What We Believe
AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
Our God
There is one God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, who exists in three persons: The Father, The Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. All are worthy of the same worship and obedience.
Colossians 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:3; John 4:23-24; John 14:25-26
Jesus Christ the Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where He is our present high priest and advocate at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Luke 1:35; 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:1-3
We believe in the Holy Spirit who glorifies God and Jesus. He convicts men of sin and regenerates the sinner who believes and accepts Jesus. He guides, comforts, instructs, and bestows spiritual gifts as He indwells the “born again” believer.
John 3:5-7; John 14:16-17; John 20:21-22; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Sin
Sin is any act or state of disobedience to God. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Satan, the author of sin and the father of lies, roams the Earth seeking those whom he can influence into a life of disobedience. Immoral behavior and its many vices are sins against God. Our sins can only be forgiven through Christ. Those who choose not to accept the Lord and His forgiveness will be raised to judgment and suffer everlasting punishment.
Job 1:7; 2 Corinthians 11:13; John 8:42-45; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 2:12-13; 1 John 3:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:6-11
Salvation
Salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ. His shed blood and resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation. It is by God’s grace and the gift of faith that we are saved. When we call upon His name and repent as a believer, we are born of the Spirit and become a new creation, a child of God.
Colossians 2:9-14; Romans 8:16.
Followers of Christ will be bodily raised from death to a life of everlasting joy and peace.
Our citizenship shall be in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:20-21.
Acts of Faith
The complete revelation of God-inspired writings is in one book, the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. This is the first and final authority for all Christian faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
We have received a Holy calling from the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We should manifest the character of Christ in our lives by loving God with all our mind, heart, soul, and strength, as we maintain unity with all Christians who love and serve Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 22:37-39
The church is composed of all persons who, through the saving faith in Jesus Christ, are united together in the body of Christ of which He alone is head.
Acts 20:27-28; Colossians 1:17-18.
The commitment of the members will include their time, talents, financial support, and prayers for believers as well as unbelievers.
Ephesians 4:1-4; Philippians 2:1-5
Sacraments
BAPTISM – We encourage baptism by water. It is an outward demonstration of a believer’s inward repentance for his or her sins. A Christ-follower may choose to do this as Jesus did.
Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-39.
COMMUNION – Taking of the LORD’S SUPPER is observed by followers of Christ; we do it in remembrance of Him.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 22:19-20
MARRIAGE – We believe marriage is a union ordained by God, a male and a female joined together as man and wife. The guidelines we follow for marriage are defined in Scripture.
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-4
Authority of Statement of Faith and Practice
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.