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WHAT WE BELIEVE . . .
That the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) – We believe that the Word of God expresses the clearest, wisest and ultimate counsel of God in matters of faith, conduct, and character. At Lighthouse Community Church of God, we endeavor to preach; to teach; to share God’s Word to man; and above all, to live that Word in the world as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). That eternal life is God’s quality of life and is His gift to you in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12)– Your allegiance to Jesus means that your life, your soul, the real you, lies in the possession of God (John 10:9-11; 28-29). No man can take you from God nor deny God from taking full possession of you, now or forever (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). That every person will spend eternity in heaven or hell (Matthew 25:31-46) – Jesus said there was both a heaven and a hell with an impossible, unbridgeable gulf between the two after death (Luke 16:19-31). How we live here, who we claim as “God” here, will determine our destiny (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). Each person must make his choice (2 Corinthians 5:6-11; John 1:12; Revelations 3:20). We stand ready to assist you in the living out of your Christian commitment. Jesus went to prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3). Our intention is to do all we can, while possible to enable you and others to be at the Great Homecoming where God our Father is waiting. That all believers should seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-30) – You are not a Christian because of what you did. Salvation is a gift not a merit. The Holy Spirit drew you to God in faith. Having begun by yielding to the influence of God’s Spirit – you must continue to be open to His leadership in all areas of your life. Then we please God because the Spirit of Jesus reigns in our lives (Romans 8:9). The best evidence of the Spirit’s presence is when His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are present in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). That all Christians have a responsibility for witnessing (Luke 24:48; Luke 9:26) – Your decision to be a Christian places you in a working relationship with God in ways that are neither detrimental to your health nor your limitations. Your faith is to be lived out in the world in terms of service; it is not just to be enjoyed (Matthew 5:13-14). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek what God would have you to do (Ephesians 4:7). For remember, an idle mind is the devil’s playground (Hebrews 2:1-3; Matthew 25:24-30). That all Christians should observe the symbolic act of baptism -- Our Lord was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16). The baptism of Jesus symbolized the end toward which His life was directed. It symbolized the destruction of sin and death, which are the enemies of fellowship with God. Jesus gave instructions for new converts to be baptized. Your baptism is a public witness to the death of sin and the commencement of the new life that has occurred within you. Baptism is thus for each person who has decided to follow Christ. It is not a purifying rite; rather, it stands as a witness to a moral birth that has already occurred (1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 3:21). It has been written, “Baptism is an outward sign of an inner work.” That all Christians should receive Communion and participate in Foot Washing – The Lord’s Supper (Communion) represents the presence of the Risen Christ who is Lord of the Church and the Coming King to claim His subjects. By taking the cup and the bread, believers testify that they are partaking of His life and are in sacred union with God through Christ. In Foot washing, we affirm our togetherness and the ministry of the service to each other and to the world. Our master Himself gave us this example and made it a symbol of humble service one to the other (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 3:4-16). |
