God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of God
Sermon notes are available on page 1 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Bible (Scripture)
Sermon notes are available on page 2 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Human Condition
Sermon notes are available on page 3 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
See also: Marriage Policy of Lake Region Bible Church
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Jesus Christ
Sermon notes are available on page 4 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Work of Christ
Sermon notes are available on page 5 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
Sermon notes are available on page 6 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Church
Sermon notes are available on page 7 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Christian Living
Sermon notes are available on page 8 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Christ's Return (see notes at the bottom of this page)
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Christ's Return
Sermon notes are available on page 9 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Response & Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Response & Eternal Destiny
Sermon notes are available on page 10 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of God
Sermon notes are available on page 1 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Bible (Scripture)
Sermon notes are available on page 2 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Human Condition
Sermon notes are available on page 3 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
See also: Marriage Policy of Lake Region Bible Church
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Jesus Christ
Sermon notes are available on page 4 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Work of Christ
Sermon notes are available on page 5 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
Sermon notes are available on page 6 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of the Church
Sermon notes are available on page 7 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Christian Living
Sermon notes are available on page 8 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Christ's Return (see notes at the bottom of this page)
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Christ's Return
Sermon notes are available on page 9 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Response & Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Click this link for an audio (mp3) file on The Doctrine of Response & Eternal Destiny
Sermon notes are available on page 10 of this link: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The EFCA Statement of Faith (2019)
In June of 2019, the EFCA updated our Statement of Faith, replacing the word "premillennial" with "glorious", so that our statement about Christ's Return now begins as follows: "We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our church currently holds to the 2008 Statement of Faith, and we will consider adopting this revised 2019 version in 2024 (changing "premillennial" to "glorious").
The EFCA's overall focus is to emphasize the core doctrines of the gospel, while leaving secondary doctrinal issues undefined, especially those which Christians have historically disagreed upon, amidst our unity in the fundamentals of the faith. This revised 2019 Statement of Faith is in keeping with what Paul refers to "as of first importance" regarding the gospel message (1Corinthians 15:3), while emphasizing the doctrinal importance of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and without being too narrowly defined regarding complicated theological matters (that evangelicals disagree upon both today and throughout church history).
Sound Doctrine, Church Unity and the Gospel (mp3)
The link above is a message by Pastor Marcus which explains how our church seeks to know & love God through our faithfulness to & unity in the gospel, amidst our differences on secondary doctrinal issues.
In June of 2019, the EFCA updated our Statement of Faith, replacing the word "premillennial" with "glorious", so that our statement about Christ's Return now begins as follows: "We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our church currently holds to the 2008 Statement of Faith, and we will consider adopting this revised 2019 version in 2024 (changing "premillennial" to "glorious").
The EFCA's overall focus is to emphasize the core doctrines of the gospel, while leaving secondary doctrinal issues undefined, especially those which Christians have historically disagreed upon, amidst our unity in the fundamentals of the faith. This revised 2019 Statement of Faith is in keeping with what Paul refers to "as of first importance" regarding the gospel message (1Corinthians 15:3), while emphasizing the doctrinal importance of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and without being too narrowly defined regarding complicated theological matters (that evangelicals disagree upon both today and throughout church history).
Sound Doctrine, Church Unity and the Gospel (mp3)
The link above is a message by Pastor Marcus which explains how our church seeks to know & love God through our faithfulness to & unity in the gospel, amidst our differences on secondary doctrinal issues.
