’s gift to us, and is a unique Pastor/Teacher in the last two centuries. For over 40 years those who have served within the GGWO have been privileged to heed the call of God in their lives under the leadership and covering of a man who has had Holy Spirit anointed capacity to lead a world wide ministry. He has not only lead the Greater Grace Church and the Maryland Bible College and Seminary in Baltimore, but has precisely lead the Greater Grace World Outreach to influence over 180 countries. Where many denominations have followed a program, GGWO has followed a vision and that vision was given to us through a man, Pastor Carl Stevens.
By taking a small, unscientific, questionnaire the results showed that 100% of people in GGWO who were asked, “What draws you to Baltimore?” they all answered, “Pastor Stevens”. Even though Greater Grace Church of Baltimore is one of the greatest Churches in the world and perhaps even in Church history it is still a man with God’s vision which draws people. Is it faith or is it presumption to expect another man to be waiting in the shadows to replace Pastor Stevens with the same anointing and capacity? Today if Pastor Stevens resigned because of health, or became incapacitated or God took him to live at His house who or what is there to replace this man? Perhaps then the question really is, “Do we want to preserve the legacy of this man who we cherish as a gift from God”? It seems that an overwhelming number of Pastors and Churches are committed to preserving his legacy.
During Pastor Steven’s ministry, we have seen a man who was given the capacity to love everyone deeply and personally. God has shown us a man who is brilliant in digging golden nuggets of “Categorical Doctrine” from God’s Word. God has given us a man who could preach 20+ times a week; quote scores of verses in each message; function with 3 or 4 hours of rest a night and go sometimes days with out real rest; travel around the world while being a husband and father at home. Can we expect that from another man? Can we expect things to be the same when God removes the candle or removes the angel from our midst? With this gift there has been little thought of government or infrastructure because he had the capacity and anointing to glue it all together. However, what about tomorrow? May we refuse to live in self-deception or passivity and believe things will always be the same? Change and Growth do go hand in hand. Will we meet the challenge of the future with more expectation than ever or will we be satisfied with precious people leaving our Bible College taking with them over 90 years of experience in Finished Work theology? Will we be satisfied to see hundreds leaving because they have lost hope in the survival of “The Vision”? Can we be satisfied to see sons of this ministry taking their Churches down another path called disassociation or the road “Separatism”? As the Apostle Paul said on another occasion, “God forbid” should be our commitment.
Together, we absolutely can preserve the legacy of Pastor Carl Stevens and build on it to heights never even before imagined. There is a form of government and an infrastructure to insure that GGWO will fulfill the Great Commission and not waiver in the doing. All of our Pastors and Churches can unit and shout to the world the Finish Work.
constitution and by-laws
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be The (___________________) Fellowship International, (a duly incorporated body in the State of (________________), USA.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this Fellowship shall be: 1. to obey in letter and spirit the commissions given by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 2. To insure the preservation of the legacy of Dr. Carl Stevens and the heritage of the GGWO.
ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION
Affiliation with the (_____________________) Fellowship International is open to any Greater Grace pastor of a supporting Greater Grace Church believing in and adhering to the Word of God, based on the Articles of Faith appended hereto. A supporting Greater Grace Church is one that financially supports the International Fellowship and our missions and/or colleges.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
The (____________________) Fellowship International shall meet annually, beginning on the (week #) Monday of (month), for the transaction of business. The place of this meeting shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. The President may call other meetings as the need arises; 30 days advance notification of such business sessions to be published in the (____________) International Fellowship paper. Pastors and Missionaries may be approved or ordained at any Fellowship meeting. Any Fellowship pastor may attend any meeting of a committee, agency, or subsidiary of the Fellowship. Any pastor shall have the inalienable right to appeal to the (____________) International Fellowship.
ARTICLE V - VOTING RIGHTS
Each church shall have one vote. Recognizing that this is a fellowship of pastors, this vote shall be cast by the pastor, or in his absence, by his authorized alternate.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Any elected officer of this Fellowship shall be a pastor/teacher of a supporting church.
