Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
Everything we are and everything we do as a church begins with what we believe. The truths that God has revealed are what hold us together and dictate the life and future of the church. LifeWay is, above all else, committed to understanding, practicing, and protecting a biblical understanding of God, his creation, and his will.
The beliefs described here are those that are essential to an effective relationship with God. In these core beliefs, the people of LifeWay must have unity. There are a multitude of other topics and issues that are important but non-essential. In these, we are committed to pursuing God’s direction, allowing for differences, and always practicing love and respect.
If you have questions about LifeWay’s core beliefs or position on beliefs not addressed below, please contact one of the pastors or elders.
The Bible
The Bible is God’s written word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural direction of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, it is without error and the final authority on all matters on which it speaks.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- 2 Peter 1:20-21
- 1 Corinthians 2:13
God
There is one God existing eternally in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — each possessing all the attributes of deity.
- Isaiah 43:10-13
- 1 Corinthians 8:6
- Matthew 28:19
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
Humanity
God created humans in his own image, capable of relationship and fellowship with him. At the temptation by Satan, they rebelled against God’s authority and went their own way. As a result, the entire human race has experienced both physical and spiritual death. We cannot change this condition ourselves, but must be rescued by God.
- Genesis 1:26-27
- Genesis 2:15-25
- Genesis 3:1-19
- Romans 3:23
- Ephesians 2:1-3
Jesus
To that end, Jesus came to this world born of a virgin, lived a perfect life on earth, and voluntarily paid for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute. He arose from the dead, demonstrating both the Father’s acceptance of his sacrifice and his power over death.
- Matthew 1:25
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Hebrews 4:15
- Romans 3:25
- 1 Peter 2:24
- Romans 4:25
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-23
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, offered entirely because of his grace — not because of human effort or goodness — but we must receive it by trusting in him alone. When we receive his gift, we are made spiritually alive by a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10
- 1 Peter 1:18-19
- John 3:5-8
- Titus 3:5
- James 1:18
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Ephesians 4:24
- 1 Peter 1:23
Spiritual Growth
All who trust Christ will, through the help of the Holy Spirit, seek to become more like Christ in thought, attitude, and action.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 19-20
- Ephesians 5:17-21
- Philippians 2:12-13
- Colossians 3:16
The Church
The Church comprises all Christ followers and exists to glorify God by the message it proclaims and the ministry it performs. All members of the universal Church are to participate in a local church.
- Ephesians 4:3-6
- Ephesians 2:15-16
- Hebrews 10:25
- Acts 2:43-47
- Romans 12:4-5
The Return of Christ
The next great event of human history will be the personal, physical return of Jesus Christ. The time of Christ’s return is a mystery to us and known only to the Father himself.
- John 14:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11
- Matthew 24:36
Last Things
At the end, everyone will experience physical resurrection and judgment. Those who receive forgiveness through Christ will enjoy eternal fellowship with God. Those who reject or ignore Christ’s forgiveness will be eternally separated from fellowship with God.
- 1 John 5:11-12
- Romans 8:10-11, 19-23
- 2 Corinthians 4:14
- John 5:29
- Revelation 20:6, 13-15