​BeaconMinistries

For the believer who meets the Biblical qualifications of a genuine Christian and for any ministry to be truly called a Christian ministry, the Word of God must be our foundation. Without it, our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would be nothing more than a mental exercise. It could only express itself in a religion, in duty, and in the upholding of men's traditions.

As an expression of true Christianity, we are completely dedicated to the Truths found only in the Holy Bible. Our confidence is anchored in the revelation and understanding of that Bible. In doing so, we have secured our directions, our lifestyles, and our ministries' expressions upon Its words. For the purpose of our ability to stand together with one mind, one spirit, and one hope, the following have been stated as the foundation and landmark of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1. THE SCRIPTURES - The Bible is the inspired Word of God and it is the Supreme and Final authority for the true believer and for His True Church. It is the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit, and we accept it as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct, doctrine, and ministerial activity. (2Tim 3:16-17; 1Thes 2:13; 2Pet 1:21; Jn 17:17; Rev 19:13)

 

2. THE GODHEAD - There is one God, eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God's only Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit. They are co-equals. (Phil 2:6; 1Jn 5:7) Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary, and came to live on earth in a body of flesh. He lived a sinless life and by His death, the shedding of His blood, and His resurrection from the dead, made it possible for man to be reconciled to the Father - God (Matt 1:23; Lk 1:27; Heb 4:15; Jn 1:13-14; Acts 5:26; Acts 2:23; Acts 13:30; Acts 13:33; Heb 9:22; 2Cor 5:18). The Holy Spirit is the agent on the earth of the work of God through Jesus Christ the Lord (Jn 14:26). The Holy Spirit is the indwelling presence of God in the believer's life. He regenerates, empowers, bestows gifts, enables us to live a holy life, convicts us of sin, and baptizes all believers into the one Body of Christ (1Cor 12:13).

 

3. MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION - Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Rom 5:12). "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom 5:14; Rom 3:10; Rom 3:23; 1Jn 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph 2:8; Jn 3;16-17; Acts 2:21; Rom 10:9).

4. ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH - Man's first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men and, when fulfilled, produces eternal life (2Cor 7:10; 1Jn 5:12; Jn 3:3-5; Jn 3:15-17; Rom 5:21; Rom 6:23; 1Jn 5:11).

 

5. BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST - The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and of Fire (Matt 3:11) is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers and is received subsequent to the New Birth. Evidence of this experience is the ability to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance and/or in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in the body as enumerated in 1Corinthians 12-14 as manifested in the early church (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 19:2; Acts 6; Jude 20; 1Cor 13:1).

 

6. SANCTIFICATION - The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Heb 12:14). We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace. Commencing at the time one becomes born-again regeneration is activated immediately, and the work of sanctification continues until the consummation of salvation (1Thess 5:23; 2Pet 3:18; Phil 3:12-14; 1Cor 1:30; 1Thess 4:3; 1Pet 1:2).

 

7. DIVINE HEALING - Jesus Christ provides for the believer healing for the physical, emotion, and psychological ills of the human body and soul. It is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, through the knowledge of His Word, and the stable and unmovable faith of the believer, and is the awesome privilege of every member of His Church today. The examples of the healing ministry, seen throughout the Gospels, are our assurance of this Truth (Mk 16:18; Jms 5:25; 1Pet 2:24; Matt 8:17; Isa 53:4-5; Acts 10:38).

 

8. THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST - We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent, that Jesus Christ will descend from heaven in the clouds of glory and, at that time, which no man knows beforehand, the bodies of the dead in Christ shall arise, then the redeemed that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and that so shall they ever be with the Lord. Jesus left His explicit command to "occupy till I come". The work of spreading the Gospel, the sending forth of workers, and the general duties for establishing The Church is a personal and literal one. His first coming was as a baby, the second coming is the Rapture of the saints. The angels said, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." He is coming soon. When he comes, "...the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" and return with Him to the earth (Acts 1:11; 1Thes 1:10; 1Thess 4:16-17; Matt 5:5; Jn 14:2-3; Rom 8:23; 1Cor 1:7; 1Thes 1:10; 1Thes 4:15; 2Thess 2:1-3; Matt 24:14; 2Pet 3:11).

