
"Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who builds it"
Community Church, Missions and Bible Center
LIVING ROCK MINISTRIES
What We Believe
STATEMENT OF FAITH [EXCERPT TAKEN FROM LRCC BY-LAWS]
Section 1.The Bible: We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason; and it is therefore our infallible rule of faith and practice. II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12
Section 2.God: We believe in one God who has revealed Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all co-eternal, all stand equally superior to time, free from the temporal distinctions of past and future. The Eternal FATHER - Genesis 12:33; Deut. 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; I Timothy 1:17. The Eternal SON - John. 1:1-2; John. 8:58; Heb. 1:8; I John 1:2; Micah 5:2; Rev. 1:8 The Eternal SPIRIT - Heb. 9:14 The Eternal GODHEAD - Romans 1:20
Section 3.Jesus The Christ: We believe in the pre-existence, incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world to reveal the Father, and was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person; that Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things, for by Him the worlds were made. We further believe that in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and that He was very God and very Man. (John. 1:1-2 & 14; I Tim. 3:16; Acts 7:37-38)
Section 4.Christ’s Ascension and Immanent Return: We believe in Jesus Christ's sinless life, miracles, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and His ascension into Heaven, and His personal return in power and great glory, and in His everlasting Kingdom and dominion. (Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; Daniel 7:14; Revelation 20:4) We acknowledge His Lordship --- that Jesus Christ is Lord over all things in heaven and in earth, and under the earth. Phil. 2:9-10
Section 5. A New Heaven and Earth: We believe that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. Isa. 65:17 and 66:22; 2 Pet. 2:13; Rev. 21 & 22.
Section 6.The Creation of Man: We believe that man was created by a direct and immediate act of God. Genesis 1:26-27; 2:4
Section 7.The Fall of Man:: We believe that man by transgression fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into total spiritual depravity, a state of death in trespasses and sins in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, being unable to attain divine righteousness by his own efforts, but must be redeemed and delivered by the power of the gospel. Rom 5:12-21; I Cor. 15:1-4
Section 8. Faith: We believe that faith without works is dead. We do not believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of this church that any matter can be believed without there being an accompanying and corresponding action. Our faith is an active faith that requires the doing of acts in the world. Our faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual belief or assent to doctrine but is an active force in our lives that requires and results in actions being taken. A living, active faith will be manifested not only in belief and mental assent but in actions expressing and based upon that belief. If a belief is truly held it will be acted upon. The act is as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the belief upon which the act is based. James 2:14-26; Eph 2:8-10; Matt 5:16; 7:21; & 24-27; 16:27; II Cor 5:10; Rev 2:23; 22:12
Section 9. Water Baptism: We believe that water baptism is an essential and necessary part of the "doctrine of baptisms", Hebrews 6:2, performed only upon repentant believers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (which we believe to be the fulfillment of the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and for the remission of sin. (Acts 2:38) This act is to be done by immersion,; and we further believe that it is the means whereby we receive the new covenant sign of "circumcision of heart". Romans 2:28-29; Colossians 2:9-13
Section 10. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; that it is the seal of the New Covenant relationship, Eph.. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22 and that speaking in other tongues is the accompanying sign of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mk. 16:17 We also hold that the evidence of the baptism (or infilling) of the Holy Spirit is one's response to the Word of God (John 16:13), a Christ-like life, showing forth Christ's character, nature and experiencing and manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit. John 15:26; 16:14; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18-21)
Section 11. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is being manifested in the Church through the fruits, (Galatians 5:22-23 --- graces, ministries and gifts) and we hold that the nine gifts of the Spirit, (I Corinthians 12:8-11) should be and must be operative in the Church today in order for the Church to enjoy the fullness of God. Also, we hold that these gifts are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or operate by this one and self-same Spirit. I Corinthians 12:11
Section 12. Grace and Sanctification: We believe that "by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) We further believe that the emphasis for a continuous walk in grace should be the emphasis of heart righteousness and purity, believing in the keeping power of God, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh in a lifestyle that demonstrates the character, standards and convictions of Jesus Christ, not being conformed to the world Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 4:1-5; 12:1-2.
Section 13. Worship: We believe in the practice of worship with one's total being (singing; lifting of hands; bowing down; lying prostrate before the Lord; in the dance; the use of instruments) as set forth in the Word of God. Eph 5:18-19; Rev 1:17l; Psm 150; Acts 24:14
Section 14. Tithing, Offerings, and Giving of Alms Both Old and New Testament scriptures teach tithing as God’s financial plan for the support of the work. These are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord. Gen 14:18-20;28:20-22; Prov. 11:24, 25, Mal. 3:8-10; Matt. 23:23; Lu. 11:42; 1 Cor. 16:22; 2 Cor. 8:7-8; 9:6 - 9;
Section 15. Biblical Definition of Family and Marriage: We believe in the creation, and God as the Creator. We believe that God created man and that He created them male and female. As such He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. It is in families that choose to love and honor God, and pattern their lives according to His Holy Bible, that He would enable healthy relationships of purity, and protection to be developed. Therefore, this church will conduct wedding ceremonies only between a man and a woman having been naturally born with that gender, and who are members of this church or another like church approved of by the Sr. Pastor. Gen. 2:24; 12:3; 28:14.
Section 16. Deliverance: We believe there is the occasional need for deliverance. Deliverance is manifested by an inability to be free from a bondage: e.g., mental (emotional), physical or spiritual normally associated with demon activity, it is God’s desire to bring deliverance to His people. Job 5:19, Psa. 91:3, 2 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:9). We have been granted the authority in the name of Jesus to bring deliverance to others. (Mk. 16:17; J.n 14:12; I Cor. 12:8-11). We must understand that our warfare is with the forces of evil (Eph. 6:12), our weapon is the Word of God, our authority and power is from Jesus himself (Mk. 16:17, Acts 1:8) and that the battlefield is first of all in the spiritual realms. (Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Gal. 5:22-23). Section 37. Discipline: We believe in church discipline administered within the church, administered in a spirit of meekness and confidentiality. The purpose of such discipline is the restoration of the one subject to the discipline and/or the purification of the church. The steps of discipline are one on one private confrontation, private confrontation with witnesses, meeting with the Board of Elders for judgment leading to restoration or separation, and finally, if necessary, exposure to the congregation. (Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1; Romans 16:17; II John 9-11; I Corinthians 5; II Corinthians 2:6-8; I Timothy 5:20)