The Statement of Faith of Life College Press and The Next Wave Magazine

The publishing and editorial work of Life College Press and The Next Wave Magazine is grounded in the historic Christian faith and centered on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

We believe Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension accomplished everything necessary for humanity’s redemption. Salvation is not earned through human effort, religious performance, or personal merit. It is the gift of God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Because Christ declared, “It is finished,” we proclaim the Gospel with confidence, encourage believers to live from the victory He has already secured, and seek to publish work that communicates truth, strengthens faith, develops Christian leaders, and advances the mission of God in the world.

The One True and Triune God

We believe there is one true and living God, the Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth and all that exists.

We believe God is eternal, all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful. He has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct Persons, yet one God.

We believe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equal in divine nature, perfection, glory, and authority. They work in complete unity in creation, redemption, sanctification, and the fulfillment of God’s eternal purposes.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1–3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29–32; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17.

The Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He existed with the Father before creation, is fully divine, and participated in the creation of all things.

We believe Jesus willingly left the glory of heaven and entered human history. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and became fully human without ceasing to be fully God.

We believe Jesus came to reveal the Father, announce the Kingdom of God, demonstrate the character of God, and carry out the Father’s plan of redemption.

We believe Jesus lived without sin, was crucified, died as the atoning sacrifice for humanity’s sin, and was buried. Through His death on the cross, He paid the penalty of sin and defeated the powers of darkness.

We believe God raised Jesus bodily from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns and intercedes for His people.

We believe Jesus Christ will personally and gloriously return and that His Kingdom and reign are everlasting.

Scripture References: Matthew 1:18–23; Matthew 28:2–7; John 1:1–3, 14; John 3:16; John 10:30; John 14:6–11; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 4:14–15; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation 11:15.

The Finished Work of the Cross

We believe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was complete, sufficient, and victorious. Nothing can be added to His saving work, and nothing performed by human effort can take its place.

We believe Jesus bore the penalty of sin and opened the way for humanity to be forgiven, reconciled to God, and restored to covenant relationship with the Father.

We believe Christ triumphed over sin, death, Satan, and the powers of darkness through His crucifixion and resurrection. Everyone who places faith in Him may receive forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, and a new identity as a child of God.

We therefore do not live in an attempt to complete what Christ left unfinished. We live by faith in what He has already accomplished, depending on the Holy Spirit to transform our character and empower our obedience.

Scripture References: John 19:30; Romans 3:21–26; Romans 5:1–11; Romans 8:1–4; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Colossians 2:13–15; Hebrews 9:11–15; Hebrews 10:10–14; 1 Peter 2:24.

The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and eternally one with the Father and the Son.

We believe the Holy Spirit lives within the people of God, both individually and collectively. He reveals Christ, gives spiritual life, guides believers into truth, confirms that we are God’s children, helps us in prayer, and empowers us to confess and demonstrate that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We believe in the baptism and empowering work of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Book of Acts.

We believe the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to His will, equips believers for service and witness, and empowers the Church to carry out Christ’s mission.

We believe the Holy Spirit continually works within believers to sanctify them, renew their minds, form the character of Christ in them, and enable them to live in holiness, love, obedience, and spiritual freedom.

Scripture References: John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; Romans 8:5–17, 26–27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:3–11; Galatians 5:16–25.

The Written Word of God

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the authoritative written revelation of His nature, character, purposes, and redemptive plan.

We believe Scripture was given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is trustworthy and sufficient for establishing Christian faith, doctrine, conduct, and practice.

We believe the Bible is profitable for teaching, correction, rebuke, and instruction in righteousness. Through its truth, believers are equipped to know God, grow in spiritual maturity, discern truth from error, and become prepared for every good work.

We believe Scripture reveals God’s holiness, humanity’s need for redemption, God’s desire for covenant relationship with His people, and His plan to reconcile humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ.

We are committed to handling Scripture faithfully, responsibly, and reverently. Our publishing work must never seek to replace the Bible, but should help readers understand, engage with, and respond to its truth.

Scripture References: Psalm 119:89, 105, 160; Proverbs 30:5–6; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21.

Creation, the Fall, and Humanity’s Need for Redemption

We believe humanity was created by God in His image and was intended to live in fellowship with Him.

We believe sin entered the human experience through disobedience, bringing spiritual death, corruption, brokenness, and separation from God. Every person has sinned and stands in need of God’s grace and redemption.

We believe no human achievement, moral effort, religious ritual, or personal goodness can overcome sin or restore humanity to a right relationship with God.

We believe salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. Apart from Him, humanity remains under the consequences of sin and faces eternal separation from God.

We believe the Gospel calls people to repent, believe in Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, and receive the salvation He freely provides. Baptism, obedience, and a transformed life do not purchase salvation; they are responses to the grace of God and expressions of genuine faith in Christ.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3:1–24; Romans 3:10–12, 23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–9; Acts 4:12; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20; John 10:9; John 14:6.

