OUR CHURCH
The Greater Faith Baptist Church (GFBC) was organized and founded on September 8, 1975 at the home of Deacon and Mrs. Jerry Johnson. The plan of operation for GFBC was, and continues to be, “To teach and obey the Word of the Lord as our only basis for our faith and practice.” We are a Bible-centered ministry that helps its members stand on the Word of God.
OUR LEADERS
Deacon James Myers, Ph.D.
Chairman
Alvin Jones
Deacon
Rayfort Moorer
Deacon
Michael Sistrunk
Deacon
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that the Scripture of the Old and New Testament is verbally and completely without error in the original writing and of supreme and final authority in faith and life. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe that God the Father, holy and righteous, is the first person of the Trinity who sovereignly orders and directs the universe for His own purpose, pleasure and glory.
We believe that when Jesus Christ came in human form he was propagated by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and was true God and true man. After He died on the cross He rose from the grave, in bodily form, ascended to heaven, and presently serves as High Priest and Advocate for all believers.
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, convicts the world of sin, baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, seals them until the moment they are resurrected, and fully gifts them for building up the church and spreading the gospel.
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God. Therefore, all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ took our place and died for our sins. All who confess their sins and believe Him are redeemed and secure in Him forever.
We believe Satan is a fallen angel who, under the sovereign permission of God, has been given temporary power on earth to deceive, tempt and attack all people. However, he was completely defeated at the cross and will one day be cast into the eternal lake of fire.
We believe that the Church is made up of all believers in Christ, that in its local expression it is a self-governing assembly of believers; and that its Holy Ordinances are water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that the physical, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent. Though the timing of this “Blessed Hope” is a mystery, the fact of it is as certain as the first coming of Christ.
BIBLE REFERENCES ABOUT OUR BELIEFS
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbal, plenary, inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Acts 24:14; Revelation 22:18-19). The Bible is without error in the original writings and is the supreme authority of faith and practice for all followers of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11). When rightly interpreted, the Bible is ultimately about Jesus as God, our Savior, the object of our faith, forgiver of our sins, and giver of eternal life (John 5:39-40; Luke 24:27, 44-45; Matthew 5:17-18).
THE TRINITY
We believe in one God who eternally exists as three distinctive persons, Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, functioning relationally in absolute oneness, humility and harmony (Genesis 1:26: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 11:27; John 17:3). The members of the Godhead, or Trinity, are each fully and equally God meaning they possess the same divine nature; however, each relates to mankind in a unique way (Matthew 26:39; 28:19; Luke 3:21-22; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2).
SALVATION
We believe that the death of Jesus on the cross is the only sufficient substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. Only those who believe in Him by grace through faith are declared justified by the Father and are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Consequently, they become a new creation in Christ, members of the one true Church, adopted by the Father and are thus secure in Christ forever. This salvation results in righteous living and good works as believers submit their individual wills to the Word of God and live in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; 5:24; 14:6, 21; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 3:21?26; 5:1, 17-19; 6:3-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:15; James 2:18, 21-16; 1 Peter 1:15–19; 2:24).
THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:7; 12:4-13; Ephesians 4:11-16, 26). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 14:12; 1 Timothy 4:14-15; 1 Peter 4:10–11).
OUR POSITION STATEMENTS
We believe both men and women who display humility and maturity may use their spiritual gifts to serve in any role within the church, as well as be called to serve as a Licensed Minister, Ordained Elder, and Lead Pastor. (Their calling is between them and the Lord.)
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage was instituted by God from the beginning of creation and that the purpose of marriage is to mirror the relationship of Christ and the church (Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:25, 33). Together, as husband and wife, they are to submit to Christ and be helpmates together, to serve and honor God and to meet each other’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs in sexual union and become one flesh (Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31, Hebrews 13:4). Should the married couple have children, either naturally or by adoption, they are to nurture and instruct their children in the knowledge, love and service to God through Christ (Deuteronomy 6:7 and Acts 2:38, 39). Jesus and the Apostle Paul clarified that God only blesses a marriage between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:1-2; 1 Corinthians 7). Any sexual relationships outside this union are inconsistent with God’s design. Therefore, we humbly submit to the teachings of
scripture that places sexual intimacy within the context of a marriage between one man and one woman. We acknowledge that any other union is incompatible with the Bible, and the position of Greater Faith Baptist Church.
