The Essentials

The following are the core beliefs of The Grove Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe that the entirety of Scripture (66 books of the Old and New Testaments) has been given to us by God and is accurate, inerrant, and infallible in its original form. The Holy Spirit inspired all authors of Scripture, and it is the final authority to all matters concerning life and faith.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17

There is one sovereign, holy, righteous, just God over the entire universe. God the Father is Maker and Ruler over all. He is slow to anger, rich in mercy, and abounding in steadfast love. The Godhead eternally exists as three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are one in their essence, yet three in their person, sharing the same nature, yet distinct in their works. This mystery is known as the Trinity, in which God exists in complete and eternal unity within Himself.

Exodus 34:6-7; Mark 12:29; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14

Jesus is the second person of the Trinity and has eternally existed as God and the Son of God. Jesus incarnated Himself to enter into human history making Himself a man like us that He might pay the penalty of our sins, redeem us, and restore our relationship with God. Being in the exact representation of God, He is able to reveal the Father to us. Since only He has lived a perfect life, salvation can be found only through Him. All who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved. One day Jesus is coming back to judge the earth in righteousness, bringing the redeemed into eternal union with Him.

John 1:14, 8:58; Acts 4:12; Col. 1:15-17 ; 1 Tim. 1:15

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is equally God. The Holy Spirit has eternally existed like the Father and Son and lives in all believers as an assurance of our salvation in Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for the saints, illuminates Scripture, helps in our weakness, and gives the believer spiritual gifts to minister to the church.

Acts 5:3-4; Jn. 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; Eph. 1:13; Rom. 8:26; 1 Co. 14

Man was created by God, in His image, to be in intimate fellowship with and worship of Him. However, man rebelled against God by sinning, causing separation from God. Now all man is born sinful, falling short of God’s glorious standard, and is in need of salvation.

Gen. 1:26-28, 3:1-24, Rom. 5:12, Eph. 2:1-3

The Church is the living Body of Christ on earth; Christ is its head and source of life. The Body is composed of those who have received Him personally. The Church exists to celebrate the living God, cultivate personal growth in Christ, love one another in Christ, and communicate Christ to the world through words and deeds.

Eph. 1:22-23, 1 Co. 12:13, Acts 2:1-4

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are both sacraments that have been practiced by Christians for generations. Baptism exists as a sign to show the world personal faith in Christ. Out of obedience to His command, we get baptized as a symbol to show our death with Christ and our new life in Christ. Likewise, the Lord’s Supper is practiced to remember the Lord, and what He did for us in His death on the Cross. Believers should frequently practice the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of the beauty and glory of the gospel.

Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:3-6, 1 Co. 11:23-32

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth again to restore all things to Himself. We believe in the physical resurrection of the body, and the final judgment of God. We believe that those who have been redeemed in Christ will enter into eternal joy and harmony with God, while those who have chosen to reject God will suffer and be separated from God forever.

Jn. 14:3, 2 Co. 5:10, Rev. 20-22