Salvation and God’s Plan of Redemption

We believe salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace and is received through faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe the blood Jesus shed on the cross provides cleansing and forgiveness for sin. His substitutionary death satisfied the demands of divine justice and demonstrated the immeasurable love and mercy of God.

We believe Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, foreknown before the foundation of the world and revealed in these last times for our sake. He is now exalted as Lord and will return as King of kings, Lord of lords, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

We believe salvation cannot be earned through good works, religious observance, human discipline, or personal achievement. It is God’s gift to everyone who repents and trusts in Christ.

We believe those who receive Christ are forgiven, justified, reconciled to God, adopted into His family, and made spiritually alive. They become new creations and receive the Holy Spirit as the seal and assurance of their redemption.

We believe the same grace that saves us also teaches and empowers us to reject sin, pursue holiness, renew our minds, love others, and walk according to the Spirit.

Good works do not create salvation. They are the fruit of salvation and the visible response of a life being transformed by the grace of God.

Scripture References: Isaiah 53:4–6; John 1:29; John 3:16–17; Romans 3:23–26; Romans 5:1–2; Romans 8:1–6; Romans 10:9–13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 2:11–14; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:2, 15–20.

Water Baptism

We believe Jesus Christ commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey His commands.

We believe water baptism is a public act of faith and obedience through which believers identify with Jesus Christ.

Baptism portrays the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It declares that the former life has been surrendered and that the believer has entered a new life under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

We believe baptism is an important expression of allegiance to Christ and identification with His people. It testifies outwardly to the inward work of grace received through faith.

Scripture References: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:38–41; Acts 8:35–39; Romans 6:3–5; Galatians 3:26–27; Colossians 2:11–12.

Divine Healing

We believe God is compassionate and continues to heal the sick and afflicted in response to prayer and according to His wisdom, purposes, and sovereign will.

We believe the ministry of Jesus revealed God’s compassion toward those experiencing sickness, suffering, and physical affliction.

We believe Christ’s redemptive work addresses the whole person and points ultimately to the complete restoration that will be revealed in God’s eternal Kingdom.

We believe the Church should pray in faith for those who are sick, offer compassionate care to those who suffer, and trust God without condemning individuals whose healing does not occur in the manner or timing for which they prayed.

We affirm divine healing while recognizing that prayer, wise pastoral care, and responsible medical care need not be treated as opposing expressions of faith.

Scripture References: Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; Acts 3:1–16; James 5:14–16; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 21:4.

The Church and the Christian Life

We believe the Church is the body of Christ on earth and that Jesus Christ is its Founder, Head, and Lord.

We believe the Church is a spiritual family composed of all who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe followers of Jesus are called to gather for worship, biblical teaching, prayer, fellowship, communion, mutual encouragement, and service. Believers should strengthen one another, carry one another’s burdens, and encourage one another toward love and good works.

We believe every follower of Christ should identify with and participate in a visible local church where believers can grow, serve, worship, and practice mutual accountability.

We believe the Church has been commissioned to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, serve people in Christ’s name, pursue justice and mercy, care for those in need, and demonstrate the character of God’s Kingdom.

We believe Christians are ambassadors of reconciliation. Our lives, relationships, work, leadership, creativity, and service should bear witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Scripture References: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41–47; Romans 12:4–8; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 2:19–22; Ephesians 3:10; Hebrews 10:24–25; James 1:27.

The Return of Jesus Christ

We believe in the personal, visible, bodily, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ at a time known only to God.

We believe Christ will return as King and Judge, complete the purposes of His Kingdom, defeat evil, raise the dead, and bring God’s redemptive plan to its appointed fulfillment.

We believe those who belong to Christ will dwell with Him eternally. Those who reject God’s grace in Christ remain separated from Him and face final judgment.

We believe the promised return of Jesus should produce hope, faithfulness, holiness, courageous witness, compassionate service, and an urgent commitment to the Great Commission.

We therefore seek to live expectantly—not by withdrawing from the world, but by faithfully representing Christ within it until He returns.

Scripture References: Matthew 24:36–44; John 14:1–3; Acts 1:9–11; Philippians 3:20–21; Colossians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Titus 2:11–14; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 21:1–5.

Our Publishing Commitment

Because we believe in the finished work of the cross, Life College Press and The Next Wave Magazine seek to communicate from a foundation of grace, truth, redemption, and hope.

We desire to publish and promote work that honors Jesus Christ, respects the authority of Scripture, develops people, strengthens families and communities, encourages responsible leadership, and equips readers to use their gifts in service to God and others.

We recognize that Christian writers and readers may differ concerning secondary theological questions. Our central commitment remains the Gospel: Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, reigns as Lord, and offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life to everyone who places faith in Him.

The cross was sufficient. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. His work is finished, His victory is secure, and His Kingdom has no end.