WHAT WE BELIEVE

New Hope Bible Church is a community of believers excited about God’s love and eager to share it with others. Inspiring worship, solid teaching, intimate fellowship, and a dynamic ministry to children and youth—they’re all part of what a good church should be, and you will find them all at New Hope Bible Church.

Here at New Hope we understand how joyful and productive life can be when you know the love of God and the support of true friends; friends that will identify with your daily struggles, grieve over your heartaches, and cheer at your successes. We realize that the vision of a great church is great people, and we want to help you realize your full potential and become the great person that God created you to be!! If the Christian faith is brand new to you, or if you haven’t really participated in a church for a long time, please know that you are welcome here at New Hope Bible Church.

  • In essential beliefs — we have unity
  • There is one Body and one Spirit … there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all… 
  • Ephesians 4:4-6
     
  • In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty
    Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters … Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls … So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep   between yourself and God. 
    Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
  • In all our beliefs — we show charity
    And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
    1 Corinthians 13:2

Essential Beliefs

About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: 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; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

About the Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Human Beings

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 an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

About Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. 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 sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self–ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self–effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 8

About 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 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18

Doctrinal Statement

  1. We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is God's revelation of Himself and His truth to us. The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and indisputable Word of God by which people can use as a standard in making decisions for their lives. The Bible is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, is without error in the original manuscripts, is the authoritative Word of God, and is the final authority in all matters of life and faith. God has preserved and safeguarded His Word for all generations of believers. (Deut. 31:9-13,24-25; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pt. 1:20-21;Matt. 24:35; Jn. 17:17; Psa. 119:89,152,160)
  2. We believe there is one God. He is infinite, eternally existent, unchangeable in His being, and perfect. The one self-existent God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes and is worthy of the same worship, confidence and obedience. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:5-6; Acts 5:3-4; Matt. 28:19; Jn. 4:24; II Cor. 13:14)
  3. We believe God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He (governs) orders and disposes all things according to His eternal purposes and grace. He is sovereign in the acts of creation, providence and redemption. He has graciously chosen all whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Psa. 2:7-9; 103:19; 145:8-9; I Chron. 29:11-12; Jn. 6:37,44; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 1:3-6)
  4. We believe God the Son is the second person of the Trinity. As God, He eternally existed prior to His incarnation. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Christ, the Lord and Savior; born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a perfect sin-free life on this earth; was beaten and crucified on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. He came (was incarnated as the God-Man) to reveal God, redeem man and rule over God's kingdom (Psa. 2:7-9; Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jn. 1:1,3,18,29; 10:36; Heb. 1:1-3; I Jn. 1:3). By his sinless life and substitutionary death. He satisfied divine justice concerning sin (Rom. 3:24-26; II Cor. 5:19; Heb. 10:5-10; I Jn. 2:2; 4:10). Jesus bodily rose from the dead confirming His deity and God the Father's acceptance of His atoning work on the cross (Matt. 28:6; Jn. 14:19; Acts 2:30-31; I Cor. 15:20). Presently, He serves as the believers' High Priest, is preparing a place for us, intercedes on our behalf, is the head of the church and serves as our advocate before God the Father (Heb. 4:14-16; 6:20; 7:25; Jn. 14:2; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; I Jn. 2:1). He now sits at the right hand of the Father; will return to receive His Church; and we will be with Him forever. (Heb. 4:14-16; 6:20; 7:25; Jn. 14:2; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; I Jn. 2:1)
