OUR STATEMENTS
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor. 1:10
The most essential thing that makes us a church family is our common salvation. We’ve already learned what it means to be saved and to enter into a new relationship with God through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. We’ve seen the incredible benefits of being saved – belonging to God’s family, being forgiven and empowered to serve and worship Him.
We also learned that we have a great purpose to fulfill on this earth. And it’s because we are forgiven, empowered, and beloved that we are able to fulfill our mission. To do that, we begin by looking at our Statements.
We are a family not only because we share a common salvation, but because we also have common agreement of who we are and where we’re going. That agreement is shared in our statements. There are three defining statements that we need to cover in this session.
• Our Great Statements - Who are we and why are we here?
• Our Faith Statement - What do we believe?
• Our Vision Statement - Where are we going?
The most essential thing that makes us a church family is our common salvation. We’ve already learned what it means to be saved and to enter into a new relationship with God through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. We’ve seen the incredible benefits of being saved – belonging to God’s family, being forgiven and empowered to serve and worship Him.
We also learned that we have a great purpose to fulfill on this earth. And it’s because we are forgiven, empowered, and beloved that we are able to fulfill our mission. To do that, we begin by looking at our Statements.
We are a family not only because we share a common salvation, but because we also have common agreement of who we are and where we’re going. That agreement is shared in our statements. There are three defining statements that we need to cover in this session.
• Our Great Statements - Who are we and why are we here?
• Our Faith Statement - What do we believe?
• Our Vision Statement - Where are we going?
OUR GREAT STATEMENTS
(Who Are We and Why Are We Here?)
At Amazing Grace, we try to keep things simple. We believe we can summarize who we are and why we’re here by way of three “great” passages of Scripture. We call them our “Great Statements”. These statements represent the non-negotiables that we are committed to and the foundation for the principles we value at Amazing Grace Community Church. These are the statements that describe the kind of church God has called us to be.
The Great Confession:
Phil. 2:10-11 …that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In this statement, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and the Head of this Church. We confess Him as our personal Lord, which also leads us to continually confess our sins and our need for Him in our daily lives. This is our identity.
The Great Commandment:
Mt. 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In this statement, we are reminded that everything we do needs to be in devotion to and for the glory of God. That devotion needs to be seen in our love for each other. In fact, we can only love God as much as we love each other. This is our first mission.
The Great Commission:
Mt. 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Here, we are again reminded that Jesus Christ is our final authority, and He has delegated that authority to us to go and make fully mature disciples of Christ. This is our second mission.
Now, here’s an exciting summary of these three key passages.
“WE BELIEVE THAT A GREAT COMMITMENT TO THE GREAT CONFESSION, THE GREAT COMMANDMENT, AND THE GREAT COMMISSION WILL GROW A GREAT CHURCH.”
In fact, in these three passages, we can find five key purposes for the church that will help us become a great church.
• To “Love God with all your heart” is “WORSHIP.”
• To “Love your neighbor as yourself” is “MINISTRY.”
• To “Go....make disciples” is “EVANGELISM.”
• To “baptize...” is to “INCORPORATE INTO FELLOWSHIP.” (Baptism in Scripture was the act which incorporated the new believer into the local church family.)
• To “Teach them.....all things” is “DISCIPLESHIP.”
• And all of this is done under the LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.
Acts 2:42,44-46 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
This is why we exist. It’s who we are and what we are pursuing. More importantly, it’s what God commands and expects of us as His family.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What does it mean to call Jesus “Lord”? Why is it necessary to practice each of these Great Statements? Which of these purposes of the Church do you need to work the most on?
The Great Confession:
Phil. 2:10-11 …that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In this statement, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and the Head of this Church. We confess Him as our personal Lord, which also leads us to continually confess our sins and our need for Him in our daily lives. This is our identity.
The Great Commandment:
Mt. 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In this statement, we are reminded that everything we do needs to be in devotion to and for the glory of God. That devotion needs to be seen in our love for each other. In fact, we can only love God as much as we love each other. This is our first mission.
The Great Commission:
Mt. 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Here, we are again reminded that Jesus Christ is our final authority, and He has delegated that authority to us to go and make fully mature disciples of Christ. This is our second mission.
Now, here’s an exciting summary of these three key passages.
“WE BELIEVE THAT A GREAT COMMITMENT TO THE GREAT CONFESSION, THE GREAT COMMANDMENT, AND THE GREAT COMMISSION WILL GROW A GREAT CHURCH.”
In fact, in these three passages, we can find five key purposes for the church that will help us become a great church.
