What We Believe

Church Membership Classes

Membership Classes Handouts:

We’re an independent evangelical church, and some might consider us non-denominational. That label often encompasses a wide range of beliefs, so to make it easy for you, here’s a list of what we consider important and hold to be true.

GOD: God is one Being with three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Christ is God in human flesh, fully God and fully man, who He came to earth to live a perfect life and die for the sins of all mankind. Those who believe on Him are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:14; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 1:8.

SALVATION: The gift of salvation is always by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ gave His life for us on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day, and we must believe on Him and be born again to have eternal life. This free gift of eternal life is never taken back by Jesus. Acts 4:11-12; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:28; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9.

THE BIBLE: The Bible is the holy and timeless Word of God; the ultimate framework of Truth. It is living and active, and provides the guidance we need to live the Christian life. Believers need to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ by learning and understanding the Scriptures in context. This occurs through personal study of the Bible, attending worship services on Sunday mornings, as well as Sunday School and regular Bible studies. Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 10:23-25; 2 Peter 3:16.

THE CHURCH: The Church is the body of Christ. All who believe on Christ belong to the Church — and beyond that, God calls all believers to meet together regularly and build each other up in the community context of a local church. 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:24-25.

DIVISIONS: Christians are to protect the unity of the local body of Christ and see to it that no root of bitterness grows up and defiles many. With much prayer and long-suffering, believers are to seek to resolve any disagreement with a brother or sister privately, and if it cannot be resolved, then they are to bring it to their pastoral leadership, and if necessary, to the whole church with the hope of restoring the believer and finding reconciliation. Matthew 18:15-19; Titus 3:9-11; Hebrews 12:15.

THE RAPTURE: Believers should be looking for the blessed hope: the Rapture of the Church. This is when Jesus comes to take all who believe on Him to be with Him before the great Tribulation. As Scripture says, when we see Him, we will be like Him. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Titus 2:13-14; 1 John 3:2-3.

PRAYER: Prayer is a powerful and necessary part of the Christian life. Believers are to seek a deeper relationship with God by talking to Him, as well as seeking His blessing, direction, wisdom, comfort, and power to be most effective for Him in ministry. Isaiah 55:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Believers are given gifts by the Holy Spirit for the primary purpose of edifying and building up the Church, which is the body of Christ, and ultimately, pleasing God. Those who serve by the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen the Church and will be rewarded by the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11.

GIVING & SERVING: Scripture calls Christians to support the local church by giving both of themselves in service and of their financial resources. This is not to be done out of compulsion, guilt, or obligation, but out of sincere love for the Lord. Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

MISSIONS: Grace Lighthouse Church is committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in everything — by preaching Christ both locally and across the greater parts of the region, and by supporting other ministries and missionaries. Christ is building and completing His church both here and across the world, and believers are co-laborers with Him. Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 11:25.