WHAT WE BELIEVE
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship ordinances, disciplines and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Courtesy in speech; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
Taken from the “The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal” Copyright 1977
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship ordinances, disciplines and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Courtesy in speech; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
Taken from the “The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal” Copyright 1977
Declaration of Faith and Doctrine Statement
The sole basis of our belief is God's infallible Word, written in the 66 books of the Bible, revealed in the Old and New Testament. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error in the original manuscript. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. We believe the unique calling of God on New Life is to obey his Word completely, and that his Word will convict us on all doctrinal matters. We explicitly affirm our belief in basic Bible teaching as follows:
1. There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each of whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18; John 1:1-3, 18; Acts 5:3-4.
2. Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. Hence, He is perfect deity and true humanity united in one person forever. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-37; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 2:9.
3. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. John 10:17-18; Romans 3:24-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 4:10.
4. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died. Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29, 1 Corinthians 15:4.
5. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:24, 25; 1 John 2:1, 2.
6. Man was originally created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God; thus, he was alienated from his Creator. That historic fall brought all mankind under divine condemnation. Genesis 1:26-27; 2:15-17; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
7. Man's nature is corrupted, and he is thus totally unable to please God. Every man is in need of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Mark 7:20-23; John 3:1-21; Romans 3:9-20; Ephesians 2:1-7; Titus 3:5-7.
8. The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works of goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. Romans 3:21-26; 9:30-33; Galatians 3:1-14; 22-24; Ephesians 2:8-10.
9. It is the privilege of all who are born again of the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based upon any kind of human merit, but is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written Word. John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 John 5:9-13.
10. The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith. John 3:5-8; John 16:7-15; Romans 8:2-4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 3:2-3; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
11. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. Galatians 5:16-25.
12. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
13. Water Baptism represents the symbolic way in which we connect to being buried with Christ in His death. In order to walk in His steps we should follow the examples that Jesus gave to all of us. He Himself was fully submerged in water as an example for us to follow. Therefore, we encourage new and old members to follow this pattern of spiritual newness. To be buried with Christ is to come up as a new creature; taking off the old man and putting on the newness of being in Christ Our Lord and Savior. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believe and is baptized shall be saved; (Mark 16:15-16). For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13, Peter 3:21, Colossians 2:12, Luke 3:16, Galatians 3:27 and Matthew 3:13-16).
14. God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement. Acts 2:42; 20:7; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 4:2; Hebrews 10:23-25.
15. At physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2.
16. At physical death the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation. Matthew 13:40-43; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:23-29; Revelation 20:10-15.
17. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, visibly, and bodily to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; Revelation 19:1-22; Rev 21.
18. The Lord Jesus commanded all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to disciple men of every nation. The fulfillment of the Great Commission requires that all worldly and personal ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us." Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:19-20; Philippians 3:7-21.
19. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
1. There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each of whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18; John 1:1-3, 18; Acts 5:3-4.
2. Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. Hence, He is perfect deity and true humanity united in one person forever. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-37; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 2:9.
3. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. John 10:17-18; Romans 3:24-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 4:10.
4. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died. Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29, 1 Corinthians 15:4.
5. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:24, 25; 1 John 2:1, 2.
6. Man was originally created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God; thus, he was alienated from his Creator. That historic fall brought all mankind under divine condemnation. Genesis 1:26-27; 2:15-17; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
7. Man's nature is corrupted, and he is thus totally unable to please God. Every man is in need of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Mark 7:20-23; John 3:1-21; Romans 3:9-20; Ephesians 2:1-7; Titus 3:5-7.
8. The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works of goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. Romans 3:21-26; 9:30-33; Galatians 3:1-14; 22-24; Ephesians 2:8-10.
9. It is the privilege of all who are born again of the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based upon any kind of human merit, but is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written Word. John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 John 5:9-13.
10. The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith. John 3:5-8; John 16:7-15; Romans 8:2-4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 3:2-3; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
11. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. Galatians 5:16-25.
12. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
13. Water Baptism represents the symbolic way in which we connect to being buried with Christ in His death. In order to walk in His steps we should follow the examples that Jesus gave to all of us. He Himself was fully submerged in water as an example for us to follow. Therefore, we encourage new and old members to follow this pattern of spiritual newness. To be buried with Christ is to come up as a new creature; taking off the old man and putting on the newness of being in Christ Our Lord and Savior. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believe and is baptized shall be saved; (Mark 16:15-16). For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13, Peter 3:21, Colossians 2:12, Luke 3:16, Galatians 3:27 and Matthew 3:13-16).
14. God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement. Acts 2:42; 20:7; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 4:2; Hebrews 10:23-25.
15. At physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2.
16. At physical death the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation. Matthew 13:40-43; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:23-29; Revelation 20:10-15.
17. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, visibly, and bodily to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; Revelation 19:1-22; Rev 21.
18. The Lord Jesus commanded all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to disciple men of every nation. The fulfillment of the Great Commission requires that all worldly and personal ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us." Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:19-20; Philippians 3:7-21.
19. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.