GCC Shorter Confession

The following tenets constitute the Shorter Confession of Grace Covenant Church, and they are representative of

the teaching that will be taught, heard, and propagated at Grace Covenant Church. As a result, anyone who seeks

a teaching or leadership role within the church must affirm the content of the church confession below in its entirety, in

addition to any biblically required qualifications for said role or office.

That being said, anyone who seeks to become a member of Grace Covenant Church does not need to affirm the

confession below; rather, they must affirm all of the essentials of the Christian faith outlined in Grace Covenant Church's

Statement of Faith.

1. We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker

and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth (John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10);

inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8), and worthy of all

possible honor, confidence, and love (Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13); that in the unity of

the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26;

1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7). The Son being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the

Father, who did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man's nature (John 1:14; Gal. 4:4), yet

without sin (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:14-17; Hebrews 4:15) being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb

of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one

person, which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.

The Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of personality and deity (Isaiah 40:13-14; John 16:13;

1 Corinthians 2:10-13, 22; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 9:14) and is in all the divine attributes

coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 10:15-17). We

recognize His sovereign activity in the creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written

revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7). His activity includes convicting the

world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:7-9), glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ, and

transforming believers into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

2. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of

heavenly instruction (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35;

Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2 Tim. 3:15;

1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39), and truth without any mixture of error

for its matter (Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4); that it reveals the principles by which

God will judge us (Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10- 16; 12:47-48); and therefore is,

and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6;

Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and

opinions should be tried (1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6;

Jude 3:5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11).

3. We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29;

Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (Gen. 3:6-24;

Rom. 5:12); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5;

Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7), not by constraint, but choice (Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18); being by nature

utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just

condemnation to eternal ruin (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15), without defense

or excuse (Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22).

4. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor.

3:5-7; Acts 15:11), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14;

12:24); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (Phil. 2:6-7;

Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8;

Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21), and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom.

4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15); that having risen from the death, he is now

enthroned in heaven (Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4); and uniting in his wonderful person th tenderest

sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-

sufficient Savior (Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14:1-7).

5. We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (John 1:16; Eph. 3:8) secures to such as believe

in him is Justification (Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1); that Justification includes the pardon of sin

(Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness

(Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21); that it is bestowed, not in consideration of

any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood (Rom.

4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of

God (Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and

favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor.

1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8).

6. We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates,

sanctifies, and saves sinners (2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15;

1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the

means in connection with the end (2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14); that

it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and

unchangeable (Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29;

James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love,

prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16;

Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16;

Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12); that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (2 Tim. 2:10;

1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who

truly believe the gospel (1 Thess. 1:4-10); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Rom. 8:28-30;

Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost

diligence (2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11). We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be

regenerated, or born again (John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27); that regeneration consists in

giving a holy disposition to the mind (2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7);

that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with

divine truth (John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13), so as to secure our voluntary

obedience to the gospel (1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11); and that its proper

evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9;

Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18). We believe that Repentance and Faith are

sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God

(Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and

helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31), we turn to God

with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10;

2 Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Psa. 51:1-19); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as

our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Rom. 10:9-11;

Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12).

7. We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made

partakers of his holiness (1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4); that it is a progressive work

(Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16); that it is begun in regeneration (John 2:29;

Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13- 14); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the

presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed

means--especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (Phil. 2:12-13;

Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30).

8. We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9;

5:18); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from

superficial professors (1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9); that a special

Providence watches over their welfare (Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12); and

they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14;

2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4).

9. We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of individuals associated by covenant in the

faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13); observing the

ordinances of Christ (1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6;

2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17); governed by his laws (Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21;

1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in

them by his Word (Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14). We believe that Christian Baptism is

an act of obedience wherein one is baptized into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost

(Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the

crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life

(Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16). The Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts

and Epistles) is a corporate commemoration of the dying love of Christ by the sacred use of bread and

fruit of the vine (1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20); preceded always by solemn

self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71).

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What We Believe

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