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Welcome to Living Faith Christian Fellowship. Here you will find online sermons, Bible teaching, doctrinal studies, and other godly resources. It is our prayer that you will diligently seek God's truth. We want to encourage and help you on your way. Below is a brief overview of our faith and practice. Our online Doctrine Study Series will go into greater detail, as will our sermons, books, and articles. We are giving our lives to establish and maintain a "first century apostolic" type church body, which is what Jesus commanded and intended for his people to do - are you willing to give your life for this goal? Will the Lord be pleased if we are not giving ourselves for this work?
Let me help you catagorize us in this world of doctrinal variety and diversity. First and most important, we want to be APOSTOLIC in our faith and practice. This means we strive to follow the first century faith and practice taught by the apostles of Christ. Everything the first century churches were taught to believe and practice, we strive to believe and practice. We greatly appreciate the heritage of non-conformist Christians who strove to be faithful to Scripture through the Dark Ages who are sometimes referred to as The Pilgrim Church. The ancient Waldenses, Anabaptists, etc. were just people striving to follow Christ and uphold Scripture as the sole authority for faith and practice. This is our goal. We would agree on many points with Menno Simons and other Anabaptists; but do part ways with them and modern Mennonite/Anabaptist groups on some important doctrines: see our book THE ALIEN EXPOSED. Doctrinally we would also agree with much of Adam Clarke's Commentary. We seek to found our Faith and Practice on the BEDROCK of First Century Christianity.
We invite you to visit our church meetings in North Missouri. We also invite you to ask questions and give challenges. We encourage you to seek TRUTH, for Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE. You must follow and obey Jesus Christ if you wish to know the truth and inherit eternal life. We are common people striving to walk the pilgrim road, and invite all teachable, humble, and Christ loving people to travel with us.
When we study Scripture, we refuse to defend personal biases that we were raised with, but are committed only to:
Original Intent -- What the apostles had in mind as they wrote.
Historical Setting -- How first century apostolic churches practiced and understood the Scriptures.
The Faith Once Delivered -- We are commanded in Jude 3 to contend for the "Faith once delivered to the saints" and none other. Our faith and practice ought to be the same as what the apostles taught the churches of the first century.
The Sole Authority of The Scripture -- When we have found the original intent in the historical setting of the faith once delivered unto the saints, WE OBEY IT. We don't assume the right to add or subtract -- no one gave us such authority.
With this in mind, you will understand why we don't determine our faith and practice, or define Biblical terms according to modern acceptance. We don't compare ourselves among ourselves or among modern churches to decide what is "modest", "holy", "acceptable", etc. We don't reference off some leader, the reformation, etc. We appreciate the heritage we find in true believers throughout history, but our reference is first century faith and practice. Therefore we obey Christ's command to "teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you". We don't just "tell them to observe", we "teach them to observe" ALL things. We want the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD. Therefore...
· Our youth are taught to live holy lives in submission to God, parents, and government.
· Our wives and mothers are "keepers at home".
· Our ladies dress modest, with veiled heads, and not with gold, pearls, or costly array.
· Our ladies do not teach, perform, or lead in the church meeting.
· Our children do not attend ungodly institutions, but are home-schooled.
· Our Men are accountable one to another to live simple, modest, holy lives; and to lead their homes in such a manner.
We are more concerned about being "doers of the Word", than we are about arguing theology, though we do study doctrine, and are ready to answer your questions about doctrine.
We reject Calvinism, Antinomianism, and all other man-made systems that teach a false or unconditional security. We preach the pure gospel that first century churches preached. This is very similar to what the Anabaptists believed during the Reformation. We would agree with the Anabaptists on repentance and conversion for the most part (There were differences among Anabaptists).
We strongly reject the notion that repentant sinners who come to the church with divorce and remarriage in their past, must break up the marriage they are in. We gladly accept all repentant sinners, no matter what is in their past. Our position on this issue would be similar to the Anabaptists during the reformation under Menno Simons, etc. On this issue we would part ways with modern Mennonites, because we reject the false Marcionite concept that Jesus came to correct Moses' Law (The Alien Exposed & Did Jesus Correct Moses?). We believe that Jesus is the one who inspired the Old Testament Scriptures; and came to clarify, defend, and write God's Law on believer's hearts so "that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Ro 8:4) . See our book on this subject - "Marriage..."
