PREAMBLE
Life Church stands firmly in the mainstream of historical Christianity. It takes the Bible as its all-sufficient source of faith and practice, and subscribes to the historic creeds of the universal church. In common with historical Christianity, Life Church emphasizes Jesus Christ as Saviour and coming King. It also presents Jesus Christ as Healer and believes that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers.
I. HOLY SCRIPTURES
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God by which we understand the whole Bible to be inspired in the sense that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original writings. The whole Bible in the original is, therefore, without error and, as such, is infallible, absolutely supreme, and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and practice.
The Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. Christian believers today receive spiritual illumination to enable them to understand the Scriptures, but God does not grant new revelations which are contrary to inspired biblical truth.
2 Tim. 3:16,17 2 Pet. 1:20,21 Psalm 119:160a Matt. 5:17,18 1 Cor. 2:12-14 Prov. 30:5,6
II. THE GODHEAD
The Godhead exists eternally in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature and attributes and are worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience.
Matt. 3:16,17 Matt. 28:19 2 Cor. 13:14
1. THE FATHER
The Father exists eternally as the Creator of heaven and earth, to whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be all in all.
Gen. 1:1 1 Cor. 15:28
2. THE SON
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the Father.
He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice. He rose from the dead. He is now at the right hand of the majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace.
John 1:1,14 John 10:30 John 17 Phil. 2:6,7 Heb. 1:8 Luke 1:26-35 John 12:49 Acts 2:22 2 Cor. 5:21 Heb. 7:26 Rom. 5:6,8 1 Cor. 15:3 1 Pet. 3:18 Matt. 28:6 1 Cor. 15:4,20 Acts 1:9-11 Acts 2:33 Heb. 8:1 Matt. 25:31
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity, performing actions and possessing the attributes of Deity. His personality is shown by the fact that He has personal characteristics and that individuals may relate to Him as a person. He guides believers into all truth. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness and coming judgement. The Holy Spirit anoints, empowers, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Acts 5:3,4 John 15:26 John 16:13-14 I Cor. 3:16 Eph 1:13-14 2 Peter 1:21
III. MAN
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God. He fell through sin and, as a consequence, incurred both spiritual and physical death. Spiritual death and the depravity of human nature have been transmitted to the entire human race, with the exception of the man, Christ Jesus. Man can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gen. 1:26; 2:7 Rom. 5:12 James 1:14,15 Jer. 17:9 Rom. 3:10-19,23 Heb. 7:26 John 14:6 Acts 4:12 1 Tim. 2:5,6
IV. SALVATION
1. ATONEMENT OF CHRIST
Salvation has been provided for all men through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. Furthermore, in the atonement, divine healing was provided for all believers.
Isa. 53:3-6 John 12:32,33 1 Pet. 2:24 Acts 20:21 1 Pet. 1:23,25 Isa. 53:4,5 Matt. 8:16b, 17
2. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Man can be born again only through faith in Christ. Repentance, a vital part of believing, is a complete change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit, turning a person to God from sin.
Isa. 55:7 Acts. 17:30 Gal. 3:22,26 Eph. 2:8 1 John 5:10-13
3. REGENERATION
Regeneration is a creative work of the Holy Spirit by which man is born again and receives spiritual life.
John 3:3b John 5b,7 1 Cor. 5:17,18a 1 Pet. 1:23
4. JUSTIFICATION
Justification is a judicial act of God by which the sinner is declared righteous solely on the basis of his acceptance of Christ as Saviour.
Rom. 3:24 Rom. 4:3-5 Rom. 5:1-2
V. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
1. ASSURANCE
Assurance of salvation is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ, resulting in love, gratitude and obedience toward God.
