Outline of Teachings
At LCF we believe a robust doctrine & theology along with a detailed clarification of what we ascribe to and who we affiliate with provides more opportunity for rich unity and harmony within the Body. The following is a list of what you will see below.
Mission Statement
Core Distinctives
Confession & Creeds
Statements We Affirm
Ministry Affiliations
Mission Statement
Nothing to Attract but Christ
At LCF we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture for all facets of life (2 Tim. 3:16). This inevitably involves our mission in ministry. Our mission in ministry is not concerned with the bells and whistles of the world, but simply a passionate desire to magnify Christ in all that we do through His glorious Gospel (1 Cor. 10:3; Rom. 1:!6). This is what we believe is the biblical means for drawing and sanctifying His people (1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Thes. 2:14).
Nothing to Repel but Christ
In light of this glorious mission, we are also fully aware that the message of Christ can be offensive to the world (John 15:20). The Scriptures state: “the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:13-14).” Having said this, our desire is to disciple the Body and reach the lost with a firm conviction in the truth of God’s Word and the love of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 4:15). This mission in itself will inevitably repel many in their fallen condition. Even so, as the Lord’s bondservants, our commitment is to not be quarrelsome, kind to all, and gentle when standing against opposition. All in hopes that God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
Core Distinctives
Doctrines of Grace
Total Depravity
God created humanity upright and perfect. He gave them a righteous law that would have led to life if they had kept it but threatened death if they broke it. Yet they did not remain for long in this position of honor. Satan used the craftiness of the serpent to seduce Eve, who then seduced Adam. Adam acted without any outside compulsion and deliberately transgressed the law of their creation and the command given to them by eating the forbidden fruit. God was pleased, in keeping with his wise and holy counsel, to permit this act, because he had purposed to direct it for his own glory. By this sin our first parents fell from their original righteousness and communion with God. We fell in them, and through this, death came upon all. All became dead in sin and completely defiled in all the capabilities and parts of soul and body. By God’s appointment, they were the root and the representatives of the whole human race. Because of this, the guilt of their sin was accounted, and their corrupt nature passed on, to all their offspring who descended from them by ordinary procreation. Their descendants are now conceived in sin and are by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, and partakers of death and all other miseries—spiritual, temporal, and eternal—unless the Lord Jesus sets them free (Genesis 2:16, 17. Genesis 3:12, 13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Romans 3:23. Romans 5:12ff. Titus 1:15; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10–19; Romans 5:12–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49. Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4. Ephesians 2:3. Romans 6:20; 5:12. Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Unconditional Election
Those people who are predestined to life were chosen by God before the foundation of the world, according to his eternal and unchangeable purpose and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will. He chose them in Christ for eternal glory, purely as a result of his free grace and love, without anything else about them serving as a condition or cause moving him to do so (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Romans 9:13, 16; Ephesians 2:5, 12).
Definite Atonement
The Lord Jesus has fully satisfied the justice of God, obtained reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those given to him by the Father. He has accomplished these things by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he once for all offered up to God through the eternal Spirit. The price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his incarnation. Yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit of it was imparted to the elect in every age since the beginning of the world (John 17:2; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 3:25, 26; John 10:11).
Effectual Calling
In God’s appointed and acceptable time, he is pleased to call effectually, by his Word and Spirit, those he has predestined to life. He calls them out of their natural state of sin and death to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. He enlightens their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God. He takes away their heart of stone and gives them a heart of flesh. He renews their wills and by his almighty power turns them to good and effectually draws them to Jesus Christ. Yet he does all this in such a way that they come completely freely, since they are made willing by his grace. This effectual call flows from God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in those called. Neither does the call arise from any power or action on their part; they are totally passive in it (Romans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14. Ephesians 2:1–6. Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:17, 18. Ezekiel 36:26. Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:27; Ephesians 1:19. Psalm 110:3; Song of Solomon 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:8).
Eternal Security
Those God has accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect can neither totally nor finally fall from a state of grace. They will certainly persevere in grace to the end and be eternally saved, because the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. Therefore, he still brings about and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit that lead to immortality. Even though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet these things will never be able to move the elect from the foundation and rock to which they are anchored by faith. The felt sight of the light and love of God may be clouded and obscured from them for a time through their unbelief and the temptations of Satan. Yet God is still the same; they will certainly be kept by the power of God for salvation, where they will enjoy their purchased possession. For they are engraved on the palms of his hands, and their names have been written in the book of life from all eternity (John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 2:19. Psalms 89:31, 32; 1 Corinthians 11:32. Malachi 3:6).