Section 2. The officers of the Executive Committee of the Fellowship shall be pastors serving as President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer plus any others the Fellowship deems necessary. The Executive Committee will be composed of Twenty-one Pastors who will serve for three-year terms. Each year 1/3 (one-third) will rotate off and must remain off for one year minimum before being reelected. Electing 7 Pastors for one year, 7 Pastors for two years and 7 Pastors will do the beginning rotations for three years.
Section 2a. The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected biennially. The twenty-one Pastors plus the Mission Field Directors constitutes the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will serve as its own nominating committee for the purpose of electing its officers. No officer can succeed himself by election to the same office for more than one term. In the event of a vacancy in the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified candidate, to fulfill the unexpired term.
Section 2b. Each qualifying Pastor can nominate Pastors to serve on the Executive Committee. There can be up to 7 Pastors nominated to replace the 7 retiring Pastors. The acting Executive Committee then identifies the top 7 recommendations and those are ratified at the next International Convention. Nomination forms will be mailed out in ample time to each (__________________________) International Fellowship member from the Directory of Pastors and their nominations can be mailed to the address on the form. A list of member Pastors for potential nominations will be furnished by Web site, mail, or other agreed on method.
Section 2b. The Executive Committee shall make recommendations to the Fellowship for the positions of Director of Missions, Director of Education, Director of Evangelism & Home Missions, Editor of the (____________________) International Fellowship newspaper, and the General Manager of Publications. The Executive Committee shall appoint individuals to these positions, and such appointments are to be ratified by the International Convention Fellowship. The Presidents of each College in the (_____________) International Fellowship (United States, S. America, Europe, E. Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Asia for examples) must be ratified following appointment by that college’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee shall be divided into necessary committees for the development of policies and procedures as they relate to individual subcommittees responsibilities and oversight.
1. Mission Field Representatives. The Director of Missions presides over the Mission Field Representatives. The Mission Field Representatives are responsible for all aspects of the (___________________) International Fellowship missions program in their respected geographical location. (N. America, Central America, S. America, Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and (?).
a. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for developing, drafting, publishing, and revising the (_________________) International Fellowship Missions Policy. All (____________) International Fellowship missions’ work must conform to the published (____________) International Fellowship Missions Policy. The Executive Committee shall arbitrate any issues that cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both Mission Field Representatives and missionaries or candidates.
b. The Executive Committee shall elect the Director of Missions (International Field Secretary), a full-time, paid employee of the Fellowship, to oversee Mission Field Representatives, Church planting, National Pastors and serve on the Executive Committee. The Director of Missions shall report directly to the Executive Committee.
c. Executive Committee and the Director of Missions, with input from the Missionaries, shall nominate the Mission Field Representatives. The Mission Field Representatives will serve for a period of three years, and their election shall be conducted so that one-third of the group shall be elected annually. They may be reelected for a second three year term. Details of the election, organization, and operation of mission field representatives shall be included in the Missions Policy. The Director of Missions shall be Chairman of the Mission Field representatives.
2. The Vice-President presides over the Education Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for all aspects of the (_________________) International Fellowship education program.
a. The Education Committee shall be responsible for developing, drafting, publishing, and revising the (____________) International Fellowship Education Policy. The Executive Committee must approve the (____________) International Fellowship Education Policy.
b. The Education Committee shall oversee the appointment of presidents and trustees of all (____________) International Fellowship Colleges. All (____________) International Fellowship colleges must comply with published (____________) International Fellowship Education Policy.
c. The Executive Committee shall recommend candidates to the Mission Field Representatives for the Education Director, which ultimately is to be a full-time, paid employee of the (____________) International Fellowship. The Executive Committee shall appoint the Education Director, who must be ratified by the Fellowship at the International Convention Meeting. The Education Director shall report directly to the Education Committee.
3. The Executive Committee is responsible for Evangelism and World/Home Missions. The Vice-President presides over the Evangelism and World/Home Missions Committee. The Evangelism and Home Missions Committee is responsible for all aspects of (____________) International Fellowship work in evangelism and missions within the United States and Internationally.
a. The Evangelism and World/Home Missions Committee shall be responsible for developing, drafting, publishing, and revising the (____________) International Fellowship Home Missions Policy. The (____________) International Fellowship Home Missions Policy must be approved by the Executive Committee.
b. The Executive Committee shall recommend candidates to the Directors for the Evangelism Director, ultimately a full-time, paid employee of the (____________) International Fellowship. The Executive Committee shall appoint the Evangelism Director, who must be ratified by the Fellowship at the International Convention Meeting. The Evangelism Director shall report directly to the Evangelism and World/Home Missions Committee.
