1147 Clifton St., NE 319.393.8841
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 office@noelridge.net
Sunday Service 10:15
Youth & AWANA - Weds. 5:15
DOCTRINE
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We believe the Bible (sixty-six books – Old and New Testaments) is God’s Word which He breathed out Himself, without any error, and is the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living. The Bible has supreme authority over every human being in all areas of life and will be the standard by which all people are judged (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 17:17; 14:26; 10:35; Romans 3:1-2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 4:4; 5:17-18; Psalm 119:89, 160).
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We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing as three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and as one divine nature (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 14:16-17; 15:26; Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:13, 18; Jude 1:20-21).
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We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God and man. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; 27:1-66; 28:1-20; Luke 19:10; John 1:1; 14:1-6; Acts 1:1-3, 9; 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 5:19-20; 15:1-58; Hebrews 1:3, 8; 7:23-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 2:1-2).
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We believe that man was created in the image of God but deliberately fell into sin and is, therefore, eternally lost. Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit can man's salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:27; 2:15-17; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13-14).
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We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart from man's works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
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We believe in a regenerated church membership: that is, persons old enough to understand their need for Jesus Christ and, of their own free will, accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior (John 3:16, 36; Romans 1:17; Ephesians 1:13-14, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
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We believe in believer’s baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper as a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross. We baptize by immersion because the New Testament makes this case, and because the meaning of the Greek word for baptize (baptizo) is to immerse, dip, and submerge. Both of these ordinances are to be faithfully observed by the church. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man's salvation (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31).
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We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His second coming inspires believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45; 7:13-14; Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 24:27-44; John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Revelation 19:11-16).
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We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting conscious punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell (John 5:28-29; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:10, 15).
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We believe in the autonomy of this local church. This church shall manage its own affairs and shall neither be subject to any religious body outside itself, nor secular organization, nor civil/federal governments, nor shall it be dictated to by such groups this church’s biblical doctrine, policies and procedures (Ephesians 1:20-23; Acts 4:17-20, 29-31).
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We believe that the terms gender and sex are synonymous. The biological male or female gender/sex of every human being is assigned to him/her prior to birth by God alone. Personal preferences concerning any other identity never changes this fact. A person’s thoughts and desires have absolutely nothing to do with the reality of their God-given and fixed biological sex/gender. To make these claims is rebellion against God’s creative decision (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 1:18-28).
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We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning, and that is, it is sanctioned by God alone who joins one biological (sex/gender) male (man), and one biological (sex/gender) female (woman) in a single, exclusive union, as taught in Scripture. We believe that God commands sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman as defined above, and who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a biological man (husband) and a biological woman (wife)(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-25, 33; Hebrews 13:4).
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We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication (sex relations outside of marriage), homosexuality, bisexual conduct (with both men & women), bestiality (with animals), incest (with family members), pornography or any attempt to identify other than or change one's sex/gender given by God at birth, is sinful and offensive to Him (Matthew 15:19; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:18-28; Jude 1:7; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 6:9-10; Deuteronomy 27:20-23; Leviticus 18:22-23; Revelation 21:8).
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We believe that divorce and remarriage is not God’s will. What God has joined together mankind is not to separate (Matthew 19:3-6). However, Scripture allows divorce for two exceptions. First, for adultery (Matthew 19:9). Remarriage in this case is permitted. Second, if an unbelieving spouse wants a divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-15). In this passage it is unstated if remarriage is permissible (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Matthew. 19:1-9). See the Noelridge Park Church (NPC) Policy Manual for a more detailed explanation.
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We believe that human life begins at conception and is an act of God. He considers unborn infants as living human beings. Therefore, it is our position that God views abortion as murder, and as such, is sin (Psalm 139:13-16; Exodus 21:22-23; Jeremiah 1:5).
