Distinctives Summary
Isa. 53:5; Luke 24:25-27, 32; Romans 1:14-16; Romans 10:1
Christ Centric – It’s all about Him, our glorious Messiah, Redeemer, and Savior
o To know Him and to make Him known
o Everything empowered by and for the glory of Jesus our Messiah (Romans 11:36)
Evangelizing the lost -- by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the proclaimed word of God alone
o Through the proclamation of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
o Discipling and teaching new believers in the truths of scripture (Matt 28:19-20)
Proclaiming Salvation by Grace
o Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in the finished work of Christ at the cross alone (Gen 15:6; Ezk. 36:26; Rom. 8:29-30; Eph 1:4-6; Eph. 2:5, Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 3:5)
Baptistic by conviction and practice
o Authority of the Bible alone (2 Tim. 3:15–17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21)
o Autonomy of the local Church (Col. 1:18; 2 Cor. 8:1–5, 19, 23)
o Priesthood of the believer (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 5:9, 10)
o Freedom of conscience (Rom. 14:5, 12; 2 Cor. 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Authority and Accountability
o Recognized by our local church (Grace Baptist Church, HI), ordained and commissioned through Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13)
o Assisted by our advisory board for wisdom, accountability and integrity
o Working with our servicing agency (CMC) for financial accountability and support
Guiding principals
o Sanctity – Set apart unto God for holiness in all that we do (2 Cor. 6:11-18; 1 Pet. 1:16)
o Simplicity – Our ministry methods are in Christ alone and through the Scriptures alone without worldly methods (1 Cor. 1-3)
o Service - We are here to serve (Matt. 25:40; James 1:27)