Beliefs

Statement of Faith and Practice

of Christian Light Fellowship Church

God the Father

We believe there is one eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth and all that in them is. He is all knowing, all powerful, indescribable, and incomprehensible.

Deuteronomy 6:4
Isaiah 46:9
Mark 12:29
1 Corinthians 8:4
Hebrews 11:6

Jesus Christ the Son of God

We believe and confess that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. He is the only begotten son of the Father, born of a virgin, full of grace and truth. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He rose up from the grave by the power of God and ascended to the Father in heaven. All power is given unto Him and there is no other name given under heaven whereby man can be saved.

1 Timothy 3:16
Colossians 2:19
Ephesians 1:20
Acts 4:12

The Holy Spirit

We believe and confess that there is a Holy Spirit who proceeded from the Father and the Son, given to all who believe and obey him, to comfort them and to guide them into all truth. By him we are all baptized into one body of Jesus Christ.

John 1:12
Acts 5:32
2 Corinthians 3:17
1 Corinthians 12:13
John 16:13-14

The Trinity

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three separate but equal manifestations of God. These three are one and each has it’s function.

1 John 5:7

Fallen Man

We believe and confess that man was created in the image of God, but through disobedience he fell to a condition of spiritual death and became subject to physical death. This death passed upon all men so that all are born sinners and are helpless concerning their salvation and are held captive by the devil.

Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2:17
Romans 5:12

Heaven and Hell

We believe in a literal heaven and hell. People who die in the Lord will live forever with Christ. But those who reject God’s provision of salvation will dwell in hell, a burning lake of fire, being tormented forever.

Matthew 13:50
Matthew 25:31
John 14:1-3
Revelation 22

Salvation

We believe and confess that God in his great love and mercy gave His son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of fallen man. He was buried and rose again on the third day. He was the perfect sacrifice that satisfied the heart of God. Now man must respond to this great redemption by repenting and believing on this work of Jesus Christ to be saved. To remain saved we must continue to walk by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit whereby we mortify the deeds of the body.

Titus 3:5
Romans 8:13
1 Corinthians 15:1-3
1 Peter 1:5

The Bible

We believe Jesus was God’s word made flesh. We believe the scriptures to be the inspired word of God that is given for man to live by. We believe the Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament, however the New Testament is the primary guide for our life.

1 Timothy 6:3
2 Timothy 2:15
Matthew 4:4
2 Peter 1:20

Satan

We believe and confess that Satan through pride and arrogance against God, as an angelic being, fell and lost his position in heaven. Now he, as a person, is the foe of mankind, and the prince and power of the air. His kingdom is the kingdom of darkness.

1 Peter 5:8
Ephesians 6:10-18
Ezekial 28:13-17
Isaiah 14:12

Sanctification and the Christian Experience

We believe and confess that as we have been saved by grace through faith we are also sanctified or set apart for God by faith. The height of this experience is attained, maintained, and expressed in a life of devotion to God which is a continual pressing of the heart in love and fellowship with God. Prayer, study of the word, meditation, fasting, and singing from the heart are expressions of devotion to God. As the heart is lifted up to God he will continue his progressive work of sanctification in us that will result in a life that brings forth fruit of holiness and Godliness. We believe those who have been redeemed through the blood of Christ have the assurance that they are eternally secure as long as they abide in the vine, Jesus Christ. But if we abide not and do not continue in the faith we shall be cast forth as a branch and be burned.

Hebrews 3:11-12
John 15:1-6
1 Peter 1:2
Hebrews 13:12
1 Thessalonians 4:3
John 4:22-24
Romans 8:4
Galatians 5:22-23

Discipleship

We believe and confess that the life of the Christian is a call to discipleship. This will cause us to deny ourselves and take up the cross in our everyday lives. This crucifying of the flesh is the operation of God through the Holy Spirit as we surrender our lives to him.

Luke 14:26
Luke 14:33
Galatians 2:20
Colossians 2:10-12
Phillipians 2:12-13

The Body of Christ

We believe that body of Christ is made up of all those who are born again of the Spirit of God, partakers of the divine nature, that bring forth fruit of the Spirit, and have laid off the works of the flesh. We believe the church on this earth is a visible body of believers that have sincerely repented and are baptized according to their faith. The brotherhood consists of individual members who submit one to another according to the direction of the Head, Jesus Christ, for the purpose of maintaining purity and holiness in our daily experience. Each brother or sister works toward the edification of the church through the gifts that are given to them by the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4:16
Romans 10:13
Acts 20:28
Titus 1:5

The scriptures give us guidelines on how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God.

1 Timothy 3:15

Brethren exhort and address one another privately concerning inconsistencies or errors that they observe in one another.

Hebrews 3:13
1 Peter 5:4

Church discipline must be exercised and the bible gives us specific guidelines for different types of discipline. The motivation for such discipline is love, restoration, and purification of the church.

