Statement of Faith and Doctrine

We, the members of the Mount Vernon Grace Brethren Church, believe The Word of God to be the source life, truth and faith.

We confess that God commands us to hear, believe and obey His Word.

Therefore we present the following 12 doctrines as a succinct statement of essential Biblical truth that each member in our church has agreed to believe and obey with conviction.

We believe that...

Doctrine 1: The One True God

  1. There is only One True God and He is One.

  2. The One True God always exists as The Three Persons of The Trinity — The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

  3. The triple (or triune) nature of God is clearly expressed in His instruction for baptism.

  4. At His essence, God is life, light, good, true, holy and love.

  5. Jehovah is The Self Existing One Who fills the heavens and earth and made all beings and creatures to exist within Him.

  6. God’s Word recently created (and now actively preserves) the heavens and earth with all their hosts and that His creation was completed without the use of preexisting material in literally 6, 24-hour days.

  7. From the beginning, God’s intent was to personally relate with mankind, who is the pinnacle of His creation.

Doctrine 1 Notes

  1. Isaiah 44:6; Deuteronomy 6:4

  2. John 1:1-2; Luke 3:21-22; 2 Corinthians 13:14

  3. Matthew 28:18-20

  4. John 1:3-5; Genesis 1:31; Revelation 3:7; 1 John 4:7-8

  5. Jeremiah 23:24; Revelation 4:9-11; Acts 17:22-28

  6. Colossians 1:15-17; Genesis 1:1-2:3; Hebrew 11:3; Exodus 20:8-11

  7. Genesis 1:26-30; Genesis 2:7-8 & 2:15-22; Genesis 3:8-9

Doctrine 2: The Heavenly Father

  1. Our Heavenly Father eternally rules as The Supreme King seated on His throne of grace.

  2. The Living Father has a will which directs The Trinity and true believers.

  3. Before the foundation of the world, The Father preselected the saints to be adopted into His family and to become children of God.

  4. The Unchanging Father is the origin of every good and perfect gift, including everlasting life and light.

  5. The Father generously sent His only begotten Son into the world, delivered Him up for all mankind and raised Him from the dead.

  6. Children of God are commanded to be merciful, loving, holy and perfect like their glorious Heavenly Father.

Doctrine 2 Notes

  1. Matthew 6:9-10; Revelation 4:1-8; Hebrews 4:16

  2. Revelation 4:9-11; Romans 8:26-27; Mark 14:36; Matthew 7:21-23

  3. Ephesians 1:3-6; Romans 8:28-30; 1 John 3:1

  4. James 1:16-18; 1 John 5:11; 1 John 1:1-5

  5. John 3:14-18; Romans 8:31-32; Romans 6:3-4

  6. Luke 6:36; 1 Peter 1:13-16; Matthew 5:44-48; Matthew 5:16

Doctrine 3: The Lord Jesus Christ

  1. The Lord Jesus Christ is eternally God — and He is also God’s Word and God’s Son.

  2. As The Creator, God The Son is Firstborn over all creation and that He embodies life and light.

  3. Jesus appeared on the earth prior to His birth, and then later was born the perfect God-Man by the conception of the Holy Spirit and a virgin birth.

  4. Jesus Christ lived a holy and sinless life so that (as The Lamb of God) His death and blood could pay for the sins of all mankind and perfect His saints.

  5. After 3 nights and days in the tomb, our Lord arose as Firstborn of the dead, appeared to many of His
    disciples, and 40 days later ascended into heaven to be seated at His Father’s right hand.

  6. After His ascension, Christ sent the Spirit of Truth into the world as The Helper until Christ returns to earth again. 

  7. Christ currently mediates between God and mankind as High Priest and He is also head of the church which is His body and future bride.

