Living Gate Statement of Faith

Living Gate Community Church, Inc.

Granby, Massachusetts

Article I – Name

The name of this church shall be known legally as Living Gate Community Church, Inc

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this church shall be to teach and preach the Word of God (the Holy Bible); to minister to the spiritual and other needs of people in order that they might establish a vital relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord, and grow into maturity with Him; and to engage in a ministry of outreach to the world.

Article III – Affirmation of Faith

This church believes in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, as the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.

Article IV – Affiliation

This church is a non-denominational evangelical church, not legally affiliated with any denomination, but united in spirit with all those who are part of the Universal Church (comprised of all believers in Jesus Christ), the Body of Christ.

Article V – Membership

This church shall receive as members those who by faith have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who understand that this church and its leadership ascribes fully to its Statement of Faith, and that this church is governed by its Constitution and Bylaws.

Article VI – Government

Ultimate authority in this church shall reside in the Congregation

Living Gate Community Church Inc.

Statement of Faith (May 2008)

1. We believe the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, Word of God, inerrant and infallible in the original writing, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for Christian faith and life. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

2. We believe in one God, creator and sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; one in essence but distinct in person. (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 2:9)

3. We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead as witnessed by at least five hundred people (a historical fact upon which hinges our Christian faith), He ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (I Corinthians 15:3, 4; I John 2:1; Luke 1:35)

4. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, give gifts, and empower the believer for godly living and service and to build and strengthen the Body of Christ, the Church. (John 15:36; John 16:7-14; I Corinthians 12-14)

5. We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; John 3:3)

6. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. (Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:1; John 3:16)

7. We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are ordinances (sacraments) to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. (I Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 28:19-20)

8. We believe that the Universal Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are baptized into the body of Christ of which He is the Lord and Head; and that every local church is to grow in devotion, obedience, knowledge in Him (I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:1-6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18 I Peter 3:18)

9. We believe in the personal and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this “Blessed Hope” should have a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:14-16; I John 3:1-3)

10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting, conscious punishment. (II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:15; II Thessalonians 1:7-9)