Matthew 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 5:5
Romans 16:17
2 Thessalonians 3:6

We are accountable to God for our possessions as stewards of God. There needs to be a conscious effort made by the brotherhood to discern the needs of others, especially those of the household of faith and to share with the needy.

1 Corinthians 16:1-3
Romans 15:26
Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 5:42
Galatians 6:10

Brotherly love keeps us from gossip, slander, sowing discord, or speaking evil of one another or of any person.

1 Corinthians 13
Titus 1:10
Proverbs 26:20-21

Brethren desire to honor others, esteem others before themselves, and live in humble submission to each other according to the word of God. They freely forgive and rejoice in seeing others being blessed. The brotherhood is only maintained in the love of the Spirit and by his power, dying to the old man, and living in the new man. In this lies the strength and testimony of the brotherhood, “That ye have love for each other”. This love makes us servants to each other, to inspire and encourage each other to a closer walk with God, and to provoke each other to love and good works.

Romans 12:10
Colosians 3:12-13
Phillipians 2:1-4
Acts 4:32
John 13:34-35

We stand in opposition to the great denominational system of so called churches who are unfaithful to the Word. Where men take authority upon themselves in things not founded upon the Word or where worldly liberalism and the flesh are manifested.

Revelation 3:1
Matthew 25:11
Luke 6:46
Galatians 5:19-21

Evangelism

We believe and confess that the great commission given by Christ to his disciples was a commission given to all believers to testify and tell the gospel to a lost and dying world as opportunities arise in daily life. We also believe there are brethren called of God and the church to go and preach the Gospel. It is the work of the church to call our brethren to serve in positions of leadership both in the local brotherhood and on the mission field.

Acts 5:42
Acts 8:4
2 Timothy 4:5

Baptism

We believe Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize all believers with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. True baptism with water points to the divine truth of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Christian baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God because we have believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he paid the price of our redemption. We believe this command to he baptized upon repentance and the confession of our faith is our part of obedience for our salvation.

Matthew 28:19
Matthew 3:15
Acts 8:37
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 8:12
Acts 10:48

The Christian’s Walk

The bible teaches that there are two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Jesus prayed that those called of God would not necessarily be taken out of this world but that they would be kept from the evil of it and that they would be sanctified through the truth of God’s word, thus we believe and confess that the children of God will follow clear scriptural principles in appearance, life, and conduct at all times. Gospel order is purity of heart, this behooves the child of God to cleanse himself from all filthiness of the flesh. Our bodies are the temple of God therefore the habits of the kingdom of this world that defile the temple of God should not he found among God’s people.

John 12:14-17
Matthew 15:20
1 Corinthians 6:19
1 Thessalonians 4:7

As children of the kingdom of God we should keep a clear distinction of the sexes both in clothing and personal appearance. We believe God created men and women with very distinct differences. God created man in the image and glory of God. We believe that man should do nothing to make himself appear effeminate neither should the woman do anything to make her appear masculine. These are both an abomination to God.

1 Corinthians 6:9
Romans 9:20
1 Corinthians 11:4-5
Deuteronomy 22:5

We believe the body of both male and female should be dressed in modesty to both cover and conceal. The Christian should be clothed in loose fitting clothing that does not bring attention to the person or the body but rather to God. The bible condemns costly array and other evidences of pride in display or adornment. Our homes and hearts should be free from this. The Bible also forbids following the ever changing fashions of this world.

Romans 12:2
1 Timothy 2:9
1 Corinthians 1:12
1 Peter 3:3-4
1 Peter 1:14

Brethren are to be free from the shame of long hair or cutting the hair or the beard according to the latest fashions and styles of the world. The women should not cut their hair but rather cover their head with a headship covering or veiling. The men ought not to cover their head “forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God”. The woman should cover her head because she is the glory of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:4-15

We believe that since the brotherhood is not of this world’s kingdom, we need to be free from all fellowship of the unfruitful works of darkness and be free from being unequally yoked together with worldly men in business partnerships. We believe it is wrong to have close personal friendships with men that are liars, immoral, railers, drunkards, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, despisers of those that are good, etc. We seek our joy and satisfaction in things that build us and our family in Christian character and which lift up our Lord Jesus and glorify God. This separates us from the course of this world in it’s entertainment, sports, pleasure pursuits, and from the carnality of so called holidays and associations with secret societies.

1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 10:31
Proverbs 22:24
Psalm 101:7
2 Timothy 3:1-5

We are citizens of the kingdom of heaven and not of the kingdom of this world therefore we want to be free from participating in the affairs of the state and government. Patriotism and politics are of this world’s kingdom therefore we will not participate in government offices and the elections thereof. Neither do we conscientiously have any part in serving in the military or any other armed services. We desire as much as possible to take care of our own people’s needs and not be involved in government programs and secular insurances.

