WHAT WE BELIEVE
Statement of Faith
Introduction
In this doctrinal statement the Elders of Living Hope Church, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, have sought not only to state what we as a church believe Scripture teaches, but also, in several places, to explain why we believe the statements herein. Our intention is that this statement of faith will help this body of believers to maintain unity in the faith, and also help enquirers, visitors, etc, to understand who and what we are, and from where our core values arise.
We affirm wholeheartedly the revelation of God as given in the 66 books of the Bible – Old and New Testaments – and confess the faith set out in them. We here explicitly assert the doctrines which we regard as non-negotiable, and some doctrines that have validly differing approaches in the Body of Christ, in the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ – the Gospel – and in relation to practical Christian living/behaviour. We seek never to divide with Christians over doctrines that are not non-negotiable, and we urge all Christians to do the same.
We have primarily quoted Scripture from the English Standard Version as it is a more literal, yet readable translation, but we also recognise other translations as valuable works of translation of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, as long as they do not translate or paraphrase in such a way that the original meaning is altered, added to or subtracted from.
God
We believe in God the Father, the Creator, absolute Ruler, and Sustainer of this universe, who in His infinite wisdom, omnipotence, and love planned the redemption of mankind and accomplished it through Jesus Christ. He is not the author of sin, He is the spiritual Father of only those who receive grace by faith, and He holds all humans accountable for their sin and choices.
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God (coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father) and fully man, with two natures united in one person forever. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, was voluntarily crucified for our sins, was buried, then rose from the dead, showed Himself to hundreds of people, and was exalted to the right hand of God, the Father. At no time did the Son empty Himself of any aspect of His deity in order to take on human flesh. He was not merely a man who was merely “in right relationship with the Father”; He remained fully God at all times. He was subject to physical weaknesses and temptation as a true human but lived a perfect, sinless life, fulfilling every requirement of the law of God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who applies redemption in the lives of those who believe in Christ. Broadly, His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ. He convicts, guides, leads, teaches, rebukes, indwells, illuminates, empowers, comforts, intercedes, births and then unites believers into one body, and glorifies Christ.
Gen 1–2; Deut 6:4-6; 1 Chr 29:11; Ps 103:19; 139; Isa 40; Matt 1:23, 16:16, 28:6, 19; Mark 15:46; Luke 1:34-35; 4:1-13, 22:69; John 1:1, 14, 18; 3:16-17, 4:24, 10:18, 30; 13:1, 14:9, 15:26, 16:7-14, 19:30-35; Acts 1:3, 9-11; 2:23, 33; 4:27-28; 5:31; Rom 1:18-20, 2:9, 8:1-17, 26-27, 34; 11:36; 1 Cor 8:4, 15:4-7, 25; 2 Cor 3:17-18, 5:19, 6:18, 13:14; Eph 2:22; Phil 2:5-8; Col 2:9, 3:1; 1 Tim 3:16, 6:15-16; Heb 1:3, 13; 2:14, 17; 4:15, 7:25, 11:6; Jude 2-5..
The Revelation of God and the Bible
We believe that the Bible constitutes a unique, objective, authoritative, propositional revelation, verbally inspired in every word, absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, God-breathed, and is a dual-authored book by God and men (with their individual personalities and different styles of writing), through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are intended to teach, reprove, correct, train, and equip believers for the life and good works that God has purposed for them. Jesus Himself said that the Old Testament Scriptures, “are the very Scriptures that testify about me,” and accordingly, both Old and New Testaments are capable of imparting wisdom for salvation from God’s righteous judgement, and wisdom for daily living. So we believe that the Old Testament speaks of Christ in many places, even if the original authors may not have been aware of this as they wrote prophetically by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that it is through the Scriptures and the indwelling Holy Spirit that God has principally chosen to reveal Himself to us today. We, therefore, strive to teach the whole counsel of God’s truth revealed by the Holy Spirit in Scripture, passionately and accurately in order to live our lives in hearty obedience to God, for His glory. The Holy Spirit reveals God to us by teaching us all things, reminding us of all that Jesus said, testifying of and glorifying Jesus, leading us and influencing us as children of God, guiding us into all truth, telling us of things to come, speaking to us whatever He hears from Father and Son, and helping, counselling, comforting, encouraging, warning, convicting, and exhorting us.
