Statement of Faith
The Holy Scriptures.
We believe the Holy Scripture, the Bible, is the divinely inspired, inerrant and authoritative word of God. It is the full and complete revelation of the history and plan of redemption. It is composed of sixty-six books and divided into the Old and New Testaments. The precepts set forth in the scriptures form the foundation of our faith and beliefs.
God and the Trinity
We believe there is but one living and true God everlasting maker and preserver of all things. We do not believe in “three gods” but in one God subsisting in three persons the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the unity of this Godhead the three Persons are of one substance of eternal being, and equal in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, goodness and dignity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Genesis 1:2; Matthew 3:16, 17; John 1:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7).
Christ.
We believe the Son, of one substance with the Father, is the Word of the very and eternal God (John 1:14). He took man’s nature in the womb of the Blessed virgin (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:26-35). We believe that two whole and separate natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood were joined together in flesh, never to be divided (Philippians 2:6-9). This same Christ died on the cross and was buried as an all-sufficient atonement to reconcile us to the Father, not only for our personal transgressions, but also for the original sin (Colossians 2:8-9; Galatians 4:3).
We believe that Christ did truly rise from the dead, taking again His body, with all things pertaining to the nature of man (Luke 24:1-7; Romans 1:4). He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9, Luke 24:51) and there sits at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19).
The Blood of Jesus Christ.
We believe in the efficacy of the Blood that our Lord Jesus Christ shed on a cross as a sinless sacrifice for all mankind. His Blood is sufficient for the remission of sins, regeneration (the new birth from above), and deliverance from sin and sinning for penitent sinners who receive Him and the salvation freely offered. The blood of Jesus Christ completely cleanses the believer from all indwelling sin and from its pollution, making it possible for us to love the Lord our God (1 John 1:7-9). (Romans 3:25; 1 John 3:5-10; Ephesians 2:1-10).
Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
We believe in the imminent Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ himself. We believe His return will be premillennial (occurring before the thousand year reign of Christ). We wait and live faithfully in the anticipation of His return (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Matthew 24:29-44: 2 Timothy 4:8).
Holy Spirit.
We believe the Holy Spirit is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is the third person and executive agent of the Godhead in the dispensation of grace. We believe that He anoints the preaching of the Word, provides personal convection for sin and applies the benefits of atonement. He is our Teacher, Comforter, and Guide revealing to us the things of Christ, glorifying Christ, guiding us into all truth, and showing us things to come. We believe that all of these ministries function in accordance with the written Word of God (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-1, 13-15).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is obtainable by a definite act of faith in the fully cleansed believer. The evidence of this experience includes the speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:27). There are many more “gifts” and “fruit” of the Holy Spirit accompanying His indwelling. These are manifest in the lives of believers as the Holy Spirit sees fit to bestow them (Galatians 5:22-23; Eph 5:9; Acts 2:42).
This great blessing is available to all believers whose hearts are cleansed from sin by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). The Temple of God is Holy, but if the Temple is defiled that person will be destroyed rather than filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).
Moreover, we believe that to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power and indwelling, one must continually live a clean and consecrated life, free from sin, strife, worldliness and pride. These attitudes and actions tend to “grieve” or “quench” the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-32; Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Salvation by Faith Alone
We believe, teach, and firmly maintain the Scripture Doctrine of justification by faith alone (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:4-7). Salvation is accomplished solely and exclusively on the basis of our faith in the shed blood, resurrection and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not believe that any sort or degree of good works can procure our salvation. We are not saved by, but unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). We maintain that good works are a fruit or product of salvation. When we believe on Jesus Christ as our Savior, our sins are pardoned, we are justified, and we enter into His state of righteousness, not our own (Romans 4:22, 25; 8:1-4).
The Future of Believers and Unbelievers.
We believe that through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, there is eternal life for those who have faith in Him (John 3:14-16, 36); Christ has prepared a place for His own with Him and the Father in Heaven (John 14:1-3). This is portion the reward for the faithful and righteous (1 Corinthians 2:9).
We must also believe, in accordance with the consistent teaching of the Holy Scriptures, that everlasting banishment from the presence of the Lord and unending torment in Hell are the wages of the unrepentant, sinful and persistently wicked Psalms 9:17; Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 18:9; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:7,8).
Purposeful Creation.
