Beliefs

What we believe at Living Word Community Church about Jesus, the Bible, and the Church

Our Beliefs

God

We believe that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5 7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)—each equally deserving worship and obedience.


Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). We believe that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15 17; Hebrews 1:2). We believe that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man (Philippians 2:5 8; Colossians 2:9). We believe that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9 10; Colossians 2:9). We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26 35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom (Psalm 2:7 9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9 11; Hebrews 7:25 26; 1 Peter 1:18 19). We believe that, in the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God, assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5—8). We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24 25; 1 Peter 2:24). We believe that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38 39; Acts 2:30 31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1). We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26 29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). We believe that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9 11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; Revelation 20). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22 23): a. Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) b. Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31 46). c. Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne. (Revelation 20:11 15). As the Mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5), the Head of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31 33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14 46; Acts 17:30 31). We believe that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8 9; 2 Corinthians 5:14 15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18). 


I and the Father are one. John 10:30

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, un-derived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10 13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7 10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13 14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3 4; 28:25 26; 1 Corinthians 12:4 6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34 with Hebrews 10:15 17). We believe that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20 21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5 7). We believe that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16 17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7 9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13); Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19 21; 1 John 2:20, 27). We believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13 14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4 11; 2 Corinthians 3:18) 


And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

The bible

We believe the Scriptures, including the Old and New Testaments, to be God breathed in the original manuscripts and in the original intent of the Author. We believe Scripture is “…useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16—17 NIV). We believe the Bible is a faithful testimony (or witness) of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:14—17; 2 Peter 1:19—21; John 1:1—5, 14; 1 John1:1—2; John 14:6 and 17: 17; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18. 


…useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16—17

THE SEPARATION

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.


For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

THE RECONCILIATION

We believe that a new birth, one originating from God, is necessary for one to see the Kingdom of God. Without this new birth from above one remains condemned to an eternity separated from God. This new birth begins when one recognizes his sinful condition and his need for a savior and, as a result, confesses (agrees with God) with his mouth, (Romans 10:8-10) in prayer, his need for Jesus the Savior and his need for the forgiveness only God can grant. When this recognition comes and when this appeal is made sincerely, God is faithful to forgive and in His sovereignty, moves into the repentant heart to rule and reign. The result is a new creation, having never existed before; a new man rightly related to the Father, a child of God, Christ in us our hope of Glory. John 3:1-21, 2 Corinthians 5:17


Because, if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

THE CHURCH

We believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus builds the church (Matthew 16:16-18) even to this day as the Father Himself draws people to His own Son (John 6:44). Upon being born from above, the newly born are a part of the “company of the redeemed” the church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23). We believe Jesus is the Head of the Church and it’s Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 4:15, 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:11-13). The purpose of the church is to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Timothy 4:2). We believe there is remarkable freedom in Christ. We believe individual believers have a personal relationship with our Lord and access to the Father through His Son. John 14:6, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 10:19-22. 


And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Baptism

We believe that the Bible teaches baptism by immersion is an outward declaration of an inward work of God that has already taken place. Baptism does not provide salvation. Baptism publicly identifies the new born child of God. The Lord’s Baptism is a “baptism into His death” that we “may live a new life (Romans 6:3-4). Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12 and 1 Peter 3:21


having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Col 2:10

Communion

We believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus instituted what we now call the Lord’s Supper as His choice for the remembrance of His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from death. Matthew 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:17-34


The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Cor 10:16

We believe in Angels, Death, the Rapture, the Second Coming, Christ's Millenial Reign and eternity

We believe angels exist. Angels are created beings and a higher creation and different than humans. We believe angels were created to serve and worship and honor God. We believe Satan is an angel fallen. Satan is the enemy of God and the prince of this world. We believe Satan, as the angel Lucifer, pride fully rebelled against God, wanting to be like God, and was cast out of God’s presence along with other rebellious angels. We believe Satan is the author of sin. Satan introduced sin into the human race by twisting God’s words and persuading Adam and Eve to disobey His instruction not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We believe Satan and his angels are destined, at the end of time, to be eternally punished in the lake of fire which will be prepared for that purpose. We believe Satan is a defeated foe because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus conquered sin and death on the cross. (Holy Angels) Luke 2:9-14, Hebrews 1:6-7 and 14, Hebrews 2:6-9, Revelation 5:11-14. (Fallen Angels) Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:11-19, Isaiah 14:13-114, Matthew 4:1-11, Revelation 12:9-10, Romans 16:20, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 10:20. 


We believe that, at physical death, the soul is separated from the body. The body then goes back to the earth. We believe that, at physical death, the souls of the saved go into the presence of Jesus. We believe that, at physical death, the souls of the unsaved are kept under punishment. Revelation 6:9-11, James 2:26, Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 20:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15:35-44 and 50-54, Philippians 3:21 


We believe in the rapture of the church. We believe the rapture will occur before the seven year tribulation. John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11 Tribulation We believe in the tribulation, a seven year long period occurring after the rapture. We believe that during this period the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. We believe this to be the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Daniel. The seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy. Jeremiah 30:7, Daniel 9:27, 12:1, Revelation 16, 


We believe that, after the tribulation period, Jesus will come to earth in like manner as He left and will take the throne of David and establish His messianic kingdom. Jesus will overthrow the Antichrist and False Prophet and remove Satan from the world. Matthew 25:31, Luke 1:32-33, Acts 1:10-11, Acts 2:29-30, Revelation 20:1-7, Ezekiel 37:21-28, Revelation 19:11-16, Daniel 7:17-27.


We believe Jesus will reign on earth for one thousand years. There will be peace, harmony, justice and righteousness under the Lord’s rule. We believe at the end of this thousand year reign Satan will be released upon the earth. Isaiah 65:17-25, Ezekiel 37:21-28, Revelation 20: 1-6. Judgment of the Lost

We believe that when Satan is released from bondage he will make war upon the earth but will be devoured, he and his followers, by fire from heaven. Satan and his followers will then be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone. Following this will be the Great White Throne judgment at which the unsaved lost will be resurrected and righteously judged and committed to eternal punishment. Revelation 20:7-10, John 5:24-30, Revelation 20:11-15 and 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. 


We believe that, after all these things come to pass the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God. The earth will be destroyed and will be replaced with a new uncorrupted earth. It will be a joyous place in the presence of God and fellowship with the saints! Jesus will deliver this kingdom to God the Father and He shall reign forever and ever. 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Corinthians 15:23-28, Revelation 21 and 22.


But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10

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