We take communion weekly, and only allow believers of like faith and practice to partake. We keep the communion clean as Christ commanded. We would wait until we've had opportunity to meet with you and know that you are a believer of like faith and practice and a member in good standing of a church of like faith and practice before we would just invite you to partake. This is a matter of reverent stewardship concerning our proper discerning of the body of Christ, and nothing personal against you. If you visit, please do not be offended or think we look down on you if, as a visitor, you are not automatically invited to partake. We are accountable before God to follow carefully the Scriptural teaching on this subject. We would be glad to take the Scriptures and explain our position to you.
We would baptize Cornelius, Zaccheus, Sergius Paulus, Erastus, the Philippian Jailor, publicans, soldiers, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and all other officers of the state, without them leaving their position as an officer of the state. We reject the notion that officers of the state cannot also be members of the body of Christ, as some erroneously teach. We believe in righteous government action, whether of the sheriff, police, magistrate or military (Romans 13). We do not believe that God ordained a righteous office which righteous people cannot fill. On this issue also we would part ways with modern Mennonites for the same reason we part ways on the issue above about marriage. Anyone who interprets the New Testament to contradict the righteousness of the Old Testament Law is in Marcionite error (Romans 8:4). See our new book on this Subject "Resist Not Evil??"
-We baptize upon repentance and profession of faith those who are mature enough to be accountable as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We believe evangelism is not this modern concept of making "Jesus fans" by having people "accept Jesus"; but rather leading people to repentance and obedient faith so Jesus will accept them. You have not "evangelized" until your convert is a healthy growing member of a Biblical church body -- therefore, you cannot rightly evangelize without a Biblical church behind your work or as a result of your work.
-We believe in a converted church membership accountable one to another to live a life honoring to Jesus Christ.
-We believe being an active member of a local church body is Jesus' command for every believer; and that those who prefer independence and reject or ignore this plan are not being obedient to Jesus Christ.
-We believe a Biblical Local Church is a body of repentant, baptized, obedient, believers with a bishop and eventually also a body of elders directing it (Acts 21:18). This body must adhere diligently to the faith and practice of first century apostolic Christianity, regardless of the results. The church should be primarily concerned with being a pleasing bride to Christ, not a pleasing fellowship to man. The church is to be the "pillar and ground of the truth", so it cannot compromise truth to keep people. Our first order of business is to properly represent Christ's doctrine and will to the World. Our goal is to make men acceptable to God, not make God palatable to man. Reconciliation is men returning in submission to God, not God changing His Ways to accomodate man.
-We believe that Gentile Christians under the New Covenant are free from the ceremonial and ritual aspect of Moses' Law and even Jewish believers cannot observe biblical Judaism without the proper Temple, Priest, Altar, etc. The Ceremonial Law was a middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, and was "done away" in Christ - Gentiles were grafted into the Jewish covenant without coming under Judaism. However the moral aspects of Moses' Law, sometimes called the "Righteousness of the Law", are not done away, but written on believer's hearts as the foundation of the New Covenant (Heb. 8:10 & 10:16). Romans 8:4 tells us that those who walk in the Spirit fulfill the righteousness of God's Law. It is always wrong to interpret the New Testament in a way that puts it in conflict with the Righteousness of God's Law -- as both NT and OT are the Word of the unchanging God. Moses' words were Jesus' words. Jesus is the "I am" and the Word incarnate -- The ONE who inspired all the Scriptures. God's moral standards, convictions, judgments, verdicts, opinions, etc. NEVER change; because they are HIS unchanging LOVE manifested; and will always make the same judgment call on the same issue in the same context. If you have questions Please Ask.
"It is the divine order that truth of every kind should fully reveal itself only to hungry souls. The long research and the hot pursuit whet the appetite, and prepare the discoverer for a proper appreciation of the treasure which he has found. The more valuable the truth, the higher the barriers which hedge it in and appall all timid seekers, leaving the toilsome search to those dauntless souls whose unconquerable persistence makes all opposition bow before them." ~ Daniel Steele, Milestone Papers pg 23.
All books by donation of any size
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Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:
Mk 7:9-13 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the Commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said.......… But ye say.....…... …Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered…
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Thus Saith Jesus: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead"
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Did Jesus Correct Moses? Expanded
Now Available as an AUDIO BOOK, read by J.L. Wallace, and can be obtained through atpublishers.com
Did Jesus correct or change the OT with His teaching in the Sermon On The Mount or did He clarify and defend His own inspired Words through Moses? Here is undeniable proof from the Scriptures that Jesus did not come to change His own inspired Word, but to defend it and correct misconceptions about God's Word. Everyone who loves truth and righteousness needs to read this book. We will send a free copy to all lovers of truth, or you can... Read It Online
IMPORTANT MESSAGES ON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT:
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On The Proper Usage Of “Early Church” Writings
Bible literacy test:
1. In our New Testament in many Bibles there are words printed in Black and words printed in Red, which ones did Jesus author?
