What We Believe
Noelridge Park Church Statement of Faith
A. CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURES:
We believe that the Holy Bible was written inerrant in its original form by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that God is its Author (2); and that it reveals man’s state by nature, presenting the only means of his salvation (3); that it constitutes the only perfect rule and final authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice (4); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (5); that it is truth without any mixture of error in its content (6); and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the age, the true center of Christian union (7); and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. (8)
(1) Matt. 5:17, 18; (2) II Tim. 3:16, 17; (3) Rom. 3:10-12; II Tim. 3:15; Acts 4:12; (4) Acts 17:11; Is. 8:20; (5) Rom. 2:12; (6) Prov. 30:5, 6; (7) Matt. 24:35; Phil. 3:16; (8) I John 4:1.
B. CONCERNING THE TRUE GOD:
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent, perfect Spirit and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Supreme Ruler of the universe (1).
(1) John 4:24.
1. We believe in the one triune God who is personal, spirit, sovereign, and self-revealing (1), perfect, infinite, and eternal in His being, holiness, love, wisdom, and power (2).
(1) Deut. 6:4; 1 Thess. 1:9, 10; John 4:24; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 1:17-20; (2) James 1:17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Is. 6:3; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 3:16.
2. We believe that God is absolutely separate from the world as its creator, yet everywhere present in the world as the upholder of all things (1).
(1) Neh. 9:6; Acts 17:27, 28; Heb. 11:3; Col. 1:16,17.
3. We believe that God is eternally self-existent in three equal and distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each having a distinct ministry, yet possessing one and the same divine nature (1).
(1) Matt. 3:16, 17; Matt. 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2.
C. CONCERNING THE FATHER:
We believe God is the Father of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son (1), the spiritual Father of the nation of Israel (2), the Father of all believers in Christ (3); that God the Father made the supreme sacrifice in giving His beloved Son Jesus Christ as a Propitiation for the sins of the whole world (4).
(1) John 3:16; (2) 1 Chron. 29:10; (3) Gal. 4:6, 7; (4) Rom. 3:24-25; I John 2:2.
D. CONCERNING THE SON:
We believe that in the fullness of time the Son humbled Himself and assumed man’s nature by being born of the virgin Mary, thus uniting organically and indissolubly the divine and the human natures in their completeness in the one unique Person of Jesus Christ (1); by becoming man, He was made of near kin to us (2), and having a body, He can offer it as a sacrifice for us (3); being eternally Jehovah (Yahweh) God (4) and without sin (5), the sacrifice He made on Calvary was infinite in value. We believe that He rose bodily from death and ascended to the presence of the Father where He continues to pray for us and defend us from Satan’s accusations before the Father (6). He is the Head of the Church (7), the coming universal king who shall reign on the throne of David in the millennial kingdom (8); and the final judge of all (9).
(1) Matt. 1:18-25; Heb. 2:14; (2) Heb. 2:9, 10; Phil. 2:6, 7; (3) Heb. 10:9, 10; (4) John 1:1-14; (5) II Cor. 5:21; (6) 1 Cor. 15:1-5; I John 2:1, 2; (7) Eph. 1:22, 23; (8) Rev. 20:4, 11:15; (9) II Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:32; Acts 17:31.
E. CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT-
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, equal In all aspects with the Father and the Son (1); He proceedeth from the Father and the Son (2). His principal ministry since His advent at Pentecost is to reprove or convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (3), to restrain the progress of evil until God’s purposes are accomplished (4), to bear witness to the truth preached (5), to regenerate those who repent of their sins and exercise faith in Christ (6), to sanctify believers (7), to empower believers for life and service (8), and to quicken the mortal bodies of believers at their resurrection (9).
(1) John 16:13-15; Exodus 17:7 with Heb. 3:7-9; (2) John 15:26; (3) John 16:8-11; (4) II Thess. 2:7; (5) Acts 5:30-32; (6) John 3:3-8; (7) John 14:16-18; (8) II Thess. 2:13; Romans 8:2; (9) Romans 8:11.
F. CONCERNING MAN:
1. The Origin of man. We believe that man did not evolve from a lower species, but was created by the special act of God, in a state of holy innocence, under the law of his Maker (1). Through the temptation of Satan, he voluntarily transgressed and fell from his holy state (2), in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners (3) not by constraint, but by choice (4); being by nature utterly devoid of the holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (5), without defense or excuse (6).
(1) Gen. 1:27, 2:7; (2) Gen. 3:6-24; (3) Rom. 5:19; (4) Is. 53:6; (5) Rom. 3:10-23; (6) Ezekiel 18:19-20.
