Our Beliefs
Statement of Faith
We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and the final authority in faith and doctrine and our guide for Christian living.
2 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 1:20-21
Beliefs
Word
The Bible is the Word of God and the final authority in faith and doctrine.
The Trinity
We believe in one true God, eternally existing as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Gen 1:1; Mat 28:19; Jn 1:1,3; Jn 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; Rom 1:20; Eph 4:5-6; 2 Cor 13:14
The Position of Humankind
We believe that all people are created in God’s image. All are under God’s judgment and suffer separation from God and spiritual death as a result of sin.
Gen 1:26-27; Gen 3:1-24; Rom 3:25; Rom 5:12-18; 1 Jn 1:8
God the Father
We believe in God the Father who is an infinite, personal spirit and perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. He has merciful concern for the affairs of humankind. He hears and answers prayer and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Gen 1:1; Mat 6:9‑13; Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:8‑10; Jn 4:24; Jn 5:26; Jn 4:8-10; Jn 17:11; Jn 17:25; Rom 8:33
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins, physically rose victorious from the grave and ascended into heaven where He makes continual intercession for humankind. All who believe in Him have the promise of eternal life.
Isa 53:1; Mat 1:20; Luke 1:34-35; John 3:16; John 11:25; Acts 1:3; Acts 1:9; Acts 16:31; Rom 5:11; 1 Th 4:15-17; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 1:8; Heb 7:25; Heb 10:12; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 Jn 3:5; Rev 1:7
The Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who testifies about the righteousness and saving grace of the Son. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and regenerates and empowers all who believe in and follow Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and is an abiding helper, teacher, guide and comforter. The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts to be used for building up the body of Christ, His church and for furthering God’s kingdom.
Jn 14:16‑17; Jn 14:16; Jn 16:8; Jn 16:13; Acts 5:1-4; Rom 8:11-16,23,26-27; Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 12:7-13
The Church
We believe the Church Universal is comprised of those who by faith have repented from their sins and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The local church (e.g. Living Faith Church) is a visible representation of the Body of Christ; it meets regularly for corporate worship, execution of church ordinances (baptism and the Lord's supper), and for exercising spiritual gifts. We believe in the priesthood of believers—that every individual has direct access to God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.
Rev 1:4; Heb 10:24‑25; Acts 2:41‑42; 1 Cor 12:12‑31; Heb 4:14; Rom 5:1‑ 2
Last Things
We believe that Jesus Christ will personally return to earth in glory to establish His eternal reign by the final defeat of Satan and all his works. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal existence of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.
Jn 5:28‑29; 1 Cor 15; 2 Cor 5:10; Mat 25:31-46; Rev 20:4-6; Rev 20:11-15
Affiliations
Living Faith is a part of an area-wide group of churches, the Converge North Central, and a national group, the Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference). It is also affiliated with Bethel University, which is a ministry of the churches of the Converge Worldwide. Though our foundation and heritage is Baptist, we welcome people of all denominations (or no denomination). Our people come from many backgrounds, but are comfortable here because we choose to focus on the core tenets of historical Christianity.