What We Believe

1. WE BELIEVE IN BIBLICAL AUTHORTY

We believe that the Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the verbally (word for word) inspired (God-breathed), inerrant (free from error), infallible (incapable of error), Word of God and is the sole and final authority for all faith, rule, and practice (2 Timothy 3.15-17; 2 Peter 1.19-20; John 12.47-50). We use only the Authorised, King James Bible which we believe is the preserved, and therefore, the inspired Word of God. (Psalm 12.7; 119.89).

2. WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD MANIFEST IN THREE PERSONS

We believe that there is one God Who eternally exits. He is an infinite and intelligent Spirit, the Creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is manifest in three eternal and coequal persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One Godhead made up of three persons Who are the same in attributes, power characteristics and desires.

(Genesis 1.1; Matthew 3.16-17; 28.19; John 1.1-3; 15.26; I Corinthians 8.6).

3. WE BELIEVE IN THE GENESIS ACCOUNT OF CREATION

We believe "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." He created it out of nothing and for His own purpose. All creation was a direct act of God, literal, instantaneous, and miraculous. Man was created in the image of God and all reproduction was "after their kind."

(Genesis 1.1-2.25; Psalm 33.6-9; John 1.1.-3; Hebrews 11.3)

We believe that God created them male and female for the purpose of marriage and procreation. (Genesis 1.26-28; 2.21-25).

We, the members of Lifegate Baptist Church, by Biblical convictions, do agree, that because of the educational training of our children and the stand our church has taken on traditional family, to never unite in marriage two people of the same sex or anyone who has had surgical alteration of his or her sexual gender.

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage, between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. (Genesis 2.24; 9.5,13; 26.8-9; Leviticus 18.1-30; Romans 1.26-29; I Corinthians 5.1; 6.9; I Thessalonians 4.1-8; Hebrews 13.4).

4. WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE VIRGIN BORN SON OF GOD

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin (one who had never known a man) Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. (Isaiah 7.14; 9.6; Matthew 18.18-23; Luke 1.35; John 1.1,2,14; 20.31; 2 Corinthians 5.19-21; Galatians 4.4-5; Philippians 2.5-8

5. WE BELIEVE IN THE SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS

We believe Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and is the substitutionary sacrifice for us to satisfy a holy and righteous God. (Isaiah 52.13-53.12; Romans 5.1-11; 2 Corinthians 5.21; 1 Timothy 2.4; I John 2.2).

6. WE BELIEVE IN THE VICTORIOUS BODILY RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.

We believe Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us as our Great High Priest. (Matthew 28.1-8; Acts 2.36; I Corinthians 15.1-8; Romans 4.24-25; Acts 1.9; Hebrews 7.24-28; 8.1; 9.11-15; 10.12).

7. WE BELIEVE IN THE VISIBLE PERSONAL, BODILY, PREMILLENNIAL RETURN OF CHRIST FROM HEAVEN.

We believe that Jesus Christ will return as He promised according to the Scriptures. First, He will return for His own in the air. The believers who are caught up in the rapture will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ and then follow in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Those left behind will go through the Tribulation. Then, Christ will return literally to the earth to set up His kingdom and will reign on the earth for one thousand years. After this, the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and then judged and then cast in the Lake of Fire. These unbelievers will be separated from God forever while the believers will spend eternity with God. (John 14.1-6; Acts 1.11; I Thessalonians 4.13-17; Revelation 20.4-6).

8. WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead coequal with God the Father and God the Son. He is the Comforter promised by the Lord Jesus Christ and sent by the Father. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He testifies of the Son and teaches the believer all things. He regenerates, baptises all believers into the body of Christ, indwells, seals, and fills the believer as well as giving gifts to the believer. (Luke 24.49; John 3.5; 14.16-18,26; 15.26; 16.7-11, 13-15; Acts 2.4; 4.31; I Corinthians 3.16-17; 12.7, 12-14; Ephesians 1.13-14; 4.30).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit such as prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, were temporary. We believe speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, through God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (1 Corinthians 1.22; 13.8; 14.21-22; James 5.14-16).

9. WE BELIEVE IN A LITERAL HEAVEN AND HELL

We believe that Heaven and Hell are real, literal, physical places. Heaven is the eternal abode for the believers. Hell is a place of indescribable torment and the eternal abode for all unbelievers.

(Matthew 3.17; 6.20; Luke 10.20; John 14.1-6; Revelation 21.1-2; Mark 9.43-48; Luke 16.19-31; Revelation 20.11-15).

10. WE BELIEVE IN THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

Jesus started only one church - The Local Church. (Matthew 16.13-20). Each time a church is referred to in the Bible, it is always a local church. (1 Corinthians 1.2; Galatians 1.2; Colossians 4.15-16; Revelation 2.1-3.22).

We practice the congregational form of church government where each member has an equal part in the operation of the church.

Lifegate Baptist Church is a fundamental, independent (unaffiliated), Bible-believing Baptist Church. We are a local congregational of baptised (by immersion) believers assembled for the sole purpose of carrying out the command of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Who is the head of the church. (Colossians 1.18). We are not subject to the dictates of a hierarchy, ecclesiastical group, body, organisation, association, convention, or institution. This does not exclude fellowship with other churches of like faith and order.

