At Living Way, we believe that the Word of God is the final authority in all matters of our faith and practice. We embrace the following foundational truths for our faith.
The Authority of Scripture
We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and that it is inerrant (free from error), infallible (incapable of error in defining doctrine pertaining to faith and morals), and irrevocable (not possible to be altered in the original writings.
(Reference Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 24:35)
The Triunity of God
We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in one Essence, yet three co-equal and distinct Persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. This God is self-existent, eternal, unchanging, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, holy, righteous, and loving. God created the universe from nothing, and He rules over His creation sovereignly including both human and angelic beings.
(Reference Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4, Genesis 1:2, 26; John 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; John 14:26, 15:26, 17:1-26; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 9:14)
Jesus Christ is Fully God and Was Fully Man on Earth
We believe Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God and is God. He entered into the earth by the conception of the Holy Ghost, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died vicariously for our sins which atoned for all mankind through His shed blood (as a substitute for us and satisfied God’s requirement for sin to be punished), physically rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven where He makes intercession for believers and will one day return in power and glory to deliver His people, rule on earth for one thousand years and to judge the world.
(Reference Scriptures: John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 1:15-18; Matthew 1:18-23; Isaiah 53:5; 1 John 2:1-2; Luke 24:6-7; Hebrews 9:26-28; Romans 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 2:4, 42:1; Revelation 20:11-15)
Man is a Physical and Spiritual Being
We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, voluntarily sinned and thereby brought not only physical death, but also spiritual death (separation from God), upon all humanity. We believe that because of the sin of the first man, Adam, the sinful nature is passed on to every person born into the world. We believe that it is only through Jesus Christ that mankind can come into relationship with God; there is no other means whereby man can be saved.
(Reference Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Timothy 2:14; Genesis 2:17; Romans 3:23, 5:12-19, 6:23; John 14:6, Acts 4:12; John 4:23-24; Romans 8:16)
Salvation of Mankind
We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again by the Holy Ghost, who then indwells each believer immediately, causing them to become partakers of the divine nature of God and enables believers to walk circumspectly in the earth. We believe that all who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are no longer defined as sinners, though we yet live in the flesh (humanity), which is sinful; and it is impossible for a believer to practice sin (his or her life characterized by sin).
(Reference Scriptures: John 3:5-6; Romans 5:8,10:9-10; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9; 2 Peter 1:4; Colossians 1:12-14; John 14:16-17; 1 John 3:9)
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the triune Godhead who convicts men of sin, causes spiritual birth, indwells, seals, sanctifies, guides, equips, teaches, and fills the believer, which enables him to walk in obedience to God and His Word. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Executor of the Body of Christ and, subsequent to salvation, empowers the believer for God’s use.
(Reference Scriptures: John 3:5, 14:7-14, 16:7-14; Acts 1:8, 5:3-4; Romans 8:9, 14; 1 Corinthians 2:9-11, 6:19, 12:4-18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18-21; 1 John 2:27)
Man’s Destiny
We believe that one day Jesus Christ will return in the air to gather all believers who are dead and those who are alive to be with Him for eternity. We believe that those who have not received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be judged by Jesus Christ and will experience eternal separation from God, which will be everlasting damnation.
(Reference Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; John 3:18; Revelation 20:12-15)
Satan and Fallen Angels
We believe in the existence of a devil who was created an angel and was cast out of heaven to earth. One third of the other created angels were cast out of heaven with him. Satan works in the world to destroy the souls of men. He, all his angels, and all those who do not receive Christ as their personal Savior will be eternally tormented in the lake of fire.
(Reference Scriptures: Jude 6; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10-15; Matthew 25:41)
The Church
We believe that the church is God’s ordained institution, is headed by Christ, is composed of all who have placed their faith in Christ, and is organized for worship, teaching, fellowship, spiritual growth and support, for the administration of water baptism and Communion, and for evangelizing the world.
(Reference Scriptures: Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:7,17; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; 1 Timothy 4:13)
LIVING WAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
8610 BRICELYN STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA 15221
livingwaycf@verizon.net
412-242-5520
