What To Expect At New Life

 
At New Life, our weekend services are an opportunity for you to connect with God as well as other believers in a casual, inviting atmosphere. Our services include contemporary worship often blended with older hymns, a relevant message, and a time of ministry and prayer. We offer children’s ministry , birth through fifth grade, at all of our services. When you visit New Life for the first time, make sure to stop by our welcome center—just outside the Auditorium—after the service to pick up a small gift, talk and get to know more about us.
 
 
 
What We Believe
 

IN ESSENTIAL BELIEFS, WE HAVE UNITY

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
(Ephesians 4:4–6)
 

IN NON-ESSENTIAL BELIEFS, WE HAVE LIBERTY

“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Who are you to judge another’s servant? So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God.”

(Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22)

In all our beliefs, we show charity.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”   

(1 Corinthians 13:2)

 

THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE… 

 

GOD IS THE CREATOR AND RULER OF THE UNIVERSE

He is eternally existent in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. These three are co equal and are one God.

(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:8–11; Romans 8:13–16; 1 Corinthians 12:3–6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:8,9; 1 Peter 1:2)
 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is co–equal with God the Father.

He was virgin–born, being supernaturally conceived in Mary, while she was still a virgin. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin, Satan, and death. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again someday to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

(Matthew 1:22,23; Luke 1:26–35; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1,14; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–7; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Luke 1:26–35; 1 Peter 2:24.)
 

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father, and the Son Jesus Christ.

He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also comes to live in every Christian the moment he or she trusts in Christ alone for salvation. He enables the Christian to live with power, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every Christian a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live a Godly life by living under His control.

(John 16:7–13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:1–11;12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16;12; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)
 

The Bible is God’s Word to us, written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth and without any mixture of error. It is the supreme source of truth for Christians to believe and live.

(Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 11 Peter 1:20, 21)
 

Mankind – People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.

People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by a sinful nature, which causes us to live in disobedience to God. This “sin–nature” separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

(Genesis 1:27; 3:6–11; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23)
 

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

We can never make up for our sin by self–improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. When we place our faith alone in Christ alone, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ as his personal Savior by faith, and is eternally secure in Christ.

(Romans 3:23; 6:23; Revelation 21:27; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16; 1 John 5:13; John 6:37, 39; 10:28)

Eternity – People were created to exist forever.

We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

(John 3:36; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17,18; 1 Corinthians 2:7–9; Revelation 20:15.)
 

Water baptism and communion with the elements are considered “non–essentials” regarding our salvation.

They are not part of salvation, nor do they improve our standing with God. We are baptized (spiritually) into the body of Christ when we receive Jesus Christ. Water baptism is an opportunity for believers to publicly identify with Jesus Christ. Also, it is an outward confession of an inward change, and it is a “declaration of dependence” on Jesus Christ as our Lord. Baptism by immersion symbolically represents the truth of the gospel message – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:37–42; 8:34–38; 10:47–48; Romans 6:3–5)
 

Communion (Spiritually) refers to the intimacy of our relationship with Jesus Christ in fellowship and partnership.

Communion (the Lord’s Supper) celebrates our shared relationship with Jesus Christ. The elements are a reminder of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for our sins and the anticipation of His return. Communion is also a remembrance of the Last Supper and gives believers in Jesus Christ the opportunity to examine their lives. When we celebrate communion together at New Life Community Church, each believer can participate with the elements or silently without the elements.

(Luke 22:14–20; 1 Corinthians 11:22–30; 2 Corinthians 13:5)
 

Marriage is a committed relationship exclusively between one man and one woman.

We believe marriage is an institution created and regulated by God to satisfy the deepest needs of intimate companionship between a man and a woman and to provide the most advantageous environment for the procreation and raising of children.  It includes a publicly acknowledged and supported sexual union between a man and a woman which creates rights and obligations between the couple and any children the union may produce. We believe that marriage is a committed relationship exclusively between one man and one woman
 
(Gen. 2:18-24; Matt. 19:4-6). 
 

Gender      

We believe God immutably created male and female as two distinct, complementary genders that reflect the image of God.  Men and women are equal in worth and dignity, but have some distinctive God-ordained roles to fulfill.  Sexual identity as male and female is determined genetically with corresponding body parts. It is linked inextricably to gender distinctions. 

(Gen. 1:27; Eph. 5:22-33; Titus 2:4). 

           

Sexuality

We believe sexual activity with another person must take place within the boundaries of marriage. We believe any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.  A public expression of marital commitment properly precedes and provides the context for wholesome sexual activity

(Gen. 2:24-25; Matt. 15:18-20; Rom.. 13:13; 1 Cor.5:1-13; 6:9-10; 13, 18; 7:1-5). 

 
All human life is sacred
 
Because it is created by God in His image, human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
 
(Ps 139).