We believe the Bible is God's message to mankind. We believe ALL of it, cover to cover, is true…we even dig the maps in the back.
We believe there is only one God, who has 3 distinct persons in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like an egg made of a shell, yoke, and white…3 distinct parts, but we call it an egg.
He's absolutely amazing, with no beginning and no end, self-sustaining, set apart as Holy, good, faithful, unchanging, loves us, and saves us from sin and hell through Jesus Christ.
He's God's one and only Son, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and taught us about God and His ways. He died on the cross for us, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and some day will come again to earth.
He draws people to God, lives inside believers, helps us to live more like Jesus, and gives special gifts to all believers. Some of the gifts he gives can sometimes seem strange and amazing, (example…when someone is healed or someone speaks about another person and encourages them about their life in ways only God would know) but these are all good and useful for encouraging one another in our walks with God.
We believe everyone sins. Our sins separate us from a relationship with a Holy God. But God in His love for us sent Jesus to pay for our sins on the cross. It is only through faith in receiving that gift that we are saved.
There are 2 types of church. The big "C" Church, which consists of all Jesus followers, and makes up the entire Church in which Jesus is the head, and the small "c" church or the local church, which consists of believers who choose to gather together regularly for worship, teaching, and fellowship. Oh yeah…and church should be AWESOME. At least we think so at Lakeland.
We live to please God and thus our lives reflect Him. We desire to be people of great integrity and generosity, who love and care for our families, communities, and the world.
Yeah…we love them and practice both. We believe both are symbolic and have unique symbolic purposes. Baptism- we practice the full dunk, and only for those who can express their own personal belief in Jesus…we baptize to publicly proclaim one's faith in Christ. Communion- once a month we take communion together, taking bread to remember his broken body, and the cup to remember His blood poured out for us…we take communion to remember the cross.
Want to dive deeper into our statements of faith…Click HERE.