We strive to avoid reactive interpretations of Scripture that result from our observation of the misguided or sinful misapplications, abuses or excesses of others. Errors and counterfeits, whilst acting as sobering warnings, cannot be used to define scriptural truth; only Scripture can do that, and we are called to courageously hold to biblical teaching regardless of how others may twist that teaching.
Num 23:19; Ps 1; 19; 119; Matt 4:3-11, 7:24-29, 24:35; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39, 14:26, 15:26, 16:12-14, 17:17, 20:30-31; Rom 1:18-23, 8:14; 1 Cor 2:13, 14:37; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 1:1-2, 4:12, 8:5-13; 2 Pet 1:16-21, 3:16.
Man and Sin
All humanity fell through Adam in such a way that we are born spiritually dead, without the Spirit of God in us, and unable to understand the things of God’s Spirit. We are, by nature, objects of God’s wrath, guilty before God, and in need of forgiveness and restoration. Thus, we are all judicially condemned and enslaved to sin. All humans display this nature and enslavement, and are accountable for failing to glorify Him as God, and for choosing to reject Christ, and engage in other sinful acts. Furthermore, as a result of Adam’s sin, the entire creation has been subject to futility, including sickness, decay, calamity, and loss.
We believe, based on scriptural principles and God’s character revealed in Scripture, that those who die before birth or in infancy, such as King David’s baby, or whose minds are physically damaged to the extent that they cannot comprehend the Gospel, or consciously reject Christ, or respond in faith, will not be held accountable by God, and that Christ’s atonement paid for the guilt of these helpless ones. God says of Himself, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Rom 9:15). God cares deeply for children and the helpless, and He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 86:15), He loves justice, and, “righteousness and justice are the foundation of [His] throne” (Ps 89:14). Scripture teaches that condemnation is based on the conscious rejection of God’s general and/or specific revelation, not simple ignorance of it when incapable of understanding.
Gen 1:27, 2:17, 3:1, 4-8, 16-19; 2 Sam 12:23; Ps 86:15, 89:14; Isa 61:8; Matt 19:13-15; Luke 10:16; John 8:34, 12:48; Rom 1:18-20, 3:10-18, 5:12-19, 6:16-20, 8:20, 23; 9:15 ; 1 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 2:1-3; 1 Thess 4:8.
Salvation by Grace
There is only one God and Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, and neither Mary, saints, priests, pastors, or any other being occupies that office. He ever lives to intercede for His children, as our Advocate and High Priest.
Only Jesus, by His substitutionary death, has redeemed humanity from the power of sin, death, and eternal punishment, through the shedding of His blood. On the cross, our sin was imputed to and laid upon the sinless Christ, our substitute, the just wrath of God was satisfied, and atonement was accomplished for those who put their faith in Christ. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Christ Jesus. Those who repent of their sins are freed from the punishment, penalty, and power of sin, and one day from the very temptation to sin, and are declared righteous, given eternal life, adopted into the family of God, and called to live as faithful disciples in joyful obedience to God’s Word.
Christians are to treat people of other faiths with respect, while urgently proclaiming Christ as the only way of salvation.
Isa 53:6; John 3:16, 4:13-14, 6:37, 44, 65; 10:15, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom 1:18-24, 2:1-16, 3:21-28, 5:6, 8-9; 8:1-3, 34; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:14-15, 21; Gal 2:16, 3:13; Eph 1:7, 13-14; 2:8-9; Col 2:13-14; 1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 4:12-14, 7:25, 9:15-28; 1 Pet 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2; Rev 22:17.
Justification
The basis of justification is Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross, where He paid the debt of sin completely. The righteousness of His own sinless life is imputed to the Believer. Christ’s death on the cross enables God to justly punish sin and at the same time to justly justify any man, woman or child who has sinned (a sinner), who willfully places their faith in Christ.
The result of justification is peace between God and man. Justification thus empties the Law of God of its power to condemn the justified sinner, because the requirement of the Law (i.e. death) has been eternally fulfilled. The righteous requirement of the Law – “If you sin you die” – has been fulfilled in the life of the Believer.
