Statement of Faith

A Light Shines, Inc. embraces the following statements concerning the truth. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing; I Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines. We do not presume to say the phraseology employed in this Statement of Fundamental Truths is inspired or that it is the final work on Bible truth. However, we are persuaded it is proper and consistent with the Holy Scriptures to “set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1).

We adhere to that most eminent of historic creeds, the Nicene Creed, as adopted by the ancient Church, and as used throughout the Church in all ages since as faithful orthodoxy.

Below are some of our core beliefs:

One God

There is one God, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every divine action in the world is accomplished by the Father working through the Son and in the power of the Spirit. This God has revealed Himself in creation and in the history of Israel as transmitted in Scripture. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:4-6)

God is the Creator

God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He created humanity in the divine image to serve as creation’s priest and ruler. God’s intention for creation involves an order of differentiation, interdependence, and mutual blessing. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15; Ephesians 1:4-6)

Human Disobedience

Through the exercise of free will, human beings disobeyed God, tarnished the divine image, and abandoned their privileged vocation. As a result, God’s consummating purpose for creation met with initial frustration, and all relationships within creation became subject to violence and disorder. (Genesis 4:8, 6:5-7; Romans 8:20-20-22)

Messiah / Christ

In the fullness of time, the Divine Son became a human being – Jesus the Messiah, born of a virgin, a true and perfect Israelite, a fitting representative and one-man embodiment of the entire nation. He lived a holy life, fulfilling without blemish the commandments of the Law. He brings to perfection the human expression of the divine image (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1-4, 4:15)

Jesus died as an atonement for the sins of Israel and of the entire world. He was raised bodily from the dead, as the first-fruits of the resurrection promised as its glorification. He ascended to heaven and was there enthroned at God’s right hand as Messiah, with authority extending to the ends of creation. (Isaiah 53:4-6; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 28:18; Mark 14:61-62; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Philippians 2:9-11)

Holy Spirit

God poured out the Divine Spirit on the community of Jesus followers, The Church, so that they might be joined intimately to the Messiah as His Body and become the preliminary representation of the New Covenant fullness. Being filled with the Spirit is a definite experience that enables us to share the Gospel with power and to more readily receive the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are important in enabling God’s people for all kinds of service. (Isaiah 66:20-21; Acts 2:1-21, 10:44-48, 15:8-9; 1 Corinthians 12, 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 1:13)

Community

Messiah’s community, The Church, is a single community expressed in diverse forms among the nations. All are called to a dedicated life of worship, neighborly service, and public testimony to Jesus. Unity and love throughout the entire community confirm Jesus’s role, as the One sent by the Father, and God’s purpose in Messiah for Israel and the Nations. (John 17:20-21; Acts 21:20; Galatians 2:7-8)

Spiritual Life

Spiritual life is grounded in godly family units within the relational framework of congregations, whereby persons are to be encouraged, trained, and disciplined. (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 9:1-5; 1 Corinthians 7:17-20)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness of sins, spiritual renewal, union with Messiah, the empowering and sanctifying presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the confident hope of eternal life and a glorious resurrection are now available to all who put their faith in Jesus, the Risen Lord, and in obedience to His word are joined to Him and His Body through immersion and sustained in that union through the Communion. Jesus is the Mediator between God and all creation, and no one can come to the Father except through Him. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; John 14:6; Romans 6:22-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-27)

Messiah's Return

Messiah Jesus will return to Jerusalem in glory at the end of this age, to rule forever on David’s throne. He will effect the restoration of Israel in fullness, raise the dead, save all who belong to Him, judge the wicked not written in the Book of Life who are separated from His presence, and accomplish the final restoration of the World in which all nations will be united under Messiah’s rule forever. This restoration will bring everlasting joy for those who belong to Him. They will live forever in an order of mutual blessing and fellowship with God, in a cosmos perfected beyond description. (Isaiah 9:4-5/5-6; Romans 8:18-19; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-4)

Holy Scripture / The Bible

The writings of the Old Testament and the New Testament are divinely inspired and fully trustworthy (true), a gift given by God to His people, provided to impart life and to form, nurture, and guide them in the ways of truth. They are of supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

Five-fold Ministry

Understanding and embracing the meaning of five fold ministry is crucial for equipping the followers of Jesus to do their works of service. Leaders are called to exercise one or more of these gifts. Understanding these gifts maximizes the potential for effective leadership and ensures that leaders and others not be placed in the wrong roles. In order to further this, apostles and prophets that are part of larger teams oversee and coordinate networks of congregations. (Ephesians 4:11-16)