The Holy Scriptures, in the original tongues, are the inspired and inerrant word of God; (Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16,17)
2. In one God, eternal and self-existent, Creator and Ruler of the universe, and manifested through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; (John 1:18, Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:1, Rev 22:13, Romans 9:15). That Jesus Christ is truly divine and truly human having been conceived of the H
oly Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; (Matthew 1:18-24)
4. That Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood as a Sacrifice for our sins; He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High; (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 7:27, Mark 15:33-37, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-45, Luke 24:51, Psalm 110:1, Matthew 22:44)
5. That humankind was created in the image of God, but fell into sin causing separation from God; (Genesis 3:1-24, 1 Cor 15:21)
6. That salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all; and those who repent and believe on Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life and become the children of God; (John 1:10-13)
7. That the water baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Christ and that we should arise to walk in the newness of life; (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 8:26-40)
8. In the ministry of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ, to convict, to enable the believer to live a godly life and to empower the Church to carry the gospel into all the world; (Matthew 12:31, Matt 28:19, Luke 1:35, Luke11:31, Acts 13:2)
9. In the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ for His Church; (Matthew 24:30, Rev 1:7, Rev 22:12)
10. In the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and everlasting separation from God of all those who reject Jesus Christ. (John 1:10-13, Rev 20:11-15, Rev 22:14-15, Matthew 25:31-46)
Position Statements
Baptism: Water baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Christ and that we should arise to walk in newness of life.(Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 8:26-40) In baptism we are identified with Christ whether by immersion, sprinkling, dunking, or pouring where water is provided for such service.Baptism may be by immersion or pouring or sprinkling if water is not available for immersion. Ordination: Ordination into Christian service is for men and woman who have experienced salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and who are called by Christ through the Holy Spirit to serve Him in ministry. We believe that God has set aside particular individuals for service and that ordination is man’s recognition of what God Himself has already done. Men and women may serve as co laborers with Christ in the harvest fields. Men and women may serve as deacons, overseers, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelist as examples of all of these can be found in scripture concerning both male and female. From the beginning authority was given to both male and female. In Christ there is neither male nor female, Gentile or Jew, but all are children and servants of God. All are called as a royal priesthood.All levels of leadership are open to spirit led men and women of God. Homos*xuality: The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church follows the Bible in all matters of faith including the issue of homos*xuality. We will not knowingly ordain any homos*xual to the Christian ministry. Our belief is that this should not be an issue causing division and debate within the Church at large, as Holy Scripture already settles the debate. We believe that according to scripture homos*xuality is a sin. I Corin. 6:9-11, Lev. 18:22, Romans 1:21-32.Our Christian faith and our love of Christ calls upon us to to love the sinner but hate the sin. This we endeavor to do. Our clergy will continue to minister to all people,following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Marriage: Marriage is the union of a man and a woman. It is a vow made before God that the two (male and female) shall become one. The General Conference of Evangelical Protestant Churches, LEPC and EPC, does not perform same s*x unions or bless same s*x couples. Abortion: Abortion is the willful taking of innocent human life. Human life begins at conception because there is simply no other point that it can begin. Therefore, abortion is not acceptable under any circumstance except in the rare and unusual instance where the life of the mother is at real risk. In this sorrowful and serious time only can an abortion be considered. Antisemitism: The Jewish people are God's chosen people. Believers should bless them as scripture says that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. The LEPC/EPC/GCEPC recant and renounce the works and words of Martin Luther concerning the Jewish people. Prayer is offered for the healing of the Jewish people, their peace and their prosperity. Prayer is offered for the peace of Jerusalem.With deep sorrow and regret repentance is offered to the Jewish People for the harm that Martin Luther caused and any contribution to their harm. Forgiveness is requested of the Jewish People for these actions.The Gospel is to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Gentiles (believers in Christ other than Jews) have been grafted into the vine. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile but the Lord's desire is that there be one new man from the two for Christ broke down the wall of separation with His own body (Ephesians 2:14-15).The LEPC/EPC/GCEPC blesses Israel and the Jewish people. Prayers are offered for the Middle East and for the salvation and peace of the Arab world. Unity of the Body of Christ: At the GCEPC, LEPC and EPC, we admonish and encourage "In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity." We share the essentials with our many Christian sisters and brothers and this is necessary to our faith and belief in Jesus Christ for salvation. Many schisms have come in the Body of Christ because of conflicts and disagreements over "non-essentials." In the non-essentials we offer liberty for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. In all things we offer charity and blessing. We are here to assist, to labor along side in the work of Our Lord Jesus Christ as we all long for His second coming. The Lord Jesus Himself first announced his salvation to us which we cannot neglect and God added His witness through signs, wonders, and the distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1-4) The Lord Jesus is the head of his Church.There are many parts but one Body. Each part of the Body of Christ has been given an assignment from the Lord to fulfill until His coming. We endeavor to complete this work in the spirit of unity and in the bonds of peace. "I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6
Sexual abuse: Incidents of s*xual abuse will be reported to civil authorities. Ministers known to be perpetrators will not be reassigned nor will known perpetrators be allowed to continue in ministry with the LEPC/GCEPC. (Core Beliefs and Position Statements may be copied if copied verbatim.) (c) GCEPC 2012
