The following statement, we believe, is taken from the doctrinal teachings of our most Holy Scripture, the Bible. The Statement of Faith is not Divinely inspired nor is this statement equal with Scripture. The purpose of this statement of faith is to define the essential doctrines of the faith, those pertaining to salvation, and LSC’s stance on those doctrines. Regarding non-essential doctrines not pertaining to salvation, LSC will preach and teach the Word of God and establish Biblical boundaries for discussion and belief. As stated by Augustine of Hippo, “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
The Bible
We believe that the Scriptures are God’s revelation to humankind through the words of human authors under the supernatural authority, direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We believe that only the 66 books of both the Old and New Testaments are Divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and they are inerrant and infallible in the original writings. We believe that the Scriptures are the final authority in all teachings for faith and life and contain all that is necessary for salvation and living in Jesus Christ. It is the truth against which all truth is measured. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. 2 Tim 3:16; Rom 1:16; John 17:17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 1Thes 2:13
The Trinity
We believe in one God, the Creator of all things, holy, perfect, eternally existing in loving unity of three equally Divine Persons referred to as the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God, having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. Deut 6:4; Isa 48:16; Jer 10:10; Ps 90:2; 1Cor 8:6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 1:4-11; 1 Tim 1:17; 1 Pet 1:2, 2:9-10; John 1:1, 17:3; Acts 5:3-4
The Son of God - Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person with these two natures in perfect union. We believe Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary according to His humanity. We believe He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, was crucified under Pontius Pilate for our sin, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our eternal High Priest and Advocate. He is the only Mediator between God and man. Isa 9:6; John 1:1; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9; Titus 2:11-13; Luke 1:26-38, 23:23-24; Acts 1:9; Heb 1:3, 4:14-15, 5:5-6; 1 Tim 2:5
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. He regenerates sinners, and by Him they are brought into union with Christ and adopted as heirs into the family of God. We believe that He also indwells believers and instructs and guides them according to the Scriptures. He equips and empowers them for ministry and Christ-like living and service. John 14:26; Rom 8:16-17, 15:13, 16; Eph 1:13; 2 Tim 1:14; Titus 3:5; 2 Cor 5:17; John 16:8-11
The Human Condition
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they rebelled against God when tempted by Satan – the author of sin, the father of lies and a fallen angel. We believe that all human beings inherited a sinful nature from Adam and are sinful by choice. They are alienated from God and under His judgment. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. Gen 1:27; 3:1-6; Rom 5:6-12; 6:23; John 3:16; Eph 2:1-10
The Work of Christ
We believe in the active work of Jesus Christ in that He lived a life without sin and His passive work on the cross where He was our representative and substitute, shedding His blood as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. We believe that His sinless life, atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only grounds for our salvation. 1 Pet 1:18-19, 2:22; Heb 4:15; Rom 5:8-11; 1 Cor 15:3-4, 20, 54-57
Justification
We believe God justifies sinners on the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone. We believe Christ’s imputed righteousness to sinners is by grace alone and received by faith alone. We believe that in the justification of the repenting and believing sinner, God by His grace forgives the sinner and declares him righteous on the grounds of the active and passive work of Jesus Christ alone. Rom 3:20, 22-28; 5:9, 17-21; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Phil 3:9
Sanctification
We believe sanctification is the gracious and continuing activity of the Holy Spirit in the justified believer, perfecting his repentance, nurturing the new creation in Christ Jesus, transforming him into Christ’s image, and enabling him to do good works which God prepared beforehand. This is a joint work between the Holy Spirit and the believer; it is accomplished in the believer through God’s Word, the Spirit’s power and fervent prayer in Christ’s name. 2 Thes 2:13; 1Pet 1:2; Rom 8:13-14, 26-29; Eph 2:4-10
The Security and Assurance of the Believer
We believe that all the saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. However, Scripture clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; 1 Pet 1:5; 1 Cor 1:4-8; Rom 13:13-14; Gal 5:13; Titus 2:11-15
The Church
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone because of Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. In obedience to Christ’s commission, the church is commanded to equip the believers for service and to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. Eph 1:22, 4:11-13, 5:23; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Tim 3:15
Ordinances
We believe in two ordinances or sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, both of which were instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and are visible and tangible expressions of the gospel. Though they are not a means of salvation, when celebrated in genuine faith and repentance, they impart grace and nourish the believer. Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12; Luke 22:14-21; 1 Cor 10:6, 11:23-34; Matt 28:19-20
Christ’s Return
We believe in the personal bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe the second coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, will raise the dead bodily and judge the world. He will assign the unbeliever to the resurrection of condemnation and eternal conscious punishment. He will assign the believer to the resurrection of eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Acts 1:10-11; Mark 13:32; Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; John 5:28-29; Rev 20:11-15, 21:1-3
Biblical Definition of Marriage
Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man and a woman, and Himself, Living Stone Church will only recognize marriages between a biological man and a biological woman. Further the pastors and elders and staff of Living Stone Church shall only participate in weddings and sanctify marriages between one man and one woman. Finally, the facilities and property of Living Stone Church shall only host weddings between one man and one woman. Gen. 2:21-24; Eph. 5:31-33; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6