Statement of Faith
THE BIBLE
We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is infallible in its declaration, final in its authority, all-sufficient in its provisions and comprehensive in its sufficiency (2Timothy 3:16-17, Roman15:4; Matthew 24: 35; Isaiah55:11; Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; ).
THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the existence of the One True God, Elohim, Maker of the whole universe; indefinable, but revealed as Triune Godhead— Father, Son and Holy Spirit-One in nature, essence and attributes; Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 42:5-7; Ephesians 1:11)).
MAN’S DEPRAVED NATURE:
We believe that “all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” are subject to eternal punishment; and need repentance and regeneration (Genesis 3:1-19); Isaiah 53: 6;).
THE SAVIOUR:
We believe that man’s need of a Saviour has been met in the person of Jesus Christ, because of His deity, virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, resurrection and ascension; His abiding and Second Coming to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 1:2; John 4:42; Philippians 2:6-11, Revelation 22:12).
REPENTANCE, REGENERATION, JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION:
We believe that all men have to repent of and confess their sins before God, and believe in the vicarious death of Jesus Christ to be justified before God. We believe in the sanctification of the believer through the working of the Holy Spirit and in God’s gift of eternal life to the believer (Luke 15:7; Acts 2: 38; Romans 4:25; 5:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4: 3’ John3:36; Eccl 7:20; 1John1:8).
THE BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:
We believe in the water Baptism by immersion as a testimony of a convert who has attained a responsible age of about 13 years. (under 13 years are not baptized but are dedicated to the Lord). We believe in the partaking of the Holy Communion by believers who are in full fellowship and have confessed faith in Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 22:19-20, Acts 1:8; 1 John 5:9-12).
BAPTISM, GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the believers with the evidence of speaking in tongues and signs following; we also believe in the operation of the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. We believe in praying for believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4;1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Galatians 5:22-23, Acts19:2,6; 2:38,).
DIVINE HEALING:
We believe that the healing of sickness and disease is provided for God’s people in the atonement. We believe in the laying of hands and anointing them with oil in prayer for divine healing. The Church is, however, not opposed to soliciting the help of qualified medical practitioners and treatment. We support hospitals and other treatment centres. (James 5:15-16, 2 Kings 20:7; Matthew 9:12; Luke 10:34; Colossians 4:14, Mark 6:12-13).
TITHES AND OFFERING:
We believe in tithing and giving free will offerings towards the cause of advancing the Kingdom of God. We believe that God blesses a cheerful giver. Furthermore, we believe in making generous contributions to build places of worship and other centres of compassionate activities. (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:6-10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 9:1-9; Acts 11:27-30).
THE SECOND COMING AND THE NEXT LIFE:
We believe in the Second Coming of Christ and the Resurrection of the dead, both the saved and the unsaved – they that are saved, to the resurrection of life; and the unsaved, to the resurrection of damnation (Mark 13: 26; Daniel 12:2; John 5: 28-29; Acts 1:11; 10:42; Romans 2:7-11; 6:23).
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:
We believe in marriage as a union established and ordained by God for the lifelong, intimate relationship between a man as husband and a woman as wife as biologically defined by God at birth. We believe that God instituted marriage primarily for mutual help, fellowship and comfort that one ought to have for the other, for honourable procreation of children, and their training in love, obedience to the Lord and responsible citizenship. (Genesis 2:18, 21-25, 24:67; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-2).
SEXUAL MISBEHAVIOR AND DIVORCE
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as described in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25, Malachi 2). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5, Hebrews 13:4).
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including, but not limited to, pre-marital sex, adultery, fornication, homosexual behaviour, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, transgender conduct or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Exod 22:19; Lev 18:22-23; 20:15-16; Deut 27:21; Gal 5:16-26; Rom 1:23-26; Ephesians 5:3; Ezekiel 23:20; Colossians 3:5).
We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that a church wedding should be between one man and one woman who are both believers. We believe that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Divorce is contrary to the principles of marriage and its original institution by God, and was only allowed for the hardness of men's hearts (Deuteronomy 24:1, Matthew 19:3-9). The members should refrain from divorce except due to such situations as described in Matthew 19:9.
Pastors/Ministers and the members of GVC shall not perform same-sex weddings for members and non-members but will conduct wedding ceremonies for one man and one woman as biologically designed by God at birth. (Gen1:27-28,2:18,21-25)