 

9. HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION - The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is real. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting", used in describing the duration of punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints (Heb 9:27; Rev 19:20).

 

10. ETERNAL JUDGMENT - God's judgment and justice are unchanging and are the same, eternally established from all times past and to all times future. This is exemplified in the present through the law of sowing and reaping (Rev 20:13-15; Jude 7; Matt 18:8; Matt 25:41; Heb 6:2; 2Thess 1:9; Mk 3:39; Mk 16:16).

 

11. FAITH AND WORKS - We believe that faith without works is dead and totally unproductive. We believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of His Church, that nothing can be genuinely believed without there being a firm decision that they will express an accompanying and corresponding action or behavioral change. Our faith is an active faith that requires the doing of deeds in the world. Our faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual belief or assent to doctrine, but is an active force in our lives that requires, and results in, actions being taken. A living active faith will be manifested, not only in belief and mental assent, but in actions expressed and based upon that belief. If a belief is truly held, it will be acted upon. The act is as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the belief upon which the act is based (Jms 2:14-16; Eph 2:8-10; Matt 7:24-27; Matt 5:16; 2Cor 5:10; Matt 16:27; Rev 2:23; Rev 22:12).

 

12. LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - We believe that in all matters concerning the Body of Christ, in its direction, discipline, ministry, and functioning, that specific guidance, instruction, revelation, and discernment of truth from any form or degree of deceptions and falsehoods are available by the leading of the Holy Spirit who enables us to know spiritual things by the Spirit (Acts 13:1-3; 1Tim 1:18; Rom 8:14; 1Tim 5:22; Jn 16:13-15; 1Cor 5:3).

 

13. THE CHURCH - We believe that The Church is the Body of Christ expressed as the church individual, the church local (the visible), the church universal and indivisible (all saints of all places and all times united together under one Lord). As such, we believe The Church to be more than just a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under the direction of Its head, Jesus Christ (1Cor 6:15; 2Cor 1:1; Rom 16:5; 1Pet 2:4-5; Eph 2:19-22; 1Cor 12:12-31; Rom 12:4-5; Eph 4:11-16). The local church is an expression of the community and fellowship of God. As the Body of Christ in the Earth, it is an intimate community of people that is devoted to apostolic teaching, to fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The local body will meet together regularly, not forsaking the assembling together as a whole in open public general assembly and may also meet in smaller groups in the homes of the members of the congregation. We consider the fellowship of the saints together in the private homes of the members to be an essential expression of the life of faith of the church. Indeed to this end, the Word of God frequently refers to the church as a “household” (Matt 16:13-20; Matt 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 1Pet 4:17; 1Tim 3:15; Eph 2:19; 1Pet 2:5; Acts 18:8; Rom 16:5,10-11; 1Cor 1:11,16; 1Cor 16:15,19; Phil 4:22; Col 4:15; 2Tim 1:16; 2Tim 4:19; Heb 10:25).

 

14. AUTONOMY AND RELATIONSHIP - We believe that the local church, although autonomous, will be related to other local churches and ministries through fellowship and formed relationships that have been established by the working of the Holy Spirit. In particular, we believe that there be foundational ministries of apostles and prophets that transcend the local church and that the local church should be in a relationship with such a ministry or ministries for the purpose of advise, counsel, oversight, encouragement, and help. Such ministries are designed by God to provide connection and relationship in the universal Body of Christ between and among local fellowships and to provide spiritual covering, protection, accountability, identity, and checks and balances for local leadership by local elders (Eph 2:19-22; 1Cor 12:28; Acts 2:42; Gal 2:7-9; 1Cor 12:12-13).

 

15. CHURCH DISCIPLINE - We believe in church discipline administered in the church in a spirit of meekness. The Bible sets forth three grounds for discipline: unscriptural conduct that obscures the truth of God by false teaching or doctrine; unscriptural conduct that mars the holy character of God and His Church by unholy, immoral living, action, or lifestyle; and unscriptural conduct that hinders the work of God by bringing confusion or division to the body. The purpose of church discipline is the restoration of the one subject to the discipline and/or the purification of the church. Church discipline is body ministry. The steps of discipline are one-on-one private confrontation, private confrontation with witness, and finally, exposure to the church for judgment leading to restoration or separation. Within the local church, the Senior Pastor/Minister is the central figure of any discipline that occurs within his or her ministry expressions. Elders/deacons, under the direction of the Senior Pastor/Minister, can also be used to minister the call of repentance, restoration, and discipline to believers within that assembly (Matt 18:15-20; Gal 6:1; Rom 16:17; 2Jn 9-11; 1Cor 5; 2Cor 2:6-8; 1Tim 5:20). It is also scriptural to 'mark' a person who becomes a troublemaker if they refuse to repent and be restored. The Senior Pastor/Minister would be responsible to do this publicly and scripturally (Rom 16:17).

