Following the faith principles of the Southern Baptist and Independent Baptist traditions
Grace Gospel Church follows the faith and practice of the historic Baptist tradition, whose core principles are deeply rooted in Scripture. While expression may vary by denomination or region, the fundamental basis of faith shared across the ages remains clear — consistently affirmed in historic confessions such as the "Baptist Faith and Message" and the "Philadelphia Confession." The main Baptist faith principles held by Grace Gospel Church can be summarized in the following five points. In every detail, we agree with both confessions cited above.
Grace Gospel Church believes that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the inerrant Word of God, given by inspiration, and the sole, final, and absolute authority in matters of salvation, faith, and every area of life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The "Baptist Faith and Message" confesses that Scripture "has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter," declaring it "the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried." The "Philadelphia Confession" likewise emphasizes the sufficiency and clarity of Scripture, and the need for the illumination of the Holy Spirit in its interpretation. Every individual, therefore, has both the responsibility and the right to read and study Scripture freely under the Spirit's guidance, and to obey its Word. No human tradition, decision of a church council, or subjective personal experience can ever supersede the authority of Scripture.
This church affirms, as a biblical principle, that baptism is to be administered only to those who personally believe in and confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. This means the church does not recognize infant baptism. The "Philadelphia Confession" states that baptism "is only to be dispensed to such as do actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," emphasizing that it is an ordinance instituted and commanded by Christ Himself (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is administered by full immersion in water, a visible ordinance symbolizing the believer's union with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection — dying to sin and rising to new life (Romans 6:3–5). The "Baptist Faith and Message" explains that baptism, though not a means of salvation, is "an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior," symbolizing the believer's union with His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is not a condition of salvation but an expression of a saved person's obedience, and it precedes membership in a local church.
We believe that each local church, with Christ as its Head, is an independent and self-governing community under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:22–23). The "Baptist Faith and Message" declares that each congregation is "free of any external hierarchical or governmental authority" in matters of church order, discipline, and benevolent work. This means the church is free from control or interference by higher bodies such as a pope, general assembly, or presbytery, and must likewise remain independent of state power. The "Philadelphia Confession" likewise affirms that a local church, receiving authority directly from Christ, governs itself, electing its pastors and deacons and exercising church discipline with the consent of the congregation. Every church holds internal self-governance and operates according to democratic principles, through the shared agreement of its members. Autonomy, however, does not mean isolation — churches carry out the mission of gospel proclamation and the expansion of God's kingdom together, through voluntary cooperation and fellowship with one another.
This church emphasizes that every individual is accountable before God for their own faith, and has the right to believe in and worship God freely according to conscience, without human coercion or authority (Romans 14:12). The "Baptist Faith and Message" confesses that "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word." This aligns with the "liberty of conscience" emphasized in the "Philadelphia Confession," leading to the principle that neither state nor church may compel or suppress an individual's faith. Church and state, therefore, each occupy a distinct sphere and function ordained by God, and must remain separate (separation of church and state). The state must be impartial toward all religions and must neither favor nor persecute any particular faith. A personal decision of faith must be voluntary, made within a direct relationship with God.
We believe that all who trust in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are holy priests in Christ, able to come directly before God to worship, pray, and receive and share His Word (1 Peter 2:9). The "Baptist Faith and Message" teaches that every believer has "the privilege and responsibility of approaching God directly through Christ." This stands in contrast to the Old Testament era, when access to God came only through a special priestly class. In the New Testament era, Jesus Christ is the one, eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16), and all who believe in Him are called a royal priesthood. There is, therefore, no essential difference in salvation or spiritual privilege between pastor and layperson. While a pastor is a gift and office God has given the church for preaching the Word and shepherding (Ephesians 4:11–12), every believer, according to the gift received, shares the responsibility and privilege of serving the church and testifying to the gospel. We respect one another and build up the body of Christ together in a relationship of equals.
These five core principles are the pillars of the faith identity shared by Grace Gospel Church and the historic Baptist tradition, and they remain an unchanging guide for building a biblical church and fulfilling God's will on earth.
