Our church holds to the Three Forms of Unity confession of faith, which is composed of The Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Confession, and Canons of Dort. These confessions can be found on the links below.
OUR DENOMINATION
Essentially what we believe can also be summed up in the following:
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s written Word, completely inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all things and is designed for everyone to read and study so we may know God and glorify Him forever (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
God
We believe there is one true and living God. He is the creator, sustainer, and ruler of all that exists in heaven and in earth. He exists in three equal persons –Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom are fully and completely God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; Matt. 28:19; John 3:21-22; 2 Cor. 13:13; Eph. 4:4-6).
Jesus
We believe Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God, equal in deity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is the God-man who through His perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross made full atonement for the sins of those who trust in Him alone for salvation (John 1:1-3, 14; 6:37; Phil. 2:5-7).
The Second Coming
We believe Jesus will return to the earth at the Second Coming to judge the living and the dead, to physically reign as King of kings, and to receive His people to Himself (Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-16).
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is eternal and uncreated, equal in deity with the Father and the Son. He is the sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers by His grace and giving them strength and wisdom to trust in Christ and follow Him (Matt. 28:19; John 3:5-7; 1 Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 4:30).
About Man
We believe mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. At the Fall, in which man freely chose to rebel against God, this image was marred, and man’s nature has become totally depraved and unable to please God. If it were not for God’s sovereign grace, all humanity, because of our willful sin, would be spiritually separated from God eternally in hell (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 1:18-23; 3:9-20).
About Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is by God’s sovereign grace, and not on any person’s works, God saves His people from their sins through the shed blood of Christ on the cross. Therefore, all aspects of our lives are to be lived for the glory of God (Acts 20:28; Rom. 4:6; Eph. 1:7; 2:4-10; 1 Pet. 1:5).
About the Church
We believe the church is a living, spiritual body in which Christ is the Head. All who trust in Christ are regenerated and placed in His body becoming members of the church. As members we join a local congregation, of whom we are spiritually related to, where we actively fellowship, grow in maturity, participate in the ordinances of Baptism and Communion, and proclaim the gospel to a lost and depraved world (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Eph. 1:22; 4:15-16; 5:23; Heb. 10:24-25).
Why Church Membership?
All of the teachings of SGCC are based upon what is revealed in the Word of God. Though local church membership is not overtly stated in Scripture; the concept and importance of is heavily implied (1 Cor. 5:2, 7, 12-13; Heb. 13:17). Throughout the Bible we see that church membership signifies a type of covenant relationship in which:
1. A local body support s a person’s salvation.
– Only truly converted Christians are to be members of a local church. Therefore, we should take time to look for evidences of godly fruit and increasing holiness in their lives. This way the church functions as a corporate witness to the fact that the new member is increasingly displaying godly fruit and characteristics of a genuine believer.
2. The person is committed to be connected to one another in mutual love and discipleship.
– By identifying ourselves with a local church, we let the pastors and other members know our intent to be committed in attendance, giving, prayer, and service. This increases others’ expectations of us, and allows us to take ownership and responsibility of the church.
Why unbelievers cannot be members?
Unbelievers can visit a church but cannot become members. They do not have the same spiritual DNA as believers. Therefore, they cannot contribute or function in the church. Rather, they can bring infection with ungodly counsel and false teaching (2 Cor. 6:14). The church leaders must guard against such a thing as they protect the flock (Acts 20:28).