LAKEWAY BAPTIST CORE BELIEFS

God

God is creator and manager of the universe. There is only one living and true God. He is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere. He reveals himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are coequal as one God.

• Genesis 1:1-27; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the perfect representation of the Father in human form, both fully human and fully God. He was born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. In death, He was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. He rose from the dead after three days to represent His power over death! A short time later, ascended to Heaven where He reigns. It’s only through Jesus that we have salvation, not through anything we do. He will return one day and is the only way for people to be reconciled to God.

• Matthew 1:22-23; John 14:6; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15, Ephesians 2:8-9

Holy Spirit

He lives within every Christ Follower to inspire, guide, convict of sin, and give abilities and spiritual gifts for carrying out the work of the church. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truths. As followers of Jesus, we seek to live under His control each day.

• John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 6:25; Ephesians 1:13

Man

We believe that God created us in His image, male (man) and female (woman), creating them sexually and biologically different, but with equal personal dignity and value (Genesis 1:26-28). We believe that God ordained marriage as the union between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:18;21-23, Matthew 19:4-9; Ephesians 5:31-33). Those who accept and live within God’s design for marriage experience the blessing of His good design (Psalm 1:1-3, 128:1-4), and decisions to change, alter or modify God’s will in marriage, are a part of man’s brokenness which leads to despair. (Romans 1:21-22; James 1:13-15). HOWEVER, we completely believe that God loves and pursues mankind despite our rebellion (Romans 5:8). He offers grace, forgiveness, healing and a full life to anyone who turns to Him in humility. (John 3:17, 10:10; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 1 John

1:9). Scripture The Bible is the historical revelation of God's activity for humanity, the authority of God to teach, guide, correct, train, and save. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit, is truth without error, and is complete in revealing the will of God.

• Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Salvation

Salvation is God reconciling humanity to Himself through His son, Jesus Christ. The solution to overcoming the death penalty of sin is to acknowledge the need for God, turn from sin, believe that Christ is Savior once and for all, and publicly confess Jesus as Lord. There is no other way to mend your relationship with God through good works, only through faith. Salvation occurs immediately after one surrenders their life to Jesus and it can never be taken away or lost.

• John 1:12; John 14:6; Romans 6:23 Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:11-12; Hebrews 13:5

Baptism

Baptism is the first step of our Christian life and is an outward expression of an inward change and commitment that has occurred in our life. Baptism symbolizes Christians death and resurrection through immersion into water. It is an act of obedience as Christ was baptized by immersion. Baptism is not a means of salvation. Only faith alone through Jesus Christ brings Salvation.

• Matthew 3:13-16; Matthew 28:19-20

Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. The bread and cup represent the body and blood of Christ. Those who have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord participate in the Lord's Supper during these observances.

• Matthew 26:26-28

Church

The Church is made up of different people with different abilities and talents who have accepted Christ.

Responsibilities of the church are worship, prayer, stewardship, evangelism, discipleship, missions, service and

practice of spiritual gifts.

• Acts 2:44-47; 1Corinthians 12:12-13