2. The Nature of man. We believe man is composed of body, soul, and spirit (1): The body relates man to creation and the physical world, and enables him to function in it (2). In the believer, the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (3). The soul and spirit are the nonphysical dimensions of man: the soul being the seat of mind, will, and emotion and that which unites the body and spirit (4); the spirit is the seat of our consciousness of God and the means by which we worship (5). The spirit of the believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit with the goal of bringing the soul and the body in subjection to the spirit (6).
(1) I Thess. 5:23; (2) Gen. 1:26-27; (3) I Cor. 6:19; (4) Gen. 2:7; (5) John 4:24; (6) Gen. 2:7; Luke 1:46, 47; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 2:11-15.
3. Gender: We believe that God created two genders, male and female, in His own image. While different in some roles, men and women are equal in dignity as bearers of the image of God. Male headship in marriage and the leadership of men in the church are intended by God for the good of man and woman, family, church, and society. Headship, and all authority, is to be modeled on Christ’s loving service for the church. We are to refer to God as we are taught in Scripture. Jesus was a man, and He teaches us to refer to God as “our Father”.
Gen. 1-2; Matt. 6:9-13; Eph. 5: 22-33; 1 Cor. 11:1-3
4. Marriage: We believe that the biblical standard for marriage is between one man and one woman. Any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sin and violate God’s gift of sex to humanity. As Christians we must exhibit compassion to all those whose sexual behavior the Bible describes as sinful, but we cannot endorse any public policy or view that legitimizes such sinful behavior as an alternative or appropriate lifestyle.
Gen. 19; Lev. 18; Romans 1; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10
G. CONCERNING SATAN AND SIN:
1. Concerning Satan: We believe that Satan is a created being (1). As Lucifer, he is the author of sin (2); as Satan, the cause of the Fall (3). He is the open and declared enemy of God and man (4), and shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (5).
(1) Job 1:6, 7; (2) Is. 14:12-15; (3) Is. 14:12-17; (4) II Cor. 4:4; Matt. 4:2-11; (5) Rev. 20:10.
2. Concerning Sin:
a. The origin of sin. We believe that sin entered creation by the willful pride of Lucifer and entered the human race by the willful disobedience of Adam (1).
(1) Is. 14:12-17; Ez. 28:11-19; Gen. 3:1-15.
b. The nature of sin. We believe sin is the willful refusal by the creature of God to hold the Creator and His expressed will, by faith, as the center and sphere of his life; it is the attempted establishment of the creature himself as an independent being (1).
(1) I John 3:4; James 4:13-17; Rom. 1:22-25; 1 John 2:15-17.
c. The results of sin. We believe the results of sin on the non-believer are not only spiritual and physical death, but also everlasting separation from God (1). We believe the results of personal sin upon the believer include loss of fellowship with God, chastisement, lack of spiritual fruit, loss of reward, possible disqualification from service, and possible physical death (2). Other results are that the Holy Spirit is grieved; the Father must hear Satan’s accusations; Christ must intercede on the believer’s behalf; unbelievers are given opportunity to blaspheme; and a weak brother may be caused to stumble (3).
(1) Eph. 2:1-5; John 5:24; Job 3:11-19; Rom. 5:12; Rev. 20:11-15;
(2) 1 John 1:6; 5:16-17; Heb. 12:1-13; John 15:1-16; 1 Cor. 3:5-15, 9:18-27, 11:27-30; (3) Eph. 4:30; Rev. 12:10; Rom. 8:34; 2:23-24; 1 Cor. 8:9.
H. CONCERNING SALVATION AND THE SAVIOUR-
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (1), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (2) who pre-existed (3). and who, by the appointment of the Father and by the activity of the Holy Spirit, was conceived and born of the virgin Mary, freely took upon Him human nature, yet without sin (4); that He honored the Divine law by His perfect obedience (5). and after a miraculous ministry, by His death made full atonement for our sins (6); that having risen from the dead bodily, He is now enthroned in heaven to reign in eternal sovereignty (7); that uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with Divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate Savior and Lord (8).
(1) Eph.- 2:8; (2) John 3:16; (3) John 8:58; (4) Phil. 2:6, 7; (5) Heb.5:7, 8; (6) Isaiah 53:4, 5; II Cor. 5:18, 19, 21; (7) Heb. 1:8; (8) Heb. 7:25.
