(These basic statements are neither comprehensive nor exhaustive in explanation, but are meant to serve as a helpful overview of basic doctrine. Please consult the pastoral leadership with any questions you might have.)
The Bible
We believe that the entire Bible, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
One God
We believe that there is one living and true God, existing eternally in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
The Deity of Christ
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His substitutionary death on a cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension to the right hand of the Father; and His personal, imminent return.
Fall of Man
We believe that man was created by and for God; that by man’s disobeying God, every person incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God and physical death as a consequence; that all people are sinners by nature and choice, and therefore, are under condemnation.
Repentance and Redemption
We believe that upon sincere repentance and confession of faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10), we are justified before God through Jesus, Who died for our sins, and that all who believe in Him are declared righteous because of His sacrificial death, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead, and are, therefore, in right relationship with God.
Salvation Through Grace
We believe that salvation is wholly through grace; that no human righteousness or merit can contribute to our receiving God’s love and favor.
The New Birth
We believe that the change that takes place in people at conversion is a very real one; that having received righteousness in Christ and having received of His Spirit, people will have new desires, interests, and pursuits in life.
Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an essential response to Jesus’ command, testifying to His lordship as Christ and King. We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper, receiving the broken bread and the fruit of the vine with joy and faith as we partake anew of the life and triumph of Christ’s Cross.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide; and that Jesus Christ baptizes the regenerated believer with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service. We believe the Holy Spirit’s ministry continues in the same manner as that in the Early Church as recorded in the New Testament. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.
Laying on of Hands
We believe in the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors/elders and deacons, and for the receiving of healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of everyone who has lived, the everlasting blessedness of those in right relationship with God, and the everlasting punishment of those who have rejected God’s forgiveness in His Son.
Marriage and Family
We believe that since the beginning God has ordained marriage, consisting of one man and one woman committed to each other for life, as the first institution of society. We believe that according to the Scripture faith in Christ is to be taught and understood within the family first, and from there to the wider community. So important is this concept that the Apostles included it in the requirements of leadership within the Church.
Evangelism & Discipleship
We believe that it is Christ’s mandate for His church to make disciples in all the world which must begin with the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ through evangelism.
Church Relationship
We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with a congregation of believers with whom we can worship God, observe the ordinances of Christ, exhort and support one another, labor for the salvation of others, and work together to advance the Lord’s Kingdom.
Church Leaders
We believe that Christ has established leaders in local congregations to serve as shepherds of His flock, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ. (See Living Water Fellowship Governance for more detail.)
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is by divine appointment and that civil laws should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to the will of God.
Judgment
We believe that all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ: the redeemed to be delivered unto everlasting life, and the unrepentant unto everlasting punishment.
Hell
We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deepest sorrow, and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels; yet it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Savior.
Heaven
We believe that heaven is the glorious habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers.