GOD THE FATHER

We believe that the Father is sovereign and exalted over all. It is He who has decreed all things. When we say the “Father” we specifically intend to refer to the Father of Jesus, the Son. The Father (as well as the Son and Spirit) is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in every aspect of His being. In His moral nature, He is perfect in holiness, goodness, faithfulness, love, mercy, truthfulness, and justice. 

(Romans 1:7) (1 Corinthians 8:6) (Ephesians 4:4-6)

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GOD THE SON

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, the Word made flesh, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus, God’s promised Messiah, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He, being the expressed image of the invisible God, lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, as atonement for the sins of the world. Because of His death we have forgiveness of sins and are cleansed from all unrighteousness. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (See also the Work of Christ in Salvation)(John 1:1-2) (John 20:28) (Philippians 2:6) (John 1:14) ( Romans 8:34) (Hebrews 7:25-26)

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GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, as a divine person, distinct from the Father and Son, yet equal in authority, power, glory and titles. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, we are adopted as heirs in the family of God. He is given as an indwelling Presence to every believer to guide, equip, teach and empower them for Christ-like living and service. He produces in the believer the fruit of the Spirit so that they may conform to the image of Christ. He is our comforter.

 (Matthew 28:19) (John 14:26) (Romans 8:26-27) ( Acts 9:31)( John 16:7-13) (Galatians 4: 6-7) 

 

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that all Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, is given by the inspiration of God. As the inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error. It is the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. God speaks to us through His Word. Therefore, being superior to any and all human wisdom, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. 

(2 Timothy 3:16) (Psalm 12:6) (2 Peter 1:20-21) (Isaiah 40:8) (Proverbs 30:5)

 

THE HUMAN CONDITION

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, depraved, morally corrupt, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed. 

(Romans 5:12-21)  (Jeremiah 17:9) (Romans 3:23)

 

THE WORK OF CHRIST IN SALVATION

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only grounds for salvation. Those who put their trust in His finished work on the cross will be justified by grace, through faith (declared righteous), forgiven of all their sins, spiritually regenerated and given eternal life with God forever.

(Romans 5:1) (John 3:16) (1 John 2:1-2) (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Titus 3:5)

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SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is a process in which the Holy Spirit continuously guides the believer into paths of holiness in which he cleanses the heart from an imperfect relationship with Christ. 

(John 17:17) (Romans 6:1-2)  (Romans 6:22,23) (2 Corinthians 7:1)( Philippians 1:6)

(1 Thess. 5:23-24)

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THE CHURCH

We believe that the true church consists of all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. We are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. Its purpose is to make disciples of all nations by its witness to the grace and love of God and to live as a loving fellowship who builds up one another in the grace and knowledge of God. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.  

(Romans 12:4-5) (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

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BAPTISM 

We believe baptism is commanded of all believers and is an act of obedience signifying the believer’s death, burial and resurrection “in Christ”. The pattern of the book of Acts indicates the widespread practice of water baptism for believers. We do not believe that salvation is attained through baptism, nor do we hold that baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is the outward expression of the inward grace of salvation.

(Acts 2:36-39) (Acts 8:35-38) (Acts 16:30-33) (Ephesians 2:8-9)

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THE LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION) 

We believe that the Lord Jesus instituted the sacrament known as the “Lord’s Supper” or “Communion”. It is a memorial which symbolizes and calls our attention to the sacrificial death of our Lord. This celebration is one in which we look back to the finished work of Christ and also forward to the yet to be completed consummation of our redemption. Communion is only meant for those who have put their trust in Christ for salvation and it is not to be received by those living in unrepentant sin. 

(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

CHRIST’S RETURN  

We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His church.  The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.

 (1 John 3:2-3) (Matthew 24:42-44) (Acts 1: 11) (Philippians 1:5-6) (Philippians 1:9-11)

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OUR ETERNAL DESTINY

We believe that God commands everyone to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. 

(Revelation 20:11-15) (Revelation 21:1-7) (John 5:28-30)

 

HEAVEN

We believe heaven to be a literal place where Jesus Christ is preparing an eternal home for believers of all ages. Heaven is the holy dwelling of the Lord Most High. 

 (John 14:2-3) (Matthew 6:19-21) (Luke 23:42-43)

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HELL

We believe hell to be a literal place where all unsaved will go to spend eternity. We believe that it is a conscious place of suffering.

 (Matthew 10:28) (Matthew 25:46) (Revelation 20:15) (Revelation 20:10)

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SATAN 

We believe in the existence of Satan (Devil), who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men. He and all his angels and all who do not receive Christ as their Savior will eternally perish in the lake of fire. While Satan is active in the world, Christians through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them are able to resist Satan’s temptations and have victory over him.  (Revelation 20:10) (1 John 3:8) (John 8:44) (John 10:10) (Job 1:7) 

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that the Holy Spirit gives different kinds of gifts, service and workings to all believers. The gifts are given to exalt Christ, edify the Body and as a sign for unbelievers. The Apostle Paul’s exhortation was to “pursue love” and to “desire” spiritual gifts. We believe that the Holy Spirit can and may use these gifts of the Spirit whenever He sees fit. These should not be made an occasion of division or strife among us.  In order to maintain unity in spite of our differences we must practice mutual submission and avoid being a stumbling block to others.