I. CONCERNING THE FREENESS OF SALVATION:
We believe the blessings of salvation are freely given by our sovereign God to whomever He chooses.(1) That He is simultaneously capable of pre-ordaining all things as well as those who will be saved (2) and allowing free will and choice among all people.(3) We believe that nothing is required to be saved, but acceptance of Christ by faith.. (4)
(1) Isaiah 55:1, (2) Matt 19:26, Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 Peter 1:1, (3) Matt 11:28. Rev 3:20; (4) Rom 10:9-10
J. CONCERNING JUSTIFICATION:
We believe that grace, the great Gospel blessing (1) which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification (2); that justification includes the pardon of sin (3), and the promise of eternal life on the principles of righteousness (4); that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood (5), by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (6); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and makes possible every other blessing needful for time and eternity (7).
(1) John 1:16; (2) Acts 13:39; (3) Romans 5:9; (4) Romans 5:17; (5) Romans 4:4,5; (6) Romans 5:19; (7) Romans 5:1, 2.
K. CONCERNING GRACE IN REGENERATION:
We believe that those who are spiritually dead (nonbelievers) must be made alive (regenerated) (1), in order to be saved; that regeneration consists of giving a holy disposition to the soul (2); that it is effected, in a manner beyond our comprehension,(3) by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth (4); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life (5).
(1) Eph. 2:1,5; (2) II Cor. 5:17; (3) John 3:8; (4) I Peter 1:22-25; (5) Eph. 5:9.
L.CONCERNING-REPENTANCE AND FAITH:
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also Inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (1) whereby, being deeply convinced of our individual guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (2), in repentance, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (3), at the same time, by faith, heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and all- sufficient Savior (4).
(1) Mark 1:15; (2) Romans 3:23, John 16:8; (3) Luke 18:13; (4) Rom. 10:9-11.
M. CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION:
We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God we are made partakers of His holiness (1). Every believer at regeneration is indwelled by the Holy Spirit (2); is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (the Church) (3); is sealed by the Holy Spirit (4); is filled with the Holy Spirit (5); and is sanctified (set apart for God’s Holy purpose) by the Holy Spirit (6). The measure of the infilling of the Holy Spirit rests with the believer; as we live in obedience to the control of the Holy Spirit (7) not quenching Him (8) nor grieving Him (9), but by yielding to His will the process of sanctification is carried forth in our daily living (10).
(1) I Thess. 4:3, 1 Peter 1:14-16; (2) Romans 8:9; (3) Romans 6:3-5, 1 Cor. 12:13; (4) Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:14-16; (5) Acts 2:4; 4:31; (6) II Thess. 2:13; Hebrews 9:14, 15; (7) Eph. 5:18; (8) I Thess. 5:19; (9) Eph. 4:30; (10) Eph. 5:26, 27; John 17:17; Romans 6:19.
N. CONCERNING THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS:
We believe that all true believers endure unto the end (1); that they are born of incorruptible seed (2), given everlasting life (3), are sealed unto the day of redemption, hidden with Christ in God (4). They are given knowledge and assurance of eternal life (5) and are assured of neither condemnation nor separation from God (6).
(1) John 8:31; (2) I Peter 1:23; (3) John 5:24, 10:27-29; (4) Eph. 4:30, Col. 3:3; (5) 1 John 5:11-13; (6) Romans 8:1; 8:35-39; I Thess. 5:23, 24.
O. CONCERNING THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL:
We believe that the Church invisible and universal is composed of all those who are called out of the world, separated from sin, and vitally united by faith to Christ, the Church’s living head and ruler.
I Peter 2:9; John 15:18; Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:15, 16; 1 Cor. 12:12-27.
P. CONCERNING THE LOCAL CHURCH:
We believe that the visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (1) associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel (2), observing the ordinances of Christ (3), governed by His laws (4), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word (5).It seeks to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth (6); its Scriptural officers are Elder/Pastor, Elders and Deacons (7), whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus (8).
(1) I Cor. 1:1-10; (2) Acts 2:41, 42; (3) 1 Cor. 11:2; (4) Matt. 28:20; (5) Eph. 4:7; (6) Matt. 28:20; (7) Phil. 1:1; (8) 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
Q. CONCERNING A LOCAL CHURCH IN ITS INDEPENDENCE AND RELATIONSHIPS:
We believe that the local visible Church of Christ is a voluntary and independent autonomous group of baptized believers who have responsibilities one to another (1); that it has the power and right within itself to confess its own faith in accordance with the New Testament (2); and that each congregation recognizes its own self-contained government, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, as its highest authority under God for carrying out the will of the Lord Jesus Christ (3).
(1) Matt. 18:15-18; Romans 12:16; (2) 1 Tim. 3.15; (3) Matt. 18:15-18; Acts 1:23-26; 20:28.
