What we believe
Nothing new.
Just what the Book says.
Here's our statement of faith in plain English. Every point is tied to the passages it comes from, so you can check our work. Tap any reference to read it.
01
Verse by verse
We teach through whole books of the Bible, so we hear all of it, including the hard parts, and nobody's hobbyhorse sets the agenda.
02
Come as you are
Jeans are fine. So are questions, doubts, and a messy week. Nobody will put you on the spot.
03
Simple, not shallow
No fog machines or hype. Songs you can sing, teaching you can take home, and people who'll know your name.
04
Love first
Right doctrine matters because it produces people who love God and their neighbors. That's the measure we hold ourselves to.
- 1
The Bible
We believe the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God, without error in what it teaches, and our final authority for faith and life. That's why we teach through it book by book.
- 2
God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory.
- 3
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is God the Son, born of a virgin, fully God and fully man. He lived without sin, died on the cross in our place, rose bodily from the dead, and will return in power and glory.
- 4
Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift of God's grace, received by faith in Jesus alone, not earned by good works. Everyone who trusts in Him is forgiven, made new, and secure in His hand.
- 5
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit lives in every believer, giving new life and spiritual gifts to build up the church. We welcome every gift the Bible describes, used in love and in order.
- 6
The Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ: every believer, gathered to worship, learn the Word, pray, share life, and make disciples. We practice two ordinances: baptism by immersion for believers, and the Lord's Supper.
- 7
The Future
We believe Jesus will return personally and visibly. God will raise the dead and judge the world, and those who belong to Him will live with Him forever in a new creation.
Unity & liberty
In essentials, unity.
In the rest, a lot of grace.
Some things we hold with a closed fist. Other things sincere, Bible-believing Christians have disagreed about for centuries, and you'll find both views in our pews.
Closed hand
We won’t budge on these
- The Bible is God's Word and our final authority.
- One God in three persons.
- Jesus is fully God and fully man, crucified and bodily risen.
- Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
- Jesus is coming back.
Open hand
Friends can disagree on these
- The timing of the end-times events
- How the spiritual gifts work today
- Predestination and free will
- Bible translations
- Schooling choices for your kids
Our roots
Independent, but not alone.
Lamplight is an independent, non-denominational Bible church. Our roots are in the Calvary Chapel and Baptist traditions, and you'll find people from both here, along with plenty who grew up with no church at all.
Want to go deeper?
Foundations is a six-week class on what we believe and why, taught by the pastors. It starts again October 25, Sundays at 9:00 in Room 204.