GHW Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Ps. 19:7-11; Prov. 30:5-6; Jer. 23:29; Heb. 4:12; Matt. 5:18; John 17:17).
We believe there is one God, creator of all things, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (same in substance, equal in power and glory) (Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:4-6; Acts 17:24-29; Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:15-20; John 1:1-3; Rom. 9:5; Titus 2:13; I John 5:20; Isa. 9:6; Ps. 45:6; Isa. 48:16; Acts 5:3-4; Heb. 9:14; I Cor. 2:11-16).
We believe in the deity and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead (Isa. 9:6; Gal. 4:4; John 17:5; Heb. 10:5; Isa. 7:14; Luke 1:34-35; Heb. 7:26; John 14:11; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:22; I Cor. 15; Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:11-15).
We believe man was created good in the image of God but fell into sin, and is therefore totally depraved, and needs to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit for salvation (Gen. 1:31; Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 1:26-28; Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12; Ps. 51:5; Gen. 8:21; Eph. 2:1-4; Rom. 3:10-18; Rom. 8:7-8; I Cor. 2:14; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44,63,65; John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; Titus 3:3-5; Acts 16:14; Ezek. 11:19; 36:25-27).
We believe that salvation is a gift of God given to man by grace alone through faith alone in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ alone (Jon. 2:9; Eph. 2:8-10; Phil. 1:29; Acts 5:31, 11:17-18; 2 Tim. 2:25; Rom. 3:21-28; Rom. 4:5; Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:4-6; Heb. 9:28; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to regenerate, seal, indwell, teach, convict, and empower the believer for Godly living and service (John 1:13; John 3:3-8; Titus 3:3-5; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30; Rom. 8:9; John 14:16-18; 14:26; 16:13; 16:8; Rom. 8:13; 2 Tim. 1:7; Zech. 4:6; Col. 1:29).
We believe Christ, the Head of the Church, has commanded the Body of Christ to make disciples of all nations. The universal visible Church will extend to all the people groups of the world; therefore all peoples are of equal importance in the Body of Christ (Col. 1:18; I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:14-20; 4:4-6; Rev. 5:9; 7:9; Matt. 24:14; Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12: 4-26; Gal. 3:28; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 20:27; Titus 2:2).
We believe that Christian parents have the privilege and responsibility to raise their covenant children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Gen. 18:19; Ex. 12:24-27; Deut. 4:9-10; 6:7-9; 8:5; 11:18-21; Josh. 24:15; I Sam. 3:13; I Chron. 22:6-16; Ps. 44:1; Ps. 71:18; Ps. 78:1-8; Ps. 145:4; Prov. 3:12; 4:1-4; 13:24; 19:18; 22:6; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15,17; Isa. 38:19; Mal. 4:6; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 3:15).
We affirm the biblical model for marriage as one man and one woman, as declared by Jesus in Matthew 19:5-6. We also affirm that God has created man for His glory in His image, male and female only. (Matt. 19: 4-6; Gen. 2:24; Mk 10:6-8; Gen. 1:27; Isa. 43:7; Heb. 13:4).
We believe God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made to complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female. We believe that God created the human race male and female and that all conduct with the intent to adopt a gender other than one’s birth gender is immoral. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9.
In order to preserve the function and integrity of the Co-op in its mission and to provide a Biblical role model to its members, the Church, the community, and society at large, it is imperative all Co-op members should abide by the aforementioned Statement of Faith and conduct themselves accordingly.
Non-Denominational Position
GHW honors all expressions of God’s kingdom here on earth, especially where it relates to His church. We desire to remain in unity in the salvation and love of Christ, avoiding unnecessary conflict that could be caused by denominational differences. This ministry’s statement of faith contains those doctrines that we unreservedly adhere to and teach. It is our desire to maintain this position and honor all families involved in GHW. There shall be no attempt made by parents, children, volunteers, or board members to promote or disparage doctrinal or denominational beliefs, practices, or positions regarding issues upon which this ministry has stated no official stance. This does not mean that we cannot have conversations about these differences, but in these conversations, please respect each other’s positions.