All those who have been justified by faith in Christ have been crucified with Christ and raised with Him, and since Christ died to sin once for all, those who have died with Him have also died to sin once for all, thus having fulfilled the righteous requirement of the Law. Thus the Law can no longer condemn them, since in dying with Christ the requirement of death was fulfilled.
So there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. It is thus impossible for a true Child of God to “lose” their salvation since they have died with Christ once for all to sin and the Law no longer has the power to condemn them to death.
Acts 2:38; Rom 3:26, 4:1-8, 23-25; 5:1-11, 6:1-10, 15, 8:1, 4, 33, 10:9-10; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 2:14-16, 21; 3:11, 26; Col 2:14; 1 Pet 2:24.
Security of the Believer
We believe that it is the privilege of every believer to know that they have been saved from God’s wrath, because of their faith in the completed work of Christ on the Cross. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Children of God, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
Yet there are many warnings in Scripture for Christians to persevere until the end. Christians are to live trusting, praying, fellowshipping, killing sin, and living awake, ready for their Master to return. They are to live carefully, keeping a close watch on themselves, pursuing holiness, not living according to the flesh, which leads to death, to examine themselves, and are not to fall away. Anyone who claims to know Christ and yet chooses to live a life of habitual sin must question their salvation. Scripture warns that if we deny Christ, He will deny us; if we forsake God’s kindness, we will be cut off; if we sow to corruption, we will reap corruption; if we bow to our right eye, or right hand of lust, we will be thrown into Hell; if we do not hold our original confidence to the end, we will be lost; if we continue sinning deliberately, no sacrifice for our sins remains; if we live according to the flesh, we will die.
We believe that biblical warnings against apostasy do not function to annul the promises of God, rather they are to promote perseverance. The promises of God are not intended to create apathy, they are to promote zeal, gratitude, and perseverance. All the promises of God, including those that warn the Saints, are part of the means of grace that God uses to keep His people safe. The call to persevere and the promise of divine preservation are both taught in Scripture and fit like a hand in a glove, despite the mystery of their interaction. The reason why we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling is because it is “God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose” (Phil 2:12-13).
The true Christian increasingly knows the assurance of salvation and freedom from condemnation they have, but, because of their love for, and relationship with God, will heed these warnings, observing both the goodness and the severity of God, and fear turning from God by being lured into sin by the flesh, the devil, and the world. These warnings serve as real means God uses for our perseverance, just as He promised in Jeremiah 32:39-40, “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, … 40. I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.”
Jer 32:39-40; Matt 5:27-30; John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Rom 5:9-10; 8:1, 12-17, 31-39; 11:20-22; 1 Cor 1:4-8; 2 Cor 13:5; Gal 5:19-21, 6:7-8; Eph 1:13-14, 5:15; Phil 1:6, 2:12-13; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 2:12; Heb 3:12-14, 7:25, 10:26-27, 12:2; 1 Pet 1:3-5; 2 Pet 1:3-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:9-10, 4:13, 5:13; Jude 24.
Sanctification
Faith that does not progressively yield such fruit is dead and is not true faith, because Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit.” By grace, through faith, and with the active cooperation of the Believer, the indwelling Holy Spirit actively fights against the desires of the Believer’s flesh, giving ongoing and increasing victory over sin. We are free from slavery to sin, but every Christian remains in continuous war with the desires of their body and thinking, and must be vigilant in the lifelong fight of faith.
We must actively obey God’s commands to separate ourselves from sin and worldly thinking. This sanctification will not be perfected in this life, and we will not have sinless perfection, either through an experience of the Holy Spirit, or any other means, until we are finally glorified. We are called to joyfully persevere until the end, pursuing holiness, and to win this fight by the grace of God, as received especially through the reading and preaching of the Word; personal and communal prayer; participation in the ordinances of Baptism and Communion, interaction with other believers in upright, God-fearing, loving community; and under the leading, teaching, and authority of the Holy Spirit.
