Beliefs
Our faith entails a list of beliefs. This list represents several essential Christian beliefs that we hold to as a church. You can find a full and comprehensive list including scripture references here.
Living Oaks Church is affiliated with a family of churches called the Missionary Church which is an evangelical denomination and desires to multiply disciples, churches, and networks to the fourth generation.
What We Believe
The Trinity
There is one living and true God, Creator of all things who is infinitely perfect, all knowing and omnipotent. God is one existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are coequal and coexist with one another.
God the Father
God the Father is the Creator of all things through Jesus Christ. He is the absolute Ruler of the universe according to His purpose and grace. He is perfect in all His attributes. He is Father as the first Person of the Trinity.
God the Son
God the Son, Jesus Christ, was born of a virgin and is fully God and fully man. He dwelt among us and He gave His sinless life as a sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross. His death and resurrection is the only basis for salvation.
God the Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit’s ministry is to indwell, guide, convict, regenerate, instruct, and empower the believer for Godly living and service. He enables believers and teaches them how to live and He uniquely gifts and equips each believer to serve Christ and His Church.
Bible
The Bible is God’s Word and is truth, without error, in the original writings. We believe that “All scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture reveals God’s Son, His plan of salvation, and His will for our lives.
Humanity
Humanity was created in the image of God and given free will. God made man to have fellowship with Him; however, mankind fell through Adam’s sin and is therefore spiritually dead, depraved, and separated from God. The only way to God is through Christ.
Salvation
Salvation is a free gift by God’s grace, received by placing faith in Jesus Christ. In salvation, there is a complete forgiveness of sin and the unmerited gift of eternal life. As a result, we are adopted into God’s family through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
The Church
Christ instituted the Church to equip and build up the believer’s faith and to empower the saints for the work of the ministry. The Church is the living body of Christ on earth with Christ as the Head and source of life. It is known as the family, body, and bride of Christ.
Baptism
Baptism, by immersion when possible, is an outward expression of an inward belief. It does not have saving power, but is a public testimony of our relationship with Christ, an act of obedience and the result of a willingness to follow Christ’s example.
Satan
Satan is a created being and the originator of sin. He is in rebellion against God and is ceaseless and ruthless in his efforts to destroy God’s plan of salvation for humankind.
Last Things
The Bible describes last things to encourage holy living and to give the believer hope in what’s to come. Last things include; the rapture of the church, the rise of Antichrist, a seven year tribulation, a millennial reign, and the final judgment.
Marriage
God created the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God’s will and purpose for humanity. The Bible instructs that it is a sin.
Sanctity of Life
The Bible teaches that life begins at conception and the pre-born child is a human being endowed by his or her Creator with divine dignity and inviolable rights. Every human life is of great value to God and is worth protecting.