New Hope Free Will Baptist Church Statements of Doctrine
The following statements express the core beliefs that are the heart of this ministry and founded upon our Articles of Faith (complete copy available in church office). They are taught, preached, and are made applicable to the lives of our members.
· The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. It is truth untarnished by any degree of e
rror, it will endure forever, and it is the standard by which all conduct, creeds, and opinions are to be tried. -- II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:20,21; Jude 3
· There is one God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, holy and just, Who is expressed in three equal Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. -- Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:18,19)
· Man was made in holiness but, by his choice, fell into sin, thus resulting in a sinful nature of all, in that each voluntarily go astray and are therefore under condemnation to eternal separation from God. -- Genesis 1:25-27; Romans 3:22,23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12
· God has graciously provided a way out through His Son, who freely took on human nature, was born of a Virgin, lived tempted in all manner of sin, but remained sinless and died for our transgressions. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in Heaven. -- John 1:1,2,14,18; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24,25; 5:8-10; I Peter 2:24; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 12:2
· In order to be saved, sinners must personally invite Jesus Christ into their hearts, repenting of their sins and intending to walk in newness of life with the help of God. -- John 3:16, 18; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:18,19; II Corinthians 5:17
· The Christian who has thus experienced salvation is to persist in personal prayer and Bible study, freely sharing the faith with those around him/her, regularly fellowshipping in a Bible-believing church, and participating in every sort of good work for the advancement of the kingdom of God. -- Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20
· Tithing is God's financial plan for supporting the work of the Church here on earth. -- Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-8
· In obedience to the Word of God, a believer is to undergo the Sacrament of Baptism, symbolizing the death of the old man and the birth of the new in Christ. The Sacrament of communion, by which the members partake of the bread and wine in memory of Jesus and His atoning work on the cross, is to be celebrated on a regular basis. Also the washing of the saints' feet is to be practiced as an expression of humility and service. -- Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-38; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
· The personal return of Jesus Christ will be witnessed; the resurrection of the believers; the reign of Christ; the everlasting blessedness of the redeemed, and the everlasting torment of the lost. -- John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 15:51,52; I Thessalonians 4;13-18; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:5,6,12,13; Matthew 25:41-46; Jude 6,7; Revelation 20:11-15