Ps 1:1-3, 119:11; Matt 6:11-12, 7:15-27; Mark 13:22; John 10:27-30, 14:15, 15:1-17, 16:13, 17:17-19; Acts 2:42, 26:18; Rom 6:1-22, 8:30, 15:30-31; 1 Cor 1:8-9, 30-31; 15:10; 2 Cor 3:18, 6:14-7:1; Gal 5:16-25; Eph 1:18-19, 4:22-24, 6:10-18; Phil 1:6, 3:12, 4:6-7; Col 1:9-11, 3:9-10; 1 Thess 4:3-4, 5:23-24; 2 Thess 1:11, 2:13-15; 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7-8; Heb 3:12-13, 4:12; James 1:5-8, 2:17, 26; 1 Pet 1:5, 14-16; 2:11; 2 Pet 1:3-4; 1 John 1:8-10, 2:1, 3-4, 19; 3:5-9, 14; 4:8, 16, 20-5:1.
Christ’s Resurrection
John 2:18-19, 10:18, 14:19; Acts 2:24, 32-33; 10:40, 13:30; Rom 1:4, 4:25, 6:4, 8:11; 1 Cor 15:17-23; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9; 1 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 3:18
The Church
Although all born again Believers are members of the universal church, the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament and the members of the one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in physical local assemblies with God ordained leadership, in order to worship God, pray, lay hands on the sick, baptise Believers in water, commemorate Christ’s death through Communion, and be strengthened through fellowship with the Saints and through the preaching of God’s Word.
Matt 16:18, 18:15-35; Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; 14:23, 27; 15:1-28, 20:17; 1 Cor 11:17-34; 12–14; 2 Cor 2:5-8, 11:2; Eph 1:22-23; 2:10-3:6, 4:15, 5:21, 23-32; Phil 1:1; Col 1:8; 1 Thess 1:1, 5:11, 14-22; 2 Thess 1:1, 3:6, 14-15; Heb 10:24-25; James 5:14-16; Rev 5:9, 19:7-8.
The Mission of the Church
The primary purposes of the Church are to glorify God, and to make disciples from all nations. We believe that the good news about Jesus (the gospel) “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” body, soul and spirit, and that every member of the Church has been called and enabled by God’s grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to participate in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples everywhere, through the equipping of the ongoing gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Matt 2:23, 5:16, 11:5, 24:14, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14-15; 1 Cor 12–14; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 3:21; 1 Pet 2:9-12.
The Leadership of the Local Church
The Biblically designated officers serving under Christ over the assembly are elders – also called overseers, pastors, shepherds, and pastor-teachers – and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications. We believe that Scripture demonstrates that there should be a plurality of qualified elders leading a local church, who are to provide oversight of the congregation, help teach and preach sound doctrine, bring clarity to matters of theology, shepherd, and pray for the congregation. They are to humbly and lovingly care for and administer correction to the Saints, bringing restoration in matters that require church discipline. The Bible teaches that these leaders lead or rule as humble servants of Christ and have His authority in directing the Church. The Congregation is to submit to their leadership.
The Bible teaches that God calls certain men to bear the responsibility and accountability of governing His church as elders, and the local church has been called by God to recognize and train those faithful men to lead and teach the Church. Scripture encourages few to become teachers because those in this role will be judged with greater strictness.
An elder must be: willing, above reproach as God’s steward, having a good reputation outside the Church, the husband of, and faithful to, one wife, temperate, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach and exhort in sound doctrine, able to refute those who contradict said doctrine, not addicted to wine, not violent, but gentle, non-contentious, not quick-tempered, not self-willed, not arrogant, not overbearing, not deceitful, free from the love of money and dishonest gain, a good manager of his household, having faithful children who are under control, not a new convert, devout, holy, disciplined, loving what is good and just, and full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and faith.
We believe that the Bible teaches that God calls both men and women as deacons. 1 Timothy 3:11, first addresses the qualifications for male deacons, then says, “Women likewise … ” and proceeds to list very similar character requirements to those required of Elders, suggesting an official responsibility. The requirements for Elders omit any similar reference to females. We believe that there are also biblical examples of female deacons such as Phoebe.
