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Statement of Faith Living Faith Baptist Church upholds the 1689 London Baptist Confessional. From the time of the Apostles, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. At LFBC, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error. |
Heroes Who Influenced the Baptist Faith
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Charles Spurgeon was
a
British
Reformed Baptist
preacher who remains highly influential among
Christians of different
denominations, among
whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." He
also founded the charity organization now known as
Spurgeon's, that works
worldwide with families and children, as well as a
famous theological college which after his death was
called after him:
Spurgeon's College.
Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works
including sermons, an autobiography, a commentary, books
on prayer, a devotional, a magazine, and more. Many
sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated
into many languages during his lifetime. Arguably, no
other author, Christian or otherwise, has more material
in print than C.H. Spurgeon.
Popular Writings
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John Gill stands as one of the most important and yet misunderstood of our Baptist forefathers. His spirituality and intellect were only matched by the intensity with which others loved him or reviled him. Tom Nettles says of Gill, "He has doubtless been judged more harshly and even maliciously than any man of comparable repute in Baptist history." How could one man demand such respect and at the same time engender such hard feelings? His first pastoral work was as an intern assisting John Davis at Higham Ferrers in 1718 at age twenty one. He was subsequently called to pastor the Strict Baptist church at Goat Yard Chapel, Horsleydown, Southwark in 1719. In 1757, his congregation needed larger premises and moved to a Carter Lane, St. Olave’s Street, Southwark. His pastorate lasted 51 years. This Baptist Church was once pastored by Benjamin Keach and would later become the New Park Street Chapel and then the Metropolitan Tabernacle pastored by Charles Spurgeon.
Popular Writings
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John Calvin was an
influential
French
theologian during the
Protestant Reformation
who expounded a system of reformed Christian theology
later referred to as
Calvinism. Originally
trained to be a
humanist lawyer, he
experienced a sudden conversion to the reformed faith in
the 1520s. After a violent uprising against Protestants
in France, he was forced to flee to
Basel,
Switzerland, where in
1536 he published the first edition of his seminal work,
Institutes of the Christian
Religion.
Calvin was invited by another reformer, William Farel, to help carry out the work of reforming the church in Geneva. However, the city council resisted implementing Calvin and Farel's ideas and consequently they were expelled. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg where he became the minister of a church of French refugees. There he met and married his wife, Idelette de Bure. Calvin continued to support the reform movement in Geneva and he was eventually invited back to lead its church. Upon his return, he introduced new forms of church government and liturgy. Several powerful families in the city opposed his reforms and tried to curb his authority. Following new elections to the council, Calvin’s authority over the church was no longer questioned.
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John Bunyan was the most famous of the Puritan writers and preachers. He was born at Harrowden (1 mile south-east of Bedford), in the Parish of Elstow, England. He is most well-know for his book “The Pilgrim's Progress”, one of the most printed books in history, which he composed while in prison for the crime of preaching the Gospel without a license. Bunyan became a popular preacher as well as a prolific author, though most of his works consist of expanded sermons. Though a Baptist preacher, in theology he was a Puritan.
The Pilgrim's
Progress is arguably one of the most widely known
allegories ever
written, and has been extensively translated.
Protestant
missionaries commonly
translated it as the first thing after the
Bible.
Popular Writings
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1689 London Baptist Confessional
All who join LFBC are required to affirm the LFBC Statement of Faith. This statement registers our belief in historic Christianity, evangelical Christianity, believer’s baptism, and congregational polity. Once we as members agree to the statement, we are responsible for believing and living in accordance with it.
II. Of The True God
We believe that there is one,
and only one, living and true
God, an infinite, intelligent
Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH,
the Maker and Supreme Ruler of
heaven and earth; inexpressibly
glorious in holiness, and worthy
of all possible honor,
confidence, and love; that in
the unity of the Godhead there
are three persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
equal in every divine
perfection, and executing
distinct but harmonious offices
in the great work of redemption.
III. Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that Man was created
in holiness, under the law of
his Maker; but by voluntary
transgression fell from that
holy and happy state; in
consequence of which all mankind
are now sinners, not by
constraint but choice; 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.
IV. Of The Way Of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of
sinners is wholly of grace;
through the mediatorial offices
of the Son of God; who by the
appointment of the Father,
freely took upon him our nature,
yet without sin; honored the
divine law by his personal
obedience, and by his death made
a full atonement for our sins;
that having risen from the dead
he is now enthroned in heaven;
and 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.