 

16. LAYING ON OF HANDS - Laying on of hands is a Biblical practice. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing and it is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. We believe in the laying on of hands for healing (Mk 5:22-23; Mk 5:41; Mk 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12), laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6), laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:1-18), laying on of hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (1Tim 4:14), and laying on of hands for appointment to eldership (1Tim 4:14).

 

17. MEDIATION - We believe, as members of the same Body of Christ, baptized by one Spirit into one Body, that we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and, as such, we are precluded from bringing a lawsuit in a civil court against another person who professes to be a Christian or against a Christian ministry. The key word is the reality of the Biblical meaning for Christian. Many shall say they are but will not have ever shown forth the fruits of that confession. However, we believe that if there is a dispute between Christians who are committed to the faith, we are committed to seek out assistance from others in the five-fold ministry giftings for mediation. It would not be wise to take them before a court or the judgments of the unbelievers in settling the dispute. We believe that all such disputes must be resolved within the Body of Christ without taking them before unbelievers for judgment (1Cor 6:1-8; Eph 4:3-6).

 

18. THE ROLE OF THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH - We believe that God speaks today using the voices of Godly men and women, choosing whom He wills to speak through. This is often referred to as Rhema words, meaning God's Word in His Now Season. This can occur even through the means of preaching, teaching, or exhortation. However, we recognize that prophecy is the usual means of speaking forth God's mind and counsel for this moment of time. There are at least five channels of prophecy by which God speaks to His people today. They are: the office of the prophet, prophetic preaching, prophetic presbytery, the gift of prophecy, and the spirit of prophecy. All five channels are received and encouraged in this church. We believe that hearing from God, both individually as members and corporately as a church, through prophecy or any other Biblical means chosen by God to communicate, is essential to our faith and walk with God. Prophecy is only one method of discerning God's will and direction. It is recognized that none of the methods or channels or prophecy will always be 100 percent accurate and actions should not be taken on the basis of prophetic words alone without other confirmation. We believe the prophetic presbytery serves the purpose in the Body of Christ in activating establishing, releasing, commissioning, and ordaining gifts to their office, function, and place of relationship and/or leadership ( 1Cor 14:3; Eph 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1Tim 4:14; Acts 13:1-3; Titus 1:5; Rom 12:6; 1Pet 4:10; 1Cor 14:39; 1Cor 14:1; 1Thes 5:19-21; 1Tim 5:22; 2Tim 1:6).

 

19. THE ROLE OF THE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH - We believe in the apostolic ministry for today as one which functions in one or more localities through foundational ministry as of a father laying the foundation, which is Christ, and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. We seek to relate to the true apostolic men and women in our time. We recognize this is a spiritual connection and we yield to it as we discern the Holy Spirit's leading (Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:25-29; Heb 6:1-2).

 

20. FINANCIAL SUPPORT - We believe that scripture requires all believers of the local congregation to support the church through tithes and offerings in proportion as the Lord shall prosper them, thereby acknowledging that any institution can stand or be of full service only in proportion as all of the believers of the local congregation accept their responsibility of maintaining it (Mal 3:10; 1Cor 16:1-2; 2Cor 9:6-9; Heb 7:1-8).