Doctrine 3 Notes

  1.  John 1:1-2; John 8:57-58; Matthew 17:1-5

  2. John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; John 14:6; John 8:12

  3. Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-3; John 1:14; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:1-23

  4. Romans 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:11-28; Hebrews 10:10-14

  5. Matthew 12:38-40; Mark 15:42-16:6; Revelation 1:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 & 11-22; Acts 1:1-3 & 6-9; Hebrews 1:1-3

  6. John 14:1-4, 16-19 & 25-29; John 15:26; Acts 1:4-5

  7. 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 11:2

Doctrine 4: The Holy Spirit of God

  1. The Holy Spirit is God and He works in heaven and on earth.

  2. The Spirit of God was active at creation, and like The Father and Christ, He supplies life and light.

  3. The Spirit of The Lord appears in various forms including a dove, wind, fire, water, and oil.

  4. As The Spirit of Truth, He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, but He dwells with, helps and guides believers into all truth.

  5. God’s people are physically and spiritually empowered by The Spirit of The Lord, Who also intercedes for the weak and enables those who live in Him to perform righteous deeds.

  6. The Spirit baptizes, inhabits, and unifies every Christian into one church body and He fills up those who are yielded to God’s will.

  7. Each Christian receives one or more gifts from The Spirit for the benefit of the church.

Doctrine 4 Notes

  1. Revelation 4:1-5; Revelation 5:6; Acts 5:1-4

  2. Genesis 1:2-3; John 6:63; Psalm 36:7-9

  3. Matthew 3:16; Acts 2:1-4; Isaiah 44:3-4; 1 Samuel 16:13

  4. John 16:7-15; John 14:16-17

  5. Acts 1:6-8; Ephesians 3:14-16; Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:16-26

  6. Acts 1:4-5; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 5:17-18

  7. 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:1 & 4-11 & 28-31

Doctrine 5: The Word of God

  1. The ever-living Word of God is the only source of faith leading to regeneration, everlasting life and purity of soul.

  2. God’s Word is spoken by The Father, The Spirit and Jesus Christ (Who is plainly called “The Word”).

  3. The Bible is the Spirit-inspired, written Word of God, which is composed of the 66 books of the Old and
    New Testaments, and was given by God completely without error.

  4. God’s Word is also spoken by God-ordained messengers including: pastor-teachers, evangelists, prophets, apostles and angels.

  5. God is always able to reveal entirely new messages that align with His established character and Holy Scriptures.

  6. By faith — true children of God hear, follow and obey The Word of God.

Doctrine 5 Notes

  1. Hebrews 4:12; Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:22-25; John 5:24

  2. John 12:28-30; Acts 13:2; John 1:1 & 14-17

  3. 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Luke 24:25-27; Matthew 15:1-9; Acts 1:15-20; Psalm 12:6-7

  4. Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Acts 21:8; Hosea 1:1-2; Romans 1:1-2; Luke 1:11-20

  5. Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 48:3-8; Leviticus 20:25 with Acts 10:9-20; John 16:12-15

  6. James 2:21-26; James 1:18-25; John 10:2-5 & 11; 1 John 2:3-6

Doctrine 6: Mankind

  1. God created mankind in His own image, so human life is very good and is composed of a body, soul and spirit.

  2. God Himself clearly defined the distinction between male and female by first forming man for the glory of God (man’s head is Christ) and then later building woman for the glory of man (woman’s head is man).

  3. Marriage is God’s sacred gifting of a woman to her husband, which God uses to join the two as one flesh,
    produce godly offspring and mirror the church’s relationship with Christ.

  4. Adam sinned against God and chose death for all mankind, which caused God to curse both the soil and mankind.

  5. Now mankind is born in fallen Adam’s fleshly image — sinful, dying and separated from The Holy God.

  6. Mankind’s only hope for life, victory and reconciliation to God is through Christ.

  7. Men and woman are equal in value and are dependant upon one another but God commands proper order, and gives specific instructions regarding their unique roles in both marriage and the church.

Doctrine 6 Notes

  1. Genesis 1:26 & 31; Genesis 9:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Mark 12:28-30

  2. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7 & 18-23, 1 Corinthians 11:3 & 7-9

  3. Genesis 2:22 & 24-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Genesis 1:28; Malachi 2:14-16; Ephesians 5:22-33

  4. Genesis 2:8-9 & 15-17; Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-15

  5. Genesis 5:1-5; Romans 8:5-8; Isaiah 59:2; Genesis 3:22-24

  6. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 & 56-57; Romans 5:10-11; 1 Timothy 2:5

  7. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Doctrine 7: Salvation

  1. Before the foundation of the world, The Father predestined saints to become His children by writing their names in The Lamb’s book of life.