2. We have an Old Testament and New Testament in our English Bible, which represents the teachings of Jesus?
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The Modern Anabaptist "Two Kingdom Concept" in Light of Scripture - Did God ordain a kingdom in opposition to His own?
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God's Crucible
What are God's intentions for the church? What is church life supposed to be like? What should I expect from a Biblical church? This book deals with the dynamics of Biblical church life meant to conform you to the image of Christ. Most people are stumbled because they have a false concept of church life dynamics; and assume that what they experience in a Biblical church is not what God intended. The purpose of this book is to set the record straight.
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What The Bible Really Teaches About Divorce And Remarriage -- Should The Church Accept New Converts With Divorce and Remarriage In Their Past?
Thus Saith Jesus: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead"
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New Updated Version Now Available
The Alien Exposed
An Acid Test For The Authentic
Anabaptist Love of Truth
A sobering test to see if you really care what the Bible actually says or if you just prefer to rest in your "ism". Will Those who claim the Anabaptist Heritage have the same determination to know the truth and follow it regardless of suffering?
A challenge to anyone who thinks they can prove this book wrong from the Scriptures.
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2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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To All Concerned Seekers and Observers: We as a congregation have voluntarily joined together to believe and practice the "Faith once delivered to the saints" for the love of Christ. As you have noticed there are some poor souls on Google/YouTube who cannot build anything, but can only tear down other people. If you only knew the truth about them, you'd be shocked at the hypocrisy and untruths told. They really need our prayers and pity, as their lives are a wreck of hypocrisy and failure. These people REFUSE to meet and talk like mature and loving Christians. If you ever speak with them, ask them why they will not meet and talk and learn the facts -- as they are reporting 'Fake News' and misrepresenting our beliefs. Our Web-site answers all our critics. They just need the sincerity to read, humility to learn, and integrity to communicate respectfully.
We have already invited ALL who have ever made contact with us to come and have a mature Christian discussion. We have nothing to fear or hide. We are willing to be corrected from the Word of God, and hope they are too. We are happy to learn truth and live it, which is why we are doing what we are doing now. We love meeting other sincere believers and reconciling differences for the Glory of God if that is possible. So, be it known to all who hear and read the lying slanders and criticism that this is our position and all meetings will be posted in this box when the critics are willing to meet and talk like mature adults, rather than hide behind their computer and tell untruths on the internet. If they will not meet and talk, then we question the purity of their motives.
May God render to every man what He deems appropriate.
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Website established 2006
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RECENT“Bible exposition without moral application raises no opposition. It is only when the hearer is made to understand that truth is in conflict with his heart, that resistance sets in. As long as people can hear orthodoxy divorced from life, they will attend and support churches and institutions without objection. On the other hand, the man who preaches truth and applies it to the lives of his hearers, will feel the nails and the thorns. He will lead a hard life, but a glorious one.”
onOonline Audio Bible
ONLINE SERMONS
“Bible exposition without moral application raises no opposition. It is only when the hearer is made to understand that truth is in conflict with his heart, that resistance sets in. As long as people can hear orthodoxy divorced from life, they will attend and support churches and institutions without objection. On the other hand, the man who preaches truth and applies it to the lives of his hearers, will feel the nails and the thorns. He will lead a hard life, but a glorious one.”
A.W. Tozer
Recommended Sermons
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--Written by Bro. Mark at 19 yrs. old - edited at 41. It shares his experiences as a young preacher in his large public high school in Albuquerque, NM. He shares some helpful truths he learned through his first four years of serving God.
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Here is clear Scriptural teaching on the proper application of Jesus' words "Resist not Evil".
-- Is the use of lethal force ever a Christian thing to do?
-- Can Christians serve in government?
-- Is it righteous to defend the weak?
-- Is God angry when we do not defend the innocent blood?
-- Would the Apostles baptize soldiers still serving in the military?
-- Will Jesus' kingdom be based on Pacifism?
-- Did the Apostles take communion with soldiers and government officials?
-- Should Christians vote?
-- Is voting for the "lesser of two evils" a Biblical concept?
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SALVATION made plain, simple, understandable, and sensible. God's Ways proven to align with common sense.
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