Our Beliefs

 

God – is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity). These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)

 

Jesus Christ – is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 6:6; 7:4-6; 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15)

 

The Holy Spirit – is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. Christians are to yield to and trust the Holy Spirit to enable them to live holy, loving, and productive lives that bear much fruit and glorify God. (John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)

 

The Bible – is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)

 

People – are made in the spiritual image of God and are to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, they are all marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God and His word called “sin”. This sin has separated mankind from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23)

 

Salvation – is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our sin and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. We are saved from hell to be with Jesus forever in Heaven. (John 14:6, 1:12; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5)

 

Baptism – is immersing a willing Christian under water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience that identifies a person with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 1:9; Acts 8:36-39; 18:8)

 

Repentance – is turning from your sins. There are several lists of sins against God in the New Testament. (Matthew 5:7, Romans 1, 12:14, I Corinthians 6, Galatians 5, Ephesians 4:6, Colossians 3, 1 Thessalonians 5, I Timothy 3, and James)

 

Eternal Security of the Believer – Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and power of God that gives us this security. We don’t think a person can lose his or her salvation. Salvation is a gift based on the work of Jesus Christ, not our own. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

 

Eternity – People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or we will exist eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15)

 

Denominational Affiliation – San Antonio Baptist Association & Baptist General Convention of Texas

 

Spiritual Gifts – are special abilities the Holy Spirit gives whenever, wherever, and to whomever He wants. These gifts always glorify Jesus and build up the church. We let the Spirit be in charge of His gifts. (Acts 2, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12:14, Ephesians 4)

Divorce and Remarriage – God hates divorce and so do about half the people who go through one. We do not encourage divorce. We encourage reconciliation and restoration of marriage. We recognize divorce as the legal and binding dissolution of a marriage. We do not make marriage, divorce, or remarriage the single qualifying or disqualifying issues for leadership in the church. (Deuteronomy 24, Jeremiah 3, Malachi 2, Matthew 5, 19, Mark 10, Luke 16, 1 Corinthians 7)

 

Angels and Demons – are spiritual beings that work to carry out the purposes of God or Satan. (Daniel 6:22; Matthew 4:10-11; Acts 12:7; Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 1:14)

 

Missions – We support missionaries and mission organizations on five of the seven continents. Our main support goes to church-planting missionaries and organizations. (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 15:20-22)

 

Abortion – We are pro-life and take an active stand against those who promote or support abortion. We show mercy and kindness to those who have had an abortion. (Jeremiah 1:5; Mark 9:36-37; Luke 18:15-17)

 

Government – We encourage our members to educate themselves, vote, attend meetings, and get involved in government at all levels. (Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2:1-6)

 

Church Membership – is a commitment between a Christian and a local church, an agreement to support and encourage one another in life and ministry. (Acts 2:41). We do not contact your old church when you join RGCC.

 

Priesthood of Every Believer – The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to full-time Christian living, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. (1 Peter 2:5, Revelation 1:6)

 

Tithing to the Local Church – At Redeeming Grace, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, in obedience to God’s Word. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is a Biblical principle that honors God and requires faith in God as our financial provider. (Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23)

 

Spirit-led Living – We believe the only way to live the Christian life is by trusting in God’s Spirit within us. We seek to practice a daily dependence not on ourselves, but on Christ with us to enable us to live holy, loving, and productive lives that bear much fruit and glorify God! (Ephesians 5:18; Philippians 2:13)

 

Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

 

Telling Others About Christ – It is the privilege of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings into our lives. We share our personal experience about Christ and invite friends to church. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15