• To “Love God with all your heart” is “WORSHIP.”
• To “Love your neighbor as yourself” is “MINISTRY.”
• To “Go....make disciples” is “EVANGELISM.”
• To “baptize...” is to “INCORPORATE INTO FELLOWSHIP.” (Baptism in Scripture was the act which incorporated the new believer into the local church family.)
• To “Teach them.....all things” is “DISCIPLESHIP.”
• And all of this is done under the LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.
Acts 2:42,44-46 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
This is why we exist. It’s who we are and what we are pursuing. More importantly, it’s what God commands and expects of us as His family.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What does it mean to call Jesus “Lord”? Why is it necessary to practice each of these Great Statements? Which of these purposes of the Church do you need to work the most on?
OUR FAITH STATEMENT
As you read through our Faith Statement, please open your Bible and look up each passage. We don’t want you just to take our word for it. We want you to know for yourself what God says in His Word. If you have any questions, feel free to discuss them with each other or with an elder.
The purpose of doctrine is to define the church, not to divide the church. While it is healthy to study and discuss doctrine, we must always remember to do so in a spirit of love and grace, recognizing that some may interpret the Scriptures differently. With that in mind, an age-old approach to doctrine serves us well:
• In essentials, we have unity,
What this means is that there are certain things that we hold dear. There are certain doctrines that we will not budge on.
• In non-essentials, we have liberty,
If you have a slightly different theology in a non-essential area (future things, etc.), that’s okay. We want to encourage good, Biblical discussion, even if means that on some points we agree to disagree, as long as we do so in love and a spirit of unity.
• In all things, we have charity.
1 Cor. 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
While all doctrine is important and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), there are essential doctrines pertaining to our relationship to God that we must agree upon. Our Essential Doctrines are as follows:
1. We believe that the Bible (including the 66 Books of the Old and New Testament) is God’s faithful and true revelation to mankind, that it is His holy and inspired Word, and that it is of supreme and final authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 5:18, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
2. We believe in one God Who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He is very concerned with the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 90:1-2, Isaiah 57:15, 1 John 3:1, Psalm 17:6-7, Romans 5:8)
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Holy Son of God, Who came to earth fully human and fully God. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death and ascended to Heaven at the Father’s right hand. He will return again someday to take believers to be with Him forever. (John 1:1-4, 14, Matthew 1:20-23, Ephesians 1:19-23, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:2-3)
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ by convicting and drawing people to God, indwelling and sealing every believer, and empowering believers for ministry. The Spirit also fills those who yield to Him. (Titus 3:5, John 14:15-17, 26, 16:7-14, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 4-6, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 5:18).
5. We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, but because of sin, has broken his relationship with God, incurred God’s wrath, and faces His judgment and eternal death. All people are now born in sin and need to be reconciled with God, yet are helpless to save themselves from God’s wrath. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 6:23, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:9-18, 23, 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:19).
6. We believe that because of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, our sins can be paid for and we can be reconciled to God. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it by repenting and turning to Christ. We then become a child of God and are promised eternal life. We can only be reconciled to God through the Person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-18, Acts 3:19, Romans 3:24-25, 6:23, 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 10:27-29, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 1:4-6, Colossians 1:21-22)
7. We believe that salvation results in holy and righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. Salvation is a lifelong journey of growing in our relationship to God by submitting to the Lordship of Christ. (Matthew 3:8, 7:16-17, 25:31-46, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:12-13, 3:7-11)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What’s the difference between essential and non-essential doctrine? Is there any statement that you disagree with or don’t understand? What questions do you have concerning our statement of faith?
The purpose of doctrine is to define the church, not to divide the church. While it is healthy to study and discuss doctrine, we must always remember to do so in a spirit of love and grace, recognizing that some may interpret the Scriptures differently. With that in mind, an age-old approach to doctrine serves us well:
• In essentials, we have unity,
What this means is that there are certain things that we hold dear. There are certain doctrines that we will not budge on.
• In non-essentials, we have liberty,
If you have a slightly different theology in a non-essential area (future things, etc.), that’s okay. We want to encourage good, Biblical discussion, even if means that on some points we agree to disagree, as long as we do so in love and a spirit of unity.
• In all things, we have charity.
