Lamb’s Acres Ministries

Statement of Faith

ABOUT GOD

We acknowledge the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the Creator and sole Ruler of the universe: perfect in all His attributes, and intimately acquainted with all our ways.  He exists eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1: 1, 26, 27; Genesis 3: 22; Deuteronomy 6: 4; Psalm 90: 2; Matthew 28: 19; John 1: 1, 14; Acts 5: 3, 4; I Corinthians 8: 6; I Peter 1: 2

The Father

God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace.  He is co-equal with the Holy Spirit and the Son as God.  He is the Creator of all things.  He is the Source of the Word [Logos] and the Begetter, Who sent His Son to save mankind.  His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind.  As Creator, He is Father to all mankind, but He is Spiritual Father only to believers.

Psalm 145: 8, 9; I Corinthians 8: 6; Genesis 1: 1-31; Ephesians 3: 9; Ephesians 4: 6; Romans 8: 14; II Corinthians 6: 18; John 14: 28; John 16: 28; John 1: 14

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit as God.  He is the Word and the Begotten.  He lived a sinless human life and made Himself an offering [the perfect sacrifice] for the sins of all mankind [past, present & future] by dying on a cross [the style or type of cross has no doctrinal bearing for us].  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return to claim His people for their eternal reward in Heaven.

Matthew 1: 22, 23; Isaiah 9: 6; John 1: 1-5; John 14: 10-30; Hebrews 4: 14, 15; I Corinthians 15: 3, 4; Romans 1: 3, 4; Acts 1: 9-11; I Timothy 6: 14, 15; Titus 2: 13

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God.  He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance for righteous living.  It is He who reveals God’s Truth and convicts mankind of its need for Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 3: 17; John 16: 7-13; John 14: 6, 7; Acts 1: 8; I Corinthians 2: 12; I Corinthians 3: 16; Ephesians 1: 13; Galatians 5: 25; Ephesians 5: 1

ABOUT THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it is His message to all mankind.  All words of knowledge, wisdom, tongues and prophecy must therefore affirm or be affirmed through the Bible.  Human authors, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, penned the words under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because God inspired it, it is truth without any mixture of error.

II Timothy 3: 16, 17; II Peter 1: 20, 21; II Timothy 1: 13; Psalm 119: 105, 160; Psalm 12: 6; Proverbs 30: 5

ABOUT MANKIND

We are all made in the image of God [our spiritual nature], to be like Him in character.  We are the highest design of God’s creation.  We believe that Adam's fall into sin left humanity without the hope of heaven apart from a new birth, made possible only by our Savior's death and bodily resurrection.  We believe that the goodness of mankind is marred by its propensity for disobedience to God’s will.  Apart from Christ, this nature separates us from God.

Genesis 1: 27; Psalm 8: 3-6; Isaiah 53: 6; Romans 3: 23; Isaiah 59: 1, 2

Salvation

We believe that salvation is God's free gift of love to all who accept it by faith.  Those who trust in Christ by faith are a new creation in Him – covered by His righteousness and indwelt by the Holy Spirit; they are loved and fully accepted by God.  Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith.

Romans 6: 23; Ephesians 2: 8, 9; John 14: 6; John 1: 12; Titus 3: 5; Galatians 3: 26; Romans 5: 1

Eternity

We believe that mankind was created to exist forever.  Those who have accepted God’s forgiveness and salvation will live eternally with God.  Those who have rejected God’s grace will face eternal punishment and separation from God.  The place of eternal union and eternal life with God is called Heaven.  The place of eternal punishment and separation from God is called Hell.

John 3: 16; Romans 6: 23; Revelation 20: 15; Matthew 25: 41 (Hell); Matthew 25: 34; Revelation 21: 27 (Heaven)

Judgement

We believe that Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind.  Believers will be judged for their works and faithfulness, not for salvation but for reward.  Living inhabitants of the earth will be judged at His glorious return for eternal punishment or eternal glory.  Unbelieving dead will be judged at the Great White Throne.

As the mediator between God and man, as the head of His body [the church], and as the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David, Jesus Christ is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior.

Isaiah 9: 6, 7; Ezekiel 37: 24-28; Matthew 25: 14-46; Luke 1: 31-33; John 5: 22, 23; Acts 17: 30, 31; I Corinthians 3: 10-15; II Corinthians 5: 10; Ephesians 1: 22; Ephesians 5: 23; Colossians 1: 18; I Timothy 2: 5; Revelation 20: 11-15

ABOUT THE CHURCH

As believers, we are members of Christ’s universal church.  The local church is the place God has designed for His people to worship Him, fellowship with other believers, observe His ordinances and effect positive growth in our Christian walks.  The Church is the living body [image] of Christ on earth, Jesus Christ being the head.

