WE BELIEVE in GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST, that He is God the Son (Rev 22:13), God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20); that Jesus died on the cross in fulfillment of prophecy to atone for the sin of the world Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24). He is the only Lamb of God through whom we obtain forgiveness of our sin; apart from Him there is no other way to the Father (John 14:6). We believe in His virgin birth (Luke 1:26-31), sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21), miracles and teachings, subsitutionary death on the cross and resurrection from the dead on the third day (2 Cor. 5:21, Rom 5:6-11), ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51), perpetual intercession for His people (Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25), and His visible return to earth (1 Thes 4:16-17, Luke 21:27, Matthew 24:27).
WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-8), and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ (John 14:16-17) and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide (John 16:13-14). We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the scriptural exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-11).
WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20)
WE BELIEVE that all are sinners (Rom 3:23) by nature (Rom 5:12) and choice (James 1:14-15) and, therefore, under condemnation (Rom 5:12), that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Acts 3:19, Rom 10:9); that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) and empowers for service (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49, often subsequent to regeneration.
WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head (Eph 1:22-23, Col 1:18) and all regenerated persons are members John 3:3,5). He gave Himself for His church…His bride.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church: 1) baptism (Matt 28:19)* and, 2) the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:26). We believe in baptism by immersion (Matt 3:16) and communion open to all believers (1 Cor. 11: 27-29).
*We do not believe in baptismal regeneration. The clear teaching in the light of Scripture is that we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 2:8-9)
WE BELIEVE in the LAYING ON OF HANDS for the ordination of pastors, elders and deacons. (Acts 6:5-6, Acts 13:2-3, 2 Tim 1:6)
WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible (second) RETURN OF CHRIST to earth (Acts 1:11, 2 Thes 1:7) and the establishment of His Kingdom (Rev 19:11-16); in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment (Jude 15) and eternal blessing of the righteous (1 John 5:11-13) and endless suffering of the wicked. (Rev 20:11-15)
WE BELIEVE that there will be a time of great tribulation known as “Jacob’s trouble,” (Jeremiah 30:7) in which God will deal directly again with the nation Israel and before which time the church will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air. (1 Thes 4:16-17, 1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Thes 1:10).
REGARDING MARRIAGE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY:
Marriage — WE embrace God’s definition of marriage as the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of one man and one woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33)
Sexual Immorality — WE believe that sexual acts outside marriage as defined Biblically and above are prohibited as sinful. Consequently, Living Water Christian Fellowship attendees must resist and refrain from any and all sexual acts outside marriage — including but not limited to adultery, fornication, incest, bestiality, pornography, prostitution, voyeurism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, sodomy, polygamy, polyamory, or same-sex sexual acts. (Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:7-23, Leviticus 20:10-21, Deuteronomy 5:18, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 5:27-28, Matthew 15:19, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 4:17-19, Colossians 3:5)
Sexual Identity — WE believe that God created mankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman), sexually different but with equal personal dignity. Consequently, Living Water Christian Fellowship attendees must affirm their biological sex and refrain from any and all attempts to physically change, alter, or disagree with their predominant biological sex — including but not limited to elective sex-reassignment, transvestite, transgender, or any related non-Biblical acts or conduct. (Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Sexual Orientation — WE believe that God created and ordered human sexuality to the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of man and woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. Consequently, Living Water Christian Fellowship attendees must affirm the sexual complementarity of man and woman and resist any and all same-sex sexual attractions and refrain from any and all same-sex sexual acts or conduct, which are intrinsically disordered. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:5-9, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:2)
Sexual Redemption — WE believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and should seek redemption through confession, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, Living Water Christian Fellowship attendees must welcome and treat with respect, compassion, and sensitivity all who experience same-sex attractions or confess sexually immoral acts but are committed to resisting sexual temptation, refraining from sexual immorality, and conforming their behavior to Living Water Christian Fellowship’s Statement of Faith. (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-10, I Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16)
Celibacy — WE believe that the Holy Scripture grants two life-enhancing options for human sexual behavior: (1) the conjugal “one flesh” marital union of one man and one woman, and (2) celibacy. Either is a gift from God, given as He wills for His glory and the good of those who receive and rejoice in His gift to them. Celibacy and faithful singleness is to be celebrated and affirmed within the Living Water Christian Fellowship. (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-8; Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 12:10; 1 Timothy 5:1-2)
REGARDING HUMAN LIFE:
WE BELIEVE human life begins at conception. It is therefore against our moral conviction to be involved in the termination of human life after conception because it is a sin against God.
WE BELIEVE that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
WE BELIEVE that God has created human beings in the Divine image. God formed them from the dust of the earth and gave them a special dignity among all the works of creation. Human beings have been made for relationship with God, to live in peace with each other, and to take care of the rest of creation.” Genesis 1:26-27
WE BELIEVE: Human life is a gift from God to be valued and protected. We oppose abortion because it is contrary to biblical principles. Abortion should not be used to interrupt unwanted pregnancies. Exodus 20:13
WE BELIEVE: The unborn child in its earliest stages shares humanity with those who conceived it.
WE BELIEVE: There are times when deeply held values, such as saving the life of the mother and saving the life of the unborn child, come in conflict with each other.
WE BELIEVE: The faith community should be a place for discernment about difficult issues like abortion.
WE BELIEVE: Christians must provide viable alternatives to abortion that provide care and support for mothers and infants.
WE BELIEVE: The church should witness to society regarding the value of all human life.
Professionals whose ministry involves dealing with the moral dilemmas of abortion and reproductive technologies need our support.