The Deacons, who biblically do not exercise governing authority in the church, and whose primary job is to free up the Elders of the Church for the ministries of prayer, preaching and teaching, serve the local church in more practical ways under the authority and direction of the Elders, and, similarly to Elders, must be biblically qualified.
A deacon must: be tested and prove themselves beyond blame before appointment, must be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not given to much wine, not pursuing dishonest gain, must hold the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience, must not be a slanderer, must be self-controlled, and faithful in everything. Male deacons must be the husband of, and faithful to, one wife, and must manage their children and their own households well.
Scripture teaches that men specifically called by God are required by, and fully accountable to Him to govern and teach local church congregations, but that men and women alike are to operate in all of the gifts of the Spirit, distributed to each person, just as he determines, within the local church context, because to each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The Scriptural restrictions on female governance and teaching are to be read in the context of all Christians being called to minister in spiritual gifting for the proper functioning and edification of the church body until Christ’s return. We believe that function bears no relation to value. The spiritual equality and standing of each individual before God is identical and unchanging, and is to be defended vigorously.
Acts 6:1-7, 20:28; Rom 16:1; 1 Cor 1:7, 11:3, 5, 11; 12:1-31; Eph 1:22, 4:11-16; Col 1:18; 1 Thess 5:12; 1 Tim 2:11-12, 3:1-13, 5:17-22; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 1:5-9; Heb 13:17; James 3:1; 1 Pet 3:7, 5:1-5.
Church Discipline
Prov 13:24; Matt 18:15-22, 28:19-20; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor 5:1-13; Gal 6:1-5; 2 Thess 3:6-15; 1 Tim 1:19-20; 2 Tim 2:2; Heb 10:24-25; James 5:13-20.
The Indwelling, Gifting and Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit calls, washes and regenerates believers, baptising all believers (without exception) into the Body of Christ. This “baptism” in, and indwelling by, the Holy Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation, but He also desires to regularly “fill” or “baptise” those walking in the Spirit for specific situations, such as speaking the Gospel boldly and effectively. Christians are commanded to keep on being filled with the Spirit just as the founding apostles and early Church members were.
The Holy Spirit also reminds believers of all the things that Jesus taught, leads, influences, transforms/sanctifies, instructs, illuminates, empowers, and gifts them for service, and seals them for the day of redemption (Christ’s return). When He leads, influences, convicts, disciplines, and teaches, He is to be obeyed and not grieved.
The Spirit anoints, and sovereignly administers all of the spiritual gifts listed in Scripture to the Church, in various measures and degrees, at the times and places of His choosing, for the common good of all believers, the effective ministry of the Gospel to the lost, and for the glory of God. These gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and God the Spirit’s presence is indicated when these gifts are active. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift but no believer was intended to possess all the gifts, in the same way as an ear cannot also be an eye.
Scripture teaches that all of the spiritual gifts mentioned will continue until perfection comes, i.e. the revealing, or second coming, of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that an arbitrary selection of gifts will cease prior to that day, and in fact it teaches clearly that the Church cannot grow without them, and that all Christians are to earnestly seek the most beneficial gifts, especially the ability to prophesy. The need for the growth, edification, and maturity of the Church is no less now than it was in the 1st century AD. Every joint and supporting ligament is given to the Church, and when each part is working properly, make the Body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The Church is to commission Spirit-gifted people to appropriate ministries that best utilise these gifts, and show love, respect, and support to those who serve faithfully and live exemplary Christian lives.
The sad reality that some abuse and even counterfeit spiritual gifts, and twist orthodox teaching on the Holy Spirit, having rejected or restricted the fruit/character of the Spirit in their lives, is irrelevant to our interpretation of Scripture. We believe that such abuses call us to step out even more courageously and scripturally into the God-honouring, well ordered use of the gifts, as empowered by the Holy Spirit, and always in deep submission to His work of sanctification, or fruit-bearing, in us.
If we let Him, the Holy Spirit functions as the fruit-producer in our lives. When He indwells us, He begins the work of harvesting His fruit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not works of our flesh, which is incapable of producing such spiritual fruit, but they are products of the Spirit’s presence in our lives, and are essential to Christian maturity.
