OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

WE BELIEVE IN THE SINGULAR-TRIUNE GODHEAD

He is the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. We believe that man was made in the image of God, being body, soul, and spirit. We also believe that God is Body, Soul, and Spirit. We do not believe in three separate gods working together in unity. While God is triune, He is still one God. We also believe that Jesus was fully man with the fullness of the Godhead in him at the same time, while he ministered upon the earth. While we cannot fully comprehend or illustrate the Godhead in human terms, we believe what He says about Himself, and by faith, we believe Him.

1st John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. > John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. // (God's body-Jesus Christ) Hebrews 10:5 - Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: //(God's Soul) Jeremiah 32:41 - Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. (kjv) // (God's Spirit) Genesis 1:2 - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. [kjv]

 

B - BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

Putting aside many of their non-biblical traditions, we hold to the core theological Baptist distinctives, while we cling to the Bible as our final authority for all matters of faith and practice. Although we have been sent out by an Independent Baptist Church, we are not part of any denomination. We are simply born again, Bible-believing followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, serving God in good conscience, with the desire to become more like Him;

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. // Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. // Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [kjv]

 

A - AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

We believe that every local church is self-governing and independent from any external hierarchy or control. For this reason, we do not believe in any secular licensing (i.e. 501c3) since a license is permission to conduct a registered nonprofit business issued by a secular government. We believe that licensing gives the government a certain element of control over the church. It is much harder to force closure of a church (as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic) when they don't know we exist. Likewise, we do not believe that we should report our donations in order to receive tax deductions. We believe that the Bible and Jesus Christ are the only hierarchical authority over the church. Our vision of how a local church should be modeled is like unto the early New Testament local church. Meeting daily, with the breaking of bread, and from house to house. We believe that the local church is not a building but rather a local assembly of like-minded believers

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. // Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward from house to house.thee openly. // Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. [kjv]

 

P - PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

We believe that every born again believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ without needing an earthly priest, canonized saint, modern day prophet, or any other mediator.

1st Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [kjv]

 

T - TWO CHURCH ORDINANCES

We believe that believer's baptism by immersion in water is symbolic, is an outward profession of inner faith, and is one of the first voluntary steps in following the Lord Jesus Christ in the fulfilling of righteousness. We do not believe that water baptism washes away sins, or is a part of the salvation plan. We believe that the Lord's Supper (Communion) is also symbolic of Jesus' death on the cross in payment for our sins, and should be a time of remembrance. We do not believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation, nor that the elements have any saving power.

Matthew 3:13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. // 1st Corinthians 11:23 ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. [kjv]

 

I - INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY

We believe that every person is free to make their own religious decisions. We understand that we are free to make our own choices without being coerced. If we choose not to have God in our lives, and wish to enjoy our sin for a season, God allows us that liberty. Likewise, we understand that if we choose to turn to Him, believe the gospel, and enjoy a relationship with God, God will not only adopt us into His family, but He is willing and able to bless us beyond what we could ever imagine. We believe that the choice we make is the most important decision we will ever have. This is why we evangelize.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. [kjv]

 

S - SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

We believe that while we are in the world, we are to be separated from it. We believe that the local church is a body of born again believers. Therefore, those who are not saved should be excluded from membership. Furthermore, we believe that we are citizens of the kingdom of God and have a King who is far above all worldly authority and governments of this world. While we are instructed to obey the laws and powers of this world, we follow a higher law principle. Meaning that God has predominance over all. We submit to worldly authority until it conflicts with clear disobedience to God's instruction. We will not bow down to any authority that attempts to be elevated above God.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. // 2nd Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? // 1st Peter 2:13 ¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. // Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. [kjv]

 

T - TWO CHURCH OFFICES

We believe that there are two offices of a local church. They are Pastors and Deacons. We believe that Pastors and deacons are there to care for, teach, and guide the congregation, much like a shepherd cares for his flock. We hold the list of qualifications that are found in 1st Timothy, chapter three as God's given standard. We further believe that Pastors and Deacons are under-shepherd servants of Jesus Christ who should not abuse their offices but to lead by example. [1st Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.]

1st Timothy 3:1 ¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [kjv]

 

S - SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

This last letter from the Acronym for the Baptist Distinction states that the state should have no power to interfere with the free exercise of religious liberty. It sometimes also reads that the government and the church operate in separate spheres and should not legally control or dominate one another. We believe that the founding fathers of the United States implied this in their writings. However, we believe that this one is unclear in Scripture. Therefore, without scriptural evidence, we do not hold to it as part of our doctrinal Statement of Faith, as being biblical.

 

TJ Lucas / for LUCAS Ministries