Statement of Faith | Part 1
Orthodoxy (Right Beliefs) Concerning The Bible (66 books, Old and New Testaments
The Bible is…
● Specifically from God who is over all, though it was written by men, it is supreme because it was breathed out by the spirit Jesus promised would indwell us and lead us into all truth —John 14:15-20, 2Timothy 3:16
● Never failing to accomplish its purpose — Isaiah 55:11
● Set apart as the supreme authority for teaching, correcting, rebuking, training, and preparing us to serve God in all matters of life and faith —2Timothy 3:16-17
Having encountered Jesus, first through scripture, and then through his Spirit living in us, we confirm in our spirit what is said of him in scripture—
Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ, We Believe…
● Though being God, The Word, eternally existing, he set his glory aside and became a man, was born of a virgin, and lived on the earth —Philippians 2, John 1:14-15, Matthew 1:18-25
● He lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, and was put to death on the cross and shed his blood as an atoning sacrifice for our sin 1John 3:5, 2Corinthians 5:21, 1Peter 2:24, Matthew 11:5
● He arose from the dead, thereby conquering death and Satan —Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
● Though Jesus Christ still lives and continues to work, we trust in his finished work on the Cross, through which sacrifice, once and for all, Christ has effected complete and eternal redemption
● God setting His approval on the work of Christ by raising Him bodily from among the dead, enthroned Him at His own right hand in Heaven, now and forever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords
● He is the Head of the Church, the Lord of the individual, the High Priest over the House of God and Advocate in the family of God, 1John 2:1, 1Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 3:25-26; Revelation 19:16; 1Timothy 6:15; Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 1:20-23
● Being the exact imprint of the nature of God, Jesus has flawlessly modeled submission to God —Hebrews 1&2, Philippians 2
● He is the established and perfect standard for living out the will and purposes of God as expressed in scripture. —Hebrews 1 & 2
● He created all things and holds all things together —John 1:1, 3, 10, 14 & Colossians 1:17
● He is the Head of the Church—his body on the earth now and also his future bride—made up of believers—people who trust and follow Jesus as their Lord and believe he was raised from the dead, and have therefore entered into the family of God
Concerning Salvation, We Believe…
● In the fall of man and the spiritual death of all mankind, his inability to merit salvation, and that his work toward that end is like “filthy rags.” “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6 & Ephesians 2:8-9
● In the immediate and eternal salvation for every person who truly believes on Christ and his atoning blood, completely apart from merit or works so that “no one can boast” and by faith rests on His finished work as the only righteous ground on which a Holy God can forgive sins Romans 3:24, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9
● That all who repent of their sins (agree with God that they are sinners and turn from sin back to God), realize their need for a savior, seek His forgiveness and personally put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone to save them, are:
○ Eternally saved and cannot be lost
○ Forgiven of all their sins
○ Indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit as a promise guaranteeing their redemption
○ Baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (the Church), of which Jesus is the risen and ascended Head
○ Children of God
○ A new creation in Christ with a new nature.
— Ephesians 1:13-15, 2:8-9, 1Peter 3:21-22, Mark 1:15, 2Corinthians 5:17, John 10:28, Hebrews 9:28, John 3:16, Hebrews 7:27
● We believe God has commissioned all believers to share His life-transforming truth (The Gospel) with others.
Concerning End Times, We believe…
● Though no man knows the day or the hour of his return, and though his return will overtake unbelievers in surprise like a thief, you “are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief…” 1Thessalonians 5:4
● His body, the church, watches in anticipation, following his lead while we wait, eagerly awaiting a joyous reunion with Christ, when the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, then we will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord, like a bride being swept off of her feet by the groom. We encourage each other in that anticipation while we wait as we endure suffering and see signs of his return — 1Thessalonians 4:15-18,
● He will judge the living and the dead 2Timothy 4:1, 1Peter 4:5
● He will make all things new, including the heavens, and the earth Revelation 21:5, 2Peter 3:12-13
● There is no end to his reign—His Kingdom is forever 2Peter 1:11, Luke 1:31-33
Concerning The Following Doctrines:
The Trinity, We Believe…
● There is only one true God, eternally existent in three Persons—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ, The Word), and God the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19, John 15:26
Heaven & Hell, We Believe…
● Every person will experience resurrection from the dead—just as it is written about both believers and unbelievers, “Then they [unbelievers, disobedient] will go away to eternal punishment [hell, outer darkness, the second death, the lake of fire] but the righteous [believers, obedient, children of God] to eternal life [new heaven & earth].” Matthew 25:46
Statement of Faith | Part 2
Orthopraxy (Right Conduct) / Lifestyle Statement
Life and Living (Lifestyle) We Believe…
● Scripture speaks plainly with regard to matters of living and morality
● We should have the expectation of being held accountable to the standards of morality set forth in the Bible
● Our application of scripture to our conduct is something that is worked out in a community of Christian believers, in this case, specifically the LWBC community of believers —Romans 12:3-12, Ephesians 5:21
● Though none of us have or will reach perfect submission to God in this life, we strive for that goal—using scripture as our measuring tool for lovingly, holding each other accountable in all manner of faith and living. —1Corinthians 5:12, 1Thessalonians 2:11-12
Below is a non-exhaustive list of standards described in scripture, for example. This list is compiled in 1Corinthians chapter 6. All members of the LWBC community agree to freely accept and welcome loving correction to standards, such as these, described in scripture.
1Corinthians. 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Other example lists of God’s standards found in the Bible include:
1Corinthians 5:11, Galatians 5:19-23, Colossians 3:5-17, Ephesians 5:24-32, Revelation 21:8
Anyone refusing to submit themselves to the authority of scripture as the standard and measure by which they submit to God and to one another in Christ, also surrenders their right (stated or implied) to any part in this organization (LWBC). John 16:13-14; 2Timothy 3:16-17; 2Peter 1:20-21 ; Matthew 12:50; Ephesians 5:21; and Isaiah 55:11
Agreement
I have read the LWBC statement of faith, and I agree to be held accountable to these standards, and I invite the LWBC community and leadership to approach me and remind me of this desire whenever they are led to do so. I also understand that if I am unwilling to work through those processes when the LWBC community and/or leadership decides it is necessary, I may be prevented from participating to whatever extent LWBC leadership and community decides is necessary. Furthermore, I also acknowledge that certain failures and sins, even after repentance and restoration, may result in permanent changes in my participation for the sake of keeping children safe and for the testimony of this ministry.
Name Printed _______________________________________________________Date__________
Signed ______________________________________________