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We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all members and persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide and agree to the preceding expression of belief on marriage and sexuality, and conduct themselves accordingly. Furthermore, we reserve the right and responsibility to apply biblical discipline, as described in Article II Section C of the Noelridge Park Church Bylaws, in situations where any member or volunteer’s refusal to adhere to this expression of belief is deemed to be detrimental to the function and integrity of the Church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; Titus 1:9-14; 3:10-11). In addition, we hold firmly that the federal government’s Equality Act, or any other legislation contrary to biblical teaching has no authority over the Bible, its doctrines, the Church, its policies and decisions. Therefore it has no bearing on who the church hires and terminates.
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We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:2; John 3:36; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).
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We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are neither in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the Church (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Peter 3:15). However, any stance with Scripture against a sinful behavior or lifestyle is never to be considered hatred or harassing, but rather love for God, His Word and by extension love for the person/people.
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We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God in all things, and for the well-being of others; that he/she should be continually seeking maturity in Christ and the building up of the Church using his/her spiritual gifts. All biblical moral absolutes are binding on all Christians everywhere. All non-moral (neither right nor wrong) issues are determined by the individual’s conscience guided by the principles of the Bible. Christians may have different convictions according to conscience but each person is commanded to act in love and respect towards one another. Examples of these are the drinking of alcohol, smoking, tattoos, movies, music, politics etc. (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 1:8, 6-12; 6:19-20; 10:31-33; 12:7; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-8; Ephesians 4:13-15; Philippians 2:15; 2 Peter 3:14, 18).
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We believe that the present issues of Social Justice & Critical Race Theory are unbiblical. Both of these stem from the Critical Theory and Conflict Theory of Marxism. It seeks to create conflict in order to establish a new society built upon a Marxist, Socialist and ultimately a Communist foundation. We hold to biblical justice for individuals. Social Justice seeks to pit groups of people against each other. For example, men against women (feminism), heterosexuals against homosexuals/transgenders/transsexuals, racial minorities against whites, the poor against the wealthy, pro-abortionists against pro-lifers, the vaccinated against the unvaccinated (Covid19), non/nominal Christians against biblical Christians, etc. We also reject Critical Race Theory as an analytical tool for interpreting both these issues and the Bible. Only the Bible is to interpret all of life. See the NPC Policy Manual for a more detailed explanation.
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We believe in submitting to our governing authorities as long as they uphold that which is good in the eyes of God and His Word. When our greater magistrates (President, Vice President) employ unjust laws upon the people we also believe in holding them accountable. They are to protect and support those who do good, and punish those who do evil as defined by God, not society. If they create unjust laws then we must appeal to the lesser magistrates (governors, senators, mayors, police force etc.) to hold them accountable by opposing them (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Acts 4:18-20). See the NPC Policy Manual for a more detailed explanation.
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We believe that women have important roles in the church and the home. In the church they are to teach the Bible to other women and children. They are to serve in all capacities except in both teaching and exercising authority over the men of the church (1 Timothy 2:11-14). Scripture does not permit a woman to be a Pastor, Elder or Overseer of the church (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5-6). In the home a woman has the tremendous privilege and responsibility to care for her family and the older women of the church are to train them to do so (Titus 2:3-5). A wife’s husband is her head and authority. As long as he is following the Lord and loving her, she is to submit to him (Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 11:3). If she is being abused she is to separate herself (not divorce) from him and seek refuge in another location until the reconciliation process can begin with the help of the church. See the NPC Policy Manual for a more detailed explanation.
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Baptism. This Church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publicly and who indicates a commitment to follow Jesus as Lord.
Baptism shall be by immersion in water as an outward expression of faith in the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus. See the NPC Policy Manual for a more detailed
explanation.
The Elders, or whoever they authorize, shall administer baptism.
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The Lord's Supper. The Church shall observe the Lord's Supper monthly, unless otherwise scheduled by the Church. See the NPC Policy Manual for a more detailed explanation.
The Elders, or whoever they authorize, shall oversee any Lord's Supper observance
conducted at the Church or as the location requires.
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This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, It is the sole and final authority of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elder Board is the church's final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application (1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:1-2; James 3:1).