From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. We believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error.

 

NPBC Statement of Faith

 

Concerning the Scriptures

We believe that the Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the written Word of God; that it was written by men divinely inspired. We affirm that the Bible is totally sufficient and trustworthy, utterly free from error in the original manuscripts, and reveals the principles by which God will judge us. It includes within it the only way of salvation and has as its ultimate fulfillment Jesus the Christ. Therefore, the Bible will remain to the end of the world the supreme standard and final authority by which all matters of life and doctrine should be tested.

 

Psalm 119; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 24:25-47; John 5:39; Romans 2:12; Philippians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12-13; 2 Peter 1:19-21, 3:15-16; 1 John 4:1

 

Concerning God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, a personal and intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, infinite in all perfections, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection and without division of nature, essence, or being; yet each having distinct personal attributes and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

 

John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2:12-13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4-5

 

Concerning Humanity

We believe that God created people in His own image, and because of this, all people have inherent value. We believe that God created people, male and female, as the crowning jewel of His creation. Gender is both a wonderful gift and an unchangeable part of God’s design, and it does not exist apart from the God-appointed link with biological sex.

 

We believe that our first parents, Adam and Eve, were created with innocence but voluntarily rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. As a result, all people are born as sinners, inheriting the condemnation of our first parents, Adam and Eve. We believe that while all people retain the image of God, possess a conscience, and are capable of doing relative moral good, which is non-meritorious for salvation—they are sinners by nature and totally void of the holiness required by God and wholly inclined to evil. As a result, we do not worship God as He requires according to His holy Law but instead choose to worship idols and unworthy things. All people are, apart from God’s grace, unable to be reconciled to God and are under just condemnation to eternal punishment in hell, without defense or excuse.

 

Genesis 1:26-27, 3:1-19; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6; Hosea 6:7; Romans 1:18, 2:14, 3:10-18, 5:12-21, 6:16-17, 8:7-10; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 15:45-50; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:18; Titus 3:3

 

Concerning Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is only by the grace of God through the work of Jesus Christ, who is the mediator of a New Covenant between God and humanity, the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. He is both fully God and fully man. At His incarnation, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught the way of God’s kingdom, worked miracles, suffered, died on a cross, rose from the dead, and is now enthroned in heaven as Lord over all and High Priest for those who come to God through Him. In His death, He made full atonement for our sins and became our sacrificial substitute, absorbing the full wrath of God, forgiving our sins, and adopting into the family of God any who repent of their sin and believe in Him. This message of salvation is known as the Gospel.

 

We believe the gracious gift of salvation produces a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Those who trust in Christ are pleasing in God’s sight because He has imputed Christ’s righteousness to them, while those who continue in unbelief are wicked in His sight and remain under His wrath, destined to judgment for eternity in hell.

 

Isaiah 53:4-5, 55:1; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 4:17, 11:20-24; Mark 1:15; Luke 19:10; John 1:1-14, 3:16-21, 5:40, 6:29; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 4:12, 13:46, 15:11, 17:30; Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-26, 4:25, 5:8-10, 6:23, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-8, 4:14, 7:25, 9:13-15, 12:25-29; 1 John 3:23, 4:10; Revelation 22:17

 

Concerning God’s Grace

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. This grace of God exhibits His love, compassion, goodness, wisdom, holiness, power, and unchangeable character. This grace also extinguishes boasting, aids praise, grants assurance, cultivates humility, promotes love, encourages prayer, and fuels evangelism.

 

Exodus 33:18-19; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Jeremiah 31:3; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Eph 1:3-14; 1 Pet 1:1-2; Rom 11:5-6; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt 20:15-16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18-19; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23-24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28-29; Jas 1:17-18; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 11:32-36; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Rom 3:27; Rom 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5-7; 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Pet 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 1 Thess 1:4-10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pet 1:10-11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11

 

Concerning the Freeness of Salvation

We believe that salvation is made free to all who believe in Christ and that it is the immediate duty of all to receive Him by a penitent and obedient faith. We believe that the power of the Gospel is sufficient to save even the greatest sinner and that all people everywhere are commanded to repent and believe in Jesus. Those who reject Jesus and His Gospel do so voluntarily and will receive eternal condemnation.

 

Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Rom 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt 23:37; Rom 9:32; Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt 11:20; Luke 10:27; 2 Thess 1:8

 

Concerning Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, a sinner must be regenerated or born again. Regeneration is a work of God’s grace whereby the Holy Spirit gives new spiritual life and replaces our rebellious heart with a heart that delights in obeying God and responding to Him by repentance and faith. This new birth occurs when the Holy Spirit of God applies the divine truth of the Gospel to a sinner’s heart, resulting in our voluntary obedience to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The new birth is evidenced by spiritual fruits of repentance, faith, and a newness of life that seeks to please God.

 

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:3; John 3:6-8; 1 Cor 3:14; Rev 14:3; Rev 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28-29; Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 1:13; Jas 1:16-18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:9-11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 3:14-21; Matt 3:8-10; Matt 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18; Eph 2:1-10

 

Concerning Justification

We believe that justification is the Gospel blessing that Christ secures to those who believe in Him. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners wherein He removes our guilt and reconciles us to Himself. We affirm that justification is given freely by God, not in consideration of anything we have done, but solely through faith in Christ and His finished work. This justification brings all who believe in Jesus into peace and favor with God freely imputing to us Christ’s perfect righteousness and securing our eternal destiny with Him.

