What We Believe

We believe in one, eternal God, who is manifest in three persons; Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Father, who created the universe and all it contains. God has revealed Himself to humanity from the beginning, and has demonstrated both an active love for humanity and holiness in His person, which requires our love and obedience.

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is fully human and fully God.  He was born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, and was willingly executed on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  His bodily resurrection from the dead gained victory over sin and death, and promises the gift of new life for each one who receives it in faith.  Each person who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior receives this new life, which is evidenced by a transformed way of living here and now and eternity with God when this life ends.  Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Those who don’t receive that gift during this life shall remain eternally separate from those who have in hell.  Jesus shall return to earth one day, as He promised, to judge the world and to claim His own.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who empowers and sustains every believer.  The Holy Spirit gives specific gifts to believers for the sole purpose of glorifying God and building up the church and the Kingdom of God.  We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the Church today, and that all spiritual gifts manifest in the New Testament Church are available to the Church today.

We believe the Bible is “inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.  It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT).

We believe that human beings are born in a state of sin, as a result of the fall of the first humans: Adam and Eve. In order to fulfill the plans and purposes of God for our lives, we must rely on the grace of God made available through Jesus Christ, to restore us to a relationship with God.

We believe that the ministry of the church is to love God and neighbor and to make disciples of all people everywhere in Jesus’ name.  This ministry is the responsibility of all people who have confessed Jesus Christ as Savior and have submitted to His leadership (Lordship) in their lives.  While people of good character have interpreted the Bible differently on this matter, both men and women shall be included in carrying out ministry based solely on their submission to Jesus Christ and their gifting for ministry by the Holy Spirit.

We celebrate two sacraments: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism.  The manner in which the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated and the frequency of the celebration are matters for decision by individual Christian churches.  The key matter is that Jesus told us to celebrate the Supper in remembrance of Him and that as we do we proclaim His death until He returns.  The sacrament of baptism shall be reserved for those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  Children of believing parents may be dedicated to God at a service recognizing such.  Those coming from other Christian fellowships where infant baptism is practiced may determine whether to be baptized upon their proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The manner of baptism shall ordinarily be by immersion.

We believe God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s birth gender is a rejection of God’s image within oneself.

We believe marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as described in Genesis 2:18-25. We believe God reserves sexually intimate activity for the marriage relationship. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.)

We believe any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)

We believe we are called to demonstrate love, compassion, kindness, respect, and dignity to every person, and welcome every person to participate in the life and worship of New Life. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) It is against the teaching of Scripture and the doctrines of New Life Christian Ministries to direct hateful and harassing behavior toward any individual or group.