V. Of Justification
We believe that the great Gospel
blessing which Christ secures to
such as believe in Him is
Justification; that
Justification includes the
pardon of sin, and the promise
of eternal life on principles of
righteousness; that it is
bestowed, not in consideration
of any works of righteousness
which we have done, but solely
through faith in the Redeemer's
blood; by virtue of which 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.
VI. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of
salvation are made free to all
by the gospel; that it is the
immediate duty of all to accept
them by a cordial, penitent, and
obedient faith; and that nothing
prevents the salvation of the
greatest sinner on earth, but
his own inherent depravity and
voluntary rejection of the
gospel; which rejection involves
him in an aggravated
condemnation.
VII. Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be
saved, sinners must be
regenerated, or born again; that
regeneration consists in giving
a holy disposition to the mind;
that it is effected in a manner
above our comprehension by the
power of the Holy Spirit, in
connection with divine truth, so
as to secure our voluntary
obedience to the gospel; and
that its proper evidence appears
in the holy fruits of
repentance, and faith, and
newness of life.
VIII. Of Repentance And Faith
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 unfeigned
contrition, confession, and
supplication for mercy; 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.
IX. Of God's Purpose Of Grace
We believe that Election is the
eternal purpose of God,
according to which He graciously
regenerates, sanctifies, and
saves sinners; that being
perfectly consistent with the
free agency of man, it
comprehends all the means in
connection with the end; that it
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;
that it 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.
X. Of Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification
is the process by which,
according to the will of God, we
are made partakers of his
holiness; that it is a
progressive work; that it is
begun in regeneration; and 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, self-examination,
self-denial, watchfulness and
prayer.
XI. Of The Perseverance Of
Saints
We believe that such only are
real believers as endure unto
the end; that their persevering
attachment to Christ is the
grand mark which distinguishes
them from superficial
professors; that a special
Providence watches over their
welfare; and they are kept by
the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
XII. 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;
that it is holy, just, and good;
and 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.
XIII. Of A Gospel 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; that its
only scriptural officers are
Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons,
whose qualifications, claims,
and duties are defined in the
Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. 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 Ghost; 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; that
it is pre-requisite to the
privileges of a church relation;
and to the Lord's Supper, in
which the members of the church
by the sacred use of bread and
wine, are to commemorate
together the dying love of
Christ; preceded always by
solemn self-examination.
XV. Of The Christian Sabbath
We believe that the first day of
the week is the Lord's Day, or
Christian Sabbath; and is to be
kept sacred to religious
purposes by preparation for that
rest that remaineth for the
people of God.
XVI. Of Civil Government
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 the Prince of the kings of
the earth.
XVII. Of The Righteous And The
Wicked
We believe that there is a
radical and essential difference
between the righteous and the
wicked; that such only as
through faith are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and
sanctified by the Spirit of our
God, are truly righteous in His
esteem; while all such as
continue in impenitence and
unbelief are in His sight
wicked, and under the curse; and
this distinction holds among men
both in and after death.
XVIII. Of The World To Come
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
retribution; that a solemn
separation will then take place;
that the wicked will be adjudged
to endless punishment, and the
righteous to endless joy; and
that this judgment will fix
forever the final state of men
in heaven or hell, on principles
of righteousness.
Preaching the Doctrines of Grace
We may invigorate our faith and renew our courage by reflecting that divine power has always attended the preaching of doctrine, when done in the true spirit of preaching. Great revivals have accompanied the heroic preaching of the doctrines of grace, predestination, election, and that whole lofty mountain range of doctrines upon which Jehovah sits enthroned, sovereign in grace as in all else. God honors the preaching that honors him. There is entirely too much milk-sop preaching nowadays, trying to cajole sinners to enter upon a truce with their Maker, quit sinning, and join the church. The situation does not call for a truce, but for a surrender. Let us bring out the heavy artillery of heaven, and thunder away at this stuck-up age as Whitfield, Edwards, Spurgeon, and Paul did, and there will be many slain of the Lord raised up to walk in newness of life.
People after all, want to hear preaching with substance in it. The truth was made for human hearts as certainly as bread was made for human mouths. A ministry strong and tender, true to the Word of God, will never be a slighted ministry. I am deeply convinced that there should be a return to doctrinal preaching, taking care to keep clear of the faults of the professional religious pugilist. This is true with respect to doctrine in general; it is specially true of the doctrines which Baptists are peculiarly bound to hold aloft before the world.
J. B. Gambrell (early SBC statesman)
Charles
Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
John
Gill (1697-1771)
John
Calvin (1509-1564)
John
Bunyan (1628-1688)