Gospel Baptist Church is a group of baptized, born-again Christians who meet regularly under the authority of the Bible, to be the visible image of the gospel, and to give God glory. Our church community is composed of families from Sparta, Tomah, and West Salem. 

We gather on a weekly basis in gospel love to hear the word preached, sing, pray, and give. We gather regularly to practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Church members, those who have covenanted together, lovingly care for one another (1 Cor 12:12-26), even through the practice of church discipline (Matt 18:15-17). 

We believe the church is God’s strategic plan for evangelism with one overarching mission: go to all peoples to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded- including forming new churches (Matt 28:18-20).

THE GOSPEL IS THE JOYFUL MESSAGE OF GOD’S RESCUE PLAN FOR ALL PEOPLE

GOD

The Bible is clear that God is creator and author of everything. Because he is the creator, God demands that we follow his instructions and honor him. God is loving, holy, and just. One day God will execute perfect justice against all sin and evil on earth. 

MAN

Although mankind was created in the perfect image of God, all people have decided at one point in their life since the rebellion of Adam to defy God instead of honor him. Because of sin, God’s perfect creation on earth has been cursed.  

Failing to obey God’s commands and live according to his standards is sin. Because of sin, mankind has suffered greatly and is unable to have a close relationship to God. The Bible is clear that the required payment for sin is death. This death occurs literally both on earth and for eternity in hell. Although God is a loving and forgiving God, he is also perfectly just and holy. He cannot overlook sin. There must be a payment. 

CHRIST

Since the rebellion of Adam in the Garden of Eden, God implemented a rescue plan that would allow all of mankind to be saved from their sins. This plan is called the gospel. 

God loved mankind so much, that he sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to earth on a special mission. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin. Despite being perfect and innocent, Jesus was crucified on a cross that fulfilled the prophecy recorded hundreds of years earlier in the Old Testament. Jesus displayed his full deity and authority by rising from the dead after three days as recorded in the Gospels and multiple other historical records of eye witnesses. Jesus lived the perfect life that was impossible for us. Jesus paid the penalty in full for all of our sins. 

RESPONSE

This gift of the gospel must be received and not rejected. The response God requires from us is to acknowledge our sin, repent, and believe in Jesus Christ. We must turn from our sin, and turn to God in faith with the understanding that we will follow him for the rest of our life. We cannot pay the price for our sin by being a good person, joining a church, or doing good deeds. Jesus is the only path to a restored relationship with God and forgiveness of sin.

Having been brought by God’s grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we now, depending upon the Holy Spirit, establish this covenant with one another.

In all we do, we will aim to glorify and enjoy the God of our salvation, from whom and through whom and to whom are all things: to Him be all the glory forever! (1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36)

We will eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by walking together in love and in the Spirit and by putting away all bitterness, anger, and injurious speech. (Eph. 4:3; Gal. 5:16, 25; Eph. 4:29, 31)

With humility and gentleness, patience and love, we will be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us. (Eph. 4:1-2; Luke 17:3; Col. 3:13; 1 Thess. 5:11; 1 Pet. 1:22)

We will carry each other’s burdens, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 12:15)

We will train our children in the instruction of the Lord, seeking to walk in a way that adorns the gospel of Christ before our family, friends, and neighbors (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 1 Pet. 3:1).

We will strive to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, as we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Gal. 5:22-24; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:14)

We will not neglect to gather together, but will support and treasure the biblical preaching of the whole counsel of God, the faithful observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the loving exercise of church discipline. (Heb. 10:25; 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:13)

We will contribute cheerfully and generously to the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the advancement of the gospel both to our neighbors and the nations. (Matt. 28:19; Luke 12:33; 2 Cor. 9:7)

We will, when we move from this place, unite as soon as possible with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

In all these things, we rely on our God who has made a new and everlasting covenant with us, saying:

“They shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. . . . I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good . . . with all my heart and all my soul.” (Jer. 32:38-41)

And because of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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During a typical worship gathering, we will:

Sing: 

We sing both contemporary and traditional Christian hymns of praise to God that center on the gospel and the work Jesus accomplished on the cross. 

Pray: 

We reserve time during each worship service to praise God in our prayers, confess our sin, and pray for our members and governing authorities. 

Read Scripture:

At each worship service, a church member is asked to lead the congregation in reading a specific passage that edifies the congregation in truth. 

Preach: 

We preach the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. Our sermons aim to build up Christians in their faith and encourage non-Christians to consider Jesus.

Engage: 

As Christians, we believe in a personal God who knows us intimately, and so we want to follow him in building relationships with those inside and outside the church.

Everything we do within our worship service aims to glorify God and proclaim the gospel.

‍What should I wear?

We believe that our God accepts us on the basis of his Son, Jesus Christ, so we are free to dress as we are comfortable. Our congregation is casual and accepting of all, please dress as you feel most comfortable. Most GBC members will dress casual to business casual.  

What do parents do with their kids?

During our worship service, we have a class designed for children ages pre-school to 6 years old. Our children sing songs, do an activity, learn a lesson from the Bible, and play with other children. Our church implements a strict security policy that requires a background check and training for all members who work with children.

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