*This information is taken from the 1689 London Baptist Confession
Expositional Preaching
At LCF, expository preaching is a vital component of what we do and a core distinctive for our church. Below you will find a brief description of what expository preaching is and why it is important for the Body of Christ.
The word expository in itself carries the idea of explaining. That said, given the inerrant and inspired nature of Scripture, expository preaching must begin with explaining the biblical text. This type of explanation can only come from understanding the single meaning authorial intent for the original audience under the inspiration of the Spirit. In order to best comprehend this meaning, the interpreter begins with a consistent grammatical-historical hermeneutic in matters of interpretation.
This methodology is the only legitimate one for ascertaining the plain sense reading of Scripture within its biblical context. In relation to context, expository preaching is primarily handled by way of sequential verse by verse preaching through large sections of Scripture or entire books of the Bible. This in turn protects the hearers and preacher from the temptation towards eisegesis (reading meaning into Scripture) as opposed to sound biblical exegesis (reading meaning out of Scripture). Finally, after much study bathed in prayer, a proper explanation or illumination of the Scriptures begins to shape the life of the preacher. This in turn creates a passion and conviction within the preacher to herald or proclaim The Word. Furthermore, to preach in a way that produces life application and transformation through the power of the Spirit.
Discipleship
Some of Jesus’ last words to His disciple Peter were to “shepherd my sheep” (John 21:16). Here at LCF, we take seriously the priority of feeding the sheep. Discipleship of the Body of Christ is absolutely foundational to what we do.. The Puritan Simeon Ashe said the following regarding this priority and responsibility of discipleship:
“You have heard much of Christ. Have you learned Christ? The Jews, as one saith, carried Christ in their Bibles but not in their hearts (Romans 14). Their sound went into all the earth (Romans 10:18). The prophets and apostles were as trumpets whose sound went abroad into the world, yet many thousands who heard the noise of these trumpets had not learned Christ. They have not all obeyed (v. 16). A man may know much of Christ and yet not learn Christ. The devils knew Christ (Matt. 8:29). A man may preach Christ and yet not learn Christ, as Judas. A man may profess Christ, and yet not learn Christ. There are many professors in the world that Christ will profess against (Matt. 7:22-23). What is it then to learn Christ? To learn Christ is to be made like Christ when the divine characters of His holiness are engraved upon our hearts.”
Evangelism
Similar to Discipleship and Jesus’ last words to Peter, Christ spoke to the priority of evangelism in another set of last words “The Great Commission” (Matt. 28:19-20). There is certainly an element of “The Great Commission” which involves teaching the Body. However, there is just as much an element of outreach as well. Here at LCF, we consider it a privilege and responsibility to be called as a means in God’s sovereign and electing purposes through gospel proclamation.
“Every Christian is either a missionary or imposter” Charles Spurgeon
Confession
We hold to a Revised Baptist Confession of Faith (essentially the 1689 London Baptist Confession) as an accurate statement of our doctrine and theology. We don’t claim perfection for the confession. Scripture alone is our final authority. With that said, as interpreted and applied by the elders of LCF, we affirm the system and direction of this confession. A copy of this full confession of faith is attached below.
The Baptist Confession of Faith & Catechism for Dispensational Churches
Creeds
At LCF we hold to “Scripture Alone” as the sole divine and first authoritative standard for which all of life is examined and applied. Having said that, historically speaking, we also believe there is great benefit in connecting to and affirming what the historic universal church has professed as an accurate explanation and defense of what Scripture teaches.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon had this to say in the 19th century concerning this sentiment. “It is our duty to make a clear and distinct declaration of our principles, that our members may know to what intent they have come together, and that the world also may know what we mean. Far be it from us to join with the Broad Church cry, and furl the banners upon which our distinctive colors are displaced.
We hear on all sides great outcries against creeds. Are these clamours justifiable? It seems to me that when properly analyzed most of the protests are not against creeds, but against truth, for every man who believes anything must have a creed, whether he write it down and print it or no; or if there be a man who believes nothing, or anything, or everything by turns, he is not a fit man to be set up as a model.
