What We Believe and Our Doctrinal Statement
Here at New Life much emphasis is put on church attendance, particularly bible Study, Sunday school, and worship services. What we believe as a body of believers can be easily seen and any questions answered during the precious times that we spend in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Church doctrine is nothing more than a belief system based or founded upon some form of principle or dogma. Here at New Life we believe the teachings of the Holy Scriptures to be the basis on which we live and trust. The Bible is the foundational source of our belief and can be supported throughout scripture as the principle source of life both now and in eternity.
What We Believe About the Bible
We believe in the plenary verbal inspiration of the Bible. According to 11Timothy 3:16 (NASB) “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (V: 17) to that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” We further believe though not contrary to reason, the Bible is our infallible, authoritative rule of faith and practice. Further support of this statement can be found in St. John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2; 11 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13: 11 Peter 1:19-21.
We believe in the plenary verbal inspiration of the Bible. According to 11Timothy 3:16 (NASB) “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (V: 17) to that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” We further believe though not contrary to reason, the Bible is our infallible, authoritative rule of faith and practice. Further support of this statement can be found in St. John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2; 11 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13: 11 Peter 1:19-21.
What We Believe About Yeshua (Jesus)
Another teaching regarding the Christian faith is the doctrine or teaching of Christ. Throughout history men, great and small have professed a hope in Jesus and have bravely stood in church pulpits, recreational facilities, and even the capitol of this great nation of ours. The doctrine of the teaching of Christ is known as Christology. It is the study of Christ, and His provision of salvation of salvation for a lost humanity. He is the central theme of Scripture every book of the Old Testament tells a story of a shadow and type of Christ in the New Testament.
Another teaching regarding the Christian faith is the doctrine or teaching of Christ. Throughout history men, great and small have professed a hope in Jesus and have bravely stood in church pulpits, recreational facilities, and even the capitol of this great nation of ours. The doctrine of the teaching of Christ is known as Christology. It is the study of Christ, and His provision of salvation of salvation for a lost humanity. He is the central theme of Scripture every book of the Old Testament tells a story of a shadow and type of Christ in the New Testament.
The Gospels give and account of His birth and life on earth. His eventual death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension are clearly seen in complete portraiture in the writings throughout the Scriptures. Therefore we believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal the Father and was the brightness of His glory and the image of His Person; that Jesus was the Creator of all things, for by Him the worlds were made.Therefore we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus over all things in heaven and in earth and under the earth. (St. Mt. 28:18; Acts 2:36 ; Romans 10:1-13; I Cor. 112:3 and Phi. 2:9-10).
The Fall of Man (The Fallen Nature)
We believe from the account of the man in the Garden (Adam) that man was perfect and stood in a righteous estate with God. It was when man voluntarily by transgression fell or willfully sinned that that state of righteousness caused man to incur not only physical but spiritual death, depravity, and separation from God. The Scriptural basis for this belief can be found in Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17 ; 3:6, Romans 5:21; Psalms 51:5; Romans 6:23 and St. John 8:32-36.
The Believer's Foundation
We do not believe that man is lost and without hope. We do believe that man has been given hope through the scriptures and must lay a foundation of biblical truth and experience upon which builds a spiritual life and faith. This foundation, like stones are: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2).
We do not believe that man is lost and without hope. We do believe that man has been given hope through the scriptures and must lay a foundation of biblical truth and experience upon which builds a spiritual life and faith. This foundation, like stones are: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2).
What Is Sin?
We live in a society where sin is no longer taken seriously. Society calls sin “a mistake”, “a sickness”, or just “being human”. Yet God calls it sin. We cannot take sin lightly because its consequences are severe. The question we must ask is, “What is sin?” First of all, sin transgresses the Torah. What does transgression mean? To transgress means to go beyond or to overstep the limits set forth by God. In Deut. 6:24 the Bible says "So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good and for our survival, as it is today." In James 2:10-11, the Word reveals that if you have broken just one of his laws, you are guilty of breaking the entire law of God. Sin is coming short of God's standard. In Rom. 3:23 the Word states, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Whether your sin is lying, or stealing or even something as horrible as murder, in God's eyes He treats them all the same. Sin is sin, and it must be forgiven. In Rom. 6:23 , the Word states , “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”Sin is separation from God, which is the second death. The only way to avoid the second death is by experiencing the second birth. In John 3:3 Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you unless a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”And that leads us to the doctrine of salvation.
What is Salvation?
Because of Adam's sin in the garden (Gen. 3), the human race received the just penalty of death. The result of sin is that mankind is spiritually dead and will eventually be physically dead. The fall of man has affected not just man, but his surroundings as well. The entire universe has been infected, so God must deal with both man and his surroundings.
Because of Adam's sin in the garden (Gen. 3), the human race received the just penalty of death. The result of sin is that mankind is spiritually dead and will eventually be physically dead. The fall of man has affected not just man, but his surroundings as well. The entire universe has been infected, so God must deal with both man and his surroundings.
God promised a redeemer, a savior, who would conquer sin and death. Salvation is not just you trying to escape hell's fire! Although that should be enough, our Father in heaven provides us with so much more. We not only receive eternal life with Him, but we also receive a spiritual relationship with Him. Salvation not only affects our past, but it deals with our present and our future. You see, in our past we are saved from the penalty of sin.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1
In our present, we are being saved from the power of sin. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil1:6 And in our future, we will be saved from the presence of sin.
“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Rom.13: 11
I hope that you have seen that salvation encompasses more than just ‘missing hell'. God has blessed us greatly as we obey and serve Him here until the time of His coming.
There are so many more doctrines that we could write about, these are here to whet your appetite. If you have a question which you would like answered, please feel free to ‘ask an elder', and we will be happy to answer your request.