Doctrinal Statement
DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that every word of the original autographs of the scriptures was breathed out by God Himself (II Timothy 3:16-17); that by virtue of the superintendence and empowering of the Holy Spirit, the human writers of the scriptures wrote not their private interpretations but the very words of God (II Peter 1:19-21), preserved from error of any kind on any subject whatsoever (John 10:35). We believe that the scriptures are, therefore, the unique, absolute, and authoritative standard of faith and practice, to be studied, proclaimed, obeyed and defended (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-11; John 17:17; Jude 3-4); that they are to be interpreted literally, historically, and grammatically (Matthew 12:39-41; II Peter 1:16) unless the context clearly indicates otherwise (John 6:35,51:58; 10:7;15:1); and that every portion is without exception profitable for doctrine and Christian growth (II Timothy 3:16). We believe, therefore, that the denial of their inerrant authority contradicts the clear position of Christ and the apostles and thus undermines all facets of their doctrines as reliable for faith and practice; that the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the complete and only authoritative revelation of God to man (I Corinthians 14:37; II Peter 3:15-16); and that anyone who adds to or takes away from this completed revelation is cursed of God (Revelation 22:18-19).
DOCTRINE OF GOD
EXISTENCE We believe in one unique and infinite God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21-22; John 17:3), the supreme ruler of heaven and earth (Psalm 104; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 6:26- 30), whose existence, clearly evident from what He has created and innately recognized by the conscience of man (Romans 1:19-20), has always been and shall always be (Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27 ; II Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:2-4).
SPIRITUALITY We believe that God is a spirit (John 4:24), and as such is an immaterial (Luke 24:3-9), invisible (John 1:18; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:1; Timothy 1:17; 6:16), and life giving (Psalm 36:9; John 5:26) person. TRIUNITY We believe that God comprises three distinct persons in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit coequal in every divine perfection and fulfilling distinct yet harmonious functions within the Godhead (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; John 16:13-14). New Hope Baptist Church Constitution and Bylaws - Rev 1.0 Page 6 of 38
TRANSCENDENCE We believe in the infinite and unlimited transcendence of God; in perfection, holiness (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1: 15-16) and immutability (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6; James1:17); in knowledge, omniscience (Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 46:10; Hebrews 4:13); power, omnipotence (Isaiah 40; Matthew 19:26; Luke: 1:27; Ephesians 3:20; Job 42:2); and in presence, omnipresence (Psalm 139). IMMANENCE We believe in the immanence of God, as evidenced by His gracious love for and merciful interaction with the creation, notably with man (Psalm 103), demonstrating His trustworthiness (Psalm 100:5; John 17:3; I John 5:20; Romans 3:4); righteousness (II Chronicles 12:6; Ezra 9:15; II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 6:4) and goodness, love (I John 4:7-8), benevolence (Psalm 145:9 Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17), mercy (Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; I Peter 1:3), and grace (Romans 5:21; II Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11).
CREATORSHIP We believe that God directly created out of nothing the universe and all that is in it, including mankind, as literally set down in Genesis 1-2; that all theories of evolution, secular or religious, not only deny observable natural law but also deny the veracity of the scriptures and undermine the rightful authority of God over His own creation (Genesis 1:31; Isaiah 45:11-12,18; John 1:3; Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11). PROVIDENCE We believe that God providentially oversees the affairs of the universe, both spiritual and physical, sustaining and guiding it according to His predetermined purpose (Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3); that on occasion He has used literal miracles to bring about His will (notably in the days of Moses, of Elijah and Elisha, and of Christ and His apostles); that even those things that are inherently bad and evil cannot ultimately thwart His will, but become tools in His hand to bring about the divine consummation of history (Psalm 76:10; Acts 4:25-28).
DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, coequal with the Father and the Son, as demonstrated by His attributes (I Corinthians 2:10; Psalm 139:7; Hebrews 9:14), works (Genesis 1:21; II Peter 1:21; Luke 1:35; John 16:8; John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:26-27; II Thessalonians 2:13), and association within the Trinity (II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 28:19). We believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Godhead and as such possesses the attributes of personality (Acts 5:3, 9; 7:51; Matthew 12:31; I Corinthians 2:11 Ephesians 4:30; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14).
We believe that the Holy Spirit participated in the creation of the universe; that He empowered the writers of scripture to pen the very breathed-out words of God, that he bears witness to the truth; and that He testifies of Christ and brings honor to Him (Genesis 1:2; II Peter 1:19-21; John 16:13-15; John 15:26). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of the new birth (John 3:5-7; Titus3:5; II Corinthians 5: 17); that He baptizes all true believers into the body of Christ) Mark 1:8; I Corinthians 12:13), indwelling (John 14:16-17; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), sanctifying them, and thereby sealing them unto the day of full redemption (Romans 8:26) and gives gifts to each believer (Romans 12:6-8;I Corinthians 12: 8-11; I Peter 4:10-11), empowering (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 5:18), guiding (Galatians 5:16, 25; Romans 8:14), and teaching them (I Corinthians 2: 12-13); that the true test of His control is not how spiritually gifted a person is, nor what supernatural experience he or she enjoys, but that the person honors Christ as Lord, living in love toward the church and in obedience to the scriptures (I Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:16-17, 26; Galatians 5:22-6:1). We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He restrains the Evil One in the world until God's purpose is fulfilled (Genesis 6:3; John 16:7-11; II Thessalonians 2:6-7).
DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the unique, eternal Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18; Hebrews 11:17; I John 4:9), one Person consisting of two natures, human and Divine. We believe that God the Son, Jesus Christ is completely God, possessor of divine attributes and agent of divine works, to be worshipped and honored as Jehovah God Himself (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; Hebrews 1:8; I John 5:20; John 1:3; Isaiah 42:5, 45:12; Philippians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:21-23; Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3; John 12:41; Isaiah 6:3; Hebrews 1:10-12; Psalm 102:25-27; Ephesians 4:7-8; Psalm 68:18; Genesis 3:15; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6). We believe by virtue of His incarnation and virgin birth, Jesus Christ is completely man, yet without sin, able to function as both our mediating advocate and sustaining comforter (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Romans 8:34; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1). We believe that according to the will of the Father, Jesus Christ took upon himself human nature, laying aside the prerogatives of Deity, that He lived His early life without sin or sins, and voluntarily sacrificed Himself on the cross in bloody death once and for all on behalf of mankind, bearing the sins of the entire race in His own body; that in so doing He paid sin's penalty and appeased the wrath of God {"Sufficient for all; efficient for some."); that He arose again bodily from the grave to die no more and is exalted to the right hand of God to reign forever; that only in Him, by virtue of His exalted person and vicarious work, can man find salvation from sin and death Isaiah 53; Mark 10:45; John 10:11; Romans 5:8; II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:8-11; I Peter 3:18; I John 2:2; I Corinthians 15: 3-8; Matthew 28; Mark 16: 1- 14; Luke 24; John 14:5 Acts 4:12).