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Statement of Faith
Authority of Scripture
We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word of God. It is the final rule of faith and practice and the ultimate standard by which all teaching and ministry must be measured (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 19:7–11).
God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in essence and glory yet distinct in role and relation (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). God is sovereign over all creation, history, and redemption, and His purposes cannot fail (Isaiah 46:9–10; Daniel 4:35).
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, of one essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit, coequal in power, glory, and majesty. From eternity, He is the Word through whom all things were made, and in the fullness of time, He took on true humanity without ceasing to be true God (John 1:1–3, 14; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:15–20).
Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, He was made like us in all things except sin. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father, fulfilling all righteousness on our behalf. By His substitutionary death on the cross, He bore the wrath of God due to sinners, satisfying divine justice and accomplishing redemption once and for all for those whom the Father has chosen and given to Him (Isaiah 53:4–6; Romans 3:24–26; John 17:1–9).
We affirm that Jesus rose bodily from the dead on the third day, conquering sin, death, and Satan. His resurrection is the assurance of our justification and future resurrection. He ascended bodily into heaven, where He now reigns at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, interceding for His people and ruling over all things for the good of His Church (Hebrews 1:3; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20–23).
We await His personal, visible return in glory to judge the living and the dead, to vindicate His people, and to consummate His kingdom with a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Acts 1:9–11; Revelation 21:1–5).
Salvation is found in Christ alone — His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection are the sole basis for our justification and reconciliation with God. In Christ, we are clothed in His righteousness, adopted as sons and daughters, and united to Him by faith through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 2:4–9).
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, calls and regenerates believers, and indwells and empowers them for holiness, service, and witness.
We recognize that faithful Christians may differ on the continuation or cessation of certain spiritual gifts, but we affirm that all gifts are given by the Spirit for the building up of the Church and the advancement of the Gospel (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Romans 8:9–11).
Humanity and Sin
We believe humanity was created in the image of God to know, love, and glorify Him. Through Adam's sin, all humanity fell and became separated from God, inheriting a sinful nature and guilt before Him. Apart from grace, all are spiritually dead and unable to save themselves (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1–3).
Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is entirely the work of God's mercy and cannot be earned by works. Believers are justified by faith and declared righteous through Christ's substitutionary atonement and imputed righteousness. Good works are the fruit and evidence of true faith (Ephesians 2:8–10; Romans 3:28; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Church
We believe the universal Church is composed of all who are united to Christ by faith. Christ is the Head of the Church, which exists to glorify God through worship, teaching, discipleship, and mission.
We believe Scripture establishes eldership and pastoral leadership as the responsibility of qualified men, while affirming the full value, gifting, and ministry involvement of both men and women in the life of the Church (1 Timothy 2:12–3:7; Titus 1:5–9; Acts 2:17–18).
The local church is an expression of this body, gathering to proclaim the Gospel, observe the ordinances, and serve together for the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:42–47).
Marriage and Family
We believe marriage is a covenantal union between one man and one woman, designed by God to reflect Christ's love for the Church. Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage, and children are a blessing from God to be raised in the instruction of the Lord (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31–32; Psalm 127:3–5).
Last Things
We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ. God will raise the dead, judge all people, and renew creation. Believers will dwell forever with the Lord in the new heavens and new earth, while those apart from Christ will face eternal separation (John 5:28–29; Revelation 21:1–4).
Open-Handed and Close-Handed Issues
Close-Handed (Essential) Truths
These are core doctrines of the Christian faith that all TGFM partners must affirm:
- The authority and inspiration of Scripture
- The Trinity
- The deity, humanity, death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
- The exclusivity of Christ as the only way of salvation
- The substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ
- Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone
- Justification by faith, not works
- The image of God in all people
- God's sovereignty over creation and redemption
- The Great Commission mandate
- The unity of all true believers in Christ
- Marriage between one man and one woman
- Biblical eldership and pastoral leadership reserved for qualified men
- The sanctity of human life from conception to natural death
- The biblical definition of gender and sexuality as created by God, male and female. (TGFM does not affirm, support, or partner with any individual, church, or organization that endorses or practices same-sex relationships, gender transition, or any expression of sexuality contrary to Scripture.)
Open-Handed (Secondary) Issues
Faithful Christians may hold differing views on the following, and these differences will not divide partnership or fellowship within TGFM:
- Mode and timing of baptism (credobaptism vs. paedobaptism)
- Frequency, mode, and symbolism of the Lord's Supper
- Details of end-times chronology (premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial, etc.)
- Operation or cessation of spiritual gifts (cessationist vs. continuationist)
- Styles and expressions of worship (liturgical, contemporary, charismatic, etc.)
- Structure of local church governance
- Nuances within Calvinism and Arminianism
- Age of the earth and interpretation of Genesis 1–2
- Application of Sabbath or Lord's Day observance
- Non-elder leadership titles and ministry roles
- Use of various Bible translations (ESV, NASB, CSB, NIV, KJV, NKJV, etc.)
- Philosophy of missions and contextualization methods
- Cultural practices regarding music, dress, or tradition that do not contradict Scripture
- Methods of church discipline and restoration (procedural, not doctrinal differences)
- Approaches to counseling and discipleship (biblical counseling vs. integrationist models)
- Age of accountability and views on infant salvation
- Use of creeds and confessions beyond Scripture (e.g., Westminster, Baptist Faith & Message)
- Political involvement and methods of social engagement
- Non-essential eschatological views about Israel and the Church
- Educational choices for families (public, private, homeschool)
- Personal convictions regarding alcohol, tobacco, and entertainment (Romans 14 liberty issues)
Partnership Statement
TGFM will work with faithful believers across denominational lines, provided there is agreement on the Gospel and the close-handed issues listed above.
Closing Statement
The Good Fight Mission exists to serve the Church and advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are rooted in the Reformed faith, committed to the glory of God alone, and eager to labor alongside brothers and sisters across denominations who affirm the core truths of Christianity.