Welcome To The Livingston Bible Church ť Philosophy of Ministry

The final authority for all the activities of this church shall be the Bible. Nothing contained in document may supersede any principal or teaching of the Bible.

These things shall be done so that unbelievers might be convicted unto salvation, and equipped to do the work of the ministry.

ARTICLE III: Doctrine

Section 1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as inspired of God (II Tim. 3:16, 17), and inerrant in the original writings (II Peter 1:21), and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. (Matt. 5:18; Romans 15:4)

Section 2. We believe in One God (John 1:1-4, I Tim. 2:5, Deut. 6: 4, Isaiah 43: 10, Isaiah 44: 6, 8 ), existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal and eternal (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 5:3-5; Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:4, 6; II Cor. 13:14).

Section 3. We believe that man was created in the image of God on the sixth day during the six literal 24-hour days of creation (Gen. 1:26, 27), that he sinned (Rom. 5:12, Rom. 3:10, 23) and thereby he incurred not only physical death (Rom. 5:12) but also that spiritual death which is separation from God (Eph. 2:12-13). All human beings are born with sinful natures (Ps. 14:2-3, Ps. 51: 5). Man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Rom. 3:10-19; Heb. 9:27, Eph. 2:1-3).

Section 4. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:27), and that He is true God (John 1:1, 2), and true man (John 1:14, Luke 1:26-35).

Section 5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures (I Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 5:6-9), as a representative and substitution sacrifice (II Cor. 5:21), and that all that believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood (I Peter 1:18, 19, 23; Rom. 4:25; Lev. 17:11; I John 2:1, 2).

Section 6. We believe in the Resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:34, John 20:19-29) and in His ascension into the heavens (Heb. 9:24), and in His present life for us as High Priest and Advocate (1 John 1:1, 2; Heb. 7:25).

Section 7. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and the personal, visible, premillenial return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Old Testament promises to the nation of Israel of a literal earthly kingdom (I Thess. 4:13-17, John 14:1-3; I Cor. 15:51; John 6:40; Rev. 19:11 - 20:6).

Section 8. We believe that all who receive, by faith, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-10) are born of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God (Rom. 8:16-17, I John 5:11-13; John 5:24; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 3:23, 24).

Section 9. We believe that salvation is an irrevocable covenant which God makes with the individual believer (Rom. 8:1, 38, 39), and that once bestowed it is never withdrawn (John 10:28, 29). A believer who fails to live in fellowship with God will be disciplined in this life (Heb. 12:5-11) As God’s means of restoration to fellowship with Himself.

Section 10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost (Rev. 20:12-15; Rev. 22:3-5, 11).

Section 11. We believe that the grace of God that saves (Titus 2:11) teaches believers to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts (Titus 2:12-14; I Peter 114-16), to live soberly (Eh. 5:18), righteously (I Peter 1:16), and godly in this present age (Eph. 4:22-24), and to be careful to maintain good works (Gal. 5:22; Rom. 6:11-13; 8:11-13; Gal. 5:16-21).

Section 12. We believe that the office gifts of evangelist, pastor, and teacher are given to the church for the perfecting of the saints today. The office gifts of apostle and prophet were for the specific purpose of establishing the foundation of the New Testament Church and therefore are no longer given to the local church (Eph. 4:11, 12; 2:20). We do believe, however, that the gift of prophesying, or the “speaking forth” of God’s Word as defined in I Cor. 14:3 is given to the local church today.

Section 13. We believe that the gift of speaking in tongues was a sign to the nation of Israel that verified the fact that Jesus is their true Messiah (Acts 2:33-36; I Cor. 14:21-22). We believe that the gifts of miracles were for a sign that verified the authority of the apostles and their ministry (Acts 2:43; 5:12; II Cor. 12:12), and the credibility of the New Testament Scriptures (Heb. 2:1-4). We believe that these signs gradually ceased as their purposes were clearly fulfilled during the first century.

Section 14. We do not believe that the miraculous gift of healing is given to any individual in the local church today. We do believe that God does hear and miraculously answer the prayer of faith in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; I John 5:14, 15).

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Section 1. The Livingston Bible Church welcomes all people to its services and encourages the attendance of believers and unbelievers to partake of the programs and services that it offers. Any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior, and who gives assurance of their faith through confession of Christ, who is in complete agreement with the Doctrines set forth in this constitution and substantially displays the fruits of genuine faith shall be eligible for voting membership and positions of leadership in this church.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper shall be observed as frequently as the Church board shall direct.

It will be open to all those who profess Christ as Savior, with the pastor making clear to all present the qualifications presented in Scripture.

Section 2. Baptism

Baptism shall be by immersion.

Candidates for baptism will be examined and instructed by the pastor.

Baptism shall not be regarded as grounds for church membership or for the purposes of voting.