• Grace is Reformed
  • Reformed theology has recently become more visible and noticed, however, this teaching has always remained a solid part of the theological landscape. Reformed theology has sometimes received a bad name because it was associated with “covenant theology” which would teach infant baptism and places an emphasis on the Law, while Reformed Theology places a strong emphasis upon the sovereignty of God and the reign of Christ and evangelism.
  • Reformed Theology stress the 5 solas..The Five Solas: Summing up the heart of Protestant beliefs…
  • Sola Gratia (Grace alone): Salvation is the free gift from the Lord to man. It is something we cannot earn and that we do not deserve. It is a gift given to us through God’s grace and it in no way depends on any merit on our part. Ephesians 2: 8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (KJV)
  • Sola Fide (Faith alone): Through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, God imputes righteousness to the Elect. It is a legal declaration by God. We are justified unto Him through faith alone. Justification is not sanctification. Sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit that results in a Christian’s growth in holiness. When we are saved, God imputes our sin to Christ and Christ’s holiness to us through the justifying work of Christ on the Cross; over time, through the work of the Holy Spirit, God imparts holiness to us as we grow in righteousness and develop the Fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Galatians 3: 11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith.” (KJV)
  • Solus Christus (Christ alone): Christ is our Mediator before a Holy God. He is the only Mediator between God and man. Through His sacrifice on our behalf, our salvation is accomplished. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (KJV)
  • Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone): Scripture alone is the only inerrant and infallible source of divine revelation; it is the only way we can know the mind of Christ. For the Christian, Scripture is the only and final authority for all matters of faith and practice. Sola Scriptura does not mean that the only truth is that which is contained in the Bible but that all truth must be seen through its lens and that Scripture Alone contains all that we need to know for salvation. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (KJV)
  • Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone): That salvation is to the glory of God alone is the natural outcome of belief in the other solas. Psalms 3: 8a, Salvation belongs to the LORD; Not only is salvation only by the Lord and to His glory alone, but every single aspect of a Christian’s life is to be lived to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10: 31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. So… Reformed Theology is all about the Sovereignty of God and the Total inability of mankind to achieve their own salvation. It is a work solely of God’s grace.
• We hold to expository preaching. Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of the Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. The word exposition is related to the word: expose. The expository preacher’s goal is simply to expose the meaning of the Bible, verse by verse. As a method, expository preaching differs from topical preaching and textual preaching. To prepare a topical sermon, the preacher starts with a topic and then finds a passage in the Bible that addresses that topic. For example, for the chosen topic of “Laziness,” the preacher might refer to Proverbs 15:19 and 18:9 and touch on Romans 12:11 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10. None of the passages is studied in depth; instead, each is used to support the theme of laziness.
• We believe in the biblical model of an ‘Elder lead’ church, comprised of qualified men only who fulfill the qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. These men are equal in authority with different ministries who maintain biblical teaching, shepherding and spiritual leadership over the church body. The pastor is simply one of the Elders. His role is to be the “teaching elder”, where his focus is using the gifts of teaching and preaching.
• We highly esteem women in our church and elevate them to every position as taught in the Bible. However, we believe the bible teaches that the role of elder is reserved for biblically qualified men. (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
• Grace uses Consensus not Voting. Voting is a process by which each individual expresses their support or opposition to a proposal. This style of decision making has the potential to cause disunity within the body, and we do not find it as a biblical New Testament church practice. 
Consensus is a process of building agreement amongst the people for a proposal. This style of decision making has the potential to increase unity.
 The key difference is that voting is decided by the majority, while consensus seeks agreement from all members under the leadership and guidance of the elders.
• Our worship music is a mix of tradition and contemporary songs that build and respond to the text of scripture, chosen to enable us to genuinely give the Lord worship and praise.
• Grace is a member church of The Gospel Coalition, a fellowship of evangelical churches in the Reformed tradition.
  
  Grace is also a church in the denomination of The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada.If you would like to meet Pastor Allan and talk, or if you have questions, please feel free to contact us by email or call the church.