Living Faith Christian Center (Newport News)

Articles of Faith

“What We Believe!”

I.  The Scriptures

      We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principals by which God will judge us, and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

II. The True God

      We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

III. The Fall of Man

      We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness under the law of his maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin; without defense or excuse.

IV. The Way of Salvation

     We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, which make Him in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.

V. Justification

            We believe the Scriptures teach that the Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on the principles of righteousness; that is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the redeemer’s blood; that by virtue of faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

VI. The Freeness of Salvation

     We believe that the scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made freely to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

VII. Regeneration

     We believe that the scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.

VIII. Repentance and Faith

     We believe the scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regeneration spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

IX. God’s Purpose of Grace

     We believe the scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

X. Sanctification

     We believe the scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, instruction in the Word and prayer.

XI. Perseverance of Saints

      We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

XII. The Law and Gospel

       We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is Holy, just and good; and that the inability which scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

XIII. A Gospel Church

      We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising spiritual gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word and Holy Spirit; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.

XIV. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

       We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost; to show forth solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s supper, in which the members of the church, by sacred use of the bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

XV. The Christian Sabbath

     We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, or the Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observances of all means of grace, both private and public and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.

XVI. Civil Government

     We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of conscience, and the Prince of Kings of the earth.

XVII. Righteous and Wicked

     We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and wicked; that such only through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctifies by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem while all such as continue in the impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

XVIII. The World to Come

      We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave for the final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.