1 Corinthians 6:14-18
Matthew 26:52
John 18:36
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Marriage and the Home

We believe and confess that in the beginning, God created man. He saw that it was not good for the man to be alone, so he made a help for him and called her woman. He brought her to the man and so instituted marriage. It was sanctified in the beginning for the propagation of the human race, for the purity of the human family, and for a beautiful place to bring up children and teach them the fear of God. We also believe that Jesus taught in the new covenant that God forbids divorce and remarriage with divorced persons having former companions still living. All that are found in such a situation are in an adulterous relationship. According to God’s word, only death can sever the marriage relationship.

Seeking a companion for a lifetime commitment to each other should only be done by mature Christians first seeking God through prayer and fasting. An honest searching of God that both of them are walking in the Spirit and the Word. Seeking a companion is a serious matter and should be done with full counsel of the parents if possible. The times spent together before marriage should be free from all actions that bring temptations and lustful thoughts. Husbands and fathers must assume final responsibility for the direction of worship in the home and for the decisions and discipline of the children.

Wives and mothers are to be submissive keepers at home and will demonstrate their lives with Godliness. Children are to be in subjection and obedience to their parents with all gravity.

Genesis 1:28
Genesis 2:24
Hebrews 13:4
Matthew 19:8-9
Mark 10:11-12
Romans 7:2-3
1 Timothy 5:22
1 Corinthians 11:3
Ephesians 6:4
Ephesians 5:22
Ephesians 6:1
1 Peter 3:1-6

Ordinances of the Church

We believe these ordinances were instituted by divine authority for the purpose of expressing heavenly thoughts and meanings, given to draw our attention toward spiritual pictures of divine truth. We believe there is a blessing in being obedient in practicing them in the church.

1 Corinthians 11:2
John 13:17

Communion: This breaking of bread and drinking of the cup was instituted by our Lord at the last supper and later delivered by the apostle Paul to the Church. We believed it is for all those in the brotherhood whose faith and life is anchored in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ and all those who have made prior preparation.

1 Corinthians 11:23-28

Feet washing: This washing of the feet is to signify the servanthood that the brotherhood has to each other.

John 13:4-17

Holy kiss: This is a kiss of love to all our brethren who want to obey the truth. This kiss is a greeting to signify our mutual love for Jesus Christ and for each other, brother with brother and sister and sister. We do not use this ordinance to judge our brethren in the Lord.

Romans 16:16
1 Corinthians 16:20
2 Corinthians 13:12
1 Thessalonians 5:26
1 Peter 5:14

Headship covering: We believe the Bible teaches us that the woman’s long hair is her glory and she should have her hair covered lest she dishonor her head. The Greek word used here is ‘katakalupto’ which means to veil or cover up. We believe this to be a special covering for a special purpose. We believe a man should not cover his head except for weather protection.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Anointing with oil: We believe that anointing with oil is a real blessing if practiced in faith. If any be sick let him call for the elders of the church.

James 5:14

Divination and Witchcraft

We believe that all children of God need to be free from all types of witchcraft, divining, sorcery, curious arts, magic, eastern mystic religions, and occultic practices and it’s symbols. We believe that muscle testing, water witching, pow wowing, and many more superstitions and supernatural powers of darkness are wrong and need to be renounced through the blood of Christ to maintain personal purity of life and thought. All miracles, signs, and wonders, even though they work, that are not done in the name and power of Jesus must be repented of. We are commanded in word and deed to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:9
Acts 17:22
Ephesians 5:25-27
Galatians 5:19-21
Colossians 3:17

The Return of our Lord Jesus Christ

We believe and confess that the same Lord Jesus that ascended into heaven will also come again. He will descend from heaven with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. All the saints shall meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is the comfort and the lively hope of the children of God. We also believe that will be a time of horror and wailing for those who have rejected God and His provision for redemption of the sinner. They will call for the rocks and the mountains to hide them but it will be too late.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
Revelation 6:15-17

This confession of faith and practice is not to replace the work of the Holy Spirit in each individual person or to add or take away from the word of God. We trust no one will take this as some legalistic rules of life to go by but rather that this confession would stir in our hearts to search the scriptures to see if these things be so.

To be a part of the local body of believers, we ask for each one to have a clear testimony of having passed from death unto life in true repentance and responding by believing in Jesus for the remission of sins and peace with God through Jesus Christ. We also ask that you have the testimony of being baptized with water upon a true confession of faith. As you become a member or part of this local congregation we expect all to take an active part and responsibility in the body. You are called to admonish, exhort, encourage, and provoke one another to love and good works. We believe that it is our responsibility to admonish those that sin. If they refuse to repent they must be excommunicated from the brotherhood. Those that continue in their sin must be avoided according to the scriptures.

We believe that the child of God is directed by principles from the holy scriptures in his life here in this world. Although those principles never change we know that the applications to biblical principles do change in a changing world. Therefore it is necessary that the brotherhood is open to each other to discuss and have an understanding on how we should apply these principles in every day life. There are things in this world that we need to flee and we need to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternal life is what we have been called to by our lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:11-12

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.