Matt 28:19; Luke 3:16; John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-11; Acts 4:8, 5:3-4, 28:25-27; Rom 6:3-4, 8:9-16; 1 Cor 1:7, 12:1-31, 13:9-10, 14:1, 12; 2 Cor 3:6, 13:14; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 1:13-14, 4:1-6, 16, 30; 5:18; 1 Thess 5:12-13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Pet 4:10-11; 1 John 2:20, 27.
Christian Baptism
We practise baptism by immersion, although we will never break fellowship with those who have been baptised upon the conscious, deliberate confession of their faith by another mode.
Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39; Rom 6:1-11; Col 2:12-13; 1 Thess 5:23-24; 1 Pet 3:21.
Communion (the Lord's supper)
The elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, and we believe that any teaching suggesting that these elements are the physical body and blood of Christ is heretical, as it denies Christ’s sacrifice for sin, made once for all time. The elements are symbols, that are to be viewed with utmost reverence, of Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary, of the fellowship of the people of God in Christ, and of the coming day when all redeemed people will gather in the presence of the Saviour at His great banquet.
We partake regularly of Communion in order to be regularly reminded of Christ’s work on our behalf, and in order to regularly examine ourselves for unrepented sin. All those who understand its meaning, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord in word and life, who are accountable to their congregation, and are living in right relationship with God and others are invited to participate in Communion. While we have an open table, we call everyone to examine themselves carefully and to invite the Holy Spirit to search their hearts prior to partaking; to participate in the Supper in an unworthy manner is to call judgement down upon ourselves.
Isa 25:6; Matt 16:24; 26:26-29; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-32; Rev 3:20, 19:9.
The Lord's Day and Work
Christians are commanded to make time for in person corporate worship, instruction in the faith, and fellowship with one another. The New Testament Church called each Sunday ‘the Lord’s Day,’ in remembrance of His resurrection, and, following their example, we joyfully gather at least once a week, and seek to set aside time each week for rest, spiritual edification and worship of God.
Gen 2:1-3; Exod 20:8-10; Matt 6:33; Luke 24:1-36; Acts 2:1, 20:7; Rom 14:5-6; Eph 4:28; Col 2:16–17; 1 Thess 4:11-12; Heb 10:23-25.
Sanctity of Human Life
Gen 1:26-27, 2:7; Exod 20:13; Job 31:15; Ps 139:13-16; Amos 1-2; Matt 6:25-27, 25:31-46; John 10:11.
Christian Integrity
Matt 5:33-37; John 18:19-23; 2 Cor 6:14-18; Eph 5:6-13; James 5:12.
Sexuality, Marriage and the Christian Home
Marriage is a sacred union between one biological man and one biological woman meant to reflect the covenantal relationship between Christ and the Church. Therefore, believers should seek to reflect God’s unending covenantal love towards those in Christ through life-long marriage. Those who marry should have a common Christian commitment and understanding; a believer ought not marry an unbeliever even if they profess faith.
We believe that divorce, adultery, and homosexuality constitute a violation of God’s intention for marriage and sexuality as laid out in the Bible. Scripture does not condone sex, or sexual fantasy outside the bond of monogamous marriage, as these constitute adultery and sexual immorality. Nor does Scripture condone same sex marriage or homosexual lifestyles. Additionally, we believe that God has created men and women as two distinct sexual beings. Any discrepancy between one’s biological sex and gender identity is due to the effects of sin in the world.
While God’s design for marriage is that it is between one man and one woman until they are parted by death, God allows for divorce and remarriage in two exceptional circumstances: sexual immorality (porneia in the Greek New Testament), and desertion by an unbelieving spouse. We believe that serious psychological and/or physical abuse that requires the abused spouse to leave the marital home for mental or physical safety, is effectively a “disguised desertion” by the abuser, and morally equivalent to a desertion, thus falling within the second category. But wisdom and great care are required when advising in such situations, and the immediate issue is that the abused spouse, and any children are urgently separated from any danger. If both parties are amenable to counselling and restoration this should be attempted where appropriate, with redemption and healing being the goal.