  2. The redemptive gift of salvation has been fully purchased for all mankind and is made possible only through the perfect, appeasing sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s broken body and shed blood.

  3. Spiritual regeneration leads to eternal life which is received only through God’s grace and the believer’s faith.

  4. At the moment the salvation relationship begins, Christ forgives the believer’s sins and justifies, or declares
    the believer to be righteous.

  5. At this same moment Jesus also instantly sanctifies the new saint and calls them to begin walking in holiness.

  6. Genuine salvation is forever secure through God, but salvation can be forfeited or rejected by the believer, whose name is then forever blotted out of The Lamb’s book of life.

Doctrine 7 Notes

  1. Ephesians 1:3-6; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 17:8

  2. 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 10:10-14 & 19-20; Matthew 26:26-28

  3. Titus 3:4-7; John 5:24-29; Ephesians 2:8-9

  4. Romans 8:30-31; Romans 4:5-8; Galatians 2:16

  5. John 15:3; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 13:12; Hebrews 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

  6. John 10:27-29; Hebrews 10:23 & 26-39; Hebrews 6:4-8; Revelation 3:3-5

Doctrine 8: The New Man

  1. The faith of genuine believers is perfected through good works which benefit others and testifies of the
    believer’s relationship with The Father.

  2. Christ’s followers are to live holy, transformed and righteous lives by being spiritually renewed, by putting off their former conduct, by putting on the new man and by speaking the truth.

  3. Saints are to pursue peace with others and are called to love and goodness, not vengeance or violence.

  4. The new man is instructed to exhort the brethren and to faithfully attend a local church, which is God’s house. 

  5. Christ precisely commands His followers to be baptized by trine immersion and to participate in His
    communion which consists of: 1. Washing the Saint’s Feet  2. The Lord’s Supper  3. The Eucharist.

  6. Christians are called to pray in The Spirit, and during sickness have the privilege of calling the church elders to pray and anoint them with oil for healing.

  7. Saints are to forgive and seek to be reconciled to the brethren and are to settle disputes within the church.

Doctrine 8 Notes

  1. James 2:14-26; Titus 3:1-3 & 8; Matthew 5:43-48

  2. Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-25; James 5:12

  3. Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 5:38-42; John 18:35-36

  4. Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Timothy 3:14-15

  5. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 2:38-42; John 13:1-19; 1 Timothy 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

  6. Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:13-18

  7. Matthew 18:15-35; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; James 3:13-18

Doctrine 9: The Church

  1. The church is a holy and living body that is led by Christ, Who is her head and Cornerstone.

  2. Jesus’ church is composed of all true believers in this age, and her purpose is: 1. To bring God’s kingdom
    to earth  2. To worship God  3. To proclaim God’s truth.

  3. Jesus Christ calls and gives Biblically-qualified men to speak His truth to the church, to lead His sheep and to perfect His body.

  4. The local church first tests, then appoints Biblically-qualified deacons and deaconesses, who physically serve the church body in this spiritual position.

  5. Christ Himself sets saints in local churches, empowers each member and gives them gifts to fill, unify, grow and build His body.

  6. A confession of salvation and baptism by trine immersion are the minimum requirements to become a
    member of this local church.

  7. This local church is only subject to Christ, so she determines her own membership requirements and is
    empowered to discipline her members.

Doctrine 9 Notes

  1. Ephesians 5:25-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Peter 2:4-10

  2. Acts 2:1-36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Matthew 16:17-19; Luke 17:20-21; John 4:21-24; Ephesians 3:8-12

  3. Galatians 1:1 & 10-12; Romans 1:1-5; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-14; Hebrews 13:17

  4. 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7

  5. Philippians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 12:15-27; Ephesians 4:1-10 & 15-16

  6. Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:37-47

  7. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Matthew 18:15-20

Doctrine 10: Spiritual Enemies

  1. Lucifer was created perfect, fell due to pride and iniquity and is now called Satan for he is both the adversary of God and the accuser of the brethren.

