THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED

We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error. It is the supreme and final authority for all matters in the belief and life of a Christian (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26). 
 

GOD IS TRIUNE

We believe there is one true and living God, a loving creator who eternally exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are equal in every divine perfection and who execute distinct but harmonious offices in all the work of the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29; Luke 1:35; 1 Peter 1:1-2). 

MAN

We believe that God created man in His own image and for a meaningful relationship with Him, but through his sin incurred physical and spiritual death. As a result, all people are separated from God and are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ. (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 1:21-23; Rom. 5:12-21)

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His substitutionary death on our behalf, His physical resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His ultimate, victorious return (John 1:1,14, 20:28; 1Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1Timothy 2:5).

THE GOSPEL

We believe the Gospel is the good news of God’s loving and saving actions towards people through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, took on human nature, lived a sinless life, and died a substitutionary death on the cross for all who believe. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Thess. 1:10; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21-25)

JESUS' BLOOD

We believe the Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse and remove mankind of the sinful nature. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).

MAN'S RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL

We believe salvation is a free gift, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. Salvation comes only by God’s love and grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Anyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus Christ and His death on their behalf receives forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. (Eph. 1:4-8; Acts 2:38-39; Mark 13:10-11; James 2:26; Luke 9:23)

JESUS CHRIST INDWELLS ALL BELIEVERS

We believe Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They surrender the authority of their lives over to him thus making Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (John 1:12; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelations 3:20).

SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Holy Spirit works to transform believers more and more into the image of Christ. “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” Ephesians 4:13 His work is carried on in our hearts and mind through such appointed means as the study of Scripture, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. The Holy Spirit also empowers believers for Christian witness and service and gives gifts for the building up of the body of Christ, the church. (Eph. 5:1-2; Phil. 3:16; 1 Thess. 4:3-8; Gal. 5:22-26; Matt. 5:16; Col 3:16-17)

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension and given at Pentecost, was to empower the church to be His witnesses and to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth and do mighty works(Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).

THE CHURCH

We believe the universal church, composed of genuine followers of Christ, exists to worship, serve, and glorify God.  All members of the universal church are to be vitally committed members of a local church, where they receive pastoral care and the opportunity to employ their God-given gifts in His service. (1 Peter 2:9; Mark 16:15-18; Mark 13:10; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:11-16; Romans 16:1-2)

TWO SACRAMENTS

We believe in water baptism by immersion for the believer; that once a person receives Christ as Savior, the first command is to obey Him by baptism. Baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a public demonstration of an internal reality. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:4)

We believe in the Lord's Supper as a unique time of communion in the presence of God; when the elements of bread and grape juice, which represents the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, are taken in remembrance of Jesus' death on the Cross. We do not embrace the idea of transubstantiation. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; 1Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)

HEALING OF THE SICK

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus' work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29)

GOD'S WILL FOR PROVISION

It is the Father's will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall of mankind, many may not receive the full benefits of God's will while on Earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ's provision in order to better enjoy life and serve others.

1. Spiritual (John 3:3-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10). 

2. Mental and Emotional (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3). 

3. Physical (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24). 

4. Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy
   28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19). 

RESURRECTION

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of eternal life and those that are lost to the resurrection of separation and judgement (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21- 23, 3:21).

HEAVEN

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4).

HELL

After living one life on earth, people who have not trusted in Jesus will be judged by God and sent to Hell with the Devil and the Fallen Angels (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8).

SECOND COMING

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).

LOVE

We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who sinful lifestyle. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly; while speaking the truth of the gospel in love. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to resist sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in sin. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18; Eph. 4:15)

CREATION

We believe that the Genesis account of creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of God’s creation of the universe. We reject evolution as an unscriptural and Godless theory of origin.  (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)

SATAN

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. If we resist him, he will flee from us.  (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10; James 4:7)

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state.  Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other.  The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.  (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)

HUMAN SEXUALITY

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage betwen one man and one woman. We believes God does not desire that any to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, lesbianism, transgender, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, pornography, and same sex marriage are sinful distortions of God’s gift of sex. We therefore reject any and all forms of sexual sin which oppose the values and beliefs of LifeShare Church and can result in the termination of staff or volunteer members from serving in the church.  Also, LifeShare can refuse membership and employment to those who violate the Faith of the Church. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man, born as a man, and one woman, born as a woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural encouragement. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)

DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE

We believe that God intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce should never be the first option, but married couples should seek to reconcile. As hurtful as divorce is to the individual and children, we believe God’s compassion and the love of the local church can bring restoration. Once healed and proven faithful, divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service or leadership in the church and be greatly used of God. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6) 

ABORTION & EUTHANASIA

We are all created by God, as His image-bearers, and all life is a sacred gift from God and begins at conception. Life is to be unaltered by abortion, but allowed to follow the natural process of development through birth and beyond. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44; Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)

CHURCH PLANTING AND MISSIONS

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel locally and to all nations, primarily by planting churches, so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)

GIVING  

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support financially his local church. We believe that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of this local churches mission, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his/her tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1John 3:17)

STEWARDSHIP

We believe in faithfulness in the stewardship of gifts, endowments, and talents entrusted by the Creator. God has called the Church to be wise stewards over land, buildings, grounds, finances, ministries, outreach, and the souls of mankind; that church leaders are to lead by example and that each individual will be held accountable to God for entrustments. (Luke 12:48; 16:1-8; James 1:17)