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 that there is only one true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God is one God in three persons. We reject modalism (one God appearing in different modes or forms of activity) as entirely non-biblical, and any other notion that denies the personhood of each member of the Trinity. We also reject any other form of aberrant Christology. All three persons of the Triune God are each equally deserving of worship and obedience. 

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 in a self-revealing God who has made His power and deity known generally through creation, yet supremely and finally in the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Holy Bible. The 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the only infallible rule of faith and practice for the Christian, and they are the supreme and final authority for testing what is true and right.

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
We believe that humans were created in the image of God, sinless and in fellowship with God, with a free will to make moral choices. But, the two first humans, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, believed Satan’s lie, and chose to take what was forbidden, thereby declaring their distrust of the goodness and wisdom of God. By this act, our first parents fell from their original sinless estate. 

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
God commands all people everywhere to repent of their sin and believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross, and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory (i.e. appeasing God’s just anger), expiatory (removing sin), and redemptive. This atonement for sin demands a universal offering of the Gospel to all people. Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless His Heavenly Father draws them, and that whoever wants to may come to Him for cleansing, and whoever does come, He will not cast out. 

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 Bible teaches that justification is an act of God by which He declares those individuals righteous, who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus, confessing their guilt before God and acknowledging Christ as their Lord. Justification is not based upon man’s good deeds but solely upon faith in the person and work of Christ.

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
The Bible teaches that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power to the end, and are thus secure in Christ forever. Therefore, it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. What God has begun in the lives of His chosen ones He will bring to completion.

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
Justifying faith is not the end, but progressively produces, by the work of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, thus gradually increasing personal holiness, so that the Believer’s moral condition and character is made gradually to conform to Christ, and the legal standing they enjoy through justification. 

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
We believe in the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, by which God vindicated Jesus’ life and righteousness; gave proof that He accepted the atoning work of Christ on the Cross, and confirmed our justification in righteousness through Christ’s sacrifice and righteousness alone. Just as Christ was raised from the dead through His own and the Holy Spirit’s power and the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life, alive in Christ. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee and first-fruits of a future resurrection life for all believers.

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
We believe that the Church was established through Christ’s redemptive work in history, and that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of nation, race, or social class, are immediately placed, or “baptised” by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, of which Christ is the Head. The Bible teaches that the formation of the Church began on the day of Pentecost. It is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again Believers in this present age, and consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, a mystery not revealed until this age. Despite the diversity in congregations and denominations, the Holy Spirit creates unity and love in the Spirit among all of God’s true children globally.

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 Bible teaches that the one supreme authority for the Church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are appointed and governed according to Scripture.

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
The Bible teaches the importance of discipleship, mutual accountability of all believers to each other, and the need to practise church discipline when those professing faith in Christ refuse to repent of sin in their lives. We believe that a refusal to exercise firm and loving church discipline according to Scripture, is indicative of a lack of love for people, and also a lack of the fear of God. All four procedural steps set out in Matthew 18:15-22 will be exercised with a desire to achieve a redemptive outcome, in relation to anyone attending Living Hope Church. This applies whether they are a committed Co-Labourer with the ministry or not, who, while professing Christ as their Saviour, refuse to acknowledge their sin and turn away from it.

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
We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal in nature, substance, and work with Father and Son, and as such is equally worthy of worship. The Holy Spirit seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict unbelievers of their sin and need for Christ, and to impart spiritual life through regeneration, i.e. a second, spiritual birth, that makes one alive to God in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in bringing God’s chosen people to saving faith and repentance. 

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 believe that Christians should be baptised in water upon the conscious, believing confession of their faith in Christ. We believe that baptism is a testimony of a believer’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, is a symbol of union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to new life, and is a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ – the Church.

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)
Communion, or the Lord’s supper is a commemoration and proclamation of the Lord’s death until He comes, and should always be preceded by self-examination. The Lord’s Supper is also a symbol of the unity of the body of Christ, the Church.

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
We believe that God has called us to work with excellence and that work is an honourable task that every Christian should take very seriously, being exemplary in that sphere. However, on the seventh day, after the Creation, God Himself gave us an example of a rhythm of Sabbath rest, that calls us to a cessation of our own fleshly activities. We believe that, although Christians are not bound legally by God to have a weekly “Sabbath day,” and that there is no particular day of the week that must be observed as a Sabbath, or “holy day,” it is highly valuable to have at least one day a week that we dedicate to resting and worshipping God. It is a way of acknowledging our human frailty and need of rest, actively trusting God for our provision, instead of ourselves, highlighting our need to be free from materialism and cycles of ‘doing,’ and is also a beautiful way to worship and thank God. 

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
We believe that God is the Creator and giver of life, and highly values each person as one who bears His image. All lives are equally worthy of dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, and social or economic standing. Procedures, such as abortion and euthanasia, which are designed to take human life, are contrary to God’s nature and biblical principles and are therefore wrong. We oppose all attitudes which devalue human life, especially the defenceless lives of the unborn, disabled, poor, ageing, and dying.

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
Christians are obligated to speak the truth. As a witness to our integrity we affirm that we will tell the truth in keeping with what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. We avoid holding membership in lodges and secret societies including those that require an oath, but rather seek to foster authentic, open fellowship among believers.

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
We believe that God created men, women, sexuality, and the institution of marriage. God created all forms of sexual intimacy to be exclusively for marriage. As Lord over all, God reserves the right to define what these terms mean and how they are to be expressed. 

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
God has instituted the State/Government, which has limited, delegated authority from, and is accountable to God. Thus the Government does not have authority to act contrary to the rulership of the One from whom that authority has been delegated; its authority is limited, and we believe that Scripture nowhere teaches the unfettered equivalent of the “divine right of kings.” 

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
The Bible teaches that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshipped. In God’s unquestionable wisdom, they were created to serve humankind and to serve and worship God.

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 a created angel and the origin of sin. He rebelled against his Creator, so incurring the judgement of God, took numerous angels with him in his fall, and introduced sin into the human race by his temptation of Adam and Eve. We believe these fallen angels are now known as “demons” and that they serve Satan by seeking to lead humans away from God’s will.

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
The Bible teaches that at physical death one’s soul is separated from one’s body, that death is not the loss of our immaterial consciousness, that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ and that, for the redeemed, such separation of soul and body will continue until the bodily resurrection of the dead in Christ.

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
Note: The precise timing and order of eschatological events, or for example, the literal or spiritual interpretation of the millennial rule of Christ, is subject to differing interpretations by sincere, godly people, and we affirm that we will never break Christian fellowship over such matters with those who hold a different perspective. Dogmatism in eschatological chronology, etc, is inappropriate for Christians seeking to walk in humility and love. Indeed, whilst we clearly teach according to the understanding the Lord has given us, we remain open to modifying our understanding if the Lord so reveals.

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
We believe the Bible teaches that after God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth, Christ will rule over God’s kingdom on earth, establishing His Messianic Kingdom for a thousand years. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over all the nations of the earth. His reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world.

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
We believe that God will someday bring His purposes to a final consummation, and that the narrative arc of all history will come to a glorious conclusion and summation in Christ. We believe the Bible teaches that following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and Jerusalem, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven. Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur forever.

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:

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 
– 2 Peter 3:11-14 (ESV)
“Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
– Revelation 22:20 (ESV)

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.