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
VII. The Salvation of Sinners
6.The salvation of sinners by grace alone, through faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary, by which secure remission of sins and eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:12-22, Romans 5:1).
Living Waters Fellowship FCA Statement of Faith
i. The Nature of Salvation
The nature of salvation is grounded in a belief in the authority of the Bible and a commitment to the gospel message. Salvation is a gift of God's grace received through faith in Jesus Christ, and it is available to all people who repent of their sins and trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Salvation begins with the recognition that all human beings are sinners in need of salvation. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because of our sin, we are separated from God and unable to save ourselves.
However, God in His love and mercy has provided a way of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus' death paid the penalty for our sins, and through faith in Him we can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life (John 3:16).
The biblical doctrine of salvation emphasizes the need for personal faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9). This faith involves not only believing in Jesus but also trusting in Him as our Lord and Savior, committing ourselves to follow Him and obey His commands.
The bible also emphasizes the importance of repentance. Repentance involves turning away from our sins and turning towards God. It is a change of heart and mind that leads to a change in behavior (Acts 3:19).
Finally, salvation results in a transformed life. Salvation is not just a one-time event but a lifelong process of growth and transformation in Christ. As we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit works in us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
ii. The Role of Faith in Salvation
Saving faith is faith that not only knows and comprehends the facts about the gospel of Jesus Christ but also trusts in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It is the firm conviction and trust in the God's ability and his willingness to save us.
ii. The Role of Faith in Salvation
The role of faith in salvation is a crucial concept in Christian theology. The Bible teaches that salvation comes by faith alone, not by any human effort or merit. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God, and it is received by faith, not by human effort or merit.
Faith is not just a mental assent to the existence of God or the truth of the gospel message. It is an active trust in God and His promises. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." In other words, faith is trusting in God's promises even though we cannot see them with our physical eyes.
The role of faith in salvation can be seen in the example of Abraham in the Old Testament. In Genesis 15:6, we read that "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness, and this was the basis of his relationship with God. Similarly, in the New Testament, we see that faith in Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Faith in Jesus Christ involves acknowledging that we are sinners in need of a Savior, believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and trusting in Him alone for salvation. As Romans 10:9 says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
The Bible teaches that salvation comes by faith alone, not by human effort or merit. Faith is an active trust in God and His promises, and it is the only means of salvation. We see examples of this in the lives of Abraham and other biblical figures. The role of faith in salvation is central to the gospel message and is essential for anyone who wants to receive the gift of eternal life.
iii. The Assurance of Salvation
Assurance of salvation is a topic of great importance for Christians, as it is the foundation of their hope and confidence in their relationship with God. The Bible offers several ways in which Christians can have assurance of their salvation:.
The witness of the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." The Holy Spirit dwells within believers and bears witness to their adoption as God's children. This inward testimony provides a sense of assurance that one belongs to God.
The testimony of a transformed life - 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" When someone becomes a Christian, they undergo a transformation, becoming a new creation in Christ. This transformation is evidence of God's work in their life, and can serve as a source of assurance that they have been saved.
The promises of God's Word - The Bible is filled with promises of salvation for those who believe in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Believers can find assurance in the fact that God has promised salvation to those who place their faith in Christ.
The fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are evidences of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer. As Christians grow in their faith and exhibit these fruits, they can have assurance that they are walking in the Spirit and are secure in their salvation.
It is important to note that while these sources of assurance can provide comfort and confidence, they do not guarantee that a person is saved. Ultimately, it is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that saves a person. As 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." Christians can have assurance of their salvation through the witness of the Holy Spirit, the testimony of a transformed life, the promises of God's Word, and the fruit of the Spirit.