Our Beliefs

Lakes Area Word Fellowship accepts the Scriptures as the revealed Will of God, the all sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these Statements of Fundamental Truths and Doctrine:

The Scriptures Inspired

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)

The One True Godhead

The triune Godhead is comprised of three separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with The Father and The Holy Spirit. (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 15:26; John 16:28)

Man, His Fall and Redemption

Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell and his only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

The Salvation of Man

1. Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind, (Psalm 103:3) being justified freely by his Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the heart man believes, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:8-10)
2. The evidence of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)
3. Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Christ and not by human works, but our works will determine rewards in eternity. (Acts 16:3; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 14:10-12; & 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Ordinance of The Lord’s Supper

“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also He took the cup, after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:24,28)

Ordinance of Water Baptism

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19). Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38).

The Promise of the Father

All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism or Filling with the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the endowment of the power for life and service, the bestowing of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31) This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9)

The Evidences of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the such physical signs as speaking with other tongues or prophecy as the Spirit gives utterance, and by the on-going fruit of the Spirit and manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2-6; 1:8)

The Church

The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first born, which is in Heaven. (Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)

Total Prosperity

1. Spiritual. John 3:3,11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10.
2. Mental. 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.
3. Physical. Isaiah 43:4,5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24.
4. Financial. 3 John 1:2; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
5. Social. Proverbs 3:4.

Blessed Hope

Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to Heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1)

The Lake of Fire

Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15)

The Millennial Reign of Jesus

The return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His Saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth as the Scriptures promised. (Romans 11:25,27; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-7) After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21)