What We Believe

The 66 books of the Bible are God’s Word to man. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It is truth without any mixture of error. It is not to be added to or taken away from.
​2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; Revelation 22:18-19

God is the Creator, Ruler, and Sovereign of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are coequal and coeternal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:33-36; Psalm 115:3; John 4:24; Matthew 28:19

He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, everywhere present, and all-wise. He reigns with providential care over the universe, and the flow of human history goes according to His eternal purpose and plan.
Psalm 62:11; Psalm 147:5; John 3:16; Psalm 139:7-10; Romans 11:33; Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11

He is the Son of God and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is eternal in His existence and became man at His incarnation. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world by dying on a cross. He bodily arose from the dead after three days  demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven and will one day return to Earth again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
John 5:18, 10:30; John 14:16; Matthew 28:19; Revelation 1:11, 17; Micah 5:2; John 1:14; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Revelation 1:18; Acts 1:9-10; Revelation 19-20

He is the third person of the Trinity. He guides men into all truths; exalts Christ; convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment; cultivates Christian character; comforts believers; bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God; and seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the lives of believers is the assurance of God to bring them into the fullness of the stature of Christ.
Matthew 28:19; John 14:26, 16:13, 15:26; Acts 1:8; John 16:8-11; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 1:6

People are made in the image of God and are the supreme objects of God’s creation. This image of God is what provides intrinsic value to humans over that of the animals. Human life is sacred and therefore any biblically unwarranted ending of human life is sinful, in particular abortion and euthanasia. Man was created to worship his Creator, to glorify Him, and enjoy Him forever. Since the Fall, man has been marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that sexual intimacy is a gift from God intended to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, any use of pornography, polygamy, gender reassignment, any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.
Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 43:6-7; Ephesians 1:11-12; Psalm 19:12; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 3:23; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

We believe man was created in a state of innocence under his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless state. This choice resulted in the transfer of sin upon all mankind, known as inherited sin. People are sinners by nature and by choice, leaving man guilty and without defense or excuse before God and under God’s just condemnation. Sin separates people from God, resulting in both temporal and eternal consequences.
Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8

Salvation is God’s gift offered to all people through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can ever be saved by self-improvement or good works. Salvation happens when a sinner recognizes his lost condition, in repentance turns away from his sin, and in faith turns to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then he calls out to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Eternal life with God begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life . Works do not aid in salvation (including physical baptism), but true salvation will result in the fruits of repentance.
Romans 3:24; 1 Timothy 4:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9-13; Luke 23:43; James 2

People are created to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through His forgiveness and salvation. The unsaved will go into eternal condemnation in Hell, and the believer into eternal paradise with God in Heaven; both are real places of eternal existence.
Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:15

Baptism is the first ordinance of the Church. Lighthouse believes baptism must be when a believer is completely immersed under the water and after salvation. Baptism has no saving power but is the first act of obedience after salvation. Baptism does three things: joins the believer to the local Church; pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord; and identifies a person as a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:6, 16; Acts 8:38-39; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; John 14:15

The Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance of the Church. It is a symbolic act of obedience whereby believers remember the death of the Lord Jesus and anticipate His second coming. The bread symbolizes His body, and the juice symbolizes His blood. It does not aid in salvation in any way.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30

According to Scripture, Christians are to give cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Lord’s work on Earth through the local Church. The Bible teaches a principle of tithing demonstrated in the Old Testament, which Jesus reaffirmed in the New Testament. However, the tithe is not commanded in the New Testament. Instead, believers should give out of the generosity and thankfulness of the grace bestowed upon them. Any secondary giving through charity or parachurch organizations is fine, but should not take the place of your first fruits given to your local Church.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Genesis 14:16-20, 28:22; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Leviticus 27:30; Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:1-2

A New Testament Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by their common faith and fellowship with Jesus. A local Church is to observe the two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Church should exercise its God-given gifts and extend the gospel to the ends of the Earth. The Church is an autonomous body serving under the Lordship of Christ. All members are equally responsible as they serve with the scriptural officers of the Church; the Pastors and Deacons.
Acts 2:41-47; Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; Philippians 1:1

It is the duty of every born-again follower of Jesus Christ and of every Church to endeavor to make disciples of all men everywhere. It is the command of Christ for every believer to faithfully seek to win the lost for Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

Lighthouse believes in the Genesis account of Creation, that it is literal and not figurative. God made man in His own image and likeness. Creation was not a matter of evolutionary change over time from one species to another —from a lower form of life to a higher— but was created directly by God to bring forth only after their “kind”. Creation is the general revelation of God that clearly evidences that there is an all-powerful Creator-God, leaving man without excuse.
Genesis 1:26-27; Exodus 20:11; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Genesis 1:11, 24; Hebrews 11:3; Romans 1:19-20; Psalm 19:1-3

To live in harmony with other believers is clearly the teaching of the New Testament. It is the responsibility of each believer to endeavor to live in fellowship with each member of the congregation. It is further the responsibility of each member to bring all gossiping and backbiting to an end. The unity of believers should cause Christians to avoid public contention, including but not limited to suing one another. This does not discount the use of proper authorities when laws are broken, or danger is apparent (especially cases of abuse or violence). However, the Church should strive to be united in Christ, preferring others more than themselves just as Christ did .
Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:1-7; Romans 13:3-4; Philippians 2:1-9

The term “marriage” has one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union as delineated in Scripture. God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. God has commanded that no sexual activity of any kind be engaged in outside of marriage. Any form of sexual immorality such as adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bestiality, incest, any use of pornography, or polygamy is sinful and offensive to God. All sinful behavior can be forgiven by God who offers redemption and restoration to all who confess their sin, repent of their behavior, and seek His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, and respect as believers seek to practice their faith and beliefs. Neither the federal government, the state, the Church, nor any other individual possesses the authority or jurisdiction to set or alter Scripture’s definition of marriage. Therefore, unions or partnerships that do not conform to the biblical definition of marriage are not acknowledged by Lighthouse.
 
