At Lakeside our approach to belief is guided by three core values:

  1. In matters of belief that are essential to the faith we seek unity.
  2. But we also recognize that there may be differences of belief in matters that we consider as non-essential. In these matters we extend liberty and freedom.
  3. In all things we seek to demonstrate unconditional love.

Unity in essential beliefs, freedom in non-essential doctrines and unconditional love always: this is the foundation for what we believe.

The Essentials We Believe

About God

We believe in one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. We believe that He is limitless in power, knowledge, wisdom, love, and holiness. We also believe that He has revealed himself as the Father of the redeemed. Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 6:9; 28:19;2 Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity and is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. He will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-18; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15

About The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make each person aware of his or her need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance for doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:1; Revelation 22:17

About Human Beings

We believe that all people were created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, all people are totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by their own effort. Genesis 1:26-30; Psalm 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; Isaiah 6:5; 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18; 3:23; 5:6; 12; 19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18; 29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; Ephesians 2:1-22

About Salvation

We believe that salvation is a gift of God to all who will place complete trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus as their hope for eternity. No one can ever make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; Romans 2:4; 3:23-25; 5:1, 8-10; Galatians 3:26; 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Rev 3:20; 21:1 – 22:5

About Eternal Security

We believe that because God gives people eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

About Eternity

We believe that people were created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to live in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. Matthew 19:28; 24; 25:31-46; Mark 8:38; Luke 16:19-26; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31 Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 20:15

About the Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is absolute truth without any mixture of error as given in the originals. Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 19:7-10; 119:11, 89, 105, 140, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1: 13, 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21

About the Church

We believe that the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The members are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to a lost world. Matthew 16:15-19; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:8-11; 21 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.