Detailed statement of faith of the Living Waters International Christian Church
The Bible (66 books) is the inspired and infallible Word of God and all scriptures are God breathed which is for correction, rebuking, encouragement and for training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). Therefore, the word of God is the supreme authority - above all traditions and any man's words.
There is one true God who exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of them are co-equal and co-eternal (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7).
Jesus Christ, God revealed in the flesh, is the only begotten Son of God and God the Son from eternity (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14). We affirm His virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, bodily resurrection, His ascension to the Father and His promised return in power and glory (second coming of Christ).
God created man in His own image and He created them as male & female. Marriage is a God ordained covenantal relationship between one man and one woman.
All humans are spiritually dead in their sin and completely lost, and the only way to receive forgiveness is through repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).
The only hope for humanity’s redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus took on sin and sickness, providing salvation and healing for all people (Psalm 103:3). This salvation is received by believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Romans 3:24; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8).
The inward evidence for the believer is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to others is a life marked by true holiness and love (1 John 3:23; John 13:35).
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by human works; however, our works are the evidence of our faith that will glorify God. (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; James 2:18).
Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only sacraments of the new covenant Church. Baptism is a public declaration that a believer has died with Christ and been raised with Him to live a new life (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4). The Lord’s Supper, through the eating of bread and drinking from the cup, serves as a remembrance of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:24-30).
All believers are entitled to, and should eagerly expect and diligently seek, the promise of the Father—the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as commanded by Jesus Christ. This baptism brings empowerment for life and service, the granting of spiritual gifts, and their use in the ministry. It is a distinct experience from the new birth, though it can happen simultaneously with it (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8, 2:38-39, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).
A believer must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit to have the power to witness for Christ, both through actions and words (Eph 5:15-21).
The righteous will be resurrected to live eternally with God (1 Corinthians 15:51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1)., and the unrighteous will be resurrected to be eternally separated from God (Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15).