We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. God the Father is the absolute and highest Ruler of the universe. He reigns over creation, providence and redemption.
Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1,14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6; 1 Cor. 8:6; 1 Chron. 29:11-13; Psa. 103:19; Eph. 1:3-6)
We believe that as provided and purposed by God and announced in the Bible, the eternal Son of God came into this world to reveal God to men, fulfill prophecy and become the Redeemer of a lost world. To this end He was born of a virgin, and received a human body and an uncorrupted human nature. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. We believe that Christ became and remained a perfect man, sinless throughout his life; yet he retained His absolute deity, being at the same time very God and very man.
(Luke 1:30-35; 2:40; John 1:1-2; 1:18; 3:16; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:14-16)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ to intercede for the believer, and to bring glory to Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, baptizing them into the body of Christ at conversion. He seals, indwells, regenerates, and empowers each believer. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer one or more spiritual gifts when they are serving gifts. We believe that filling of the Holy Spirit is a result of yielding to Him not manifesting the gift of tongues. As Christians we seek to live under the Spirit’s control daily.
(John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16; 12:30; 31; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal 5:25; Eph. 1:13; 5:18)
We believe that the whole Bible in the original manuscripts was inspired by God and without error. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the product of co-authorship by God and men. Holy men were guided and superintended by the Holy Spirit while maintaining their personal writing styles and personalities to write exactly as God intended. The Scriptures are the product of inspiration and are the only authoritative and sufficient rule for faith and practice. the Bible reveals to us the Person of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with a focus on the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work. It was designed for our practical instruction.
(Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:13, 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe that man was originally created in the image of God. We believe that man fell through Sin and as a consequence of his sin, lost his spiritual life. Man became subject to the power of Satan and is alienated from God. Being born with a fallen nature, devoid of spiritual life, he has no power to recover himself from their condition. We believe that apart from divine grace man cannot know God.
(Gen 1:27, 3:1-6; Rom. 3:1-10, 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
We believe that God’s free gift of salvation is entirely of God’s grace. By Christ’s sacrifice believers are justified before God by having their sins counted against Christ and His righteousness credited to them. Our redemption has been accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and no degree of morality, ordinance, culture, church attendance or good behavior can help man take one step toward heaven. We believe that God has given and will never take back eternal life from those who have trusted in Christ as Savior.
(Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9; John 1:12, 10:29, 30, 14:6; Tit. 3:5, 1 John 5:11-13)
We believe the church is the visible body of Christ upon the earth today. The church age began at Pentecost and will end at the rapture. The church universal includes only regenerated believers. They meet together for worship, teaching, equipping and ministering to one another and to the world. The local church must thus take precaution to extend membership to only born again believers who are committed to walking with Christ and obeying His commands. Men and women alike can serve in ministry and leadership and are encouraged to do so. All leadership is under authority of the elder board and the elders are under the authority of Christ. Two ordinances have been given to the church – the Lord’s Supper and baptism. The church in Scripture is God’s tool in this age to carry out His purposes. The church is not to be confused as a spiritual Israel. Both are distinct in God’s plan although Jews may become members of the church by Biblical conversion.
(Matt. 16:13-18; Acts 2:41-47; Matt. 28:18-20; Heb. 10:24, 25, 13:17; 1 Tim. 2:11; 1 Cor. 11:24, 25; Eph. 2:17-22, 3:5-12)
We believe people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to be condemned to hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Christ will one day return to earth to rapture His church out of the world. We believe His coming is imminent and is followed by a great tribulation. He will set up a theocratic kingdom for one thousand years upon earth before setting up a new heaven and a new earth. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence, and Jesus Christ is preparing, at this present time, a glorious home for those who are His to live in after they leave this earth.
(John 3:16, 14:17; Rom. 6:23, 8:17-18; Rev. 20:1-3, 15, 21:1, 1 Cor. 2:7-9)
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For the purpose of North Albany Community Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elder Board is North Albany Community Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
