The most important question to ask of a church is "What is your teaching based on?" From our beliefs come every other aspect and outreach of our
church. Doctrine is important, especially in this day of "cut
and paste" Christianity styled to fit individual preferences,
social agendas, or political aspirations. At Living Word we look to the Bible as the source for our teaching
about life and the afterlife. More than that, we believe the words
of Scripture have authority, and that the believer has an obligation
to follow its commands. We would echo the words of the Westminister
Confession:
"The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God."
In crafting our doctrinal statement, we did not attempt to produce
a comprehensive work. Instead, we included the foundational beliefs
that we all share as members of Living Word. There may be loving
disagreement on some other issues, but on these basic tenets we
can stand together. 
Doctrinal Statement of LWBF
(2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Jude 3)
1) We believe the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testament to be the inspired Word of God. We believe it to
be without error and the final authority in all matters of faith
and practice.
(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:21-22)
2) We believe that there is one God,
eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Jn. 1:1, 14, 18; 5:18; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:19; 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5;
Heb. 1:1-9; 1 Jn. 5:20)
3) We believe that the eternal Son of God became incarnate in
the Lord Jesus Christ,
being born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
(Acts 4:12; 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9)
4) We believe that salvation is received by faith alone in Christ,
who died for our sins
and bodily rose again.
(Acts 1:11; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Rev. 19:11-16)
5) We believe that the risen Christ lives today,
and will bodily return to the earth again at a time unknown to
us, but for which we eagerly await.
(1 Cor. 15:1-50; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:22)
6) We believe that the believer and the unbeliever
will be resurrected bodily in their own order: the saved unto
everlasting blessing, the lost unto everlasting punishment.
| 7) We believe that all believers are members of the universal Church, the body of Christ. | |
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We believe this universal church is to gather together as a local church to follow the pattern of New Testament doctrine and practice, including the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe the local church should join together voluntarily to worship God and to glorify Jesus Christ by proclaiming the Gospel and, through the exercise of their personal spiritual gifts, leading others to follow Him. |
We often answer inquiries concerning our views on certain issues
not expressed above. If you have questions about the doctrine
of Living Word, please write.