THE ARTICLES OF FAITH OF LIFE CHURCH
Why do we need Articles of Faith?
Christians have always struggled with theology. The Early Church had several councils to define what the people of God believed. The first of these councils is recorded in the Bible itself, in the Book of Acts. More councils followed in the next few centuries as Christians sought to define their faith. Through the ages, the overwhelming majority of Christians have agreed with the decisions of these councils. They have stood the test of time. The most important have been repeated in poetical forms called “creeds” (from the Latin word “credo” meaning “I believe”). The most familiar of these are the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. In churches today, different terms are used to refer to the summary of their beliefs. Confessions of Faith, Articles of Faith, or Statement of Faith are all terms for the same thing.
It must be remembered, finally, that the real focus of Christian unity is centered on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Truth. To enshrine anything else as “The Truth” apart from Him who claimed that title, is a clear case of idolatry. We certainly do not wish to make an idol of these articles of faith. These are presented to give you an understanding of our basic foundational beliefs.
The Articles of Faith of Life Church, like all doctrine and theology, are a declaration of “truths” about “The Truth.” It is an attempt to give us a handle on His gospel as we understand it. As finite human beings, we always bear imperfect witness of He who is perfect, prayerfully seeking to represent Him ever more perfectly.
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH OF LIFE CHURCH
Article 1: The Scriptures
We believe in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, given by the Holy Spirit without error, as He moved upon holy men of old. Furthermore, we believe that the church has no authority to establish doctrine or practice contrary to these same Scriptures, which were subsequently accepted as canon by the early Christian Church. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:2)
Article 2: The Godhead
We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4;
2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1)
Article 3: The Son of God
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in nature and life, and mighty in earthly ministry. He was crucified, he died and was buried, was resurrected in power and ascended into heaven. Furthermore, we believe that, in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19), and that no man can come unto the Father but by and through the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood.
Article 4: Human Worth and the Fall of Man
We believe that man was made in the image of God and is the crown of creation. He is now, by the reason of the fall, spiritually depraved and alienated from his Creator. Apart from God’s grace, he has no ability to attain to his high calling. (Psalm 8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12)
Article 5: Our Redemption
We believe our redemption has been accomplished solely by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made sin for us, dying in our form and stead, rising again from the dead, ascending with His glorified body to the right hand of God. By believing in this finished work, we are justified before God, cleansed of all our sins, and redeemed from the curse of the law. (John 3:3; Romans 5:1; Acts 13:39; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 2:16 and 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Titus 2:14; Revelation 5:9)
Article 6: Repentance
We believe in repentance to God, confessing ourselves as sinners, receiving forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ and His blood atonement for sinners, witnessed by a definite change from sin to righteousness. (Acts 17:30, 11-18; 2:38-39)
Article 7: Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism (immersion) is for believers and should be administered in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and/or the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit according to the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:38; 10:48; 19:5), thus fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
Article 8: The Holy Spirit
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers. We believe it is obtained by obedience (Acts 2:38-39; 5:31-32), by asking (Luke 11-13), and evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We believe it is a distinct, separate, and subsequent experience to conversion; also, that it is the standard of the normal Christian experience since Pentecost.
Article 9: The Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that Spirit-filled believers should allow the fruit of the Spirit to be produced in their lives, living holy, righteous, and godly lives in this present world. (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 1:16; Titus 2:11-13; 2 Corinthians 7:1)
Article 10: The Gifts of the Spirit
We believe the gifts of the Spirit should be manifested in the church today, and that all Spirit-filled believers should earnestly covet the best gifts for the edification and up building of the church. (1 Corinthians 12:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Romans 12)
Article 11: Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the literal Second Coming of our Lord, the literal rule of Christ upon the earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation, and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God (Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 22:1-7)