WHAT WE BELIEVE
The program and activities governing the conduct of LEBOWAKGOMO CHRISTIAN FAMILY CHURCH are based upon, and at all times shall be consistent with, the following creed and beliefs:
1. The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. ( II Tim. 3:16, I Thess. 2:13, II Peter 1:21 ).
2. THE GODHEAD:
Our
God is One, but manifested in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal. God the Father is greater than all, the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter
( John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14 ). The Son is the Word of flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning ( John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14 ). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal
( John 15:16 ).
3. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION:
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. ( Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, John 1:1 ). Salvation is a gift from God to man, separate from the works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. ( Ephesians 2:18, ).
4. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH:
Man's first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and, when fulfilled, produces eternal life. ( II Cor.7:10, I John 5:12,
John 3:3-5 ).
5. WATER BAPTISM:
Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. ( Matt. 28.19, Romans 6:4, Col. 2:12, Acts 8:36 -39 ). The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted, to wit: "On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking
in other tongues as the Holy Spirit himself gives utterance. ( Matt. 3.11,John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 19:1-7,
Acts 2:4 ).
7. SANCTIFICATION:
The Bible teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of Salvation. ( Heb.12:14,
I Thess. 5:23, II Peter 3:18. II Cor. 3:18. Phil. 3:12-14, 1 Cor. 1:30 ).
8. DIVINE HEALING:
Healing is for physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, of the laying on of hands. It is provided for in Christ's redemption for us, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today. ( Mark 16-18, James 5:14-15,
I Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17, Isa. 53:4-5 ).
9. RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF
OUR LORD:
The angels said, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." His coming is imminent. When He comes, "The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." ( Acts1: 1-11, I Thess. 4:16-17 ).
10. HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION:
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy in the saints in the presence of God. ( Heb 9:27, Rev 19:20 ).
11. THE ORDINANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER:
The ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be observed regularly as enjoined in the Scriptures ( Luke 22:19-20, I Cor. 11:23-26 ).
