Living Stones Christian Centre

Statement of Faith

On the right hand side of this page we list scripture references relating to each section. The verses will be displayed in full when you move your mouse over the reference.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it is the only authority for all matters of Christian teaching and conduct.

2 Timothy 3 v 16-1716. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Godhead

We believe that there is one God who has existed eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13 v 1414. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

The Deity of Jesus

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to earth to be born of a virgin, Mary, that He lived as a man and that He was both human and divine.

John 1 v 1414. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. Phillipians 2 v 5-75. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

The Fall

We believe that humankind was created in the image of God and enjoyed close fellowship with God until, as a result of sin, they were separated from His presence.

Romans 5 v 1212. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The Plan of Salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ came to earth and died to take upon Himself the punishment for the sin of all humankind and that He rose from the dead. We all can receive salvation from sin, because of the blood of Jesus, not by anything that we have done, but by the grace of God and by believing in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5 v 8-108. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Ephesians 2 v 88. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to: convict the world of sin; guide believers into all truth; empower the believer to live a holy life and to be a witness; give spiritual gifts to believers so that they in turn can minister to others. We believe that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and all accompanying gifts and manifestations are available to believers today in the same way as described in the New Testament.

John 16 v 8 & 138. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 1 Corinthians 12 v 7-117. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Communion

We believe and regularly share in Communion (the Covenant Meal) which Jesus Himself instituted before His crucifixion. By doing this, we remember His death for us; we celebrate the New Covenant and give thanks for all of the benefits available to us; and we express our membership of the Body of Christ (the Church).

1 Corinthians 11 v 24-2624. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Corinthians 10 v 16-1716. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Baptism

We believe in water baptism by immersion as an outward sign and public statement of our: repentance from sin; receiving of the gift of salvation; identification with Jesus in His death on the cross; beginning a new kind of life under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6 v 3-43. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The Purpose of the Church

We believe that the purpose of the Church is to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ as He commanded us to. We do this as we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit to: preach and live the good news of God's love; make disciples of all nations; pray for the sick and oppressed; give help to those in need.

Mark 16 v 15-1815. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. James 1 v 2727. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ will personally return to the earth in power and glory to take His church to be with Him forever. Those who have rejected Jesus will go to eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord

Scripture quotations taken from the KJV.

Acts 1 v 1111. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4 v 16-1716. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 1 v 7-97. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;