R. CONCERNING BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:
We believe that Christian baptism and the Lord’s Supper are each a memorial, a symbol and prophecy, not a means of salvation (1). We believe that Christian baptism follows the Lord’s example (2); that it is the immersion in water of a believer (3) into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (4) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (5). We believe that the Lord’s Supper should be observed by all believers in obedience to the command of Jesus, “This do in remembrance of Me,” and that it symbolizes the death of Christ for the remission of our sins, and our continual dependence on Him. We believe it to be a relationship in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorate together the dying life of Christ (6), and that it should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (7). We believe that the Lord’s table should always be open to all believers who are in right relationship with God, regardless of denomination.
(1) Romans 6:3; (2) Matt. 3:13-17; (3) Acts 8:36-39; (4) Matt. 28:19; (5) 6:3-5; (6) I Cor. 11:23-26; (7) 1 Cor. 11:28.
S. CONCERNING CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (1) and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (2), except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (3), Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (4); and that Church and state should be separated, the state owing the church protection and full freedom (5). No ecclesiastical group or denomination should be preferred above another by the state (6); the state should not impose taxes for the support of any form of religion; a free church in a free state is the Christian ideal (7).
(1) Romans 13:1-7; (2) Matt. 22:21;(3) Acts 5:29; (4) Matt. 23:10; (5) I Tim 2:1,2, (6) James 4:12; 1 Cor 3:5
T. CONCERNING THE STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED:
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the right and wicked (1); that such only as through faith are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His sight (2), while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (3), and this distinction holds among men both in life and after death (4).
(1) Malachi 3:18; (2) Rom. 1:17; (3) I John 5:19; (4) Proverbs 14:32.
U. CONCERNING THE RESURRECTIONS:
We believe the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead bodily (1), that He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations (2), that He now exists in His glorified body at God’s right hand (3), and that there will be a resurrection of the wicked and the righteous, separated in time. The wicked shall be resurrected to damnation. The righteous will be resurrected to life (4), and their bodies will conform to the glorious spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ (5).
(1) Matt. 28:1-10; (2) John 20:19, 20; Matt. 28:8, 9; (3) 1 Peter 3:22; (4) John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:5; (5) Phil. 3:21.
V. CONCERNING THE JUDGMENTS:
We believe that the believer’s sins are judged in Christ on the Cross (1), that the believers works will be judged for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ at the time of His coming (2), that the impenitent wicked will appear at their resurrection before God for judgment and endless punishment with the Devil and his angels (3), and that the righteous shall enter a state of endless joy (4).
(1) II Cor. 5:21; (2) I Cor. 3:8-15; II Cor. 5:10; (3) Rev. 20:10-15; 14:9-11; (4) Matt. 25:31-46.
W. CONCERNING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:
We believe that the end of the age is approaching; that Christ may return at any time (1), personally (2), visibly (3), bodily (4); that He shall come for His saints (5); and with His saints (6), He shall reign. (7)
(1) I Peter 4:7; Mark 13:34-37; (2) John 14:1-3; (3) Acts 1:10-11; (4) Rev. 19:11-16, Zech. 12:10; (5) I Thes. 4:14-18; I Cor. 15; Rev 3:11; (6) Jude 14; Rom. 8:16-19; Col. 3:4; Rev. 19:14; (7) Dan. 7:13,14; Luke 1:32,33; Rev. 5:9, 10; 20:4-6
X. CONCERNING THE FINAL STATE:
We believe that after God’s enemies are consigned to their place of final punishment, the present order of things will be dissolved and a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, shall be brought in as the final state in which the righteous shall dwell forever.
Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; II Peter 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1-22.
Y. CONCERNING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence; that in Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (1); that all sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage (2); that the new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge; that a sound school system is necessary to complete the spiritual program for Christ’s Church; and that in addition to the causes of evangelism, missions and general benevolence, Christian education should receive the liberal support of the church (3).
(1) Matt. 28:20; Col. 2:3; (2) Deut. 4:1, 5, 9, 13,14; (3) Matt. 28:20.
Z. CONCERNING SOCIAL SERVICE:
We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to let the will of Christ actively rule in his own life and in human society (1); to oppose, in the spirit of Christ, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice (2); to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick; to support everything that is good and righteous in industry, government, and society as a whole for the benefit of men; so that all men may live spiritually and righteously before God (3). We believe, however, that the worth of any social service must finally depend upon the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus (4).
(1) Luke 10:25-27; (2) Leviticus 6:2-5; (3) Romans 3:8-14; James 1:23; Titus 2:11-13; (4) Titus 3:5-8.