What We Believe...
While some think that all Christian denominations are trying to fight one another for the "title" of One True Church, this simply is not the case.
While many churches (and individuals within a church) differ on some things, it is the following set of beliefs and doctrines of salvation that unify biblical Christianity.
| We believe in one God, creator and sustainer of the universe, who eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. |
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The "Trinity" concept of God is frequently the first doctrine of Christianity that is challenged by Mormons and other religious groups--and it is one of the most misunderstood doctrines. Yet it comes directly from the Bible. For more information on the meaning, importance, and origin of the Trinity, please read this article.
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| We believe that God created humanity, male and female, in His own image. However, all have sinned and are guilty before God. As a result, creation now suffers the consequences of the fall, and is under God's judgment. |
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What does it mean to be created in the "image of God"? Does it mean that we are made in the exact likeness of Him, in all ways? Not at all; the Bible teaches that we are made in God's image--that we share some of His characteristics. We possess a will, the capacity to love and create and reason. As a creation of God's, we reflect the glory of our Creator. But even at our best, we are no more "like" God than a piece of art is "like" the artist. And the problem is, we are all at our wosrt--our sin has corrupted and tarnished that beauty and glory with which he originally created us. It is a widespread and universal problem, and we all stand guilty as charged, and deserving of God's wrath.
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| We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, was raised bodily and exalted to God's right hand, and will come again. Jesus Christ is the foundation, cornerstone, and head of the church. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He came to restore man's broken relationship with God, and it is through Him alone that we can become children of God. He offers salvation as a free gift to all who will have faith in Him. It cannot be earned, but is a gift of grace, by His complete and finished work on the cross. |
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This is the heart of the gospel message, the "plan of salvation" of biblical Christianity. It represents the true nature of Jesus Christ as it is revealed in the Bible. The miracle of the "incarnation" is about God becoming a man, not so that man can become a god, but rather, so that we can have the intimate relationship with God for which we were originally created! It is God's desire for that loving relationship with us that prompted Him to physically enter the human realm and pay the penalty of our sin--entirely--with His blood. To learn more about the biblical gospel message, click here.
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| We believe in the Holy Spirit, who works to bring people to belief in and obedience to Christ. The Spirit dwells in those who believe, empowering them to live holy lives and equipping them for service. |
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The Holy Spirit is not some mystical "force" or impersonal power. The Holy Spirit (also known as the Holy Ghost in older English) is that aspect of God which inhabits a believer. It was the same Spirit which Jesus gave his disciples before he returned to the Father, and it's the same Spirit that lives in believers to encourage, empower, and equip for service and good works, to convict of sin and move to repentance and causes us to grow in holiness.
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| We believe the Bible is the only inspired, infallible, living word of God, and is relevant and applicable today. God reveals His unchanging Truth through His written word. |
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The Bible was penned by human authors, under the inspiration of God, which is why we call it the "Word of God." It is "infallible" which means that it does not fail...it is wholly and completely trustworthy. Its primary purpose is to reveal God's nature and character, man's need because of sin, and present the solution--what is needed for the salvation of mankind. Jesus Christ is the full revelation as the way, the truth, and eternal life. As a result, nothing more is needed! If something more were needed, then God would not have been living up to the promises he revealed in the Bible. This is why biblical Christianity rejects additional writings as the "Word of God".
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| We believe in the resurrection of the body, and eternal life for all who repent and believe in Christ, and eternal condemnation for those who do not. |
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Heaven and Hell are very touchy subjects. We tend to think, "Good people go to heaven, bad people go to hell." It makes no sense that good people would wind up in hell. That's true, but the problem is, none of us are good. No one. We are all deserving of hell, every last one of us, because we are all sinners, and nothing imperfect can stand before a perfect God. We often don't think this way, because we compare ourselves with the people around us, who are all sinners like us. And so most of us don't think we're "all that bad." But when we stand before One who is truly Good and Perfect, only then are we fully aware of how sinful we are, and how much we deserve to be cast from his presence. It is only through Jesus Christ that we are given a way of escaping this fate, and therefore, it is only through placing our lives in His hands that we can enter into His eternal life. All other roads lead away from Him. Which road do you want to be on?
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Core Values of Living Hope Christian Fellowship
The Holy Bible -- We place great emphasis upon teaching it, studying it, and using it as the guide for our daily lives. (I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Thessalonians 2:13)
Worship -- We believe that God is worthy of all praise, reverence and love. We take special time to worship Him in church through song, praises, giving, and in prayer. It is our goal to worship Him with our whole lives as well--at home, at work and at play. (John 4:23; Colossians 3:16; I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Christian Growth -- As believers, we should be growing in our walk with the Lord. We encourage this by abiding in Jesus Christ through obedience to His Word, prayer, fellowship, and yielding our lives to the Holy Spirit. (John 15:4; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 5:18)
Christian Service -- Serving Christ is part of the Christian life and is the responsibility of all believers. Our goal is to equip every member to use his or her gifts in love, to the benefit of all and for the glory of God. We believe the Holy Spirit empowers us for this ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-13; I Corinthians 12:4-7)
Love -- Love is the greatest virtue and demonstration of the reality of Jesus Christ and the fullness of His Spirit in our lives. We endeavor to show a Christ-like love toward all men. Love should be exhibited in our lives by our words as well as our actions. (John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 13:13)
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