In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7

Statement of Faith

A. THE WORD OF GOD. We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. II Timothy 3:16, 17.

B. THE TRINITY. We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Matt. 3:16,17; John 14:16.

C. GOD, THE FATHER. We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayers; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4.

D. JESUS CHRIST. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and visible return to earth. Matthew 1:23.

E. HOLY SPIRIT. We believe in the Holy Spirit Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide. Heb. 9:14, Acts 2:2-2; John 14:26.

F. SATAN. We believe that there is a personal evil being, Satan, who rules the lives of unregenerate man and who opposes the work of the Holy Spirit in the world and in the church. We believe in his ultimate defeat.
1 Peter 5:8; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 12:9-10.

G. REGENERATION. We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 3:9-18, 23; Rom. 10:8-13.

H. THE CHURCH. We believe in the universal church, a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head and regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith and associated for worship with the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Acts 2:37-47.

I. CHRISTIAN CONDUCT. We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his stature of maturity in Christ. Eph. 4:13-15; Phil. 2:15.

J. THE ORDINANCES. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church; baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer into water in the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for the commemoration of His death and that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 26: 26-29; Matt. 28:19.

K. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions; each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:14-16; 1Tim. 2:15; Acts 4:19-20.

L. CHURCH CO-OPERATION. W e believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by co-operating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary, independent basis. Acts 15:13-18; 1Cor. 16:1-6.

M. THE LAST THINGS. We believe in the imminent, personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal bliss of the righteous, the endless suffering of the wicked. Luke 17: 26-30; 11Tim. 3:1-5; Acts 15:14-17.

Purpose

The purpose of this church is to glorify God by obeying the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-39) and fulfilling the Great Commission (Mat. 28:19-20). By God’s grace we will strive to do this through worship, fellowship, evangelism and discipleship.

Nature

Lakeside Baptist Church is organized as an autonomous body, under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Bible.