Living Hope Church will not tolerate abuse – which, in the case of non-physical abuse, should ideally be professionally defined – and, in addition to applying appropriate church discipline to any abuser, will involve the appropriate authorities wherever necessary. We believe a church must provide a safe environment in which to disclose abuse, investigate allegations, or confess to sin in this regard. Scripture requires Christians to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Prov 31:8-9, NLT)
Divorce should be considered as a last resort, after every reasonable and biblical effort has been made towards reconciliation. Divorce that does not have biblical grounds and results in remarriage is considered adultery by God, but unbiblical divorce, when confessed and repented of, is the same as any other forgiven sin committed in the past, and is washed away by the blood of Christ.
The Bible also teaches that any lustful thoughts about another, which thus include the consumption of pornography, constitute sexual immorality (porneia), being the equivalent in God’s eyes of forbidden, sinful sexual activity. The use of pornography also violates biblical principles of loving one’s neighbour, because it actively supports and funds human/child trafficking, sexual abuse, including rape, and slavery. We believe that Jesus’ description of porneia in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 would include pornography use, and that where this use is sufficiently egregious, i.e. it becomes a wilful lifestyle, this could be grounds for divorce if not repented from.
We believe that Christian parents should lovingly nurture their children through exemplary living, prayer, worship, instruction in God’s Word, and godly discipline. Parents are commanded to ‘train up’ their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and children are commanded to obey and honour their parents.
Gen 1:27-28; 2:18-24; Exod 20:12; Prov 5:18-20; 13:24, 22:6, 31:8-9; Mal 2:13-16; Matt 5:27-28, 31-32; 18:15-22, 19:3-11; Mark 12:31; Rom 1:18-32; 1 Cor 6:13, 18-20, 7:10-16; 2 Cor 6:14; Eph 5:22-33; 6:1-4; Col 3:18-21; Heb 13:4.
The Christian's Relationship Towards the State
Romans 13 teaches that the State has no authority, God-given or otherwise, to be corrupt, perpetrate injustice, deceive, or oppress the people God has entrusted to its governance, and any disobedience to such sinful governance is required by Scripture, as the prophet Daniel respectfully explained, having broken a law, “I have not committed a crime against you my king.” With Daniel, the Hebrew midwives (Ex 1:15-21), Moses’ parents (Heb 11:23), the Apostles Peter, John and Paul (Acts 5:29, 2 Cor 11:32-33), and many others in Scripture, we believe an unjust or immoral law is no law at all.
Scripture is clear that the Government, as God’s agent, is to execute His justice on evildoers, and to protect, praise, and do good to those who are upright, including those who honour God. We pray for our Government, and please God by respecting those in authority, paying taxes, playing an active role in society, and obeying all laws not in conflict with the Word of God. However, our chief concern and primary allegiance is to Christ’s kingdom, and we are called to stand as a witness against corruption and injustice in society, and, as Jesus commanded, to act as salt (inhibiting decay and promoting flourishing), and light (being an example, exposing evil, and bringing redemption) in all we do.
Subject to every Christian’s obligation to obey the God-limited authority of the Government, the Bible also teaches that the local church has autonomy in matters of worship and governance, with the right of self-government and freedom from any external authority or control, whether Popes or denominational traditions, or the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organisations.
Dan 6:10, 22; Matt 5:13-16, 22:17-21, 28:18-20; Acts 4:19, 5:29, 14:23; Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-6; Titus 1:5, 3:1-5; 1 Pet 2:13-17.
Holy Angels
Ps 103:20-21; Col 1:15-16; Heb 1:5-14; 2:6-7; Rev 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:8-9.
Fallen Angels
The Bible teaches that Satan is the declared enemy of God and man, and the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Satan, also called the “devil”, and the Prince of the power of the air, shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire together with the fallen angels, and anyone not found written in the Book of Life.
Satan is not omnipresent. He roams about the earth seeking any he can destroy/devour. Although Satan has been given limited power by God to test the Saints, he has no real power over them. Christians are fully able to resist Satan and overcome all his schemes as they live humbly submitted to God, and firm in faith. They are not to fear Satan or man, but rather God.
