- We believe that the Bible is God’s message to man
While God’s presence and purpose is visible throughout nature and history, we believe that the Bible, God’s living Word, was sent by God to man that we might better understand Him and His will. All of our outreach, worship, fellowship, teaching and work are wholly based on the perfectly preserved, error free communication that is the Bible.
(2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12-13; 2 Peter 1:21)
- We believe in God
We believe in the one and only living God. Three parts in one, God is in control of the universe He created, working everything to bring all mankind to a closer relationship with Himself. Loving us with His absolute goodness, He is intimately active in our lives, constantly protecting and perfecting us.
(Gen 1:1; Deut 30:16; Col 1:17; Heb 11:6)
- We believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God
We believe that Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully God, taking on human form for a time, as a part of God’s timeless plan. He was born of a virgin as was predicted thousands of years before, emptying Himself to become human. Living a perfect life, he obediently carried the mistakes and evils of mankind on Himself to a cruel death on a cross, taking our punishment for us. Defeating death, Christ rose from the grave three days after the cross, later ascending into heaven. Christ continues His ministry on our behalf, saving any who would believe in Him and accept the gift of forgiveness that only He can offer. We believe that Christ will return with power and authority to gather to Himself those that believe in Him and carry out judgment on the world.
(John 3:16; Phil 2:6-11; Rom 3:23; Rom 5:8; Rom 6:23; Rom 10:9-10,13)
- We believe in the Holy Spirit
As a part of the trinity of God we believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s constant direct contact with the world. Continually working subtly in the background of our lives, the Holy Spirit works to bring non-believers into a relationship with Christ, He works to make the church stronger and He works to help the individual Christian develop their relationship with God. The Holy Sprit is the unifying force of God at work in man.
(Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2, Eph 2:11-22)
- We believe God desires salvation for all of mankind
God’s perfect justice does not permit or excuse the mistakes and evils of mankind. Yet we believe that God desires for that broken relationship between Himself and mankind to be restored. Starting with a single man, God carried out His timeless plan and made a promise to repair the damage done by the choices of mankind. This promise culminated by God sacrificing a part of himself, sending Jesus to take our punishment so that we might have a new and eternal life through Jesus. Because Jesus Christ was the way the Promise was carried out, it is only through belief and commitment to Jesus that we can take part in that promise from God.
(Gen 15; Rom 3:23; Rom 5:8; Rom 6:23; Rom 10:9-10,13)
- We believe in the purpose of the church
We believe that the church was instituted and is sustained by God to unite those that believe in Him into a community of believers. By design, this community’s time together brings its members closer to one another and to God by unifying their faith, worship and their outreach in the community. The church community of New Hope is lead by a leadership devoted to God and His will. They are committed to leading the church in directions that will carry out the instructions found in the Bible.
(1 Cor 10; Rom 12:5-6; Matt 18:20; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
- We believe in baptism
We believe in baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of wrongs against God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed the founders of the early church to teach understanding of God and baptize everyone through faith into the family of God. Taken from the example of Christ and the early church, baptism by immersion is a clear biblical model that we believe in and follow.
(Matt 28:16-20; Acts 2:38-39; Matt 3:13-17)
