This statement of faith is a brief summary of the doctrines believed and accepted by the Lighthouse Baptist Church from the Word of God, The Bible. This statement of faith represent no real authority, as the Word of God is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men controlled by the Holy Spirit, that it is truth without any error, and it is the only complete and final revelation of the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. We believe that God has supernaturally watched over His Word and that He has preserved His Word. In English, this is the King James Bible.
We believe that there is only one true and living God, and that in the trinity of the Godhead there are three equal Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively. We reject the theory of evolution.
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but he by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state. Therefore, all mankind are now sinners, and are under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the Son of God, Who took upon Him our nature, yet without sin honoured the divine law by His personal obedience. By His death He made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. He was the voluntary substitute in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust. Now, having risen from the dead, He is enthroned in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father.
The eternal destiny of the unsaved sinner is a literal place of punishment called Hell, a place of fire and torment. The home of the born-again believer is a literal place of eternal bliss called Heaven, where the saved praise and glorify the Lord.
We believe that being convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God for mercy, repenting of our unbelief and heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptised believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel. Its scripturally designated officers are pastor and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to baptise them; Third, to teach and instruct, as Jesus Christ has commanded. We believe that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organisations. We believe in the separation of the church and state, with each having definite and distinct spheres of responsibility. The Bible method of church government is a theocracy with Christ as the Head of the church; His deputy on earth is the pastor, who is commanded to oversee the congregation, to teach and preach, to win the lost, to lead by example, to serve, and to guide the business of the church.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature. We believe that the fruit of the Spirit and power for winning the lost are the evidence of His indwelling rather than speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of His gifts and that He has given evangelists, pastors and teachers as sufficient for the edifying of the church today; that the sign gifts such as miracles, tongues and healings (as in miraculous healers) were for a purpose past in the establishment of the early church and that these have now ceased with the passing of the apostolic era. We further believe that the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement is not a Scriptural movement and is not supported in any form by this church.
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin.
We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the saved, the literal 7 year tribulation period on the earth, the literal, bodily return of Christ, and the literal millennial reign of Christ.