Core Beliefs

Statement of Faith

We believe that a church’s membership should share a firm commitment to a number of areas that constitute the “core essentials” of the faith. This would certainly include, though not necessarily be limited to, the Godhead (the Trinity), the nature of Jesus Christ, His work in providing substitutionary atonement in His death and resurrection, salvation by faith apart from human effort, and a commitment to the full inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. While there are many areas that can be discussed, these are the non- negotiable core beliefs of Living Grace Church.

We believe the Bible to be the spoken inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice, for both this church and every individual Christian (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).

We believe in one God who is all knowing and incomprehensible. God eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature and attributes, but each is distinct in office and activity (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He became man without ceasing to be God having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life, that He died as a substitutionary sacrifice for every human being, that He was physically raised from the dead by divine power, that He presently serves in heaven as our Intercessor and Advocate, and that He will return to earth for His church (the body of Christ) (John 1:1; John 14; II Corinthians 5:21; Acts 2:31-33; I John 2:1-2).

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world, convicts men of sin, regenerates those who trust Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one and fills those yielded to Him (John 16:7-11; 3:8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18; I Corinthians 14:22-24; Hebrews 2:4; I John 5:14-15; James 5:15-16).

We believe that man was created by God as a human being and that he did not evolve from a lower form of life. We believe that he was created innocent and in the image of God. Through their own choice Adam and Eve fell and their sin resulted in separation from God which led to physical and spiritual death to themselves and their descendants. We believe that man is totally depraved, that is, in no way is he able to commend himself to God. He has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God and in need of salvation (Genesis 1:1; 27; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ephesians 2:1-2).

We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained by works but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 1:12; Romans 3:22-26; Romans 5:5-9).

Universal Church - We believe that the Universal Church, the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism composed of all genuine Christians. A believer becomes a member of this Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit the moment he trusts Christ as his Savior (I Corinthians 12:13; Romans: 8:9, 16; Colossians 1:18). 

Local Church - We believe that the local church is an assembly of professing Christians who voluntarily join together to worship God, study the Bible,observe the ordinances, practice Christian fellowship, pray, evangelize the lost and be equipped for Christian service (Acts 2:42-47; I Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-13).

We believe in the personal and bodily return of Jesus Christ for His church at a time known only to God the Father. The return of Jesus should motivate the believer to godly, sacrificial living. We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell as well as a new heaven and a new earth.

We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus Christ pass immediately into His presence at the moment of physical death and remain in conscious joy until the resurrection of the body when Christ returns for His church. We believe that our soul and body will be reunited and joined with Him forever. The souls of unbelievers who have died physically remain in conscious misery until the final judgement, when soul and body will be reunited and cast into the Lake of Fire to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:42-43; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6-7; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1)