Regarding divorce, the Bible states that God hates divorce. Divorce and remarriage are called adultery if the divorce was on unbiblical grounds. However, this is a singular sin, not a perpetual one. If possible, the Church will encourage people to reconcile their marriage. There are times when divorce is permissible, i.e., abandonment and adultery or where separation is a wise decision for a season (as in the case of abuse). There are also times when remarriage can be done in a God-honoring way. To be remarried at Lighthouse, you must be a believer in the Lord, it must be to a previous spouse, a widow/widower, or someone new in the case of abandonment, adultery, or after your ex-spouse has remarried. These cases are complicated and should be contemplated in prayer and with pastoral counsel.
Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18-25; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4; Malachi 2:16; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:31-32; Mark 10:1-9; 1 Cor. 7:15

Government is divinely appointed for the good of man; to keep order, to judge lawbreakers, and to protect the interest of the good. Those in authority are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed in all things except where human government opposes God’s Word. In such cases, Lighthouse believes that Christians are to obey God rather than men.
Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 4:18-20; Daniel 3:17-18

Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors as an anointed cherub, but through pride and ambition to be as God, he fell. He is the enemy of God, author of all false religions, behind the present apostasy, lord of the antichrist, and author of all the powers of darkness. Satan still has access to Heaven but will one day be eternally cast out of Heaven. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, man’s great tempter, and adversary.
Ezekiel 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-10

Since salvation is the work of God, all true born-again believers are saved eternally; they cannot lose their salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; Hebrews 7:25

Lighthouse has both a pre-tribulation and a pre-millennial view of eschatology. Lighthouse believes the rapture of all Christians will happen before any events of the Seven-Year Tribulation occur. At the end of the Seven-Year Tribulation will be the battle of Armageddon. Satan will be defeated and bound for 1,000 years during which time Christ will literally reign on Earth. This is followed by Satan being released for a little season in which he deceives those on the Earth and leads a final assault on God’s throne; this is called the battle of Gog and Magog. After this battle, Satan will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire, followed by the Great White Throne Judgment, where all unbelievers will also be cast forever into the Lake of Fire. All believers will then be ushered into eternity with God.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17;1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 20:4-6; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:7-10; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21-22

The gifts of the Spirit are God-given supernatural abilities that God has intended to build up the Church as a unified whole. These gifts range from more than seven lists in the New Testament. Each believer is given different gifts per the will of the Holy Spirit. Although a litany of gifts is seen and addressed in the New Testament, Lighthouse believes and teaches that the sign gifts (faith healing, tongues, and prophesying the future) have ceased. However, God can perform miracles, and He does answer prayers. The sign gifts appear to have been used to authenticate the message of God’s further revelation and were done away with, seemingly, by the time the Bible was finished being written. Although Lighthouse holds this position, there may be varying views within the membership. This is a place to offer grace and charity towards one another, especially if other views are held. There is no place for the use of the modern-day sign gifts in the worship services at Lighthouse.
Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 13:8

Lighthouse affirms God’s sovereignty in salvation and His freedom to choose who to save. We also proclaim the personal responsibility of the individual to respond to the Lord in faith. We recognize the tension and apparent paradox between God’s sovereign will and human agency and believe that God’s mind is infinitely greater than man’s understanding. He can resolve apparent conflicts where man cannot.
Romans 8:29-30, 9:11-13; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4-5; Titus 1:1; John 3:16; Romans 10:13; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 1:15; Isaiah 55:8-9; Deuteronomy 29:29; Psalm 147:5

We believe men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity, and value, but are distinct by divine design. God created two distinct, yet complementary genders (sexes) for man’s good, His glory, and to reflect His nature and character to the world. As part of God’s created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and Church. The biblical headship, as modeled by Christ loving the Church, applies to the home. Husbands are to love their wives unconditionally, and wives are to respect their husbands in demonstrating biblical submission, love, and sharing equal value in God’s design. We believe that, as it relates to the Church, men and women are both expected to serve and lead. However, the office of Pastor is reserved for qualified men. Specifically in relation to Lighthouse, mixed-gender teaching environments are overseen by Pastors and will be led by qualified men. Women may lead women, youth, and children in mixed-gender groups as approved by the Pastors and designated staff. We believe that all sinful behavior can be forgiven by God, who offers redemption and restoration to all who confess their sin, repent of their behavior, and seek His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We further believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, and respect as we seek to practice our faith and beliefs.
Genesis 2:18-25; Galatians 3:28-29; Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; Ephesians 5:21-31; Colossians 3:18-19; Ephesians 5:21-31; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9; Titus 2:3-5; Genesis 1:27-28, 18-25; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4