For us, church isn't just a social engagement. It's a community of people built around shared values and experiences. A group of people who rely on one another to better follow after the teachings of Jesus.
Having a proper understanding of those teachings and the teachings of all Scripture allows us to properly edify one another and follow the path set before us.
While we embrace these beliefs, our community is much more than them. These are only the bones that provide the foundation for our community to grow on.
God’s restoration of His creation began with the covenant He made with Abraham, the forefather of the Promised ‘Seed’ through whom all nations would be blessed (Gen. 13:15; Gen. 17:8; Gen. 18:18). Jesus Christ is the ‘Seed’ of that promise and the heir of the inheritance (Gal. 3:16). When we are joined to Jesus Christ, we become “Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29). Abraham’s faith was demonstrated by his perseverance and life of obedience. Abraham is repeatedly held up as the standard Christians are to emulate in order to fully share in that inheritance (Rom. 4:9-25; Heb. 11:8-19,38 – 12:2; James 2:20-24).
is the Father, the only eternal, immortal, sovereign Being, the creator of all things, and the source of all life (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:28-30; I Cor. 8:6; I Tim. 1:17; 1 Tim. 6:15-16). He is greater than His creation; the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him (1 Kings 8:27).
is the only-begotten Son of God. He was born of the virgin Mary, human in every way (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:9-10,14-18). Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin (Luke 4:1-13; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). God performed all of His miracles through Him (John 3:1-2; John 5:19,30; John 14:10; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38). His humility, love, selflessness, faithfulness, and perseverance, provide the ultimate pattern for us to follow (Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 12:1-3).8,21,23).
GOD’S SPIRIT (literally “Breath” or “Wind”) is the limited expression of God’s presence, power, and influence, also called the “finger of God” (Matt. 12:28 & Luke 11:20). God’s Spirit is manifested in His mighty works and in the lives of His people. The presence of God and His Son dwells among His people by means of His Spirit (John 14:15-18,21,23).
was created from the dust of the ground and animated by the “breath of life” out of God (Gen. 2:7). He remains fully dependent on God for his continued existence which was provided through his environment and access to the Tree of Life (Gen. 3:22-23). When Adam sinned, he was cut off from the source of perpetual life, thus eventually succumbing to death (Gen. 2:17; Gen. 3:19). All of Adam’s descendants inherit his punishment since all have sinned (Rom. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:21-22). Death is portrayed as “sleep” where consciousness ceases, man returns to dust, and the breath of life returns to God (Psalm 6:5; Psalm 30:9; Psalm 88:9-12; Psalm 115:17-18; Psalm 146:3-4; Eccl. 3:17-21; Eccl. 5:3-6,10; Eccl. 9:3-6; Eccl. 12:7; Isa. 38:12-19; Dan. 12:2; Mark 5:39; John 11:11,13; 1 Cor. 11:30; 1 Cor. 15:6,20,51). Sheol, hades, hell or pit is “the grave,” the place of the dead, containing the remains of both righteous and wicked until the resurrection (Job 17:16; Psa. 89:48; Eccl. 9:10; Isa. 38:10-11; Acts 2:27,31; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 20:13-14).
Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life upon the cross. His blood sacrifice satisfies God’s prerequisite for the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind (Heb. 9:22). He was raised from the dead by God on the third day, immortal, as the prototype of our resurrection (I Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 9:12; I Pet. 1:18-19). He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God as our High Priest and head of the church (Eph. 1:20-23; Heb. 5:5-10).
which is the remission of sins, immortality through resurrection, and sharing in Jesus’ eternal inheritance, is offered freely to all who repent of their sins, believe the Good News, are identified with Jesus’ death and resurrection through baptism (Acts 2:38-39; Rom. 6:3-8), and who continue on the path that leads to immortality (Matt. 7:13-14; John 15:1-6; Col. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Heb. 3:12-14; Heb. 6:4-8; Heb. 10:23-31).
Jesus will return to the earth literally, visibly and personally to raise the dead in Christ and to change the living saints to immortality (Zech. 14:4; Matt. 24:30; Acts 1:10-11; I Cor. 15:51-54; I Thess. 4:13-18).
At Jesus’ second coming, the curse on the ground will be removed (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:16-25). God’s own world-government will be established over the whole earth with restored Jerusalem as its capital (Dan. 2:35-44; Isa. 52:1-10). Jesus Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords, occupying the throne of his father David, reigning over Israel and all nations (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16). The resurrected saints will be co-rulers under Him (Dan. 7:27; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 19:11-15; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 20:6). The nation of Israel will be the head of all nations (Isa. 2:2-5; Isa. 56:1-8; Isa. 66:1-24; Rom. 11:13-36; Matt. 19:28-29).
Eternal Life is: on earth will be the future reward of the Christian; the Bible teaches that the wicked will be literally destroyed in the lake of fire which is the second death.
The Bible teaches that the nation of Israel will be restored as the Kingdom of God and will be head of all nations. Christ himself will occupy the throne of his father David in Jerusalem.
Those who reject the knowledge of God and His plan of redemption will be raised bodily to be judged, and then utterly and permanently destroyed in the lake of fire which is the second death (Isa. 66:22-24; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:5,14-15).
The Church of God is the only scriptural name for that body of baptized believers who have been called out from among the nations through obedience to the gospel plan of salvation. Christ is the Head of the Church; and the nature, work and government of the church are set forth in the new Testament.
The “Law of Christ” is our code of conduct (Matt. 5-7; John 14:15; Rom. 12:16-21; Gal. 5:2; 1 John 2:3-6). Yet, we are to live as pilgrims and aliens in a foreign land awaiting the Kingdom of God, following in Abraham’s footsteps (Rom. 4:9-25; Heb. 11:8-9,13). We are commanded to honor and obey the governing authorities in all things (Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:11-17), except when commanded to do something that conflicts with God’s higher commands (Acts 5:29).
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We encourage people to practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, groups, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to ‘full time’ Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
At Guthrie Grove we encourage tithing for the support of Christ’s Body (the church) as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is a Biblical standard of giving and recognize everything is God's. The Bible teaches tithing is part of our worship (honoring God) and should be done with a cheerful heart. The attitude is more important than the amount.
We practice baptism by immersion under water. It’s the way Jesus was baptized, it’s the way the Bible commands, and it best symbolized our burial with Christ & being raised to a new life as a Christian.
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power acting within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News of the Kingdom and Jesus Christ with those whom God has brought us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
God desires to have a relationship with each one of us, and the only way relationships grow strong is through communication and time spent together. Prayer is how we talk with God and spend time with him – sharing our joys and concerns with Him and looking for His will for us.
It is important for the church to be unified in spirit. This broken world will do what it can to cause division and strife among God’s people. If we are not unified, we lose our credibility (witness) in the world. Our love and unity shows the world we are followers of Christ and that our faith is genuine.
Worship means honoring God. We do this corporately every Sunday in our weekly worship service, but it’s more than just singing. Worship also means living a life that honors God, making decisions that honor Him, prioritizing our relationships, finances, & schedules in a way that makes Him our first priority.
