What We Believe
Our Mission
The Mission of The Life Church is to be a multi-cultural congregation fully expressing the culture of the Kingdom of God, where each member is brought into the fullness of the Christian life (as expressed in both Acts 2:1-4 and Acts 2:42-47) and are equipped to enjoy a healthy, balanced marriage of the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
The Life Church will also be a resource for Holy Spirit revival for other churches and believers; a place where the un-saved are evangelized, and the un-churched are reached; where an emerging generation of youth and children are trained; and where leaders are raised up to advance the Kingdom of God in every sphere of life.
Our Vision
Our vision is to become a prevailing church with multiple local expressions throughout the greater Washington area and an apostolic influence that extends to the nations of the world.
Our Faith
We believe that the Scriptures, Old Testament and New Testament, are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings or words similarly inspired by God. (II Timothy 3:16,17)
We believe that there is one God, eternally present in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16,17 and John 1:1-4)
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but as a result of sin is lost and powerless to save himself. (Genesis 1:26 and Romans 6:23)
We believe that the only hope for man is to believe on Jesus Christ, the virgin born son of God, fully God, fully man. Through faith in Christ's life, death and resurrection, mankind is redeemed. (Romans 10:9, 10, 13; John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:1-10)
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, and through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit believers are empowered for Christian service and gifted for this service. An evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. The Holy Spirit also enables believers to live a Christ-like life exhibiting Godly character. (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6; Galatians 5:22,23 and I Corinthians 12)
We believe that the church is the body of Christ, both universal and local and is composed of individuals who through faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christ Jesus is the head and Lord of the Church. The mission of the Church is worship, evangelism, discipleship, and the nurturing and care of one another. (Matthew 28:1-20; Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 2:19-22)
We believe that eternal life in heaven is the reward of all who believe and receive Christ as their Lord. According to the scripture, "the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, whoremonger, sorcerer, idolators and liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8 and John 3:16-18)
We believe salvation is the free gift of God's grace and we are justified before God by faith alone. No amount of good works will produce a right standing before God, only the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. We further believe that the manifestation of faith and grace is a holy life expressed through righteous works. (Romans 3:23-24 and Ephesians 2:8-10)
We believe in the call and gifting of various ministries in the church including but not limited to apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and deacons. We believe that the Church has the responsibility for recognizing, equipping and commissioning these various ministries for the edification of the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13; I Corinthians 12:12-30 and Romans 12:3-8)
We believe that divine healing; physical, emotional and spiritual is included in the atonement of Christ. (Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24,25)
We believe in two sacraments of the Church:
The Sacrament of Water Baptism. (Acts 2:38)
The Sacrament of Holy Communion. (Matthew 26:26-30)
We believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the consummation of the Kingdom of God and the restitution of all things spoken by the mouth of all the prophets since the world began. (Matthew 24:42-44; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21 and Revelation 11:15)
(These 12 Articles of Faith do not represent the final authoritative word on Bible doctrine or Christian theology. They reflect the basic tenets of historical, evangelical Christianity.)