I Peter 2: 9; I Corinthians 10: 32; I Corinthians 12: 13; I Timothy 3: 15; Colossians 1: 13, 18; Ephesians 1: 22-23; Ephesians 2: 19-22; Ephesians 5: 23-32; Hebrews 10: 25

Stewardship

We believe that everything we are and possess belongs to God, but we are to be faithful and diligent stewards of the resources He entrusts into our care.  These resources include the earth, other living creatures, natural resources, material possessions, talents, gifts, time, and each other.  While we acknowledge that tithing, as described in the Old Testament, does not specifically relate to the church, we believe that “gifts” and “offerings” are a measure of obedience to the scriptural principles of stewardship.  In addition, we believe that the shepherd(s) of the church is/are worthy of his/their keep by the church.

Genesis 1: 26-30; Genesis 2: 2, 3; Genesis 2: 18-24; Genesis 7: 2-5; Psalm 8: 6; Psalm 24: 1; Proverbs 12: 10; Proverbs 27: 23;

Accountability

We believe that God expects our lives to reflect His image to the world and each other.  Though we are not perfect, nor do we expect to achieve perfection in this world, we believe that every believer is accountable for pursuing a righteous life.  Holiness and obedience to His Word is God's standard of living for His people.  As such, Christians must submit themselves to those whom God has placed in authority over them AND to each other as fellow-believers.

Proverbs 17: 17; Proverbs 27: 6; Ecclesiastes 4: 9, 10; Ezekiel 34: 1-16; John 17: 11-13; I Thessalonians 5: 11; James 5: 16;

Body Ministry

We believe that the Church Body heals, encourages, admonishes and meets the needs of its individual members as the Holy Spirit Directs.  We utilize the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil by the elders of the church as viable tools for healing and fortification.

Romans 12: 4-13; I Corinthians 12: 4-12; Ephesians 4: 11-16; Philippians 2: 1-4; James 5: 14-16; Mark 6: 5; Luke 4: 40; 13: 13; Acts 28: 8

Leadership

We believe that God appoints leaders over His church to help direct His flock.  The New Testament teaches a model of “council leadership” in which a group of leaders jointly tend the flock.  Within this structure, there is a shepherding pastor who presides over the leadership and provides vision and direction.  All members of the Leadership Council are pastors.

We believe in the appointment of deacons to tend to the practical needs of the body.  Deacons function under the direct oversight of a pastor and serve as heads of ministry.

Those whom God has placed in authority over His church have a higher responsibility and, therefore, a higher accountability to both God and the church.

Matthew 28: 18-20; Acts 6: 1-4; Acts 15: 1-6; Acts 20: 28; Ephesians 4: 11-13; I Timothy 3: 1-10; II Timothy 2: 15; Titus 1: 5-9; Hebrews 13: 17; James 3: 1; I Peter 5: 2; Jeremiah 23: 1, 2;

Gifts of the Spirit

We believe that the gifts of the Spirit, as outlined in the Bible, are viable and available to every believer today.  Although the Bible lists certain gifts specifically, we do not believe the gifts of the Spirit are necessarily limited to those mentioned.  Prominent gifts include:

I Corinthians 12: 8-11; I Peter 4: 11; Ephesians 4; Romans 12; Isaiah 11: 1-5; James 1: 5; James 4: 6; Philippians 4: 7; Hebrews 4: 1,9; I Corinthians 7: 7

Evangelism

We believe that the Lord commands us to make Christ known to non-Christians in our sphere of influence.  Evangelism is therefore the obligation of every follower of Jesus Christ.  Though not all are called to evangelize to the uttermost ends of the world, we are all called to share Christ within our families and our places of work and social interaction.  We also believe that the Holy Spirit directs and empowers as the need calls – so long as we are faithful to heed His call.

Matthew 10: 16-20; 28: 19, 20; Mark 13: 5-11; Luke 24: 46-48; Acts 1: 8; I Peter 2: 9

Water Baptism

We believe in the ordinance of water baptism by immersion in obedience to the Word of God. All those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior should be baptized in water as a public profession of their faith in Christ and to experience what the Bible calls the "circumcision of the Spirit."  We DO NOT teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation; but it is a commanded ordinance that makes public our confession of Christ.

Matthew 28: 19; Mark 16: 16; Acts 2: 38; Acts 19: 48; Acts 8: 36-38; Romans 6: 4;

Communion

We believe in the ordinance of communion as commanded by our Lord.  Christians partake as a fulfillment of Jesus' instruction to do so in memory of Him.  It is also known as The Last Supper.  Jesus gave his disciples bread, saying "This is my body", and wine, saying "This is my blood."  This ordinance is seen not as a specific channel of grace but as an expression of faith and obedience to Christ’s command AND as an intimate interaction within the Christian community.

Matthew 26: 26-29; Mark 14: 22-24; Luke 22: 19-20; I Corinthians 11: 20; Acts 2: 42, 46

Marriage

We believe in the ordinance of marriage as designed by God.  With respect to Christian couples, it is always God’s choice that the two maintain their marriage with mutual love and respect.  With respect to a Christian married to a non-Christian, it is God’s desire that the Christian attempt to stay in the marriage with the hope of winning the non-Christian to Christ.  God also encourages those who would serve Him exclusively NOT to marry if they can resist temptation of the flesh.  Marriage assigns clear roles to the husband and wife, but does not necessarily designate husbands to be the “bread winners” and wives to be “homemakers.”  We do believe that when a husband and wife actively pursue growth in their God-given charges, that the marriage will mature and function as intended under God.