Attacks are often made against creeds because they are a short, handy form by which the Christian mind gives expression to its belief, and those who hate creeds do so because they find them to be weapons as inconvenient, as bayonets in the hands of British soldiers have been to our enemies. They are weapons so destructive to theology that it protests against them. For this reason let us be slow to part with them. Let us lay hold of God’s truth with iron grip, and never let it go.
After all, there is a Protestantism still worth contending for; there is a Calvinism still worth proclaiming, and a gospel worth dying for. There is a Christianity distinctive and distinguished from Ritualism, Rationalism, and Legalism, and let us make it known that we believe in it.
Up with your banners, soldiers of the cross! This is not the time to be frightened by the cries against conscientious convictions, which are nowadays nicknamed sectarianism and bigotry. Believe in your hearts what you profess to believe; proclaim openly and zealously what you know to be the truth. Be not ashamed to say such-and-such things are true, and let men draw the inference that the opposite is false.
Whatever the doctrines of the gospel may be to the rest of mankind, let them be your glory and boast. Display your banners, and let those banners be such as the church of old carried. Unfurl the old primitive standard, the all-victorious standard of the cross of Christ. In very deed and truth–…—the atonement is the conquering truth. Let others believe as they may, or deny as they will, for you the truth as it is in Jesus is the one thing that has won your heart and made you a soldier of the cross.”
At LCF we boldly stand with and affirm the historic Nicene and Chalcedon Creed. To view these two creeds please click on the links below.
Statements We Affirm with Links
The Cambridge Declaration
Evangelical churches today are increasingly dominated by the spirit of this age rather than by the Spirit of Christ. As evangelicals, we call ourselves to repent of this sin and to recover the historic Christian faith.
In the course of history words change. In our day this has happened to the word "evangelical." In the past it served as a bond of unity between Christians from a wide diversity of church traditions. Historic evangelicalism was confessional. It embraced the essential truths of Christianity as those were defined by the great ecumenical councils of the church. In addition, evangelicals also shared a common heritage in the "solas" of the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation.
Today the light of the Reformation has been significantly dimmed. The consequence is that the word "evangelical" has become so inclusive as to have lost its meaning. We face the peril of losing the unity it has taken centuries to achieve. Because of this crisis and because of our love of Christ, his gospel and his church, we endeavor to assert a new our commitment to the central truths of the Reformation and of historic evangelicalism. These truths we affirm not because of their role in our traditions, but because we believe that they are central to the Bible.
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
The Chicago Statement affirms the inerrancy of Scripture, making clear our understanding of it and warning against its rejection. We are persuaded that to deny it is to set aside the witness of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit and to refuse that submission to the claims of God’s own Word which marks true Christian faith. We see it as our timely duty to make this affirmation in the face of current lapses from the truth of inerrancy among our fellow Christians and misunderstanding of this doctrine in the world at large.
The Nashville Statement on Gender & Marriage
We are persuaded that faithfulness in our generation means declaring once again the true story of the world and of our place in it—particularly as male and female. Christian Scripture teaches that there is but one God who alone is Creator and Lord of all. To him alone, every person owes glad-hearted thanksgiving, heart-felt praise, and total allegiance. This is the path not only of glorifying God, but of knowing ourselves. To forget our Creator is to forget who we are, for he made us for himself. And we cannot know ourselves truly without truly knowing him who made us. We did not make ourselves. We are not our own. Our true identity, as male and female persons, is given by God. It is not only foolish, but hopeless, to try to make ourselves what God did not create us to be.
We believe that God’s design for his creation and his way of salvation serve to bring him the greatest glory and bring us the greatest good. God’s good plan provides us with the greatest freedom. Jesus said he came that we might have life and have it in overflowing measure. He is for us and not against us. Therefore, in the hope of serving Christ’s church and witnessing publicly to the good purposes of God for human sexuality revealed in Christian Scripture, we offer the following affirmations and denials.
The Dallas Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
In view of questionable sociological, psychological, and political theories presently permeating our culture and making inroads into Christ's church, we wish to clarify certain key Christian doctrines and ethical principles prescribed in God’s Word. Clarity on these issues will fortify believers and churches to withstand an onslaught of dangerous and false teachings that threaten the gospel, misrepresent Scripture, and lead people away from the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
We submit these affirmations and denials for public consideration, not with any pretense of ecclesiastical authority, but with an urgency that is mixed with deep joy and sincere sorrow. The rapidity with which these deadly ideas have spread from the culture at large into churches and Christian organizations—including some that are evangelical and Reformed—necessitates the issuing of this statement now.