Grace Bible Church of Rolling Meadows

Doctrinal Statement

The purpose of this doctrinal statement is to summarize the core beliefs of this assembly so that one may know where we stand and also where our beliefs may differ from those of other assemblies. It is not meant to be an all-inclusive list or an exhaustive theological treatise; the content of our faith is the entire Word of God. Reference verses are given but some doctrines cannot be summarized fully with a few verses.

The Bible

The Bible is the Word of God. It is not of human origin but was given by inspiration of God, of plenary authority, inerrant in its original autographs, and preserved accurately through history. The Bible is our sole authority. All believers are individually responsible to understand and apply God's Word. To be properly understood, the Bible must be "rightly divided", according to the dispensational principles laid out in Scripture.

II Tim 3:16; II Peter 1:21; II Tim 2:15; Phil 1:10

The Godhead

There is one God, eternally existent in the triune Godhead - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, the image of the invisible God.

John 1:1-18; II Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; I John 5:7

Christ's Deity and Humanity

We believe in the eternal, absolute deity, the virgin birth, spotless humanity and vicarious death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; Rom 1:3-4; Phil 2:6-8

Man's Depravity

All men are sinners by nature and totally depraved, completely lost and unable to save themselves from the penalty of sin.

Gen 6:5; Isaiah 64:6; Jer 17:9; Rom 1:18-3:20, 23

Christ's Payment for Sin - Evidence of God's Love

We believe in Christ's substitutionary death on the cross as full payment of the wages of man's sin-the only provision of salvation for the human race. God becoming man to die in our place so that we can be justified by grace through faith is the supreme evidence of God's infinite love for us.

Rom 3:24-28; 4:25; 5:8; I Cor 15:1-4

Christ's Resurrection

God's satisfaction with Christ's payment for sin is manifested in Christ's literal, bodily resurrection from the dead.

Matt 28:5-7; Acts 2:31; Rom 4:25; I Cor 15:17

Salvation

God views individuals as either completely "saved" or totally "lost" without regard to any category of man's construction. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Salvation is offered to all, and is freely given to all that believe that Christ died for their sins. Human works have no place in salvation.

Rom 5:1-2, 8:28-39; Eph 1:13-14

Eternal Security

All those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation are eternally secure, i.e., they cannot lose their salvation.

Rom 5:1-2, 8:28-29; Eph 1:13-14

The Church

The "church" of this present dispensation, also known as the Body of Christ, is not a human organization but is a living organism composed of all believers of this present Age of Grace. It began with the Apostle Paul in Acts 9 and is visibly manifest in Acts 13. It is not the subject of prophecy and is distinct from the nation of Israel and not the fulfiller of her promise or covenants.

I Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 3:1-6; Col 1:24-27

The commission of the church (Body of Christ), and each believer in it, is to proclaim the message of reconciliation to a lost world, and to preach "Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery."

Rom 16:25; II Cor 5:18-20

Paul's Unique Apostleship

Paul is the unique apostle for the Body of Christ and is not one of the 12 apostles associated with Israel's program. To Paul alone, Christ revealed "the mystery" and committed to him stewardship of the Dispensation of Grace. It is only in Paul's writings that we find the doctrine for and the position and walk of the Body of Christ.

Rom 11:13; Eph 3:1-9; Gal 2:6-9; I Tim 1:15-16

Baptism

There is one baptism for the Dispensation of Grace; a dry, spiritual baptism that occurs when the Holy Spirit places (baptizes) the believer into the Body of Christ, identifying the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Rom 6:3-4; I Cor 1:17, 12:12-13; Eph 4:5; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts were given at the beginning of this dispensation because the Word of God was not yet complete. Since the completion of the Word of God, spiritual gifts have passed away. All believers possess all spiritual blessings but have differing talents of ministry.

I Cor 13:8-13; Eph 1:3; II Tim 3:16-17

The Believer's Walk

It is the privilege and duty of all believers to walk as children of light, congruent with their position in Christ.

Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4:1-3, 5:1-2, 8

The Rapture

This present dispensation will end with the pre-tribulation rapture or "catching away" of God's ambassadors from the earth by Christ, to be forever with Him. God will then resume His prophetic dealings with the Nation of Israel.

I Cor 15:51-54; II Cor 5:20; I Thess 4:15-18

Return of Christ

Christ will return to earth personally to end the Tribulation, to deliver His tribulation saints, end Gentile world dominion and usher in His Kingdom.

Dan 2:44-45; Joel 3:16; Matt 24:29-30; Acts 1:11-12

The Kingdom

We believe in a literal, physical, eternal kingdom of heaven on earth, where Christ will reign over and through Israel, and the entire world for 1,000 years. We, the Body of Christ, will reign with Christ in the heavenlies.

II Sam 7:12-16; Dan 2:44; Matt 3:1-3; Acts 1:6-7, 3:19-21; Eph 1:3, 2:4-7; Phil 3:20

Great White Throne Judgment

Christ will judge the lost at His great white throne judgment, giving them the wages of sin, and condemning them to everlasting, unremitting, conscious punishment in the lake of fire.

II Thess 1:7-9; Rev 20:11-15

Eternal State

Subsequent to the great white throne judgment, God will gather all things - both in heaven and in earth - together under the headship of Christ in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.

Eph 1:10; Col 1:18-20; Rev 21:1-2