Humans who are not children of God can be possessed by demons who in turn can have direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of that person. We believe that Scripture clearly demonstrates that Christians cannot be possessed by demons, but that they can permit demonic influence in their lives by living in ongoing sin. The One who is in a Christian (the Holy Spirit), is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan/demons), and a Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit in which light and darkness cannot co-exist.
Gen 3:1-15; Isa 14:12-17; Ezek 28:11-19; Matt 4:1-11; 10:28, 17:14-18, 25:41; Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33; John 12:31-32; Rom 8:9-11; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:17, 19; 2 Cor 4:4, 6:14; Col 2:13-15; James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4; Rev 12:1-14, 20:10-15.
Death
Scripture teaches that the bodily resurrection of the dead in Christ – when their soul and body (now glorified) are reunited – will occur at the moment Christ Himself descends in a public and unmistakable way to earth again, followed by those Christians who have not yet died being caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (just as Jesus ascended previously), and so all the redeemed will appear with Him in glory, and always be with the Lord. Until that resurrection, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with Him.
The Bible describes two bodily resurrections of all people: the saved (the Believer) to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment. It teaches that the souls of the unsaved, at death, are kept under punishment until the second resurrection, when the soul and the resurrection body will be reunited. They shall then appear at the Great White Throne of judgement and shall be thrown into the lake of fire, and cut off from the life and grace of God forever.
Dan 12:2; Matt 25:41-46; Luke 16:19-26, 23:43; John 5:28-29, 6:39; Rom 8:10-11, 19-23; 1 Cor 15:35-44, 50-54; 2 Cor 4:14, 5:6-11; Phil 1:21-24, 3:20-21; Col 3:4; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Rev 6:9-11, 14:9-11, 20:4-6, 11-15.
The Second Coming of Christ
Scripture teaches that the greatest thing that has ever occurred in human history is the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, whereby He conquered sin, death, and Satan. Evidence of that victory can clearly be seen in history, in the world around us, and in the lives of those God saves, but the final consummation of that victory has not yet taken place, and will occur at the second coming of Christ.
We believe that there will be an unannounced, literal, personal, highly visible, and glorious second-coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, at which time He shall return for His bride, the Church, and establish His millennial reign on earth. Scripture teaches that this second coming of Christ will not be a secret event, but will be accompanied by a loud command, and the voice of the archangel, and by the trumpet call of God.
Matt 16:27, 24:27, 30, 36, 42-44; Luke 21:34-36; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; Col 3:4; 1 Thess 4:16, 5:2, 23; Heb 9:28; Rev 1:7, 3:11, 22:12, 20.
The Millennial Kingdom of Christ
The Bible teaches that the Millennial Kingdom will be the fulfilment of God’s promise to Israel to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience. As a result of their disobedience and rejection of the Messiah, God judged Israel, but they will again be gloriously awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing, and the spiritual entity called the Church.
The Bible teaches that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterised by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life.
Deut 28:15-68, 30:1-6; Isa 11:1-13; Ezek 36:22-32, 37:21-28; Dan 7:27; Matt 21:42-44; Rom 11:1-29; Rev 2:26; 3:21, 19:19-20, 20:1-7.
Christ's Final Triumph, Hell and Eternity
The Bible teaches a physical resurrection of the unsaved dead for judgement. After receiving their judgement, they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire as Jesus promised. Nowhere does Scripture teach either that all will be saved (universalism), or that the unsaved will be annihilated (annihilationism).
We believe the Bible teaches that after the closing of the millennium, after the temporary release and ultimate defeat of Satan, and after the judgement of unbelievers, all Believers will enter the eternal state in the new heavens and the new earth with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father so that in all spheres the Triune God may be all in all forever and ever.
In light of Christ’s coming return to earth, it is imperative that all people evaluate if they are ready to face Him. True Believers will be characterised by love, fervent hope, anticipation, and readiness for our Lord’s return. This hope motivates believers to pursue holiness now:
Isa 2:4, 61:1-11; Matt 25:1-13, 31-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22-23; John 5:22-29; Acts 1:11; Rom 14:10-13; 1 Cor 15:21-58; Eph 1:10; Phil 1:21-24, 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:16-17; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Pet 3:3-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev 1:12-22, 14:9-11, 19:11-16, 20:7-15, 22:20.