Trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation and looking to the New Testament as our rule of faith and practice, we therefore voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ for a more certain preservation of the principles of our faith, to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the eternal Word of God, in the adoption of this Constitution for our government, the affirmation of faith as a guide to our doctrine, and the covenant as a guide for conduct.

THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (John 17:17; Rom. 15:4; II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:19-21) 

THE TRINITY

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. (Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-4; I John 5:7) 

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 17; John 4:24; John 17:5) 

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Isa. 7:14; John 1:14; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:2,3; I John 1:7) 

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper and teacher.  (John 14:26; John 16:7-15; Rom 8:14-17; Eph. 1:13,14) 

REGENERATION

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, individuals believe, repent of their sins, and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior – the only provision for salvation. (John 1:12,13; John 3:3; Acts 20:21; Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 3:5, 1 Tim 2:5, Acts 4:12) 

THE CHURCH

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:38-41; Eph. 2:19-22; Eph 5:25-27)

BAPTISM

Baptism is an act of obedience of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. While it is not required for salvation it is a command given to us by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.  Baptism is submission to Christ as evidence of saving faith. (Matt 28:19-20) 

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God in obedience to the Bible, and in accountability to others in the church; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others, the full stature of maturity in Christ. (II Cor 9:6-8; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 2:14-16; Col 3:17-23; I Thess. 5:17, 18) 

STATEMENT OF SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

We believe that life begins at conception.  We believe that all human life is hallowed and sacred.  We believe that all human beings are created in the image of God and our infinite worth in all aspects, including the physically or mentally challenged, pre-born babies, the elderly, and every other condition of life from conception through natural death.  As a result of this, we are called by God to protect, defend, and value all human life. 

THE ORDINANCES

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into that name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41, 42; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor. 11:23-32) 

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, that each church is independent and must be free from interference by an ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. 

GENDER IDENTITY

We believe that God created each person as male or female.  These are two distinct and complimentary genders that reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  To reject one’s biological sex is to reject the image of God that each person is created in. 

MARRIAGE

We believe that marriage is the union of one biological man and one biological woman in a single and exclusive union as taught in the Bible (Genesis 2:18-25).  We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:2-8).  Therefore, we believe that any intimate sexual activity outside of the marriage between one man and one woman (i.e. fornication, adultery, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, pornography etc.) is sin and is offensive to God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Matt. 15:18-20) Consequently, the pastors and staff of GEBC will only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one biological man and one biological woman.  The facilities and property of Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church will only host weddings between one biological man and one biological woman. 

CHURCH COOPERATION

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. 

THE END TIMES

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (I John 5:28,29; Rev. 20:1-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31,46) 

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

The membership of Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church shall be comprised of individuals who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and agree with the tenets of the Graham Emmanuel Baptist Constitution, and will give evidence, by their words and deeds, that they are living in accordance with their agreement to this Constitution and Bylaws, and they are actively pursuing and maintaining a vital fellowship with the Lord, Jesus.  The Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church Board shall have final authority in all matter of church governance, as set forth and described in the Bylaws.  

* To get a sampling of these beliefs in the teaching of Graham Emmanuel, check out our Special Sermons page HERE!