What We Believe
To be able to more clearly identify Living Word as an organization with which to relate (or not) we share the following basics of beliefs we hold - it is for information, not indoctrination, so what we're about is as clear as possible for those considering having anything to do with us.
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, sent into the world to redeem man from sin (John 3:16).
Man MUST be saved (born again - John3) by confessing Jesus as God's son and repenting (being sorry for and turning from) sin - a condition into which we are born because of Adam's original sin (Gen.3, Romans 3,5, 10:9-11).
We are to follow Jesus' example of being baptised in water (Matt.3; Acts 2:38; Romans 6). It is a powerful experience of public committment and enables remission of sins, according to the scriptures.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus emphasized the importance of being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Scriptural examples include the initial evidence as being the ability to speak in other tongues, by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2, 10,11,19). The manifestation of the dove at Jesus' water baptism represented Jesus' being baptised in the Holy Spirit as well. We are to follow His example.
We are to do today as Jesus did while on the earth: heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, perform miracles, manifesting God's power so that more people will want to come to Jesus and receive Him as Lord of their lives (Matt.10:7,8; Mark 16:15-20; John 14:12).
God loves us and desires to have an intimate relationship with us continually. We should seek to daily walk with God, letting Him guide and direct us into His perfect will for our lives. He also desires to be our source for EVERYTHING we need. We seek to learn to trust and obey Him more each day.
We seek to not operate in legalism and dogmatism, but be apt to teach, patient, gentle, easily taught, not arguing or defending our stands, but loving those who oppose us; thereby allowing God's love to rule and melt the hearts, rather than trying to persuade minds (II Timothy 2; I Corinthians 13; Rom.12:19-21).
We are to spread the gospel of the kingdom (Rom.14:17) wherever possible and by whatever means God puts at our disposal (Matt.24:14; Mark 16:15-20). We are to begin at home and spread the GOOD news throughout the whole world.
All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to every believer who will seek to use them for God's honor and glory. They are tools whereby we can have effective, life-changing ministries through God's POWER, not man's intellect and training (I Corinthians 2:4,5; 12-14).