What We Believe About...

GOD
     God is the one and only Sovereign Creator. God is a spiritual being.
     He is holy (without sin), all knowing, all powerful, everywhere
     present, and eternally existent. (Ex. 3:14-15, 1.Tim. 6:15-16,
     Isa. 40:13-14, Jn. 4:24)

     God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are distinct 
     personalities with distinct roles, but one God. (Mt. 28:19, Jn. 1:1-2;
     10:30; 14:7-10)

Jesus Christ
     Jesus became "God in the flesh". He existed in the beginning with 
     God, and was God. He then was born a man through the miracle of 
     the virgin birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Despite temptation,
     He lived a sinless life. (Mt. 1:18-25, Lk. 1:26-45, Jn. 1:1-2; 14)

     Jesus was crucified and died a physical death as an atonement for
     the sins of mankind. He experienced a physical resurrection from the
     grave. (Lk. 23:23-24, 53; 1 Cor 15:3-8)

     Jesus came in the flesh as our Savior; He will return in the future in
     bodily form as the victorious Lord of the universe. At that time, He 
     will gather together His followers and will pass judgment upon those
     who have rejected Him. (Mk. 13:32-37; Acts 1:9-11; Tit. 2:13)

The Holy Spirit
     The Holy Spirit lives within those who believe in Jesus Christ. He is
     our Comforter, our Advocate, and He helps us to become more like
     Jesus in thought, word, deed and character. (Gal. 2:20-21, 
     Jn. 13:15-17)

Mankind, Sin and Salvation
     Men and women were created in the image of God, but are now 
     separated from God by sin. (Isa. 64:6-7; Rom. 3:23, 5:12-21, 6:23)

     Faith (belief and trust) in Jesus - based on His sacrifice on the cross 
     is the only way for men and women to be reconciled with God.
     (Jn. 14:6, Acts 4:8-12)

     Salvation, offered through Jesus is based upon grace, not merit.
     Salvation therefore cannot be earned; it is a gift from God. What we
     could not do for ourselves (reconcile our relationship with God),
     Jesus did for us through His death on the cross. (Eph. 2:8-9)

     God lovingly offers salvation to every person; every person has the
     freedom to accept or reject this gift from God at any time. (Jn. 3:16-
     18; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2.Pet. 3:9)

     Faith (belief and trust) in Jesus requires repentance (conforming our
     lifestyle to that of Christ). Faith in Jesus results in obedience. 
     Baptism, by immersion, demonstrates our response to God's offer of
     salvation as a pledge of willingness to live for Him. (Acts 3:19; 2:38;
     8:26-38; Rom. 6:1-4)

The Bible
     We believe the Bible is inspired by God and is therefore without
     error or contradiction, and is the sole authority for faith and practice.
     All our beliefs come from the Bible. (2 Tim. 3:15-16; 2 Pet. 3:15-16)

The Church
     The Church of Jesus Christ is not limited to any one institution or
     denomination; it consists of all who have placed their trust in Jesus
     Christ to provide redemption for their sins. New Hope therefore is but
     one part of the total Church. (1 Cor 12:12-17; Eph 4:4-6)

     Membership at New Hope is extended to all people who are
     members of Christ's Church. This means they have established a
     trusting faith in Jesus to provide redemption from their sins,   
     according to this simple bible formula:

     1. Acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
     2. Repent
     3. Be baptized by immersion (Acts 2:36-41;16:29-34, Rom. 10:8-10)