
The way we do this collectively is by being a people that REACH for more. We REACH up in worship, aligning ourselves with God's desires, we REACH in to shape and form one another through groups and community life, we REACH out to our neighbors and nations and we REACH down to bless and build up the next generation.
Grace Bible Church has a proud spiritual heritage and an exciting and hopeful future.
Our church was established in 1876 as the first Presbyterian Church in the entire state of California, as well as the first Protestant church on the Central Coast. In 1980, after a full century of growth, ministry and impact, the church adopted its current name, Grace Bible Church of Arroyo Grande.
Our commitment to loving God and one another remained the same, and the church itself remained an independent church until joining the Evangelical Free Church of America in 1988. The EFCA is known for its commitment to Scripture, for maintaining unity on the essentials while allowing diversity on the nonessentials, for promoting missions, and resourcing local churches to govern themselves.
Grace Bible Church is blessed to minister to over 1,000 people each week, with a steady membership of over 500 people. We are a people called to REACH our community and world with the Good News of Jesus.
Our church was established in 1876 as the first Presbyterian Church in the entire state of California, as well as the first Protestant church on the Central Coast. In 1980, after a full century of growth, ministry and impact, the church adopted its current name, Grace Bible Church of Arroyo Grande.
Our commitment to loving God and one another remained the same, and the church itself remained an independent church until joining the Evangelical Free Church of America in 1988. The EFCA is known for its commitment to Scripture, for maintaining unity on the essentials while allowing diversity on the nonessentials, for promoting missions, and resourcing local churches to govern themselves.
Grace Bible Church is blessed to minister to over 1,000 people each week, with a steady membership of over 500 people. We are a people called to REACH our community and world with the Good News of Jesus.
1. God
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
2. The Bible
We believe that God has spoken in the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
3. The Human Condition
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed.
4. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God, and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus – Israel’s promised Messiah – was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
5. The Work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
6. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
7. The Church
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believers.
8. Christian Living
We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
9. Christ’s Return
We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.
10. Response & Eternal Destiny
We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Learn More
Grace Bible Church Statement of Faith
Grace Bible Church Bylaws
Grace Bible Church is a part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. For information on the EFCA, visit www.efca.org.
Grace Bible Church Bylaws
Grace Bible Church is a part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. For information on the EFCA, visit www.efca.org.
Baptism
If you have placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior we would love to share with you about the joys of being baptized. Baptism is the outward expression of the inward transformation God has done for you in Christ. Followers of Jesus Christ from all walks of life, cultures, and traditions have been practicing baptism for thousands of years. Come learn more about baptism at our next class, OR if you would like to speak to one of our pastors about baptism, let us know here, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
Meet Grace
We would love to get to know you. If you would like to get to know us, come to Meet Grace. You will share a meal, get to know our staff, and hear more about who we are. Meet Grace lunches are held in the fall, winter, and spring and usually last an hour. We look forward to seeing you there.
Membership
Membership is a partnership. If and when you feel ready, come join us at the next membership class and learn what it means to partner with us in the mission of Grace Bible Church. Classes are held in the fall, winter, and spring and usually last an hour.
What is the membership process?
1) Attend church. Get to know us. Let us get to know you.
2) Attend a membership class. Classes are held in the fall, winter, and spring usually on a Sunday afternoon. We’ll discuss what we believe at Grace Bible Church (including our Statement of Faith), our church structure, bylaws, and leadership, and what it means to be a member of Grace Bible Church. We cover next steps and answer questions as well.
3) Complete and submit your membership application. The application is a single page with a few basic questions about your personal faith.
4) Meet with one of our elders. Getting to know our leadership allows us to care for you personally and gives us space to answer any questions you might have. After your meeting, our Board of Elders will vote on your membership. Upon acceptance, we will send you a letter and include your name on the new member slide during the annual business meeting.
We are excited to have you here and look forward to continuing this mission of learning to live and love like Jesus together.
What is the membership process?
1) Attend church. Get to know us. Let us get to know you.
2) Attend a membership class. Classes are held in the fall, winter, and spring usually on a Sunday afternoon. We’ll discuss what we believe at Grace Bible Church (including our Statement of Faith), our church structure, bylaws, and leadership, and what it means to be a member of Grace Bible Church. We cover next steps and answer questions as well.
3) Complete and submit your membership application. The application is a single page with a few basic questions about your personal faith.
4) Meet with one of our elders. Getting to know our leadership allows us to care for you personally and gives us space to answer any questions you might have. After your meeting, our Board of Elders will vote on your membership. Upon acceptance, we will send you a letter and include your name on the new member slide during the annual business meeting.
We are excited to have you here and look forward to continuing this mission of learning to live and love like Jesus together.