STATEMENT OF FAITH

  1. The Bible – We believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, that it was inspired by Him and therefore is the supreme authority that declares His design and plan for mankind. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Matthew 5:17-19, John 6:45)

 

  1. The Trinity – We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that they work in harmony with each other towards one common purpose, referred to as the will of God. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, John 1:1-5, Acts 1:4-5)

 

  1. Jesus – We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. He led a sinless life and performed many miracles until He was sacrificed on the cross for our sin. We believe according to Scripture that after 3 days in the tomb He bodily rose from the dead, later ascended into heaven and is there now at the right hand of God as head of the Church and as our advocate and intercessor. (Luke 1:26-38, Mark 15:25-16:8, John 10:30, Acts 1:1-11)

 

  1. Man – We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned willingly, and thereby ushered evil into the world, causing physical and spiritual death. We believe that everyone has sinned many times in their lives and that this erects a barrier between man and God that man is not capable of overcoming on his own. We therefore all deserve eternal separation from God. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3:1-19, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12-14)

 

  1. Substitutionary Atonement – We believe that Jesus was our substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. In other words, we believe that He took the sins (all the things that we do against God, each other, and ourselves) of the world on His shoulders, and died on the cross in our place, as our substitute. So, Jesus completely atoned for, or paid the penalty for all our sins, past, present, and future. It was through this method that God was able to satisfy both His perfect righteousness and justice while at the same time demonstrating His amazing love and mercy. (1 John 2:1-2, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 5:15-19)

 

  1. Death – We believe physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. When a believer dies his/her spirit goes to be with the Lord. When an unbeliever dies his/her spirit goes to a place of torment, awaiting the final judgment where he/she will be consigned to eternal punishment. This shows that death is the beginning of our future, not the end of the story. (Acts 7:54-59, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:21-23, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

 

  1. Salvation – We believe that every person can have restored fellowship with God or become a child of God by trusting Jesus to forgive his/her sins and save him/her from eternal condemnation. This LOC Statement of Faith page 2 of 3 happens when we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, repent of our sins, and put ourselves under His authority. Salvation is by God’s grace (undeserved love), through faith in Jesus, apart from works (good deeds) performed by man. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 8:34-38, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

  1. The Christian’s Role – We believe the Christian is called to be God’s representative and witness to the world. Due to this a Christian should live a “Holy” life or a life that is distinctly different from ways of the world. We believe this is only possible when an individual yields to the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit in his/her life. We do not believe we are perfect; we just love God and want to live in a way that makes Him happy as a response to His love for us. God does not call us to live apart from the world, but rather in the world so that others might see God and His truths lived out through His people. Every Christian must have concern for the needs of others and be a servant as Jesus was. Therefore, love is the ultimate sign of a Christian heart. (Matthew 20:26-28, John 17:13-19, Galatians 5:16-26, Philippians 2:1-8)
 

 

  1. Spiritual Gifts – We believe that God has given you many gifts and talents. We believe that the Holy Spirit adds to those natural gifts and talents as He chooses with a whole new set of gifts. It is the believer’s privilege and responsibility to eagerly desire, understand, develop, and properly use these gifts within the Church and with people in the world around him/her. We believe that these gifts are to be prayerfully tempered with balance and self-control. We also believe that although the gifts are all different, together they complement each other and are used for the common good of the Church body. (Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:7-13, 1 Peter 4:10-11)

 

  1. The Church and Its Mission – We believe God saves people individually, but He has called them to be a part of the community of believers past and present, which is His Church. This group consists of people who throughout time have accepted God’s offer of redemption through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (regardless of religious denomination, social class, race, or gender). We believe that the Church’s mission is to reach all people with the Gospel of salvation, to help everyone grow in their knowledge and understanding of God, and to cultivate their relationship with Him and with others. We also believe the most powerful, honest, and effective method of encouraging people to meet Christ is through living a life that demonstrates the power and effectiveness of knowing Christ ourselves. (Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 13:29, Romans 10:12-15, Galatians 3:26-29)

 

  1. Intimate Relationship – We believe that the Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with each one of us. This involves learning about Him, talking to Him, and listening to Him. One way He makes this relationship personal is through the way that He communicates with us. A relationship with God (Jesus) is the only thing that will fulfill our deepest longings here on earth and get us into heaven; therefore, this relationship should be at the top of our priority list. Once we realize how much God loves us, it will affect every area of our lives. (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, Acts 4:12, Luke 19:5-10)

 

  1. The Return of the Lord – We believe that Jesus is preparing to come back and establish a new world using those that know and serve Him. Our Lord’s return will be visible and universal; it will be the end of history as we know it. We do not know the time of His second coming; therefore, it is our duty to live in readiness. We believe that there will be a bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved. At the time of the final judgment the saved will enjoy living with the Lord forever in His kingdom, while the unsaved will be confined to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 24:42-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, Revelation 21:1-8.)

 

  1. The Sacrament of Baptism – The Sacrament of Baptism as a voluntary act of submission to the will of God representing our Death, Burial, and Resurrection in Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, 1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5-7, Mark 16:16)

 

  1. The Sacrament of Holy Communion – The Sacrament of Holy Communion where the elements (bread and wine) are the representation of the Body and Blood of Christ. (Matthew 26:26-28,1 Corinthians 11:23-24)

 

  1. The Holy Spirit – We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 5:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 2 Peter 3:9.)