The following doctrinal beliefs are the fundamentals, which the leadership of CLF is unwilling to compromise on.
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is fully God and fully man. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people 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 someday 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 1:8-9; 4:14, 15; 1Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1Timothy 3:16; 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ and to oversee the Church in the purposes of God. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides them with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts as He pleases. As Christians, we seek to live daily under His control and protection.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible
The Bible is God’s word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image and likeness of God to be like Him in character and actions. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by a nature and attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Sin if it remains in our lives will cause us to be eternally separated from God in Hell.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2; Matthew 5:29- 30; 25:41-46; Luke 16:19-31; Revelations 20:11-15
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our 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. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus Christ in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Satan and Evil Spirits
Satan and evil spirits are real personalities and are enemies of God and humanity. They were forever defeated and judged through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every born again believer has been given authority and power over all of them and their activity because of Jesus’ victory. Believers are commissioned by Jesus Christ to enforce and advance His kingdom by their lifestyle and purpose and in so doing, demonstrate the defeat of Satan and all evil spirits.
Mark 16:17; Luke 11:24-26; 10: 18-19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 1:15-22; 3:10, 11; 6:10-18; Colossians 2:15
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ made up of the believers in Heaven and on earth. The Church on earth is expressed through individuals who belong to local congregations all over the world in various denominations and Church bodies. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and He is the one responsible for building His Church. The mission of the Church on earth is to worship God, minister to humanity, evangelise the world, be a family, and disciple all those who are added to her to become like Christ Jesus.
Matthew 16:18; 28:19, 20; Mark 12:29-31; John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:12, 13; 1Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:22-23
Eternal Security
Since God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you must co-operate with God to stay saved. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not simply by the self-effort of the Christian. However God will always respect the choices His children make – even the ones that could ultimately destroy them. Believers must therefore always rely on the grace and keeping power of God to give them eternal security as they seek to live in obedience to Him.
John 10:29; Romans 11:22; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 1:6; 2:12, 13; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 6:4-9; 7:25, 10:10, 14; 10:26-31; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell with all its’ torments. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life that begins on earth but continues in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9