We believe that God purposefully created all things just as the Bible states in the first chapter of Genesis, and that all things were created for His pleasure.
We believe that man is a special and unique creation, separate from the rest of creation. Man was created in God’s image, formed from the dust of the earth. God breathed the breath of life into man so that he became a living soul. We believe that man was created to be with God and live a life of service to Him. God gave man the great responsibility of keeping charge over the earth until Christ’s Second Coming. (Genesis 1; 2:7, 15; Isaiah 45:12; Revelation 4:11).
We completely oppose the false theory of evolution. We believe evolution has failed to provide any real answers for life’s questions or produce any evidence that the theory is even possible, much less true. We believe nature itself offers evidence of the intelligent design of a perfect creator. That creator is God.
Healing.
We believe provision was made in the atonement for the healing of Physical ailments. While we in no way discourage or condemn the use of medical means in the treatment for ailments, we do believe in and practice the lying on of hands by the elders of the church, the anointing with oil and the offering of prayers for the healing of the sick, always in the name of the Lord as instructed by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; 9:1-8; Mark 16:15-18; James 5:14-16; Exodus 15:26).
The Great Commission.
We are commanded to go into all the nations and teach the people all of God’s ways and everything that Christ taught us. We are to teach them the difference between the holy and profane. This is especially important when it comes to our children, the future of the church.
We believe it is the responsibility of every believer to dedicate his life to carrying out the work of this Great Commission. We can never be content just experiencing Christ for ourselves. We must also be involved in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to others. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ezekiel 44:23; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 1:8).
Human Sexuality.
We believe the only legitimate marriage sanctioned by God is the joining of one naturally born man and one naturally born woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other, and has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s gender, or disagreement with one’s biological gender, is sinful and offensive to God.
Covenant of Commitment
Liberty Temple is committed to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. This commitment involves a Biblical lifestyle. Therefore, we hold ourselves to the standards that God has placed before us in the Holy Bible.
We believe in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). The Bible is God’s infallible Word, the Believer’s guide, and the final authority for both faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). All persons who accept the responsibilities of membership or are credentialed ministers of Liberty Temple shall subscribe to this same position.
We believe that the top priority of ALL Christians is “to be well pleasing to God” (2 Corinthians 5:9). Every facet of our lives must come under divine authority as we relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. Our worth to God Publicly is measured by what we are in private. Our primary goal must be to please Him and be acceptable to Him.
OUR MINDS
Since it is our aim “to please God” in everything we do, we will strive to keep our minds pure and positive, avoiding all evils in our modern society which are designed to weaken or destroy our spirituality (Philippians 4:7, 8). This must include a sensitivity to carefully judge the television, movie, music, and computer industries. Profane and pornographic materials will have no place in our lives. We hold a deep commitment to the study of the Bible.
OUR BODIES
We commit ourselves to maintaining a disciplined lifestyle with regard to our bodies. Since our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and instruments of righteousness (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 6:13), we must keep our Bodies pure and consecrated for the Master’s use that we might please Him (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
We expect our members to abstain from the abuse of alcoholic Beverages and the use and promotion of tobacco, and any illegal addictive drugs, as well as addictive legal drugs, over-the-counter or prescribed, except under the supervision of a physician (2 Corinthians 7:1). We affirm every human being’s right to life, and we maintain a strong position against abortion and euthanasia based on a secular quality-of-life principle that undermines the Biblical sacredness-of-life principles. Furthermore, we oppose the withholding of nutrition and hydration (food and water in any form or through any route. We oppose humans cloning. We recognize the destructive and dehumanizing effects of pornography on society, and we oppose both its production and its distribution. People bound by this sin can find hope and deliverance in the Gospel. We maintain a strong Biblical position against premarital, extramarital, and deviant sex, including homosexual and lesbian relationships.
We do not accept the loose moral standards of our society (Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
OUR SPIRITS
Our aim “to please God” in our whole life will cause us to exhibit the “mind of Christ” in all our attitudes (1 Corinthians 2:12-16). Brotherly love, as taught and exemplified by Christ, is to be our example. Members are to be compassionate and charitable toward their fellow man. The greed and selfishness that motivate much of our modern culture is contrary to our Christian love for one another. Hatred, prejudice and hostility are inconsistent with our goal – to please God (Philippians 2:5-11).