 

Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 53:11-12; John 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11-12; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom 5:21; Rom 4:4-5; Rom 6:23; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 5:19; Rom 3:24-26; Rom 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom 5:3; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8

 

Concerning Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are the right and required response of sinners to the Gospel. They are the inseparable acts of turning away from sin and turning to God through Christ alone for salvation. This response to the Gospel is brought about by the Holy Spirit who graciously convinced us of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine sorrow, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and relying upon him alone for salvation.

 

Isaiah 55:1-7; Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Tim. 10:12-13; Ps. 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 7:25; 2 Tim. 1:12

 

Concerning Sanctification

We believe that sanctification refers to God’s work of setting apart a believer for His use. Progressive sanctification is the ongoing process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. It begins in regeneration and is carried on in the hearts and lives of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit until they see Christ. While this growth in holiness is a gift of grace, it also requires a believer to actively, intentionally, and persistently fight sin through means such as prayer, reading and hearing God’s word, and the mutual edification of the Christian community.

 

John 17:17; Romans 6:5-6, 6:11-19; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 7:1; Galatians 2:20, 5:16-24; Ephesians 4:20-24; Philippians 3:13-14; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 4:14, 10:24-25, 12:1, 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John 3:9; Revelation 3:19

 

Concerning the Preservation of Believers

We believe that all those who are genuinely born again will be kept by God’s power and that they will, by His grace, persevere in active trust and obedience to Christ until they see Him face to face. Believers may fall into sin by succumbing to temptation, thereby grieving the Holy Spirit, impairing their fellowship with Christ, bringing reproach on His name, and incurring God’s loving discipline. Yet, they will be renewed again unto repentance and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. This enduring faith of believers distinguishes them from those who are superficial professors of faith in Christ.

 

John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20- 21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps. 121:3; Ps. 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4

 

Concerning the Visible Church

We believe that Christians are to associate themselves into visible churches, according to Christ’s commandment, who is the church’s head and ultimate authority; and believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, bound together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, and exercising the various gifts given them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church; that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word, the proper administration of Christ’s ordinances, and the faithful exercise of discipline over its members; and that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

 

Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10, 22, 23; 5:23, 27, 32; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26; Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Cor. 5; Matt. 16:18-19; Ps. 72:17; 102:28; Rev. 12:17; Heb.10:24-25; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11, 12; Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 1:6-9; Acts 2:41-42; 5:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:13; 1 Cor. 1:1-3; 5:4-5, 13; Gal. 6:2; 2 Cor. 2:6-8; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-24;Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; 3 John 9; Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 6:3, 5-6; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9

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Concerning Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances of Christ, instituted by him and belong to the gathered church, marking off believers from unbelievers and making the church visible on earth.

 

We believe that Christian Baptism is not a salvific act but is an act of obedience. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper.

 

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed by His churches until the end of the world; that it is to be observed by the eating of bread and the drinking of the cup; and that it is in no sense a sacrifice but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, and renewal of their communion with him, and with each other under the New Covenant.

 

Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Matt. 3:5-6; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-28; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-39; 18:8; Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17, 21; Heb. 9:25, 26, 28; Matt. 26:26, 27; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15; 1 Cor. 11:27-29, 33; Matt. 7:6; John 6:26; Luke 22:14-20

 

Concerning Family

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of society. Families are composed of people related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. God, Himself has established marriage as the uniting of one man and one woman in an exclusive covenant commitment for a lifetime. Husband and wife are both made in God’s image and have equal value before God; while at the same time possessing distinct but complementary roles in the marriage. The husband is to lead gently and sacrificially love his wife as Christ loved the church, and the wife is to respect and graciously submit herself to her husband as the church willingly submits to Christ. God structured marriage in this way so that it would reflect the Gospel and bring glory to Himself by revealing the joyful, permanent union between Jesus and His bride, the church.

 

We believe that God has established marriage as His intended channel for human sexual expression, procreation and that God calls all unmarried people to celibacy and devotion to Himself. The Bible teaches that all departures from God’s design for human sexuality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, and other forms of sexual immorality defined by Scripture, are sinful.

 

We believe that children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and inheritance from the Lord. Parents are to patiently lead their children in the ways of Christ by intentional instruction, gracious discipline, and consistent example based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents for the glory of God and their ultimate good.

 

Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15-25, 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 18:21-22; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalm 51:5, 78:1-8, 127-128, 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8, 5:15-20, 6:20-22, 12:4, 13:24, 14:1, 17:6, 18:22, 22:6, 22:15, 23:13-14, 24:3, 29:15, 29:17, 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-6, 19:3-9; Mark 9:42, 10:6-12; Luke 17:1-2; John 8:2-11; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 7:1-40; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 5:14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Revelation 19:6-9, 21:9-11

 

Concerning Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that government officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Ruler of the kings of the earth.

 

Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt. 28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Ps. 72:11; Ps. 2; Rom. 14:9-13

 

Concerning the Resurrection and the World to Come

We believe that death is not the end; that though the bodies of men after death return to dust, their spirits live on, the righteous departing immediately to be with the Lord, and the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment.

 

We believe that the end of the world is approaching quickly. On that last day, Christ will descend from heaven, raise the dead from the grave, and bring all people to final judgment. At that time, a solemn separation will then take place, which will fix forever the final state of men with God or separated from God’s goodness in hell, the wicked being sentenced to everlasting conscious punishment and the righteous to eternal life and joy to the glory of God.

 

1 Peter 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2 John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30- 31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12: Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17