Statement of Faith for Jesus Name Lighthouse

Preamble
At Jesus Name Lighthouse, we are a body of believers dedicated to glorifying God through our faith, worship, and obedience to His Word. We hold firmly to the Apostolic doctrine as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the early church. Our confession of faith is rooted in the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

1. The One True God
We believe in one eternal God, who is the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. He has revealed Himself to humanity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working distinctly in creation, redemption, and sanctification. These expressions of God's presence and work testify to His unity and majesty as the one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-14; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16).

2. The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is our final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. The Scriptures are sufficient to guide believers into all truth and equip them for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
We believe in the full gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, including His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, and His sacrifice on the cross provides atonement for the sins of the world (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:24).

4. Salvation
We believe in the plan of salvation as outlined in Acts 2:38, which includes:

  1. Repentance – Turning away from sin and aligning our hearts and minds with God (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30).

  2. Water Baptism in Jesus’ Name – Baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5).

  3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6).

We affirm that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, but obedience to the gospel is essential for entering into the kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:17).

5. Holiness and Sanctification
We believe that God calls His people to live a life of holiness, both inwardly and outwardly, as a reflection of His character. Sanctification is a lifelong process by which believers are transformed into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1).

6. The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all true believers who have been born again. The Church exists to glorify God through worship, proclaim the gospel, disciple nations, and extend Christ's kingdom on earth. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church is called to be the primary instrument through which God’s will is established in every sphere of life, bringing transformation to cultures and societies. As Christ’s kingdom grows, it will increasingly reflect His righteousness, peace, and justice, fulfilling the promise that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 28:18-20; Habakkuk 2:14).

7. The Great Commission
We believe in the mandate given by Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded. This mission is not only to save individuals but also to transform cultures and nations under the lordship of Christ. Through faithful evangelism, discipleship, and the application of biblical principles, the Church will advance God’s kingdom until all enemies, including death, are placed under His feet (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26).

8. The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ will return visibly and gloriously to gather His Church in the rapture to consummate His kingdom. Before His return, the gospel will be preached to all nations, and His reign will be increasingly evident in the transformation of lives and societies through the power of the Holy Spirit. At His coming, there will be the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the fulfillment of God’s plan for a new heavens and new earth, where righteousness will dwell forever (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 9:7).

9. Heaven and Hell
We believe in the eternal destiny of all people. Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of the righteous, and hell is the eternal separation from God for the unrepentant. The choices we make in this life determine our eternal destination (John 14:1-3; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46).

10. The Ordinances of the Church
We affirm the practice of the following ordinances as established by the New Testament:

  1. Water Baptism in Jesus’ Name

    • Baptism by immersion in water is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the gospel. It symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).

  2. The Lord’s Supper (Communion)

    • A commemoration of Christ's sacrifice, where bread and the cup are shared as symbols of His body and blood, reminding believers of His death, resurrection, and promised return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

  3. Foot Washing

    • Following the example of Jesus in John 13, foot washing is a symbol of humility, servanthood, and mutual love among believers. It reminds us of the call to serve one another in the spirit of Christ (John 13:12-17).

  4. Marriage

    • Marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, ordained by God. It reflects the relationship between Christ and His Church and serves as a foundational institution for families and society (Ephesians 5:22-33; Genesis 2:24).

  5. Child Dedication

    • In a ceremony of child dedication, parents commit to raising their children in the faith, recognizing them as gifts from God and seeking the support and blessing of the church (1 Samuel 1:27-28; Mark 10:13-16).

  6. Anointing with Oil

    • Based on James 5:14-15, anointing with oil is practiced for physical or spiritual healing and is accompanied by prayer, demonstrating faith in God’s power to heal and restore.

  7. Blessing of the Sick and Laying on of Hands

    • Through prayer and the laying on of hands, believers intercede for the sick and seek God's intervention for healing, as seen in the New Testament (Mark 16:18; James 5:13-16).

  8. Tithe and Offering

    • Giving tithe and offering is an act of worship and obedience, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings. The tithe, a tenth of one's income, is given to support the work of the church and its ministries, while offerings are given as additional acts of generosity and gratitude (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Proverbs 3:9-10).

  9. Singing Spiritual Hymns and Worship Music

    • Singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs is a vital expression of worship and devotion to God. Through music, believers exalt the Lord, encourage one another, and reflect the joy of salvation, as seen throughout Scripture (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 100:1-2).

  10. Preaching the Word of God

    • Preaching is central to the life of the church and is God’s ordained means of declaring His Word. Faithful preaching edifies believers, convicts sinners, and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ to all. It is through the preaching of the Word that the power of God for salvation is revealed and lives are transformed (Romans 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2 Timothy 4:2).

These ordinances serve as tangible expressions of faith, obedience, and worship, helping believers grow in their relationship with God and one another.

11. Spiritual Gifts and Ministry
We believe that spiritual gifts, including prophecy, healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues, are active in the Church today and are given for the edification of the body of Christ. Every believer is called to minister and contribute to the work of the kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-16).

12. Family and Marriage
We believe in the sanctity of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman, designed by God as the foundation of the family. The family is a vital institution for nurturing and discipling future generations in the faith (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

Conclusion
As the body of Christ at Jesus Name Lighthouse, we commit ourselves to walking in the light of God’s Word, living in obedience to His will, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with the confidence that His kingdom is advancing. We hold firmly to the promise that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea and that Christ’s reign will increasingly be manifested in every sphere of life. We labor faithfully, knowing that through the power of the Holy Spirit, our work contributes to the triumph of His kingdom. We eagerly anticipate the consummation of all things in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness will dwell forever. May all we do bring glory to His name and reflect His love to a lost and dying world (Habakkuk 2:14; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 21:1-4).

Amen.