 

21. VISIONARY AND GOVERNMENT - We believe that there is always a person who is presiding leader in any church government raised up by God. That person will be the first among equals; commandingly referred to as the "set man". We believe that this person will be an ascension gift, not necessarily a pastor, although Senior Pastor/Minister is the title given to this person in this church. The Senior Pastor/Minister will be the person through whom the main vision of the church is received, articulated, and developed. He or she will be the one with the final responsibility and decision making authority in all matters concerning the church because he or she is the one who will ultimately be accountable to God for the church. He or she will be recognized by the grace, anointing, ability, and vision given to him or her by God (Num 27:15-22; 1Cor 12:18; Eph 4:11; Acts 13:11). God will raise up other ascension gifts to function in relationship. There is safety in seeking God's mind with others that are spiritually connected to them. Within the local assembly, elders and other giftings are also there to assist in finding the Mind of Christ and determining and implementing the Will of God that will compliment the vision of the Senior Pastor/Minister. Accountability within the local assembly can only be received through the act of submission as well. We believe that seeking the Mind of Christ with others is the honorable thing to do. This is to be for all areas of the church's affairs, spiritually and naturally.

 

22. ORDINANCES - A. We believe in two primary New Testament ordinances: Baptism by Immersion and The Lord's Supper. However, we do not believe that the administration of such ordinances is limited to ordained or licensed ministers. We believe in the priesthood of believers.
B. Ordination and licensing in this church is a separation and recognition of a specific gifting of God. We believe that God calls and He qualifies men and women into specific ministries as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. God calls. Man can only recognize the call and acknowledge it. Ordination is on the basis of that recognition of God's gifting and the maturing Christ-like character that is seen in their lives. Men and women called to a specific office by God and ordained or licensed by this church will have the right to participate in the traditional, sacramental, and ordinal functions of the church such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and the like. They shall also be expected to function in the spiritual giftings of their office and to demonstrate the reality of their calling. We reject the efficacy of ritual and the concept of a separate priestly class. We recognize the priesthood of believers and the serving ministry of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher with government by elders. As such, we recognize that those called to those offices will function in a manner to lead by example in prayer, worship, teaching, laying on of hands, and prophesying. That such actions on the part of those ordained and licensed by this church are equivalent to the sacramental function of the priesthood in traditional, sacramental churches.

 

23. BENEVOLENCE - We believe that the scriptures are clear concerning helping those in need through individual and corporate alms giving. We are commanded to do good to all people as we have opportunity, with a special emphasis upon caring for those who profess to be fellow Christians, especially those of our own fellowship of believers. We are commanded to be generous and willing to share, laying up treasure for ourselves in the coming age by our kindness and generosity in this life. This is true for the church as an organization as well as for the individual members of the church. Therefore, in accordance with the Biblical commands, as a fundamental aspect of the practice of our faith, we will share our material goods with those in need and will minister to them to the best of our abilities, whatever the need (Prov 25:21; Isa 58:10; Gal 6:10; 1Tim 6:18-19; Heb 13:16).

 

24. RELATIONS OF CHURCH AND STATE - God has entrusted The Church with solemn Biblical responsibility of being the conscience of society, culture, and government. As such, The Church has a duty before God to speak to the issues that arise from and relate to society, culture, and government. Specifically, The Church, in the tradition of the prophets, is required to call government to account before God for the actions taken by the government with the view toward keeping the government in its proper role and relationship as a steward under God of the resources of the nation (1Kings 18:18; 2Chron 15:1-4; Matt 5:13-14; Acts 12:23; 1Sam 15:14-35). The Church has a divine mandate to practice its beliefs as dictated by God. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. The Church is the blood-bought bride of Christ of whom Jesus is the head, the Lord, and the only Master. As such, we categorically reject any and all claims by the state to headship or sovereignty over The Church. When earthly governments leave their God-ordained sphere of responsibility and to seek to restrain, hamper, or limit The Church's obedience to Christ in all areas of life, The Church must and will obey God rather than man and must also confront the government with its error and call it back to its proper place under God, even in the courts of the land (Ex 8:9-10; Dan 3:6; Acts 4:19, 5:29).

