Beliefs & Distinctives
Our Beliefs
At Maranatha Grace Church, we believe that the most important thing about a church is - first and foremost - what it believes. What a church believes inevitably shapes how its people love one another and live in this world. From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have always defined their core beliefs in concise, definitive statements as guided by Scripture.
God
We believe in one God who exists eternally as three persons — Father, Son, and Spirit.
Scripture
We believe that the Bible is God's Word and is the authoritative and normative rule for all of Christian life, practice, and doctrine.
People
We believe that God created man and woman in His own image, but that we have voluntarily rebelled against God and brought sin and death into the world.
Gospel
We believe that Jesus Christ is able to save all who would turn from their sins and believe in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension on their behalf.
Salvation
We believe that in God’s eternal and unsearchable purpose, He graciously chose those who would be regenerated and saved through the work of Jesus Christ.
Conversion
We believe that regeneration is the Holy Spirit's gracious work, giving us new life by transforming our rebellious hearts into hearts that love and obey God.
Forgiveness
We believe that God credits Jesus' righteousness to those who turn from their sin and believe in His finished work, freely forgiving them of all their sins.
Growth
We believe that God progressively grows his people in holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit as they actively fight sin through the grace and strength He provides.
Church
We believe that the church exists as an outpost of God’s kingdom, where its citizens joyfully praise, serve, and obey Him until Christ returns.
Ordinances
We believe that Jesus established two ordinances in his church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both are reserved for converted Christians.
The End
We believe that all people are eternal beings, and that Jesus will return soon to judge the living and the dead.
Maranatha holds to essential orthodox Christian beliefs as expressed in the historic creeds of our faith—the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed—as well as contemporary confessions of faith such as the Confessional Statement of The Gospel Coalition and The Baptist Faith & Message 2000. These all provide helpful elucidations of the beliefs listed above.
Our Distinctives
There are a handful of beliefs that Maranatha holds as distinctives. These shape the way we preach, teach, counsel, and minister. Our distinctives play an important role in shaping our identity, preserving our unity, maintaining our focus, and strengthening our witness as a local church.
Gospel-First
We are anchored in the Gospel, which shapes every aspect of our lives. We hold the Gospel in highest esteem, enabling us to glorify God and love others more fully.
Reformed
We affirm God’s absolute sovereignty over all things, including our salvation.
Baptistic
In accordance with Jesus’ commands and the teaching of Scripture, we believe that baptism is the delightful duty of all believers upon their profession of faith.
Complementarian
We believe that God created man and woman with equal and inherent value, as well as distinct yet harmonious roles in both the home and the church.