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The following are the core beliefs of The Living Church Boise based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in truth from God's Word.
God Created You for Himself
The gospel begins with God.
You are not an accident. You were created by God, for God, and in the image of God. That means your life has meaning, value, and purpose.
You were made to know God, love God, worship God, and reflect His goodness in the world.
You are not an accident. You were created by God, for God, and in the image of God. That means your life has meaning, value, and purpose.
You were made to know God, love God, worship God, and reflect His goodness in the world.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.
You were made by God and for God.
That means the deepest need of your soul is not success, approval, money, comfort, or control. Your deepest need is God Himself.
But something went wrong.
Sin broke what God made to be good
The Bible calls our problem sin.
Sin is not just making mistakes. Sin is rebellion against God. It is choosing our way over God’s way. It is trying to be our own authority instead of trusting God’s authority. Sin separates us from God, damages our hearts, distorts our desires, breaks our relationships, and leads to death.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is why we cannot save ourselves.
Good intentions cannot erase sin.
Religious activity cannot remove guilt.
Being “better than most people” cannot make us righteous before a holy God.
We needed more than advice.
We needed rescue.
And that is why Jesus came.
Sin is not just making mistakes. Sin is rebellion against God. It is choosing our way over God’s way. It is trying to be our own authority instead of trusting God’s authority. Sin separates us from God, damages our hearts, distorts our desires, breaks our relationships, and leads to death.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is why we cannot save ourselves.
Good intentions cannot erase sin.
Religious activity cannot remove guilt.
Being “better than most people” cannot make us righteous before a holy God.
We needed more than advice.
We needed rescue.
And that is why Jesus came.
Jesus Came to Save Sinners
Jesus is not just a good teacher, prophet, or religious example. Jesus is the Son of God who came to rescue sinners.
He lived the life we failed to live.
He died the death we deserved to die.
He rose again so we could receive new life.
John 3:16–17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
The heart of the gospel is not what we do for God. The heart of the gospel is what God has done for us in Jesus.
Jesus died for our sins.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose again.
Jesus is alive today.
That means your sin is not stronger than His cross.
Your shame is not stronger than His grace.
Your past is not stronger than His resurrection.
He lived the life we failed to live.
He died the death we deserved to die.
He rose again so we could receive new life.
John 3:16–17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
The heart of the gospel is not what we do for God. The heart of the gospel is what God has done for us in Jesus.
Jesus died for our sins.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose again.
Jesus is alive today.
That means your sin is not stronger than His cross.
Your shame is not stronger than His grace.
Your past is not stronger than His resurrection.
Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith
The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith.
Grace means God gives us what we could never earn.
Faith means we trust Jesus and receive what He has done for us.
We are not saved because we are good enough.
We are not saved because we are religious enough.
We are not saved because we got baptized.
We are saved because Jesus is enough.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 10:9–10
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Acts 16:30–31
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
This is good news.
You do not clean yourself up and then come to Jesus.
You come to Jesus because you cannot clean yourself up.
You do not heal yourself and then come to Jesus.
You come to Jesus because He is the healer.
You do not make yourself worthy.
You trust the One who is worthy.
Grace means God gives us what we could never earn.
Faith means we trust Jesus and receive what He has done for us.
We are not saved because we are good enough.
We are not saved because we are religious enough.
We are not saved because we got baptized.
We are saved because Jesus is enough.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 10:9–10
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Acts 16:30–31
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
This is good news.
You do not clean yourself up and then come to Jesus.
You come to Jesus because you cannot clean yourself up.
You do not heal yourself and then come to Jesus.
You come to Jesus because He is the healer.
You do not make yourself worthy.
You trust the One who is worthy.
Repentance Means Turning to Jesus
When the gospel is preached in the Bible, people are called to repent and believe. Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. It is not just feeling bad. It is a change of direction. It is surrender.
Acts 2:37–38
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:14–15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance is not perfection.
A new believer may still struggle. You may still be learning. You may still have patterns God is healing. But repentance means you are no longer making peace with sin. You are bringing your life under the loving authority of Jesus.
You are saying:
“Jesus, I do not want to live my old way anymore. I belong to You.”
Acts 2:37–38
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:14–15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance is not perfection.
A new believer may still struggle. You may still be learning. You may still have patterns God is healing. But repentance means you are no longer making peace with sin. You are bringing your life under the loving authority of Jesus.
You are saying:
“Jesus, I do not want to live my old way anymore. I belong to You.”
Baptism shows your commitment to Christ
Baptism is one of the first steps of obedience for a believer.
Baptism does not save you. Jesus saves you. But baptism publicly shows that you have trusted Jesus and are now committed to following Him.
Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and baptize them.
Matthew 28:18–20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Baptism begins with the authority of Jesus.
It is not “level two” Christianity.
It is not only for people who feel spiritually mature.
It is not a trophy for perfect Christians.
Baptism is a starting point for obedient disciples.
It is a way of saying:
“My highest commitment belongs to Jesus.”
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the commitment.
Baptism does not save you. Jesus saves you. But baptism publicly shows that you have trusted Jesus and are now committed to following Him.
Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and baptize them.
Matthew 28:18–20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Baptism begins with the authority of Jesus.
It is not “level two” Christianity.
