Our Beliefs
Our Values
We are Gospel-Centred
We believe that the gospel is not only the way into the Christian faith, but also the way by which we grow and live out our faith.
We are Missional
Our central mission is to proclaim the gospel message, which changes everything. We engage with culture, graciously defending the claims of Christ and relevantly challenging existing cultural misconceptions about Christianity.
We are Prayerful
We believe that only God can change our lives and the city we love. Above any programs or strategies, we look to God to move in powerful ways.
We are Merciful
We seek to emphasize the call of Christ to “remember the poor.” We partner with others to minister mercy and justice in Toronto.
We are City-Positive
God made the city and made it to be a place of refuge, creativity, and beauty. We are a church that celebrates the arts, professions, and cultural expressions of the city, even as we point to the one who is the source of all their beauty.
5 Year Vision Plan
Download our full 5-year vision to learn who we believe God is calling us to be and where He wants us to go.
'Without vision, the people perish'
— Proverbs 29:18
Our vision is to see Toronto renewed spiritually, and culturally and made into a great city in every way. We long for Toronto to become a place where grace and mercy reign, where peace is practiced and lived out, and where racial, ethnic, and socio-economic differences are removed by the power of the gospel.Our vision is rooted in the good news that Jesus is lord of the city, the saviour and redeemer of the city, and the coming judge of the city. We long to see Him worshipped and cherished in every part of the city.
The Gospel Changes Everything
We believe the gospel completely transforms not only our lives, but also how we view all of life. It changes how we view ourselves: we learn to admit that we are more sinful and selfish than we could have imagined. It changes how we view God: we learn to marvel that we are more loved and forgiven than we could ever dare hope. It transforms how we view others: as divine image-bearers of incredible value and dignity. From this core value flows all other values.
A City Within a City
The gospel creates what philosopher Augustine called a new city within the existing city: “the City of God.” In this city, mercy triumphs over judgment; collaboration replaces competition; equality replaces elitism; and people have intrinsic dignity, regardless of their standing in life. Love for God and others is the primary motivation for all that we do – in work, play, and rest. The new city becomes a sanctuary for those tired of or bruised by the brokenness of the old city. The new city inspires the old by demonstrating that there is, indeed, a better way to live. The new city becomes a magnet for those seeking the peace of God in the midst of the tumult of the streets. The new city becomes a light where the glory of God, in the face of Christ, shines into our lives.
Confession of Faith
As a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, we hold to doctrinal statements outlined in the Westminster Catechism.
1
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
2
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
4
We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based solely on His grace, not on any human individual merit or on His foreknowledge of our faith.
5
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in him alone for their salvation.
6
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people, not simply as individuals, but as families in successive generations, according to His covenant promises.
7
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
8
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to take His people to their eternal home.
9
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Specific Issues
Baptism
Baptism is entrance into God’s visible church (local churches) for those who profess faith in Christ because it is a visible sign that points to our cleansing from sin and union with Christ in his death and resurrection. There is newness of life by the power of the Spirit as believers are marked as God’s very own.
Baptism is administered only once by the washing of water, in the Triune name, by a minister of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 4:5). For adults who have embraced the good news of the Gospel and believed in the spiritual reality that baptism signifies, they shall be baptized after their profession of faith.
This sign is also given to children who are born into Christian families. We see this practiced in the early church as baptism was administered to adults / heads of the households who professed faith in Christ and their children (Acts 16:15,33). In the New Testament, baptism has replaced circumcision as the visible sign that points to the same spiritual reality of being made spiritually alive and cleansed from our sin (Colossians 2:11-14). In the Old Testament, circumcision was applied to all males in the households of God. (Genesis 17:12), but in the New Testament, this sign is administered to both male and female children who are born into Christian families.
Infant baptism brings both parents and children into the covenant with God as parents bind themselves to bring their children up to obey God’s law and worship with God’s people (Deuteronomy 6:4-25). It reminds the Christian parents of their spiritual responsibility to nurture and disciple their children in Gospel love and reality. And, it encourages covenant children that the same spiritual hope and promise are available to them by faith in Christ.
Communion
The Lord’s Supper is a meal of grace that spiritually strengthens and nourishes believers through the elements of the bread and cup. This is a meal that proclaims the death of Christ as his body was broken and his blood of the new covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. During this meal, Christ is present by his Spirit in the administration of the bread and cup as believers participate in faith. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
Church Membership
Membership at Grace Toronto Church means that you are committing to our family of believers as you participate in the life, ministry, and government of our church. There is a solemn promise to care for one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually as you pray for and encourage community members to grow toward the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Salvation
Salvation is made possible only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Placing your faith into Jesus means to admit that you are a sinner who falls short of the standards of an infinitely holy God (Romans 3:23). You look to Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God, who died by taking on your sin so that you would receive the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). You confess that Jesus died and rose again for you and you commit your life to him by placing your faith and trust in him (Romans 10:9-10). And finally, you rest in the finished work of Christ for you by glorifying God and enjoying him (Romans 4:5).
Our History
The history of Grace Toronto is one of the grace of God, a few miracles, and people who love and long for Christ.
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