11. WE BELIEVE IN A SAVED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

We believe that man was created in the image of God. However, by his own voluntary act, he fell from that holy and happy state and, as a consequence, all mankind are now sinners and must give account to God. (Genesis 1.26-27; 2.7; 3.1-24; Romans 3.23; 5.12; Revelation 20.11-15). Christ died for the sinner and provided salvation for him. (Romans 5.8; 6.23). Each individual, upon being confronted with the fact of sin and his responsibility and upon conviction of the Holy Spirit, must make a conscious decision for Christ. (Romans 10.9-10,13) One must: 1) Accept Christ as Saviour; 2) Confess Him publicly; 3) Identify with Him in baptism (by immersion); and 4) Identify with a local church.

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is free to all who will believe and put their trust and faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. (John 1.12-13; 3.3,5,15-18,36; 5.24; 6.37; Acts 4.12; 16.31; Romans 5.1-2; 6.23; 10.9-10,13; Ephesians 2.8-9; I Timothy 2.4; 4.10; Titus 2.11; 3.5-8; 2 Peter 3.9

12. WE BELIEVE IN THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

We believe that the believer has everlasting life from the moment he is saved and is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3.16,36; 5.24; 10.27-30; 11.25-26; Ephesians 1.13-14; 4.30).

13. WE BELIEVE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

As a believer, one has direct access to God for himself and for others (1 Peter 2.5,9-10; 1 Timothy 2.1; Revelation 1.6; 5.10; 20.4-6).

14. WE BELIEVE IN PERSONAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL SEPARATION

We believe that all who are saved should separate themselves from wordly and sinful practices. Once one has truly been saved, he is a new creation in Christ and should live a holy, consecrated life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 12.1-2; 2 Corinthians 5.17; 6.14-18; 2 Timothy 2.19; 1 Peter 2.9).

We believe in separation from other religious organisations which deny the Word of God or the spiritual values taught within the Word of God. There is no connection or co-operation with modernists, Neo-evangelicalism, the Ecumenical movement, the modern Charismatic movement, the World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, nor any other religious organisation that is not of like faith and practice of Lifegate Baptist Church. We reject the idea of ecumenical unity at the expense of Biblical, doctrinal truth no matter how slight the degree of compromise may seem.

15. WE BELIEVE THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE

We believe that the church must be reaching the lost in the locale in which God has established that church, and through financial and prayer support, help missionaries reach others throughout the world. (Psalm 126.5-6; Proverbs 11.30; Matthew 28.16-20; Mark 16.14-20; Luke 24.44-53; John 20.21; Acts 1.8). This is taught throughout the New Testament and has been practised by Bible-believing Christians through the centuries.

16. WE BELIEVE THAT THE LORD GAVE TWO ORDINANCES TO THE CHURCH - BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER.

Baptism is by immersion and always follows salvation. (Matthew 3.13-17; John 3.23; Acts 2.38,41; 8.36-39). It identifies one with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the church. (Matthew 28.19; Acts 2.38,41,47).

The Lord's Supper is a memorial service to be observed by the church when the church assembles. (Matthew 26.17-30; Mark 14.12-26; Luke 22.7-20; 1 Corinthians 11.17-34).

The elements used in observance of the Lord's Supper are: unleavened bread only, showing the sinless body of the Lord Jesus Christ: and, unfermented fruit of the grape without additive of any kind, showing the sinless blood of the Lord Jesus that was shed for our sins.

Neither Baptism nor the Lord's Supper is a "means of grace", i.e., a part of salvation for the individual. Baptism follows salvation. The Lord Supper follows salvation and baptism.

17. WE BELIEVE THAT GOD ESTABLISHED TWO OFFICES FOR THE CHURCH - PASTOR AND DEACONS

The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church. (Ephesians 4.11; Acts 20.28; 1 Timothy 3.1-7; Titus 1.7-9; 1 Peter 5.1-4; Hebrews 13.7,17,24). The words "pastors", "bishop", and "elder" all refer to the same office and individual. Christ is the Head of the Church and the Pastor is the undershepherd. (Ephesians 1.22-23; Colossians 1.18; 1 Peter 5.1-4).

Deacons are servants of the church to assist the pastor. (Acts 6.1-7; 1 Timothy 3.8-13; Philippians 1.1).

18. WE BELIEVE THAT THE FINANCING OF THE CHURCH IS THROUGH TITHES AND OFFERINGS ONLY

We believe that God has chosen that the way to finance His Church and to bless His people is through Tithes (a tenth) and Offerings.

We believe that it is the responsibility of every believer to give of his/her tithes and offerings to the Church (the storehouse), and that it is the sole responsibility and duty of the Church (the storehouse), and that it is the offerings as the members are led by the Holy Spirit. This distribution shall include the expenses necessary to carry out the Commission given by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in carrying the gospel to every creature and the ordinary operations of the Church. (Genesis 14.20; Malachi 3.6-11; 1 Corinthians 16.1-2).

19. WE BELIEVE IN THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. (Ephesians 1.22-23; Colossians 1.18).

The Church is to pray for and support all who are in authority

(1 Timothy 2.1-2; Romans 13.1-7).

The Government is to protect the Church (Romans 13.3-5)

However, at no time should the church or the government claim ownership of the other, make laws which conflict with the laws of God, or usurp authority over the other. The government has no right to tax the Church which is financed by the tithes and offerings of God's people. (Malachi 3.10; 1 Corinthians 16.2). Neither should the Church expect nor accept aid from the government.

20. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS DOCTRINAL STATEMENT IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IN NO WAY SUBSTITUTES FOR NOR USURPS AUTHORITY OVER THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that the Word of God is the sole and final authority for all faith, rule and practice. This Doctrinal Statement is given only as a guide to the members of Lifegate Baptist Church and those who might have interest in a summary of the doctrines believed and practiced by the Lifegate Baptist Church.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3.16-17

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