(Acts 2:1-21) (Romans 12:4-13) (1 Corinthians 12-14)

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HEALING

We believe in divine healing, but we do not believe the Scriptures teach that all will be physically healed of diseases and infirmities in this lifetime. Whenever we pray, we should desire to bring our requests and desires in agreement with God’s perfect will for our lives. We believe in praying for the sick and anointing them with oil in agreement with James 5:14-16. We believe that God performs miraculous healings at times in accordance with His good and perfect will. We also believe that God at times heals through medical science. When He does not choose to heal, He promises His sufficient grace and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 

(Exodus 15:26) (1 John 5:14) (James 5:13-16) (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) (Psalm 103:1-3)

 

OUR CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES

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CHRISTIAN LIVING

We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us, “Be holy as He is holy,” to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil and the flesh. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. 

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“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2. Christians should be careful not to be influenced by the world. We should be watchful against being involved in unwholesome behaviors and habits that are harmful to ourselves and the body of Christ. 

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) (Mark 12:30-31) (John 13:34-35) (Galatians 6:2) (Galatians 5:24-25) (1 Peter 1:16)

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STEWARDSHIP 

We encourage believers not only to give offerings but to practice biblical tithing of their income and time to be given for the needs and the ministries of the church. We believe that all persons have natural abilities and spiritual gifts from God with which they are to make contributions to the work of God. It is therefore our duty to use our gifts liberally in the ministry of the church. 

(Matthew 23:23)(Luke 12:42-48) (Malachi 3:6-12) (1 Peter 2:5)

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THE POOR

The Christian virtue of love should characterize our lives in caring for the material needs of the poor, underprivileged, neglected or victimized within our fellowship. Also, such care should be extended to others, remembering that we are admonished to do good to all, especially those of the household of faith.

(Galatians 6:10) (1 John 3:16-18)

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CHRISTIAN HARMONY

Harmony is essential and healthy in the church family to its good witness in the community and to its worship of and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Watchful care should be taken to maintain that harmony. 

(Romans 12:16-18) (Colossians 3:12-17)(1 Corinthians 6:19)

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GENDER 

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Men and women are equal in personhood, value, and dignity.  We also believe that the rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated. 

(Psalm 139:13-14) (Genesis 1:27) (Galatians 3:28) (1 Timothy 2:11-14) (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

MARRIAGE

We believe marriage has only one biblical definition: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. New Promise Church will only conduct a marriage ceremony and recognize the marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. We also hold to the biblical position that the marriage union should not take place between a believer in Christ and a non-believer. 

(Ephesians 5:22-33) (Genesis 2:18-25) (Matthew 19:4-6) (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

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DIVORCE

God hates divorce and it is not part of His original design. We believe the only explicit Biblical allowances for divorce are adultery, abuse and abandonment. We lovingly discourage seeking a divorce on any other grounds. New Promise Church will only marry divorced persons where the divorce was granted on Biblical grounds. 

(Malachi 2:16) (Matthew 5:23-24) (Matthew 19:9) (1 Corinthians 7:10-15)

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SEXUAL PURITY

We believe that God not only created sexual desire, but also created the perfect sphere for its gratification: marriage. Marriage is the supreme model of intimacy, because it is a reflection of the wonderful relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

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We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

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We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. We also believe that sexual sin in the life of a believer in Christ is particularly serious because the Bible teaches that believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that every other sin a person commits is outside the body. The sexually immoral person sins against their own body.

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We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

(Hebrews 13:4) (Galatians 5:19-21)(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  (1 Corinthians 6:18)

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CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We are convinced that the New Testament requires the Christian to hold the government and its leaders in respect and that the basic principles of government can be directly traced to Scriptures. Therefore, it is necessary that we obey the laws of the nation insofar as they are not in conflict with our obedience to God. We should use the ballot, with prayer for guidance, to vote for candidates and issues which will promote righteousness, giving much consideration to the personal and spiritual qualifications of candidates regardless of political affiliation. 

(Matthew 22:21b) (Romans 13:1-7) (1 Timothy 2:1-2) (James 1:5)

ABORTION

We believe that all life is a gift of God, therefore, when the matter of an abortion is being considered, neither the life of the mother nor of the unborn child is to be treated lightly. We hold that abortion on demand or for reasons of personal convenience, social adjustment, or economic advantage is morally wrong. 

(Exodus 20:13) (Psalm 139:13-16) (Matthew 18:14)