 |
In Essential Beliefs -
We Have Unity
"There is one body and one Spirit... there is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all..."
- Ephesians 4:4-6
|
In Non-Essential Beliefs -
We Have Liberty
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing
judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's
servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then
each of us will give an account of himself to God... So
whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and
God."
- Romans 14: 1,4,12,22 |
In All Our Beliefs -
We Show Charity
"...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge
but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can
move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all."
- 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph) |
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. It was
written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy
Spirit. It is the final authority in faith and life.
Psalms 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter
1:20-21 |
God
We believe in one God, who is eternal and exists in three
co-equal persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator
and Ruler of the Universe. God is Holy (without sin or
imperfection).
Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew
28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2 |
The Condition of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of
God. Originally created without sin, man, through sinful choices,
is alienated from God. Man is incapable of reconciling himself to
God.
Genesis 2:1-25; Romans 3:10-18; Romans 5:12; Romans
6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8-10 |
The Person and Work of Jesus
Christ
We believe that, because God is holy, sin violates who He is.
Because God is just, sin must be punished. Because God is love, He
provided a Savior in satisfaction for sin.
Isaiah 6:3; Deuteronomy 32:4; Romans 5:8
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man without
ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born
of the virgin Mary in order to reconcile sinful man to God. He
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried as a
perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thus, He satisfied God's righteous
judgment against sin. He rose from the dead thereby confirming His
victory over sin. He ascended into heaven and will return again to
receive those who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord.
Luke 1:34-35; Luke 24:1-8; John 1:1,2,14,18; 1
Corinthians 15:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:14,21 |
Our Response to the Person and
Work of Jesus Christ
Faith
Faith is belief or trust in the good news that Jesus died
for our sins. Faith involves two elements:
a) Intellectual belief, or knowledge and acceptance of the good
news.
1 John 5:10
b) Moral belief, or doing what He asks me to do. In
the Bible, faith that is not illustrated in action is not acceptable to
God.
James 2:17
Repentance
Repentance is a fundamental and thorough change of heart and
mind from sin and toward God. It is not just "feeling sorry" for
our sins, it is a turning around. Thus, repentance contains the
following elements:
a) Genuine sorrow toward God on account of our sin.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
b) An actual forsaking of sin.
Acts 26:20
c) Humble self-surrender to Jesus Christ as Savior of one's
soul and Lord of one's life.
1 Corinthians 8:6
Baptism
Scripture associates baptism with salvation, forgiveness of
sins, receipt of the Holy Spirit, identification with the death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, addition of a believer into the
church, and with the believer's desire to follow the example of Jesus.
Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Acts 9:17; Romans
6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-13; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-28;
Matthew 3:13-17
While Christians have disagreed regarding which meaning is
paramount, there are two things no one disputes:
a) Jesus modeled baptism
Matthew 3:13-17
b) Jesus commanded baptism
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16
Thus, we believe that all believers should be baptized. Because of
the symbolism involved and historical precedent, Good News Gathering
baptizes by immersion, rather than sprinkling or pouring. Our
position concerning immersion is not a judgment upon the salvation of
those who have been sprinkled or poured. Also, since we believe
that sin is a choice and that faith and repentance should precede
baptism, we do not practice infant baptism.
Communion
Christ instituted a memorial by which Christians are
uniquely reminded of His sacrifice on the cross, God's grace, our sin,
the community of faith, and His eventual return.
There is Scriptural precedent for daily and weekly communion. Good
News Gathering encourages believers to partake of communion
individually, in their families, in their small groups, or at any
believer gathering. Communion may not be offered at gatherings
targeted to the unbeliever or unchurch.
Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Acts 2:42-46; Acts
20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Growth
We believe that all vital things grow. Likewise,
Christians, must actively pursue a lifelong process of spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth is nurtured, with the help and power of the Holy
Spirit, through prayer, Bible study and worship. Spiritual growth
also involves ministry within the local body of believers and mission to
non-believers through personal evangelism.
Ephesians 4:11-15; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18 |
The Person and Work of the Holy
Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Person through
whom the world is convicted of sin and through whom new life is brought
to those who are spiritually dead. He indwells believers, thus
uniting them with the Church, which is the body of Christ. He
provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual
truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Scriptures affirm
that He bestows spiritual gifts upon us, and that He empowers us for
service.
John 3:5-8, 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 12:7-13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25;
Ephesians 1:13, 4:13,30, 5:18 |
| Learn More about
GNG
|
|
