Values & Beliefs
Grays Woods Church aspires to be a Christ-centered community. Jesus serves as the basis for all we believe and value. He is the hope of the world and we desire everyone to experience a meaningful life and the joys of knowing Him. We band together through the ups and downs of life while striving to live His way and for His glory.
If you are new to concepts of faith, the Bible, or Christianity, the following may not make sense to you. If that is the case, please contact us. We would be honored to talk with you about our values and beliefs.
Core Values
We want people to be real and free. Jesus condemned cleaned-up hypocrisy and rewarded raw sincerity. We desire genuine relationships deep in grace and established upon truth. Romans 12:9
The ways of the world are confused and chaotic. The ways of Jesus move us toward peace, understanding, and wholeness. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6
We want to live in communication with our Creator and Redeemer at all times and through all things. Prayer is essential to our spiritual vitality and accomplishing God’s will. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6-7
God knows we need each other and He created us to work together. He established an extended family beyond the ones we grew up with. We call it the Church, but it is more than a religious building or a gathering of faith people. It is a relationship and partnership by which we support and encourage each other through the thick and thin of life to accomplish God’s will. Authentic meaningful relationships can be scarce but God provides more for us through Jesus. No one should do life alone. Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Beliefs
He created the world and in God’s timing became a man and “lived for a while among us.” He was and is the perfect embodiment of grace and truth and offers the only way for humanity to connect with the eternal God.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14...but then was raised from the dead, offering us that same victory over death.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16It is unfailing, eternal, and relevant in every culture throughout time. It reveals the heart of God, how we should live, and the fulfillment of our biggest need…to be in a loving relationship with our Creator and Redeemer.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17We all miss the mark. Salvation is a gift that only Jesus gives to all who trust in Him.
“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8And believes that God has raised Him from the dead will be forgiven and saved.
“That if you confess with your mouth that ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9They are vital demonstrations and celebrations of our radical change of direction (repentance) from the “old self” to the “new self” in response to the examples and directives of Jesus.
Baptism
In the context of the New Testament of the Bible, baptism is an immersion in water administered to a believer in Jesus that demonstrates the death of the old life and being raised to the new life (Romans 6:3-4). There are many examples in the New Testament record, including Jesus’ own baptism.
In a courageous presentation a few weeks after Jesus died and was raised from the dead, the apostle Peter said to the people: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” – Acts 2:38, 41
Communion
Just before He was crucified, Jesus gathered His closest followers and initiated a memorial that endures to this day.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28 (The cup was “fruit of the vine” meaning wine or grape juice.)
We regularly commemorate Jesus’ “Last Supper” or communion in our gatherings to celebrate and remember what He has done for us.