4. The Chairman of the Missions Committee, the Education Committee, and the Committee of Evangelism & Home Missions, at the Chairman’s request, may appoint two (2) approved furlough missionaries to serve on his committee in an advisory capacity.
Section 3. The President shall preside at all business meetings of the Fellowship and shall act for the Fellowship according to delegated power given him by the Fellowship. He and the Vice-President shall be considered ex-officio members of all committees, agencies, and subsidiaries of the Fellowship.
The Vice-President shall act for the President on all necessary occasions and shall assist him whenever possible.
The Secretary shall keep all records and minutes on behalf of the Fellowship.
The Treasurer shall keep a record and shall provide the Executive Committee with an annual audit. All funds received by the Treasurer shall be disbursed as designated by the donor, or if undesignated, as instructed by the Executive Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to maintain the integrity of all accounts.
Section 4. All appointed administrators of Fellowship agencies mentioned in Section 2b shall serve for an indefinite term. The Executive Committee shall appoint their successors. An annual audit of all receipts and disbursements of Fellowship agencies shall be made available to the Executive Committee. These administrators are charged to maintain persons in employ whose belief and behavior are consistent with our Articles of Faith.
Section 5. No person shall hold at one time more than one elective or appointive office set forth by this Constitution. This shall include officers of Fellowship- owned and approved colleges, such as President, Vice-President(s), Trustees, or any other officer of the colleges.
Section 6. All College Trustees shall be elected to serve a three-year term. Election shall be conducted so that one-third of the group shall be elected annually.
Section 7. If for any reason an Executive Committee member is unable to serve his unexpired term, an appointed Pastor by the Officers of the Executive Committee shall fill it.
ARTICLE VII - SUBSIDIARIES AND PROPERTIES
Section 1. The subsidiaries of the (________________) Fellowship International shall operate independently of and yet in cooperation with each other. Each shall operate under duly designated authority from the Fellowship, but within the framework of this Constitution.
Section 2. All properties of the (____________________) Fellowship International, including all foreign properties that may be acquired by it later, shall be legally registered in the name of and duly owned by the (___________________) Fellowship International, to conform to all legal requirements of the locality in which they are situated. The Secretary is responsible for keeping record of all properties owned by the (____________) International Fellowship and its subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VIII – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
This Constitution shall supersede any other document pertaining to any branch or institution of the (_____________________) Fellowship International, and no document pertaining to any institution or branch of the (___________________________) Fellowship International shall set forth any rights, privileges or powers that are in conflict with those set forth in this Constitution and By-Laws. This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at the annual meeting of the (________________) Fellowship International by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, providing the proposed amendment has been read at a previous National Meeting.
ARTICLE IX - RELATIONSHIP TO CHURCHES
All New Testament Churches are autonomous and self-governing; therefore, no article in this Constitution or By-Laws shall ever be interpreted in any way as to infringe upon or jeopardize the absolute sovereignty of any local church. The property rights, the missionary policies, and the practical procedures for autonomous, self-governing churches shall never be endangered in any way by the (________________________) Fellowship International, its agencies or subsidiaries.