OUR SPEECH
Our speech reveals much about us (Matthew 12:34-37). The Christian should be known by his wholesome conversation. Our members are to refrain from speaking anything that is unclean, untrue, unkind, or unprofitable. To please God, we must make sure our communication affirms, rather than hinders, our testimony (Romans 12:1, 2).
OUR RELATIONSHIPS
The believer’s commitment to pleasing God stands above his commitment to any political party, economic structure, or social institution. All commitments are governed by the highest commitment – to please God. All members are to be honest and ethical in all their relationships (Romans 12:17).
We expect our members to abstain from fellowshipping with or holding active membership in organizations with objectives and activities not in harmony with the scriptures, or any which require oath-bound allegiance that infringes on a member’s total allegiance to God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11). No goal shall divert us, even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being “approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2: 15).
OUR FAMILIES
The family is the basic unit of society. The divine origin of the family makes it of vital concern to the church and to society. Our commitment to a Biblical lifestyle profoundly impacts the family. We give priority to the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and to the Biblical pattern of relationship in the home. While the husband is recognized as the head of the home, he is also commanded to love and cherish his wife as his own body. Wives are to respect and honor their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-28).
Parents are to teach and correct their children, but at the same time refrain from provoking them to anger and resentment (Ephesians 6:1-4). Children are to respect and obey their parents. Christian families should worship together, play together, and work together. The relationship in the Christian family should reflect the healing Christ brings to all human relationships.
OUR STEWARDSHIP
Our commitment to Jesus Christ includes stewardship. According to the Bible, everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). We are stewards of His resources and conscious of Him in the management of that trust. Our stewardship of possessions begins with the tithe (Malachi 3:8-10). All our members are privileged and responsible to return a tenth of their income to the Lord. This tithe is to be paid into the “storehouse”. This storehouse is the treasury of the church in which this member belongs. In addition to the tithe, all members are blessed to give offerings out of the ninety percent of God’s wealth He allows them to use (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Stewardship also involves the protection of our reputation. Therefore, we are to be honest in all matters, avoiding unethical personal or business practices of any kind, including addictive gambling. Stewardship also includes our time, talent, and spiritual gifts (Ephesians 5:16; Romans 12:3-8; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27).
OUR LOYALTY
Loyalty to Christ and His church are basic to the success of Liberty Temple. The faithful participation of every member, both lay and clergy, in the various ministries of the church is necessary if Liberty Temple is to fulfill the mission that God has given this church. Loyalty involves commitment to all the ministries of the church. Since leaders should be role models, all those in leadership of Liberty Temple should set an example by their faithfulness in supporting the ministries of the church.
Loyalty involves a positive attitude toward and positive conversations about the church and its ministries. The morale of the church requires the positive affirmation of leaders and ministries. While negative criticism tears the church apart (Galatians 5:12-26), positive affirmation builds it up (Ephesians 4:16). We oppose the increasing commercialization and secularization of Sunday. Loyalty involves financial support. Faithfulness in tithe and offerings is essential to the prosperity of God’s people (Malachi 3:8-12).
This covenant of commitment is intended as a guideline for all our members not a system for monitoring or judging one another. Neither is this Covenant of Commitment to be considered an exhaustive statement concerning a Biblical lifestyle. The Bible both Old and New Testaments is our complete and final authority. A careful, conscientious, and continual study of God’s Word will reveal to the believer a growing understanding of what it means to live worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus.
Any member having difficulty in following a Biblical lifestyle or this Covenant of Commitment should be given loving nurture and patient instruction in order to lead him to maturity and restoration, if needed (Galatians 6:1,2). There are times when, in spite of every effort to nurture and restore a member, no alternative but excommunication can be found. When a member refuses to heed the loving admonitions of the church to follow a Christian lifestyle, he/she may be excommunicated from the fellowship of the church. However, excommunication is a last resort, and is administered only in flagrant cases of heresy, divisiveness, or immorality (Matthew 18:15-17; Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
The primary purpose for this commitment to a disciplined lifestyle is to strengthen the position of our members in their aim to please God as great Commission Christians, thus firmly establishing Liberty Temple as a Great Commission movement. We feel Liberty Temple is vital part in world evangelism. Our aim is to lead our people toward their primary goal of pleasing Christ, which will result in the multiplication of believers and churches.