John 10:27-29 Rom. 8:35-39
2. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is dedication to God and separation from evil. In experience it is both instantaneous and progressive. It is produced in the life of the believer by his appropriation of the power of Christ's blood and risen life through the Person of the Holy Spirit. He draws the believer's attention to Christ, teaches him through the Word and produces the character of Christ within him. Believers who sin must repent and seek forgiveness through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor. 6:14 2 Cor. 7:1 John 17:17,19 Heb. 10:10,14 1 Thess. 5:23 2 Tim. 2:19-22 1 Pet. 1:14-16 Rom. 6:11,13,14,18 1 Cor. 13 Gal. 5:22-23 2 Pet. 1:3-4 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2
3. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which the believer yields control of himself to the Holy Spirit. Through this he comes to know Christ in a more intimate way, and receives power to witness and grow spiritually. Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The main evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the experience of the new birth.
Matt. 3:11 Acts 1:5 Eph. 5:18 John 16:13-15 2 Cor. 3:18 Acts 1:8 Luke 24:49 Acts 1:4,8 Acts 2:1-4, Acts 39:9-17 1 Cor. 14:18 Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46
4. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural abilities given by God through the exercising of which believers are enabled to minister effectively and directly in particular situations. They serve the dual function of building up the Church, and of demonstrating the presence of God within His Church.
1 Cor. 12:4-11 1 Cor. 12:7 1 Cor. 14:12,24-25
5. DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing provided in the atonement of Christ is the privilege of all believers. Prayer for the sick and gifts of healing are encouraged and practiced.
Matt. 8:16,17 1 Cor. 12:28-30 James 5:14
6. DIVINE PROVISION
We are redeemed from the curse of poverty.
Gal.3:13 3 John 1:2
VI. THE CHURCH
1. THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
All who are born again are members of the universal church.
1 Cor. 12:13 Eph. 5:25b Col. 1:18 1 Tim. 3:15
2. THE LOCAL CHURCH
A. Purpose
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal church. The local church is ordained by God and provides a context in which believers corporately worship God, observe the ordinances of the church, are instructed in the faith and are equipped for the evangelization of the world.
Acts 14:23 1 Cor. 16:19 John 4:23 Acts 20:7 Acts 1:8 Acts 11:19-24 2 Tim. 2:2 1 Pet. 5:2
(a) The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a symbol, memorial and proclamation of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. This ordinance of communion is to be participated in by believers until Christ's return.
Matt. 26:26-28 1 Cor. 10:16-17 1 Cor. 11:23-26
(b) Water Baptism
Water baptism signifies the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and is practiced by immersion.
Matt. 28:19 Mark 16:15-16 Acts 2:38,41 Acts 8:36-39 Rom. 6:3-5
VII. THE END OF TIME
1. THE PRESENT STATE OF THE DEAD
At death the souls of the believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ, and these remain in constant bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body.
The souls of the unbelievers pass into hell after death and await for the judgment of the unjust.
2 Cor. 5:8 Phil. 1:21,23-24 Rom. 8:22,23 1 Cor. 15:42-44 2 Cor. 5:1,4b Dan. 12:2 John 5:28-29 2 Thess. 1:7-10 Rev. 20:11-15
2. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The return of Christ to earth in power and great glory will conclude this present age.
Rev. 16:12-16 Rev. 17:8,12-14 Rev. 19:11-20:3
3. THE FINAL JUDGMENT
Whoever is not found in the Book of Life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to annihilation but to everlasting punishment, which is the second death.
Matt. 25:41b Jude 6 Rev. 20:10,15 Rev. 21:8
4. THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
The righteous will share the glory of God in the new heaven and the new earth for eternity.
Matt. 13:43 John 17:24 2 Pet. 3:13 Heb. 11:10 Rev. 21:1-2,10,22-23
VIII. TiITHES AND OFFERINGS
We believe that tithing and offerings are God’s instruments to carry on His ministry, spread the gospel, and release personal blessing.
Malachi 3:10 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2 Lev. 27:30-32 Mal. 3:10 2 Cor. 9:6-15
VIV. MARRIAGE
Marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church, which is His bride. It is defined from the beginning in scripture as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. God has designed sexual intimacy to be enjoyed within the confines of the marriage covenant and does not endorse or condone it in any other context.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 Genesis 2:24 Matthew 19:4-5
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