Our Beliefs

Our Beliefs

CLW is a diverse church. We come from different denominational backgrounds and there are some differences in our understanding of secondary issues. But we all agree on the basic, non-negotiables of the Christian faith:

1. We believe in one God Who exists in perfect relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; John 14:26; Luke 3:22; Matthew 28:19. 20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:14)

2. We believe in God, the Father, Who created everything that exists (Genesis 1).

3. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Head of the Church, fully God and fully human. Through His virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death on our behalf, bodily resurrection from the dead, and ascension, He offers forgiveness for sins and eternal life for all who believe in Him. We are saved so that we can do good works. Every person is separated from God because of sin, and reconciliation with God is only possible through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 22:34-40; John 14:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:4-10).

4. We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who empowers believers to do the greater works of Christ until He returns for His church. The power of the Holy Spirit transforms lives so that believers can draw closer to God and live lives that honor Him (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12; John 14:12; Luke 24:49; Mark 16:16; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 2:3, 4; Galatians 5:19-26).

5. We believe that the Bible is inspired by God and without contradiction or error in its original texts. The 66 books that make up the Old & New Testaments are true and can be trusted without reservation as our guide and final authority for life and faith. We encourage personal study of God’s Word, allowing the Bible to interpret itself, since it is a living Word, always relevant (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Romans 15:4; Psalm 1; 2 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 4:12)

6. We believe that the Lord’s Supper and baptism in water are to be observed in loving obedience to Christ’s command (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 22:17-20; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

7. We believe that the Church is made up everyone who has been born of the Spirit by repenting (turning, change of mind/direction/values/desires) of sins and believing in the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Christ. True believers will live forever with Christ, while unbelievers will be sent to eternal punishment in Hell. As believers, we are called by God to be salt and light in this world. We are commanded to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Our ministry to other believers and our mission to unbelievers is carried out because of our love for Christ and for people, not out of guilt, obligation, no religious duty. As believers, we accept that nothing in this world stays the same except the Solid Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. We worship Jesus Christ alone as Lord: not tradition, history, buildings, or ourselves (John 1:12-13; 3:3; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:18; Matthew 5:13-16; 10:28; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Hebrews 13:8; Exodus 20:3).