What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of TLC based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise.  God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom,  justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 Genesis 1:1, 26, 27;  3:22;  Psalm 90:2;  Matthew 28:19;  1 Peter 1:2;  2 Corinthians 13:14

God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.

Colossians 1:15 

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.

Genesis 1

When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. Because of their disobedience, sin entered the world. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

 Genesis 3:1-24

Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.

Romans 6:23;  Ephesians 2:8, 9;  John 14:6;  1:12;  Titus 3:5;  Galatians 3:26;  Romans 5:1

Man  was created to exist forever. He 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 hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.

John 3:16;  1 John 2:25;  1 John 5:11-13;  Romans 6:23;  Revelation 20:15;  Matthew 25:31-46

The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is the co-equal with the Father.  Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23;  Isaiah 9:6;  John 1:1-5, 14:10-30;  Hebrews 4:14,1 5;  1 Corinthians 15:3, 4;  Romans 1:3, 4;  Acts 1:9-11;  1 Timothy 6:14, 15;  Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the full manifestation of His fruit and gifts.

2 Cor. 3:17;  John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17;  Acts 1:8;  1 Cor. 2:12, 3:16;  Ephesians 1:13;  Galatians 5:25;  Ephesians 5:1;  Luke 24:49;  Acts 1:4, 2:4, 8:8; 1 Cor. 12:1

Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.

Revelation 1:7;  Matthew 24:44; Revelation 22:12

The Bible is God's word to all men.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. It reveals the amazing plan of God in redeeming mankind from Genesis to Revelation. 

2 Timothy 3:16;  2 Peter 1:20, 21;  2 Timothy 1:13;  Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6;  Proverbs 30:5

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved.  And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.

Colossians 2:12;  Acts 2:41;  Ephesians 2:8-9;  Matthew 28:19-20

Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a command given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant.  The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood.  Communion is not a means of salvation.  Rather, it is a testament of a believer's faith in the atoning work of the cross. 

Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

The church is the holy Body of Christ.  Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  The church has been called by God for a two-fold purpose:  (1)  The evangelization of the world, and (2) The encouragement, fellowship and building up of the Body of Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4; 15:16,20;  Ephesians 4:11-13)

We believe that the Spirit of God uses both male and female, young and old and people from all races, walks of life and denominational backgrounds to hold positions of ministry and to minister to the body of Christ.  

Galatians 3:28