What We Believe

GOD:
God:God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God

Scripture References:
Gen. 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2

God the Father:
God the Father holds all the attributes of God while exercising a unique role in the triune God. The Godhead is in agreement with the role of each: God as Father, Son as Sacrifice, and Spirit as power. He is the father of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and yet still one with both as God. The Father adopts believers into relationship with Him as their Father. With Christ, believers have the privilege of being heirs to God’s glory. He actively prunes/disciplines believers to strengthen them for His glory.

Scripture References:
Luke 1:35; Matt. 3:17; Rom. 8:15-17; John 15:1-2; Heb. 12:7-11

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 the 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 someday to claim His own and take them to heaven.

Scripture References:
Isaiah 9:6; Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Tim. 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Heb. 4:14-15

Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. 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. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.

Scripture References:
John 14:16-17; 16:7-13, 17; Acts 1:8; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 1:13; 5:18

Bible:
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. 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. The Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute truth. Where it speaks we listen and obey.

Scripture References:
Psalms 12:6; 119:105, 160; Pro. 30:5; 2 Tim. 1:13; 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21

Man:
Man is made in the image of God to be like Him in character. 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.

Scripture References:
Gen. 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Rom.3:23

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 Jesus Christ and 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 as Lord of his life. This is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life committed to His service.

Scripture References:
John 1:12; 14:6; Rom. 5:1; 6:23; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

Baptism:
Baptism is a church ordinance commanded by Christ that has been practiced by his followers. It is a public act of confession, repentance, and faith that acts as the great hinge of a believer’s life: The old life of sin and death has gone, and the new life of union with Christ has begun. In baptism, the church pays tribute to the death and resurrection of Jesus while also celebrating the radical commitment of believers who are raised to walk in newness of life with him.

We only baptize those who profess repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. In baptism, the person being baptized affirms with God that he is a sinner (confession), that he is turning from his sin (repentance), and that he accepts the grace of God poured out through his Son (faith). While faith is a gift from God, not a result of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9), Scripture presents baptism primarily as a response to this gift of faith and subsequent salvation (Acts 2:38-41; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

We baptize people on the spot sometimes because we see this as a biblical pattern. Every baptism in the New Testament, without exception, is spontaneous and immediate. John the Baptist invited his hearers to show their repentance by baptism, an invitation received most notably by Jesus himself (Matt 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11). Peter baptized 3,000 on the spot in Acts 2 after one sermon (Acts 2:40-41). Philip baptized the eunuch after their first conversation, (Act 8:36-38). Ananias baptized Paul "immediately" after meeting him (Acts 9:17-19, cf. 22:16). And Paul baptized the Philippian jailor and his household "at once" (Acts 16:31-34). While many of the practices in the book of Acts appear to be exceptional (the abundance of miraculous signs, for instance), the trajectory concerning baptism is consistent throughout the New Testament. The biblical evidence indicates that immediate baptism is a normative part of the Christian experience. In fact, it is difficult to find a baptism in the New Testament which was not “on the spot.”

The Church:
The church is the body and bride of Christ, also referred to as the household of faith. It is the living temple where God dwells in His people. We believe that everyone who has been saved by Christ is a member of the church. We believe that the church exists throughout the world, and is witnessed and experienced in local autonomous gatherings of believers.

Scripture References:
Eph. 4:16; Rom. 12:4-5; Eph 5:24-32; Gal. 6:10; 1 Pet. 2:4-5; 1 Cor. 3:16; Acts 14:23; Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 3:14-15

The Priesthood of the Believer:
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called into full-time Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We strive to practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through Bible reading/study, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian is to be in a disciple developing relational environment in which they share their faith with those around them by word and action.

Scripture References:
Rev. 1:6a; 1 Pet. 2:9

End Times:
There are several different views on the subject of end times. Pre-millennialism, a-millennialism, post-millennialism, pre-tribulation, mid tribulation, post-tribulation, are all terms used by believers to describe their personal views of how God will bring history to a conclusion.
At NHCC, we believe this is a non-salvation issue, and therefore one which will not be allowed to cause division within the family. We believe there will be a literal return of Christ for His bride, the church, which will be followed by a day of judgment. We also believe in there will be a literal rapture of the church. How and when this will happen has been a source of great debate, and many volumes have been written on the subject. We believe the details are known only to God, and will not allow it to be an issue of division.

Scripture References:
Matt. 12:36; John 5:22; 16:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Pet. 3:7; Jude 6

Eternity:
People will either exist eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation, or eternally separated from God by sin. To be eternally separated from God is eternal death in hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

Scripture References:
John 3:16; 14:17; Rom. 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Cor. 2:7-9; Rev. 20:15

Stewardship:
God is the source of all blessings, temporal, and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to God. Christians have a spiritual detorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the Gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Christ with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Gospel. It shall be the duty of the members to contribute regularly for the expenses of the church, and for its ongoing mission to glorify God and promote the gospel here and throughout the world.

Scripture References:
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.