What we believe

Grace exists to fulfill the great commission given to us by Jesus Christ to make disciples. Our main focus is to do that here in Mechanicsville, VA where God has planted us. Making disciples we understand to include both evangelism and continued growth for those already following Jesus.

We see discipleship play out in three simple words: Love. Grow. Serve.

• We believe in one God, existing in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in power and respect; eternal in nature, omnipresent; omniscient: omnipotent; having the same attributes, character, and perfection. (Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:18-19, and John 1:1-2,14,18.)

• We believe God the Father is God in Heaven. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who led Israel in the Old Testament. The God of the New Testament who sent His Son and displayed his love for the world in Jesus. Fully God who remains in Heaven and will welcome us home one day in the future. (Matthew 3:16-17, 23:9; Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 1:3; James 1:17)

• We believe out of His great love for us, God sent His Son, Jesus, to Earth where He was born of a virgin. His revolutionary life, teachings and miracles point to a better way for us to live. Jesus is the only person who has lived a life without sin. He was put on trial, beaten and sentenced to death on a cross because He claimed to be God. He physically died and three days later, Jesus physically rose from the dead, where He appeared before many witnesses. Shortly afterwards, He ascended back to Heaven where He rules at the right hand of God. We believe Jesus will come again to claim all Christ-followers to live for eternity in Heaven and to judge those who chose not to follow him. (Matthew 1:18-23, John 14:6-7, John 18-20, Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 4:15, 2 Peter 3:9-10, Revelation 22:6-7)

• We believe the Spirit of God moves freely in this world as a comforter and shows people their need for Jesus. He also dwells in every Christ-follower. He offers power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. As Christ-followers, we strive to live within His leading every day. The Spirit also equips Christ-followers with abilities and talents for the purpose of building up the Church. (John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

• We believe the holy scriptures, the Old Testament and New Testament, is God’s written word, the breath of God. Guided by the Holy Spirit, written by men, they are inspired, inerrant, and infallible. They serve to reveal God and give guidance to His people. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:12)

• We believe we were created to reflect the image of God and to live in a loving relationship with Him. He also gave man the unique task to govern the Earth and care for it. God wants us to love him back but he wants it to be our choice. (Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 8:3-6)

• We believe sin means simply missing the mark God has set for our lives. We’ve all done it. The bad news is there’s a heavy punishment for our poor aim. There is no amount of good works we can do to even out the balance. The good news is Jesus took the punishment for us and offers a free gift of salvation and eternal life with God through our faith in Jesus. (John 3:16, romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9) We believe the Bible teaches that salvation - the forgiveness of sins - is only by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). We believe the Bible teaches that one receives God’s grace by putting faith in Christ which involves repenting of sin, confessing Christ and being immersed in water baptism into Christ (Romans 5:1-2; Luke 24:45-47; Acts 3:19, 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21)

• We believe Satan revolted against God, but God is too much for Satan to handle. To hurt God, Satan prowls around like a lion targeting the objects of God’s love, us. God has prepared a living hell for Satan and the demons. Satan’s goal is to take as many people with him as he can. He’s an accuser, a tempter, a liar and disguises himself to look better than he is. (Genesis 3:22-24; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Peter 5:8)

• We believe the Church is the collection of Christ followers and bride of Christ whose mission is to proclaim the good news of God throughout the world. All Christ-followers are members of the Church in a universal sense and we live out that connection in the local church. Jesus is the Head of the Church and there are no other candidates. Every local church should do its part to represent Jesus in the context and community it is located. Those in a local church belong to one another and take care of each other. They use their time, talents and treasures to serve the church and the world. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:15-16; Colossians 1:17-18; Romans 12:4-8; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:18-20)