It is not only for people who feel spiritually mature.
It is not a trophy for perfect Christians.
Baptism is a starting point for obedient disciples.
It is a way of saying:
“My highest commitment belongs to Jesus.”
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the commitment.
Baptism shows the change that Jesus has made
In the book of Acts, when people believed the gospel, they were baptized. Their faith did not stay hidden. At Pentecost, Peter preached Jesus. The people were convicted, they repented, and those who received the word were baptized.
Acts 2:41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Baptism shows the outward change of an inward grace.
It says:
“Jesus has changed me.”
“I have turned from sin.”
“I have received grace.”
“I am not ashamed to belong to Christ.”
This change is not something we produce by our own strength. It is the work of God’s grace in us.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
You may not feel fully changed in every area yet. But if you are in Christ, God has begun a real work in you. You are not who you were. Your old life does not own you. Your past does not define you. Jesus has made you new.
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the change.
Acts 2:41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Baptism shows the outward change of an inward grace.
It says:
“Jesus has changed me.”
“I have turned from sin.”
“I have received grace.”
“I am not ashamed to belong to Christ.”
This change is not something we produce by our own strength. It is the work of God’s grace in us.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
You may not feel fully changed in every area yet. But if you are in Christ, God has begun a real work in you. You are not who you were. Your old life does not own you. Your past does not define you. Jesus has made you new.
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the change.
Baptism Shows Your Connection to Christ
Baptism also shows that your story is now connected to Jesus’ story.
When you go under the water, it pictures burial.
When you come out of the water, it pictures resurrection.
The old life is buried.
A new life has begun.
Romans 6:3–5
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
This is called union with Christ.
That means you are not just trying to follow Jesus from a distance. You are connected to Him.
His death counts for you.
His resurrection life belongs to you.
His victory becomes your hope.
You are in Christ.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the connection.
When you go under the water, it pictures burial.
When you come out of the water, it pictures resurrection.
The old life is buried.
A new life has begun.
Romans 6:3–5
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
This is called union with Christ.
That means you are not just trying to follow Jesus from a distance. You are connected to Him.
His death counts for you.
His resurrection life belongs to you.
His victory becomes your hope.
You are in Christ.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Don’t hide what Jesus has healed — show the connection.
You Have Been Given the Holy Spirit
When you trust in Jesus, you are not left alone to live the Christian life by your own strength. God gives you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you understand God’s Word, convicts you of sin, comforts you, empowers you, and helps you become more like Jesus.
Acts 2:38–39
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Ephesians 1:13–14
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
You are not walking alone.
The same God who saved you now lives in you by His Spirit.
Acts 2:38–39
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Ephesians 1:13–14
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
You are not walking alone.
The same God who saved you now lives in you by His Spirit.
What Should I Do Now?
If you are a new believer, here are simple next steps.
1. Be baptized
If you have trusted in Jesus and have not been baptized, baptism is your next step of obedience.
Acts 8:35–38
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
2. Read the Bible
God speaks to us through His Word.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
A good place to start is the Gospel of John.
3. Pray
Prayer is talking to God. You do not need fancy words. Speak to Him honestly.
Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4. Join the church community
You were not meant to follow Jesus alone.
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
5. Tell someone what Jesus has done
Your story does not have to be dramatic to be powerful. If Jesus saved you, you have a testimony.
Mark 5:19
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Prayer is talking to God. You do not need fancy words. Speak to Him honestly.
Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4. Join the church community
You were not meant to follow Jesus alone.
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
5. Tell someone what Jesus has done
Your story does not have to be dramatic to be powerful. If Jesus saved you, you have a testimony.
Mark 5:19
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
A simple prayer of faith
A prayer does not save you by itself. Jesus saves. But prayer can be a way to express faith, repentance, and surrender to Him.
You can pray something like this:
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I know I cannot save myself. I turn from my sin and trust in You. Forgive me, make me new, and teach me to follow You. I give my life to You. Amen.
If you have trusted Jesus, you can be encouraged:
You are forgiven.
You are loved.
You are not alone.
You are a new creation.
You belong to Jesus.
You can pray something like this:
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I know I cannot save myself. I turn from my sin and trust in You. Forgive me, make me new, and teach me to follow You. I give my life to You. Amen.
If you have trusted Jesus, you can be encouraged:
You are forgiven.
You are loved.
You are not alone.
You are a new creation.
You belong to Jesus.
Final encouragement
Following Jesus is a daily walk.
Some days you will feel strong.
Some days you will feel weak.
Some days you will feel joyful.
Some days you will have questions.
But your hope is not in the strength of your faith. Your hope is in the strength of your Savior.
Jesus has healed what sin broke.
Jesus has changed what grace touched.
Jesus has connected you to His death and resurrection.
So do not hide what Jesus has healed.
Show the commitment.
Show the change.
Show the connection.
Walk in newness of life.
Some days you will feel strong.
Some days you will feel weak.
Some days you will feel joyful.
Some days you will have questions.
But your hope is not in the strength of your faith. Your hope is in the strength of your Savior.
Jesus has healed what sin broke.
Jesus has changed what grace touched.
Jesus has connected you to His death and resurrection.
So do not hide what Jesus has healed.
Show the commitment.
Show the change.
Show the connection.
Walk in newness of life.