What We Believe
A Basic Summary of our Theological Distinctives:
We are a Christian church. Along with Christians worldwide, we affirm the basic tenets of the Christian faith as taught in Scripture and summarized by the Apostle's Creed.
We are a Protestant church. We trace our theological heritage through the Protestant Reformation, which re-established Scripture alone as the foundation for all Christian belief and practice (Sola Scriptura). We believe that Scripture is inspired by God, and thus is wholly without error.
We cheerfully affirm the Protestant summary of the Gospel: that sinful men and women can be justified by grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide) in Christ alone (Solus Christus).
We are a Baptist church. Though not affiliated with any denomination, we hold to a Baptist view of the church and the ordinances. We believe Baptism may only be administered to those who profess faith in Christ.
The LBC Church Covenant lays out the responsibilities members of our fellowship have towards one another. This should give you a picture of the kind of church family we strive to be. Listen to teaching on the importance of the covenant here.
Our Church Covenant:
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to consider our bodies the temples of the Holy Spirit and to seek to avoid any physical, mental, or social abuse which would destroy or hinder its effective service for Christ; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant, and the principles of God's Word.
The LBC Church Confession is a summary of the teaching of our church, and is adhered to by our Elders. Our Confession is an adapted form of the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833.
Click the section titles to hear teaching on each section.
Our Church Confession:
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men who were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction.
We believe that Scripture has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter.
We believe that Scripture reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth.
We believe that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love.
We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
We believe that mankind was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state.
We believe that in consequence of the fall, all mankind are now sinners; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial offices of Jesus, the Son of God;
We believe that this Jesus, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin; that He honored the divine law by His personal obedience; that by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven;
We believe that uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with Divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures for those who believe in him is justification;
We believe that justification includes the pardon of sin, the gift of Christ’s righteousness, and the promise of eternal life;
We believe that justification is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; that through our faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
6. Of the Freeness of Salvation.
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all who would come by the Gospel;
We believe that it is the immediate duty of all to accept these Gospel blessings by a sincere, repentant, and obedient faith;
We believe that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel.
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again;
We believe that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind and heart; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with the word of God, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;
We believe that the proper evidence of regeneration appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine contrition, confession and supplication for mercy (repentance); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (faith).
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners;
We believe that election is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, and that it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;
We believe that election is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree;
We believe that election may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness;
We believe that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration;
We believe that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means- especially the Word of God, the Ordinances, the ministry of the Church, fasting and prayer.
11. Of Perseverance of the Saints.
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end:
We believe that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from those with superficial professions of faith;
We believe that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
12. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel.
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; We believe that the law is holy, just and good;
We believe that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word;
We believe that its only Scriptural officers are elders (also called bishops or pastors) and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
14. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life;
We believe that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, and ordinarily to the Lord's Supper;
We believe that in the Lord’s Supper the members of the church by the sacred use of the bread and the cup, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day;
We believe that the Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance; that on it we commemorate the resurrection of Christ from the dead with exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private;
We believe that activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and Lord over the kings of the earth.
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final judgment;
We believe that a separation will then take place; that the wicked will be sentenced to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy;
We believe that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
18. Of Humanity and Human Sexuality.
We believe that man and woman were created in the image of God, and as such all human beings possess inherent value and dignity from conception unto eternity.
We believe that marriage has been instituted and defined by God as a binding covenant relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of their mutual benefit, the procreation and nurture of their children, and the showing forth of Christ’s love for the Church in the husband’s loving headship of His wife.
We believe that any expression of human sexuality outside the bounds of marriage is sin and fails to realize God’s good design.