I. Introduction to Christian Faith

i. Overview of the statement of faith

ii. What is biblical faith?

iii. The importance of faith in the Christian life

II. The Authority of the Bible

i. The inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture

ii. The role of the Bible in Christian faith and practice

iii. Principles of biblical interpretation

III. The Tri-unity of the Godhead

i. The nature of God as three-in-one

ii. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture

iii. Implications of the Trinity for faith and practice

IV. Creation, Fall, and Redemption

i. The biblical account of creation, fall, and redemption

ii. The sinfulness of humanity and our need for a savior

iii. The work of Christ on the cross and our salvation

V. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

i. The deity and humanity of Christ

ii. The virgin birth and the life of Christ

iii. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ

VI. The Gospel of the Grace of God

i. The message of the gospel

ii. The importance of the death, burial, and resurrection

iii. The implications of the gospel for our lives

VII. The Salvation of Sinners

VIII. The Second Coming of Christ

i. Christ's bodily ascension and heavenly enthronement

ii. The second coming and the resurrection of the dead

iii. The implications of the second coming of Christ

X. Pursuing Personal Holiness

i. The importance of personal holiness

ii. The role of discipline and self-control

iii. Sexual immorality and the honor of marriage

i. The nature of salvation

ii. The role of faith in salvation

iii. The assurance of salvation

VII. The Salvation of Sinners

i. The nature of salvation

ii. The role of faith in salvation

iii. The assurance of salvation

IX. Baptism and the Holy Spirit

i. The importance of water baptism by immersion

ii. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues

iii. The gifts of the Spirit and their role in the church

XI. Divine Healing and the Lord's Supper

i. The nature of divine healing

ii. The prayer of faith

iii. The importance of the Lord's Supper for believers

XII. Eternal Life and Eternal Punishment

i. The reality of eternal life for believers

ii. The reality of eternal punishment for unbelievers

iii. The implications of eternal life and eternal punishment for Christian faith and practice

Living Waters Fellowship Foundations Course

II. The Authority of the Bible

1. We believe the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God, to be interpreted literally, and to be regarded as authoritative for Christian faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:20-21).

(Living Waters Fellowship Satement of Faith)

Image

i. The inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture

The inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture are fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. These doctrines teach that the Bible is the authoritative and infallible Word of God. This means that the Bible is without error in its original manuscripts and that it is completely trustworthy in matters of faith and practice.

The Bible affirms its own inspiration and inerrancy. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." The phrase "breathed out by God" is often translated as "inspired by God." This means that the Bible is not merely a human book, but it is the very Word of God.

The concept of inerrancy is also supported by Scripture. Psalm 19:7 states, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." This verse affirms the perfection and reliability of God's Word. In John 10:35, Jesus affirms the authority of Scripture when He says, "Scripture cannot be broken."

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that God is incapable of lying or making mistakes. In Numbers 23:19, it is written, "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" This means that if the Bible is the Word of God, it must be completely without error.

The doctrine of inspiration and inerrancy is essential for the Christian faith. Without the assurance that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, we would have no basis for our beliefs or practices. We would be left to our own devices to determine what is true or false, right or wrong. However, because we have the Bible as our authoritative guide, we can have confidence that our beliefs and practices are grounded in the truth.

Image

ii. The role of the Bible in Christian faith and practice

The Christian life is not just about getting to heaven in the future, it's also about life in the present. Fortunately for us, the bible provides us with everything we need for life and practice. By it we are made wise for salvation and it is where we learn to live the Christian life. (2 Tim 3:15-16)

  1. The Bible reveals God's character and nature: The Bible is God's self-revelation to humanity. Through its pages, we learn about God's love, mercy, justice, and holiness. The Bible teaches us that God is a personal God who cares for His creation and desires a relationship with us. (Psalm 103:8-14, Exodus 34:6-7, Isaiah 55:8-9)

  2. The Bible provides guidance and direction for life: The Bible contains God's wisdom and instruction for how we should live. It teaches us how to love God and love our neighbor, how to make wise decisions, and how to live in a way that honors God. (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 22:37-40)

  3. The Bible is the source of Christian doctrine: The Bible is the foundation of Christian belief and doctrine. It teaches us about the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the role of the Holy Spirit. Through the Bible, we understand the gospel message and what it means to be saved. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

  4. The Bible equips Christians for ministry and service: The Bible teaches us how to serve God and others. It provides examples of faithful men and women who lived out their faith in practical ways. It also gives us spiritual gifts and resources to use in service to others. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:22-25)

  5. The Bible is the basis for Christian worship: The Bible is the inspiration and foundation for Christian worship. It contains hymns, prayers, and psalms that we use to express our love and adoration for God. The Bible also teaches us how to approach God in worship and how to live a life of worship. (Psalm 95:1-7, John 4:23-24, Colossians 3:16-17)

Image

iii. Principles of Biblical Interpretation

These principles of biblical interpretation are essential for accurately understanding and applying the teachings of Scripture. The Bible is a complex and multi-faceted collection of books, and proper interpretation requires a thoughtful and prayerful approach. Here are some principles of biblical interpretation, supported by relevant scripture references:

  1. Historical context: Understanding the historical and cultural context in which the text was written is essential for proper interpretation. This includes knowledge of the author, the intended audience, and the social and political climate of the time. For example, understanding the historical context of the book of Romans helps us grasp Paul’s message to the early Christians in Rome.

    Scripture reference: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

  2. Literary context: Examining the text within its literary context is also important for proper interpretation. This includes understanding the genre, the structure of the book, and the flow of the argument. For example, understanding the literary context of the Psalms helps us appreciate the poetic language and understand the themes present throughout the book.

    Scripture reference: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

  3. Scripture interpreting Scripture: Comparing and contrasting passages within Scripture is a helpful way to ensure a consistent interpretation. The Bible is its own best interpreter, and understanding how one passage relates to others can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of God’s message.

    Scripture reference: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

  4. The analogy of faith: The principle that any interpretation of Scripture must be consistent with the entire body of Christian doctrine is known as the analogy of faith. This means that any interpretation must not contradict other parts of the Bible or the central doctrines of the Christian faith.

    Scripture reference: “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).

  5. Prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit: Finally, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit is essential for proper interpretation of Scripture. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate guide in understanding God’s word, and we must seek His guidance in our interpretation.

    Scripture reference: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).

VIDEO