We believe that baptism is absolutely essential to salvation, (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20,21) and should be performed only if the person desiring to be baptized has repented of their sins. (Mat 3:7,8) They must be old enough to understand what baptism is performed for. The ministry should perform baptism. When being baptized one must be totally submerged, and must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to Acts 2:38.

Mark 16:16 (KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

1 Peter 3:20,21 (KJV) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Matthew 3:7-8 (KJV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Acts 8:36-39 (KJV) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

HOLY GHOST

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the portion of Gods spirit that is given to mankind to lead and guide us in all the ways of righteousness. We believe that it is absolutely essential to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We believe that when a person is filled with the Holy Ghost that they will speak in other tongues, as the church did in the second chapter of Acts. If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his.

John 16:13 (KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

Romans 8:9 (KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Isaiah 28:11 (KJV) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Acts 2:4 (KJV) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 19:6 (KJV) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS

True repentance is not only confessing your sins, and asking for Gods forgiveness. It is also to turn away from those things that we were doing in error, and never do them again. We must also forgive others if we want for God to forgive us. In order for us to have our sins forgiven and remitted we must confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness with a contrite heart. Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Remission of sins comes through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Psalms 34:18 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Matthew 6:15 (KJV) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 24:47 (KJV) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

MEMBERSHIP

We don’t believe in signing a book to become a member of the church, which Jesus Christ built. We believe that the church is members of the body of Christ. As the temple in which Christ dwells, we believe that we must keep our body and mind clean and undefiled before God. We don’t join the church we are born into the church. This is accomplished by being born again. We believe that we are born again of the water when we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we receive the first fruits of the spirit when we receive the Holy Ghost. Therefore a member must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and must be filled with the Holy Ghost. Members must live a godly, holy life.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (KJV) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:20 (KJV) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

John 3:5 (KJV) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:23 (KJV) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which

no man shall see the Lord:

TITHES  

Tithes are the 1/10 part and should be given to the work of God willingly by the giver, and should be given on all increase. Because taxes and certain other funds are taken without permission and thereby reduce the increase of the giver we feel that tithes should be paid on the net income, as well as child support, alimony, and other expenses of the givers own doing. Tithes should also be paid on tax returns and other extra ordinary income. If the giver feels uneasy in tithing on the net they may tithe on the gross, but we don't feel that it is necessary. The Pastor must pay tithes to the local assembly of all his increase. Tithes by all members should go to support the local assembly. Tithes belong to God and his work and should never be considered as offerings.

Leviticus 27:30-31 (KJV) And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

Numbers 18:24-26 (KJV) But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Numbers 18:28 (KJV) Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD?S heave offering to Aaron the priest.

Deuteronomy 12:6 (KJV) And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Nehemiah 10:37-38 (KJV) And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

Malachi 3:8-10 (KJV) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Hebrews 7:8-9 (KJV) And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

OFFERINGS

Offerings are contributions given to the work of God in excess of the 10% tithes, which belong to God.

Psalms 96:8 (KJV) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Mark 12:42-44 (KJV) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Exodus 25:2 (KJV) Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Exodus 35:5 (KJV) Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,

GODLY LOVE

We believe that god loves us, and that if we are his servants we must show love one to another, showing compassion to those less fortunate than us. As a duty and responsive action of love we must try to win souls to God, and thereby help them escape the judgement to come. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, that you love one another?

1 John 3:10 (KJV) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:14 (KJV) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 John 4:8 (KJV) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

John 13:34-35 (KJV) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12-13 (KJV) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

RESPECT OF PERSONS

We know that God is not a respecter of persons, and that we must not show respect of persons. We can’t in good conscience toward God show favoritism based on race, color, creed, sex, wealth, poverty, or etc.

2 Chronicles 19:7 (KJV) Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. Proverbs 28:21 (KJV) To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Romans 2:11 (KJV) For there is no respect of persons with God.

Ephesians 6:9 (KJV) And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Colossians 3:25 (KJV) But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

James 2:1-5 (KJV) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

James 2:9-10 (KJV) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

DIVINE HEALING

We believe that divine healing is part of Gods plan for the church. James 5:14,15 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:14-15 (KJV) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Mark 16:17-18 (KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

We believe that God is still giving the gifts of the spirit as they are mentioned in 1 Corinthians. Chapter twelve, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gifts of healing, the gift of the working of miracles, the gift of prophecy, the gift of discerning of spirits, the gift of tongues, the gift of interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

1 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

FOOT WASHING AND COMMUNION

We believe that the saints should literally wash the feet of one another to demonstrate a spirit of humility. Communion is a part of salvation, Jesus said except we take part in this that we couldn’t have part in him. This is the New Testament of his covenant, even as the Passover was in the Old Testament. The unleavened bread in pure even as Christ is pure. The wine in the cup becomes the blood of Christ preserving us before God even as the blood over the doorpost did in the Old Testament.

Luke 22:15-20 (KJV) And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

1 Corinthians 11:25-30 (KJV) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

John 13:5-10 (KJV) After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

RESURRECTION

We believe that Jesus Christ came out of the grave, and that he received a new body never again to see corruption. We believe that Jesus is coming back after a people that are called by his name. He is coming after a church without spot, wrinkle, blemish, or any such thing. We believe that Jesus will bring us out of the grave and give us a new body, and we shall live immortal with him through out the endless ages of time.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (KJV) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 (KJV) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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 so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Revelation 20:5 (KJV) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

CHRISTIAN APPEARANCE

As members of the church of the living God, We should dress in a modest and descent manor. Women should dress, look, and act like women, and men should dress, look, and act like men. All members of the church shall conduct themselves in a manor as appropriate of an ambassador of God. Our conversation and appearance shall be holy, conservative, and without worldly pride (a proud look).

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (KJV) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Peter 3:1-5 (KJV) Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Deuteronomy 22:5 (KJV) The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

MARRIAGE

We believe that marriage is ordained of God. The Bible teaches that the young women should marry, the apostle Paul teaches the young men it is better not to be married that they may give their lives to the Lord. However, if a man is not able to live a celibate life that they should marry. Because God realized that man would need a companion God gave Adam a wife. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Marriage should not be performed to join couples, which are not equally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Marriage should last until death parts the couple. Members of the church should never marry anyone that is not in the church.

Genesis 2:18 (KJV) And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:21-24 (KJV) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (KJV) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

DIVORCE

When ask about divorce Jesus said Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. It is therefore plain that there is only one excuse for divorce. Under the law adultery was not a reason for divorce, However under the law if a man or woman was caught in the act of adultery they were stoned to death and the companion was then free to remarry. We believe that judgement begins at the house of God. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Therefore if divorce was before one came to truth of Gods word; that divorce is forgiven when one repents. But because the word is very specific about offices in the church, no office of the ministry shall be held in the church by ministers which have more than one living wife. 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. If the first marriage was before their conversion, they may be accepted.

Matthew 5:32 (KJV) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

1 Peter 4:17 (KJV) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

SECRET SOCIETIES

No member of the church shall be a part of, or have any affiliation with any secret or non-secret organization, which binds the believer with the unbeliever. Nor shall the believer join any organization which demands that the member swear an oath.

Matthew 5:33-37 (KJV) Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James 5:12 (KJV) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

New Hope Lighthouse Apostolic Church
40180 Parsons Rd
LaGrange, Ohio 44050
Phone: 440-355-5418
Pastor: Charles W. Dummitt