RACE AND DIGNITY
Recognizing the ongoing reality of racial injustice, we the members of Greater Faith stand against the sin of racism as we stand for human dignity, which gives value to people through graceful respect shared without any qualifications or restraints.
WE ARE ALL CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness… (Genesis 1:26)
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As followers of Jesus Christ and doers of His Word, we recognize and celebrate that all people are created in the image of God.
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We value our differences since they are by God’s design and we recognize, celebrate and defend them. As a congregation, we welcome and reflect every nation, tribe, people and language — God’s vision for His Church.
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Racism is an attack on the image of God given to every one of us by our Creator (Gen. 5:1-3) and on God’s vision for His Church.
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
(Romans 12:10)
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God endowed all people with inherent worth and distinction.
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Love for one another requires regard for human dignity and confirms our love for God. For those who do not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen (1John 4:20).
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Racism is an attack on the very love we are called to extend to all people, regardless of skin color.
WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE AS ONE
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
(Psalm 133)
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As Christians, we are unified with others in Christ to form the body of Christ, his holy bride.
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Though we are a broken body, we strive to become united in Christ by loving each other and extending human dignity. Love requires that we look into our hearts, evaluate our words, actions, stereotypes, implicit biases, and judgments. Therefore, we pray for the grace to look beyond our prejudices to seek understanding and unity. Just as Jesus prayed, “May they all be one” (John 17:21), we seek the humility required to live as one.
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Racism divides and damages the oneness that should define our relationships.
WE ARE CALLED TO SEEK JUSTICE AND PEACE
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17).
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Emboldened by the truth that all people are made in God’s image, we openly defend any person regardless of skin color who is defamed or devalued. Therefore, we not only pray, but we take action to help eradicate division, injustice, discrimination, oppression and hatred.
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As we care with compassion and action, we will be matched with the capacity to do so. For scripture declares, “Dear children, let us no love with words or speech but with actions and truth (1 John 3:18). God desires that amends be made and wrongs be righted.
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Racism is a direct attack upon the justice and peace we are called to ensure.
THEREFORE
We declare that to properly respond to external acts of prejudice, we must examine any internal prejudice hidden within our own hearts and be willing to repent and confess:
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"I am guilty.” Perhaps not of a sin of commission, but of omission – I can do more to reach out and be a bridge builder. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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"I am a sinner saved by grace.” The same measure of grace God extends to me I must extend to others, for salvation is for everyone. (Ephesians 2:8; Luke 6:36)
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"I must mourn with those who mourn.” I can do more to empathize with all people who are affected by racist acts and the violence that comes with such acts. (Romans 12:15)
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"I must love with actions and truth.” While my prayers are certainly heard by God, He calls me to put my good intentions into words and actions for the benefit of others. 1 John 3:18
We believe ultimate reconciliation is only available through the work of the Holy Spirit. With this truth in mind, we pray for and seek reconciliation with each other so the body of Christ can fulfill the good, pleasing and perfect will of God for His church.
SANCTITY OF LIFE
We believe every human life is uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), is formed by God (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:15–16), is known by God (Psalm 139:13-14), and is loved by God (Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:9-12).
Given these truths, we hold to the sanctity of all human life (Genesis 9:6; Matthew 6:26) which begins at conception (Psalm 139:13–14; Jeremiah 1:4–5) and lasts beyond death into eternity (John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; Matthew 25:46). Since God gives life and breath to everyone (Acts 17:25), He has called us to value equally the dignity of every individual life in its entirety, which includes both mother and child.
We sincerely acknowledge the issue of abortion is complicated and can create difficult choices for an individual (Jeremiah 10:23). Every child is precious and so too is every mother’s life. We are called to love them both (1 John 3:18, 4:11-12). God calls us, as individual Christians and as the Church, to actively seek tangible ways to encourage, support, and come alongside any mother dealing with the impact of abortion in their lives (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Therefore, we will serve as beacons of compassion, healing, and comfort for those facing challenges or who have already experienced the pain of a previous abortion (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We are called to be a family where God’s grace and mercy flow. May we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in sacrificial and loving ways to the glory of God our Father.
We value, protect, and honor every human life.