DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
I. Accept the Statement of faith.
While we realize that we cannot confine God to mere articles of faith, we also recognize the importance of doctrine in these days when people are being led astray by false teachings. To avoid being tossed about by winds of doctrine, it is important for every believer to have a firm founding in the basic fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures.
We offer the following statement as a summary:
- We believe that the Bible, as we have it in the sixty six books of the Old and New Testaments, is divinely inspired, and the only infallible and authoritative word of God. (2Tim 3:16; 2Pet 1:20-21; Matt 5:18; 1Cor 2:13).
- We believe that there is one God, Creator and Lord of the universe, eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-existent and coeternal; distinguishable but indivisible. (Deut 6:4; Is 44:6-8; Matt 28:19; 2Cor 2:13).
- We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son incarnate, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly man, truly God. He died on the cross of Calvary as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. He was buried, rose from the dead bodily, and ascended into heaven, where he is now the interceding High Priest, at the right hand of the Father. (Jn 1:14; Lk 1:34-35, Jn 3:16; Phil 2:5-8; 1Cor 15:3-5).
- We believe that man was created in the image of God. He fell into sin and was consequently separated from God. All men are sinners, both by birth and choice. As a result, man is by nature depraved, under condemnation and unable to attain to divine righteousness. (Gen 1:26; Ezek 18:4; Rom 3:10-18; 5:12-18).
- We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and complete work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only basis for the remission of sins (Eph 2:8-9; Heb 9:12,22; Rom 5:11; Acts 4:12). While it is essentially spiritual in nature, the benefits of salvation embrace the total needs of the total person-spirit, soul and body. (1Pet 2:24; 3Jn 2; 2Cor 8:9; 1Thess 5:23).
- We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead and is instrumental in :
o Regeneration – that is the new birth of every person who responds to God’s Word and accepts Christ as Saviour and Lord. (Jn 3: 3-8; Rom 10:9-10).
o The experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4; 19:1-6).
o Sanctification – a life of separation from the world to live a life of holiness, producing the fruit of the Spirit. (Heb 12:14; 2Cor 7:1; Gal 22-23).
o The operation of the gifts and ministries of the Spirit as manifested in the early church. (1Cor 12:14).
o Divine healing of the spirit, soul and body. (Jas 5:14; Mk 16:17).
- We believe in the reality and personality of Satan and the eternal judgment of him and his angels. (Lk 4:1-13; Eph 6:12; Matt 25:41).
- We believe that the Church is:
o The redeemed community of God’s people for all time.
o The body of Christ. Jesus Christ is both the Head and the Chief cornerstone of the Church.
o The local church is the expression of the Universal Church
- We believe that the essential functions of the Church are:
o To worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (Jn 4:23-24).
o To build itself up in love and unity of the faith and grow up in all aspects into Christ, the Head of the church. (Eph 4:11-16).
o To actively engage in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ among all nations. (Acts 1:8; Matt 28:19-20).
- We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion for believers. (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:36-38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:1-15).
- We believe in the royal priesthood of believers (1 Pet 2:9)
- We believe in the Communion, commonly known as the Lord’s Supper, or the breaking of bread as instituted by the Lord for believers. (Matt 26:26-29; 1Cor 11:23-30).
- We believe in giving of our substance to the Lord as part of Spiritual worship. The Bible teaches, that our tithes and offerings must be brought into the storehouse (local church), which is then used for the work and support of the ministry. (1Chron 16:28; Mal 3:10; 1Cor 16:2; Matt 23:23).
- We believe in the resurrection from the dead of believers to eternal life and unbelievers to eternal judgment. (1Cor 15:50-54; 1Thess 4:16-17; 2Thess 1:8-9).
- We believe that Jesus Christ will return to this earth personally, visible and bodily in power and glory to establish His Kingdom. (Jn 14:3; 1Thess 4:16-17; Acts1:11).
II. Accept the Leadership of New Life Fellowship
The Local leadership (Pastor along with the Ministry Team) is primarily responsible under the covering of the regional and state leadership.
III. Accepting the principles and practices of New Life Fellowship in matters where the Bible is silent
These are introduced from time to time for the common good of all our Churches to fulfill in unity the purpose and vision God has given us.
IV. Accepting the vision of New Life Fellowship.
To establish Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Bible-based Churches and multiply across nations so as to transform lives and communities.