1 Cor. 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
While all doctrine is important and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), there are essential doctrines pertaining to our relationship to God that we must agree upon. Our Essential Doctrines are as follows:
1. We believe that the Bible (including the 66 Books of the Old and New Testament) is God’s faithful and true revelation to mankind, that it is His holy and inspired Word, and that it is of supreme and final authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 5:18, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
2. We believe in one God Who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He is very concerned with the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 90:1-2, Isaiah 57:15, 1 John 3:1, Psalm 17:6-7, Romans 5:8)
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Holy Son of God, Who came to earth fully human and fully God. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death and ascended to Heaven at the Father’s right hand. He will return again someday to take believers to be with Him forever. (John 1:1-4, 14, Matthew 1:20-23, Ephesians 1:19-23, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:2-3)
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ by convicting and drawing people to God, indwelling and sealing every believer, and empowering believers for ministry. The Spirit also fills those who yield to Him. (Titus 3:5, John 14:15-17, 26, 16:7-14, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 4-6, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 5:18).
5. We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, but because of sin, has broken his relationship with God, incurred God’s wrath, and faces His judgment and eternal death. All people are now born in sin and need to be reconciled with God, yet are helpless to save themselves from God’s wrath. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 6:23, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:9-18, 23, 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:19).
6. We believe that because of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, our sins can be paid for and we can be reconciled to God. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it by repenting and turning to Christ. We then become a child of God and are promised eternal life. We can only be reconciled to God through the Person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-18, Acts 3:19, Romans 3:24-25, 6:23, 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 10:27-29, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 1:4-6, Colossians 1:21-22)
7. We believe that salvation results in holy and righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. Salvation is a lifelong journey of growing in our relationship to God by submitting to the Lordship of Christ. (Matthew 3:8, 7:16-17, 25:31-46, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:12-13, 3:7-11)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What’s the difference between essential and non-essential doctrine? Is there any statement that you disagree with or don’t understand? What questions do you have concerning our statement of faith?
OUR VISION STATEMENT
(Where are we going?)
Everything we hold to and believe will ultimately be powerless unless we understand and commit to God’s vision for Amazing Grace Community Church. Our vision not only summarizes where we believe He is leading us, but exhorts us to see this vision become reality as we pursue Christ. It is the responsibility of EVERY BELIEVER to seek to fulfill God’s vision in his or her individual life.
There are three key things that we believe God has begun and wants us join Him in developing.
• Promote Unity
Jn. 17:23 …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.
God has given us a great spirit of unity at Amazing Grace. We need to purposely work at developing that in our worship services, our fellowship, and our opportunities for ministry. Unity doesn’t mean unanimity. We can agree to disagree as long as it’s done in the Spirit of Christ.
• Impact our Community
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
There’s a reason we are called a community church. We must continually be looking for ways to impact our community, not only to better our neighborhood, but most importantly, to go and make disciples, beginning in our own Jerusalem.
• Build our Youth
Mt. 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
God has literally begun a youth ministry in the home of one of our members. Not only that, but we realize that our young people are both our present and our future. Therefore, we need to find ways to develop this ministry and do all we can to “bring the little children to Jesus”.
Our statements will always guard us against a comfort zone mentality, because as long as there is one person who has not been brought to Jesus in salvation, and as long as there is one person who is not fully mature in Christ, as long as God’s vision for us has not been fully realized, Amazing Grace Community Church will have a job to do. (Prov. 29:18, Col 1:28).
Col. 1:28-29 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What do you see God doing at Amazing Grace Community Church? What specific things can we do to see God’s vision for us become a reality?
There are three key things that we believe God has begun and wants us join Him in developing.
• Promote Unity
Jn. 17:23 …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.
God has given us a great spirit of unity at Amazing Grace. We need to purposely work at developing that in our worship services, our fellowship, and our opportunities for ministry. Unity doesn’t mean unanimity. We can agree to disagree as long as it’s done in the Spirit of Christ.
• Impact our Community
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
There’s a reason we are called a community church. We must continually be looking for ways to impact our community, not only to better our neighborhood, but most importantly, to go and make disciples, beginning in our own Jerusalem.
• Build our Youth
Mt. 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
God has literally begun a youth ministry in the home of one of our members. Not only that, but we realize that our young people are both our present and our future. Therefore, we need to find ways to develop this ministry and do all we can to “bring the little children to Jesus”.
Our statements will always guard us against a comfort zone mentality, because as long as there is one person who has not been brought to Jesus in salvation, and as long as there is one person who is not fully mature in Christ, as long as God’s vision for us has not been fully realized, Amazing Grace Community Church will have a job to do. (Prov. 29:18, Col 1:28).
Col. 1:28-29 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: What do you see God doing at Amazing Grace Community Church? What specific things can we do to see God’s vision for us become a reality?