SGBC Statement of Faith

The Holy Bible was written by men under the divine inspiration of God.  Having God as its author, it is completely without error, infallible, and is the absolute truth and authority in all aspects of faith, life and practice; as well as the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be measured (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

There is one God in essence existing without origin or end, being the Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, and Redeemer of the entirety of Creation.  The Triune God is revealed in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:1).

God the Father is recognized as the Source and Sustainer of all Creation. Jesus frequently refers to God as His Father, emphasizing a unique relationship. The Father is the one Who sent the Son into the world, and though God the Father is not superior in essence or being to the Son or the Spirit, He does serve as the functional head of the Trinity. God the Father is the one Who directs the will of both God the Son and God the Spirit, both of Whom voluntarily submit to Him on a functional level to accomplish the will of God (John 3:16, 5:17-18, 14:24–28, 20:21).

Jesus Christ eternally existed as the Son of God. Through His Incarnation, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. Fully God and fully man, Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities yet without sin. He fulfilled the Law, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. On the third day following His burial, Jesus Christ was literally and bodily resurrected from the dead, appearing to His disciples. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, effecting the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord. (Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-6, 16:9, 27:35-38, 28:11-10 ; Mark 15:25-28, 16:12-13; Luke 1:1-7; John 19:18-24, 20:11-17; Acts 1:9; Romans 3:23-26, 8:2, 34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:20, 3:11, 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:14-15, 7, 14-28; 9:12-15, 24-28, 12:2, 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25, 3:22; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 5:9-14, 13:8)

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ and He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The repentant sinner is transformed and regenerated (born again) by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service (Genesis 1:2; John 6:63, 14:26, 16:8-14; Romans 8:1; 2nd Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-25, 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:21).

All of mankind are created in the image of God. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation. Through the sin of disobedience at the Fall, mankind was corrupted by the entrance of sin and death into the world. Therefore, as soon as man and woman are capable of moral action, each has sinned against God and is held legally guilty before Him, and stands condemned by divine judgment (Romans 1:18-20; 3:23, 7:9-12; 1 John 3:4).

Eternal Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who repent, submit to and accept the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Repentant sinners are saved by grace through faith. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and the commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior (Acts 4:11-12; Romans 3:23-25; 2 Peter 3:9).

Baptism is by full immersion in water. It was demonstrated and then commanded by Jesus Christ, as well as by His Apostles. It is the representation of the sinner’s old nature being crucified, buried, and spiritually resurrected, sharing in Christ’s Resurrection of the dead by the glory of the Father, and raised into a newness of life (Matthew 18:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4).

The repentant sinner is saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, unto good works (Acts 2:37-38; Ephesians 2:8-10).

The purpose of the church is to glorify God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; and carry out the last command of Jesus Christ which is His redemptive agenda on the earth (Matthew 28:18-20).

One who remains in Christ can know and will have eternal security (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; John 3:36; 5:24; 6:40; 15:1-11).