 

25. DISCIPLESHIP - We believe that the scriptures clearly define that believers of a congregation can seek out advice, consultation, direction, purpose, resolution, and guidance from amongst the shepherds, elders, mature men and women, and five-fold ministry gifts within the Body of Christ (1Kings 1:12; Prov 27:9; Prov 11:14; Ps 55:13-14). We further believe that consultation and instruction are applicable by the scriptures through sessions: a company of persons in close deliberation set together to lay a foundation, set in place, and give wise counsel. This also provides safety, defense, rescue, and freedom from trouble (Ps 55:13-14; Prov 1:11-14; Prov 12:15). The personal care of the saints is the sanctification of the whole person, body, soul, and spirit (1Thess 3:13, 5:23) through the love that flows from faith, patience, hope, and the redemptive power of the cross of Christ (Rom 3:25; Lk 9:23), the atoning Blood of Jesus (Eph 2:13-16; 1Pet 1:18-19), the transformation of the soul through the Word of God (Rom 12:1-2), the denying of the old nature (Gal 2:20; Gal 5:24; 1Pet 1:13-15), salvation through grace not works (Eph 2:1-8), and the promise of the resurrection (Jn 3:16, Jn 10:25-26) are the effective working mechanisms that characterize pastoral care ministry. Such ministry is foundational to the practice of our faith.

 

26. DELIVERANCE - The need for deliverance is manifested by an inability to be free from a bondage: eg. mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual bondages normally associated with demon activity. It is God's desire to bring deliverance to His people (Job 5:19; Ps 91:3; 2Tim 4:13; Heb 2:15; 2Pet 2:9). We have been granted the authority in the Name of Jesus to bring deliverance to others (Mk 16:17; JN 14:13; 1Cor 12:8-11). We must understand that our warfare is with the forces of evil (Eph 6:12), our weapon is the Word of God, our authority and power are from Jesus Himself (Mk 16:17; Acts 1:8), and the battlefield is, first of all, in the spiritual realms. We do, however, recognize that this can only occur through a person completely yielded to God and to Biblical instruction for the deliverance and the maintenance of a clean house (Eph 6:10-18; 2Cor 10:3-5; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:22-23).

 

27. HOMOSEXUALITY - We believe in the creation and God as the Creator. We believe that God created man and that He created them Male and Female. As such, He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. For this reason, homosexuality is an abomination before God (Gen 1:27; 1Cor 6:9-11; 1Cor 7:2; Col 3:5; Gal 5:19; Jude 7; Lev 18:22; Lev 20:13; Rom 1:26-27; 2Tim 2:22; 2Tim 3:3; 2Pet 2:4-10).

 

28. MEMBERSHIP - The Church, by it's very composition, is a many membered, unified group of believers. It is an organization of those who choose to gather together for the Biblical purposes of worship, instruction, and ministry. The local church is the manifestation within our society of The Church. Each local church exists for an express purpose in God's plan. Individual believers of the Body of Christ will wish to associate with our congregation as those who attend regularly. All believers are members of The Church. The Lord will set some of those believers of The Church into this local congregation as members as it pleases Him. As members of this local congregation, they are given into the care and oversight of the leadership who must give an account to God for their souls. The leadership of this church shall have the right to determine who may attend church meetings and functions. This church is owned by the Lord Jesus Christ who has entrusted the care of the flock to the leadership He has raised up here. It is not a place of public accommodation, nor is it a public institution, and its property is not a public place but is, rather, private property belonging to this Church (Acts 20:28-31; 2Pet 2:1-3; 1Tim1:20, 6:5; 1Cor 5:1-13; 2Thess 3:6-15; 1Jn 9:11; 2Tim 3-5; Titus 30-11; Rom 16:17).

 

29. REPENTANCE - Repentance is a gift from God. It is simply not true that a person can repent at any time or it would merely be a fleshly desire that would bring very little, if any, true life-changing fruit. Repentance is dependent upon the convicting action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of sinners and believers. The conviction of the Holy Spirit, which often accompanies the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will result in the revelation of the sinfulness of self, which should lead to Godly sorrow. Remorse, or wordly sorrow, is a feeling of deep regret, hopelessness, or even despair. It does not lead to constructive change. On the other hand, Godly sorrow which may at times be mistaken for wordly sorrow, produces repentance which causes us to turn away from sin and selfishness and to receive faith for change. Worldly sorrow is destructive but repentance is life giving. Repentance changes the way we feel and act about sin, self, and God. Repentance is a total change of heart, mind, attitude, emotions, will, action, and lifestyle flowing from the turmoil and sorrow of Holy Spirit conviction of sin (2Cor 7:10; Ps 51; Acts 11:18; 2Tim 2:25; Gen 6:3; Rom 1:18-32; Matt 9:12-13).