  5. We believe God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. His primary ministry involves executing God's will in the world. He was involved in creation, Christ's incarnation and the writing of Scripture (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 1:18; Jn. 3:5-7; II Pt. 1:20-21). His present work began at Pentecost and involves building the Body of Christ, which is His Church (Acts 2:1-13). He convicts people of sin and imparts salvation (Jn. 16:7-11). In regard to believers, He baptizes them into the Body of Christ, indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empower, gifts for service and seals them unto the day of Christ (Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Rom. 8:2; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:22; I Cor. 6:19; 12:4-13; I Pt. 4:10).
  6. We believe angels are sinless spirit beings created prior to the creation of the universe. Most of them retained their original state of holiness and presently worship and serve God (Job 38:6-7; Psa. 148:2-5; Matt. 26:53; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:14). One of the angels, Satan or the devil, fell through the sin of pride and influenced a large company of angels to follow him in his rebellion. Through this act they became known as demons (James 2:19; II Pet. 2:4; Rev. 12:9; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-19). The work of Satan and his demons consists in subverting the work of God. Through temptation, Satan achieved the fall of Adam and Eve. (Gen. 3:1-7; Job 1:12; 2:6; Ezek. 28:13-15; Zech. 3:1-2; Jn. 8:44; Rom. 5:12-19; II Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 2:2).
  7. We believe God directly created humans in His image. They were innocent but voluntarily chose to sin by disobeying the revealed will of God (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19; I Tim. 2:13-14). As a result they have become subject to God's wrath, are inherently corrupt and incapable of pleasing God. They are hopelessly lost and bound for hell apart from salvation which is in Jesus Christ alone (Gen. 3:16-19; Isa. 53:6; Eccl. 7:29; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; I Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; I Jn. 1:8).
  8. We believe all people must be saved (Jn. 3:6; II Pet. 3:9). The only way to be cleansed from sin is by accepting what Jesus' blood paid for on the cross and receiving Him as our personal Lord and Savior. It is God's desire for every believer to live an overcoming lifestyle, that regardless of temptations and trials, we will overcome.(Jn. 3:6; II Pet. 3:9). Salvation is based on the elective grace of God and was purchased by Christ on the cross. It is received by grace through faith apart from any effort of our own (Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Acts 16:31; Rom. 8:29-30; 9:14-24; 10:8-13; Eph. 1:4-5,7;2:8-10; II Thess. 2:13-14). This salvation results in righteous living and good works as evidence of salvation. No true believer can lose his salvation. (Jn. 5:24; 10:28; Rom. 8:35-39; I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:10; 5:17-21).
  9. We believe the church is composed of all who have placed faith in Christ and are united together by the Holy Spirit into the universal Body of Christ (the Church), of which Christ is the Head. In addition to the universal Church, the New Testament teaches that believers must associate themselves with local churches. (Mt. 16:18; Acts 1:4-5; 11:15; 2:46-47; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22;3:4-6; 5:25-27; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:25)
  10. We believe the local church is composed of believers who have joined together to practice the two ordinances (water baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper), teach the Word, practice the Great Commission, minister in an orderly manner, discipline rebellious believers and worship God. There are two offices in the New Testament church: Pastors, also known as Elders and Bishops, and Deacons. The leadership of the church is entrusted to pastors (elders/bishops). Deacons assist the pastoral leadership in serving and administering the Church's needs. The congregation uses their gifts to fulfill God's will for them as a church. (Mt. 18:15-18; Acts 6:1-6; I Cor. 14:40; Eph. 4:11-12; I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; I Pt. 5:1-5; Heb. 13:7,17)
  11. We believe civil governments have been appointed by God for the good of society. Governments should be prayed for and honored. They should be obeyed except in such instances where they are in violation of the revealed will of God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29) 
  12. Concerning future things, we believe the return of Christ for His church is imminent. This will be followed by seven years of judgment on the nations. At its conclusion, Christ will reign for 1,000 years on the earth. Christ will then create a new heaven and earth where all true believers will reside for eternity with God. The unsaved will be judged and cast into the lake of fire. (I Thess. 4:15-17; I Cor. 3:11-15; 15:51-55; Matt. 24:15-31;25:31-46; II Thess. 2:1-12; Dan. 9:27; 12:2; Ezek. 37:21-28;Rev. 16:1-19,21; 19:11,14; 20-22)