What We Believe

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

Core Beliefs

The following are the core beliefs of Victory Life Church of East Texas 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.

1. Authority of God's Word

the Bible, both the Old and New Testament, is inspired by God. It is the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. I Thessalonians 2:13, II Timothy 3:15-17, II Peter 1:23

2. One True God

There is one true God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, Matthew 28:19,
Luke 3:22

3. Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
The Scriptures declare:
A. His virgin birth: Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, 35
B. His sinless life: Hebrews 7:26, I Peter 2:22
C. His miracles: Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38
D. His substitutionary work on the cross:
I Corinthians 15:3, II Corinthians 5:21
E. His bodily resurrection from the dead:
Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, I Corinthians 15:4
F. His exaltation to the right hand of God: Acts 1:9, 11; Acts 2:33, Phillipians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3

4. Fall of Man

Man was created good and upright but buy voluntary transgression, fell and thereby incurred physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19

5. Salvation of Man

Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7

A. Conditions to Salvation
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7

B. Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence is the direct witness of the Spirit. Romans 8:16
The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12

6. Ordinances of the Church

A. Baptism in water by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. This declares to the world that they have died with Christ and have been raised in Him to walk in newness of life.
Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4
B. Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, consists of the elements-bread and the fruit of the vine. It is a symbol of our sharing the divine nature. II Peter 1:4
A reminder of His suffering and death: I Corinthians 11:26
And a prophecy of His second coming: I Corinthians 11:26

7. Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication to God.
Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12

Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

8. The Church and its Mission

The Church is the body of Christ of which each believer is a part.
Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23

9. Ministry

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry is for the threefold purpose of leading the church in: evangelizing the world
A. Evangelizing the world. Mark 16:15-20
B. Worshiping God: John 4:23-24
C. Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. Ephesians 4:11-16

10. Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their rapture together with those who are alive at the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.
Romans 8:23, I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17;
Titus 2:13

11. Millennial Reign of Christ

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of all Christians, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for 1,000 years.
Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7,
Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-6

12. The Final Judgement

There will be final judgement of the wicked dead according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.
Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:18

13. New Heavens and New Earth

"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."
II Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:22