Statement of Faith *

The Statement of Faith of New Heights Baptist Church summarizes our doctrinal beliefs and protects the church from error.  Every member of NHBC must affirm the tenets of the Statement of Faith, agreeing to live and teach in accordance with these views. 

1. On The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, was written by men divinely inspired, and is without error in the original manuscripts.  The Bible is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction that has God for its author and salvation for its end, and that it reveals the principles by which God will judge the world.  The Bible supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.  
Psalm 19:7; Mark 13:31; John 8:31, 32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

2.  On the Trinity
We believe there is one, and only one, God who has eternally existed in three persons.  The three persons of the Godhead are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great works of creation, providence, and redemption.
Genesis 1:1,26; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:1,3; 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:5-6

3. On God the Father
We believe in the God of the Bible, the one and only living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit. He is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 145:3; Matthew 23:9; Luke 10:21, 22; John 1:3; 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:31; Colossians 1:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2, 17; 2:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

4. On Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth
Isaiah 53:10-12;Matthew 1:18-25, 20:28; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 14, 20:28, 30-31; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9, 10; 8:34, 46; 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; I Timothy 2:5, 3:16; I Peter 2:21-23; Hebrews 1:1-3; 3:16; 7:25, 9:28

5. On the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  The Holy Spirit is a Person who regenerates, sanctifies, empowers, preserves, and intercedes for all who believe in Christ.  At conversion, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ as the Seal of our Salvation and the Pledge of our inheritance in Christ. 
John 14:16,17,26; 15:26,27,16:9-14; Romans 8:9, 14-17, 26:26;; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 1:13-14

6. On The Fall
We believe that man was created in God’s image, in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but that man voluntarily transgressed against God and fell from that holy and happy state.  The consequences were physical; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:1-7, 19; 6:5, 12; 8:21; Jeremiah 17:9; John 5:24; Romans 3:9-20; 5:12-19; 6:21, 23; 7:13; 8:6-7; 9:22; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; James 1:14-15; 1 John 3:14; Revelation 21:8

7. On Salvation
We believe that only those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior, by virtue of His atoning death on the cross, and submit to Him as Lord, embracing Him as Supreme Treasure, are justified, delivered from condemnation, and receive eternal life. We believe this Spirit-wrought salvation leads to a growth in grace through persevering, Holy Spirit empowered resolve to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive with Christ. Furthermore, we believe the church must extend the offer of salvation through Christ to all men.
Psalm 51:7; Matthew 13:44; John 1:13; 3:14, 16; 5:24, 30; 8:12; 17:3; Romans 3:21-26; 6:11; 8:1; I Corinthians 15:1-2; II Corinthians 5:17, 19; Philippians 3:7-13; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:12; 3:1-3; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:39; I John 1:9

8. On Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Genesis 15:6; Isaiah 61:10; Romans 3:21-28, 4:3, 5:1,18-19, 8:30, 10:10; Galatians 2:1, 16; Philippians 3:9

9. On Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
Ezekiel 36:25-26; John 1:13; 3:3, 5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:5; 1 John 5:1

10. On Repentance And Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 3:8-10; Mark 1:15; John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:40, 44, 65; Acts 2:37-38; 11:18; 13:38-39; 17:30; 20:21; Romans 2:4-5; 3:21-28; 4:1-5, 17-25; 6:22; 8:1; 10:3-4, 14, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 7:10-11; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 1:29; 3:9; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:14-26

11. On Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, - especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
Matthew 5:48, Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5-19, 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:8-14, Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:15

12. On The Perseverance Of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Matthew 10:22, John 3:36, 5:24, 6:38-40, 47, 8:31-32, 10:27-29; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 1:22-23, Hebrews 3:14

13. On The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.  We believe in a local, visible church of Christ which is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Matthew 28:18-20; John 10:16; Acts 1:8; 2:42; 15:36, 41; 16:5; Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 11:23-26; 16:1; Galatians 1:1-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 4:11-16; 5:19-21, 23; Colossians 1:18; 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; Revelation 1:4-11

14. On Baptism and The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian 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 pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 26:26-29; 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-31; 12:13

15.  On Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the consummation of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body and the final judgment of all people leading to the eternal joy of the righteous in the Lord’s presence and the endless suffering of the wicked in hell.
Matthew 16:27; 25:31-46; Mark 14:62; John 5:28-29; 14:3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 2:6-11;1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:12-28; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians  1:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:4-6,11-15

*The Statement of Faith of New Heights Baptist Church is adapted from our previous statement of faith as well as documents from Grace Church of Memphis, TN, Bethlehem Baptist Church of Minneapolis, MN, and Capitol Hill Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.