  2. Satan is the father of lies and he seeks to murder and destroy by his methods: lies, darkness, deception, pain, fear, lust, selfishness, etc.

  3. The Devil is also the father of sinners, liars and the unrighteous.

  4. Satan personally leads fallen angels in their opposition of God and His servants.

  5. Other evil workers include false prophets, false teachers, false brethren, dogs and wolves.

  6. The Devil will be chained during Christ’s 1,000 year reign, then he will be released and allowed to deceive and make war until he and his angels are cast into The Lake of Fire for all eternity.

Doctrine 10 Notes

  1. Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:3-21; Revelation 12:9-10

  2. 2 Corinthians 2:11; John 8:42-47; Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-7; Revelation 9:11; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 2:10; 2 Timothy 2:22-26

  3. 1 John 3:7-12; Acts 13:8-11; Matthew 13:36-43

  4. Zechariah 3:1-2; Revelation 12:7-8

  5. 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:25-26; Galatians 2:4-5; Philippians 3:2; Acts 20:29

  6. Revelation 20:1-3 & 7-10; Matthew 25:41

Doctrine 11: The End Times

  1. At the conclusion of the church, Christ will literally descend into the clouds to snatch His people to Himself
    and transform the bodies of both the dead and the living.

  2. The 70th (and final) 7 spoken of in Daniel is The Tribulation, a 7 year period during which the world will focus on Israel, Jerusalem and God’s sanctuary.

  3. The Tribulation is composed of 2 halves (each half is 3 ½ years or 42 months or 1,260 days) which are divided by the abomination that makes desolate.

  4. At the end of The Great Tribulation, Christ will literally return to earth with His heavenly armies to war against the nations and to reign upon the earth as King for 1,000 years.

  5. At the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign, the nations will again rise against God only to be completely devoured by Him.

  6. All will be judged, rewarded according to their works and the righteous will be divided from the evil.

  7. Satan, death and the grave will be cast in The Lake of Fire, and the final state of God’s eternal kingdom will
    be introduced.

Doctrine 11 Notes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21

  2. Daniel 9:22-27a; Daniel 12:1-4; Zechariah 14:1-2

  3. Daniel 7:23-25; Daniel 12:5-13; Revelation 11:1-3; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-22

  4. Revelation 19:11-20:6; Zechariah 14:3-21; Ezekiel 43:1-7

  5. Revelation 20:7-9; Ezekiel 38:1-39:8

  6. 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10b-12; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-13

  7. Revelation 20:10 & 14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 & 54-57

Doctrine 12: Eternal Existence

  1. The Kingdom of Heaven will forever consist of The Lake of Fire, The New Earth, The New Heaven and
    The Heaven of Heavens.

  2. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body, which is then sown in the earth.

  3. After death the spirit and soul continue existing, either with or apart from The Lord, and are conscious
    of pleasure or pain.

  4. All bodies in the grave will be physically resurrected — believers to life in a new heavenly body and
    unbelievers to condemnation.

  5. The unjust will be resurrected to judgment, punishment and banishment from God.

  6. The righteous will be resurrected to judgement, eternal life and an inheritance in God’s presence.

  7. God’s heirs will no longer be subject to the curse, pain, darkness or death, but will forever dwell in rest,
    fullness of joy, abundant life and the light of God’s presence!

Doctrine 12 Notes

  1. Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 20:14-15; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17; 2 Chronicles 2:6; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

  2. James 2:26; Genesis 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:42

  3. 1 Samuel 28:6-20; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 23:39-43; Psalm 16:10-11; Luke 13:23-28

  4. John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43-49

  5. Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-33 & 41-46

  6. Matthew 25:31-40; John 3:14-21; 1 Peter 1:3-9

  7. Revelation 21:3-5; Hebrews 4:8-11; Acts 2:25-28; John 10:10; Revelation 21:22-27; Revelation 22:1-6 & 14-17

Published 24 September 2024