What To Expect At New Life
What We Believe
IN ESSENTIAL BELIEFS, WE HAVE UNITY
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marriage is a committed relationship exclusively between one man and one woman.
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.
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).