ARTICLE X - ARTICLES OF FAITH |
1. Of the Scriptures
2. Of the True God
3. Of the person of God the Father
4. Of the person of Jesus Christ
5. Of the person of the Holy Spirit
6. Of the Devil, or Satan
7. Of the Creation
8. Of the Fall of Man
9. Of the Virgin Birth
10. Of the Atonement for Sin
11. Of Grace in the New Creation
12. Of the Freeness of Salvation
13. Of Justification
14. Of Repentance and Faith
15. Of the Church
16. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
18. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
19. Of Civil Government
20. Of the Resurrection, Return of Christ & Related Events
21. Of Missions
22. Of Grace giving
Of The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89,105,130,160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27,44-45; John 5:39,45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2Timothy 3:16-17; 1Peter 1:23; 2Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19
Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. God is personal, spirit, omniscient, sovereign, perfect, immutable, eternal in His being, holiness, love, wisdom, and power. We believe that God is separate and above the world as its creator, yet everywhere present in the world as the sustainer of all things. God is self-existent and self-revealing in His relationship with His creation
Genesis 17:1; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:23; 1Corinthians 12:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1Timothy 1:17; 1John 5:7; Revelation 4:11
Of The Person of God the Father
We believe God is supreme in His Person, eternal in His being, absolute in His attributes, and glorious in His Perfection. We believe in the Trinity. We believe in one Triune God, the creator of heaven and earth. We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory. God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4; I Corinthian 8:6; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:2-4; Ephesians 4:3-6)
Of The Person of Jesus Christ
We believe in the virgin birth of Christ, His Deity, and sinless life, His vicarious death, along with His bodily resurrection and ascension, and in His personal, pre-millennial return. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead, God in the flesh, virgin born as no other man has ever been born nor ever will be born. He lived an absolutely sinless life and became the sinner's voluntary substitute on the Cross by His vicarious death for man's sin. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day, giving eternal assurance of redemption's full payment and the satisfaction of God's righteous indignation toward sin. He ascended bodily into heaven and he will come to rapture His saints to be with Himself. His coming for His saints is imminent and will be personal, pre-tribulation, and pre-millennial.
(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18; John 1:1; 14:3; I Thessalonians 4:16; Luke 1:35; I Peter 2:22; 3:18)
Of The Person of Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the executive of the Godhead. We believe that He executes the Plan of God for our conviction and salvation. Christians are partakers of the Holy Spirit and empowered for service by Him. We believe the Holy Spirit is a person possessing all the attributes of Deity. He convicts the unbelieving world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He regenerates, seals, indwells, fills the believer and bestows gifts upon believers for service. He teachers the believer and sets him apart for a holy life. We believe the Holy Spirit is the Commander-in-Chief of missions and that His testimony is not of Himself but Jesus Christ and the redemptive truths centered in Christ.
Genesis 1:13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 13:26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11; Acts 5:3,4; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:14,16,26-27; I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:2;)
Of The Devil, Or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2Corinthians 11:13-15; 1Thessalonians 3:5; 2Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1Peter 5:8; 2Peter 2:4; 1John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11,16,20; 20:1-3,10
Of The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring for only “after their kind.” Since God created mankind into genders distinctly male and female, we believe that the only legitimate marriage is that between a man and a woman. He has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6
Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3
Of The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthews 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1Corinthians 15:47; 1John 5:20
Of The Atonement For Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatory offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior.
Isaiah 53:4-7,11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2
Of Grace In The New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:23; 2Corinthians 5:17, 19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1John 5:1
Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1Thessalonians 1:4; 1Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17
Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38
Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11,13
Of The Church
We believe that a “Greater Grace” church is a congregation of believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the divine and eternal grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors/teachers or ruling elders, pastors or elders, and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures.
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions of men and women in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to hold the leadership positions (pastor/teachers, pastor (elders) and deacons) in the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible of licensure and ordination for pastor by the church.
We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; 1Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1Timothy 3:1-13
Of Baptism And The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12
Of The Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1Peter 1:5; 1John 2:19
Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18,23; 7:6; 1Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1Peter 4:18; 1John 2:7,29; 5:19
Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1Peter 2:13-14, 17
Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ And Related Events
We believe in the literal symbolic interpretation of the sacred Scriptures on these matters. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "The third day according to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God"; "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven," that God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory in the clouds to rapture His church. His appearing will be bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump"; " where it will experience the “Bema Seat” and “The Marriage of the Lamb”;; that immediately following the rapture will be the seven-year tribulation period. Concluding this, Christ will come again to the earth and establish His rule for a 1,000 year period that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David". The Great White Throne judgment of the unsaved, coupled with Satan being cast into the lake of fire following the 1,000 reign on earth, will then allow Christ to establish a New Heaven and a New Earth.
Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27,42; Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 1:32; Luke 24:2,4-6,39,51; John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9,11; 1Corinthians 15:4; Philippians 4:20; 1Thessalonians 4:16; 1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9; 8:1; 9:28; 12:2
Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
Of The Grace Of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
2Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
1Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils," - Hebrews 7:2,4 - and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the new Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "these ought ye to have done", Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, "The tithe ... is the Lord's."
Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet ... Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