Genesis 2: 20-24; Matthew 19: 3-6; Matthew 19: 7-9; I Corinthians 7: 1-17; Ephesians 5: 22-33; Colossians 3: 18, 19; I Peter 3: 1-9

ABOUT ANGELS

Holy Angels

Angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped.  Though they are temporarily a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him.

Luke 2: 9-14; Hebrews 1: 6, 7, 14; Hebrews 2: 6, 7; Revelation 5: 11-14

Fallen Angels

Satan is a created angel and the author of sin.  He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator, by taking numerous angels with him in his fall, and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve.  For the present, satan is the prince of this world, but he has already been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is destined to eternal punishment.

Genesis 3: 1-15; Isaiah 14: 12-17; Ezekiel 28: 11-19; Matthew 25: 41; Matthew 4: 1-11; Romans 16: 20; Revelation 12: 1-14; Revelation 20: 10

ABOUT ESCHATOLOGY (Last Things)

Israel

The promises of God regarding the Jewish people and the nation of Israel comprise an eternal covenant between God and the seed of Abraham, to which God is faithful.  As such, the church is not a replacement for the Jewish people, nor has God abandoned Israel in favor of the church.  Both the body of Christ and the nation of Israel are part of God’s eternal plan.  Those who bless Israel will be blessed; those who curse or oppose Israel will be cursed.

Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12: 1-3; Genesis 15: 8-18; Genesis 17: 1-14; Mosaic Covenant – Exodus 24: 4-8; Davidic Covenant – II Samuel 7: 8-16; Psalm 89: 3

Great Apostasy

We believe that the Great Apostasy is one of the principal signs of the end of times.  It represents a falling away from the faith within the professing church.  Though most Christians are aware of end-time signs such as wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence, etc., most do not know that religious deception is forewarned even more than these.

The Bible warns us of this great spiritual delusion that will occur just prior to Christ's return.  Warnings of false prophets that will perform great signs and wonders that will be so convincing that they will deceive even some of the “elect.”  For this reason, God warns us to be on the alert and to know His Word so that we may keep ourselves from such deceptions.

Ezekiel 7: 19; Matthew 24: 24; Mark 13: 22; II Corinthians 11: 13-15; II Thessalonians 2: 3; I Timothy 4: 1, 2; II Timothy 3: 1, 7, 8; II Timothy 4: 3, 4; II Peter 2: 1-3; I Thessalonians 5: 21; I Timothy 4: 6; II Timothy 2: 15; Hebrews 4: 12

Rapture (also called the Blessed Hope)

We believe that the Rapture could take place any time in the very near future.  Through biblical study and world events, we believe that it will be a “Pre-Trib Rapture.”  This means that the Rapture will occur some time before the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation, which is ushered in by the “firming of a covenant” between the antichrist and the nation of Israel.  As the actual time is unknown to us, we teach that Christians [as well as all mankind] must always be ready – by acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior, as well as righteous living – to be “snatched” into God’s kingdom without warning.

Isaiah 26: 20, 21; Daniel 9:27; Mark 13: 35-37; Luke 17: 26-30; Romans 5: 9; I Corinthians 15: 51-53; I Thessalonians 1: 10; I Thessalonians 4: 16-18; II Thessalonians 2: 6, 7;

Tribulation

Immediately following the removal of the church from the earth, a seven-year period called the Tribulation will begin.  This is the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy.  During this time, the antichrist will reign and the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon the world.  These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth.  The actual beginning of the Tribulation is signaled by the “firming of a covenant” between the antichrist and the nation of Israel.

John 14: 1-3; I Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Jeremiah 30: 7; Daniel 9: 27; Daniel 12: 1; II Thessalonians 2: 7-12; Revelation 16; Matthew 24: 27-31; Matthew 25: 31-46; II Thessalonians 2: 7-12; Daniel 9: 24-27; Matthew 24: 15-31; Matthew 25: 31-46

Second Coming of Christ

Jesus Christ will return to earth to occupy the throne of David after the tribulation period.  Those who have been saved by His grace through faith will return with Him as His heavenly army.  He will overthrow the antichrist and the false prophet, and remove satan from the world.  The Old Testament and tribulation saints will then be raised and the living will be judged.

Daniel 7: 17-27; Daniel 12: 2, 3; Matthew 24: 27, 30, 42-44; Matthew 25: 31; Mark 13: 32; Luke 1:32, 33; Acts 1: 7, 10, 11; Acts 2: 29, 30; I Corinthians 15: 52; I Thessalonians 4: 13-18; I Thessalonians 5: 1-11; Hebrews 9: 27, 28; II Peter 3: 1-14; Revelation 1: 7; Revelation 20: 1-6

Millennium

Immediately following the Tribulation Period, Jesus Christ will establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth.  During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth.

Revelation 20: 1-7; Ezekiel 37: 21-28; Daniel 7: 17-22; Revelation 19: 11-16

©2001 The Lamb’s Acres Ministries