New Life Church, Romsey : Statement of Faith

We believe the whole Bible, as originally given, to be the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Tim 3:16, John 20:31, Rev 22:18-19, 2 Pet 1:21, Psalm 19:105, Prov 30:5

We believe in one, living, eternal, almighty, personal and true God, existing co-equally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Gen 1:1-2, 2 Cor 13:14, Titus 2:13, 2 Cor 3:17-18.

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth and all living things. He sustains them by His power and He is sovereign Lord of every being. God Created mankind in His own image, with a body and immortal soul and spirit. Mankind was created without sin but with free will, in order to enjoy fellowship with God and to express His will and purpose throughout all time. Gen 1:1, Gen 2:7, Neh 9:6, Acts 14:15, Heb 11:3.

We believe that mankind forfeited his original righteousness and relationship with God through disobedience, by yielding to the temptation of Satan, thereby becoming subject to Satan’s rule. Every living person is born into this fallen status, being alienated from God, naturally inclined to evil. Mankind is sinful initially by birth and subsequently by act, but has a conscience by which he knows of the existence of God, of right and wrong and of consequent guilt and condemnation. Gen 3:1-13, Rom 1:18-20, Rom 5:12, Rom 7:18-20, Eph 2:1-3.

We believe in the true and complete deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His real and complete humanity in His sinless life, in His authoritative teaching, in His substitutionary and atoning sacrifice through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His heavenly intercession and His second advent at the end of this present age. 2 Cor 5:21, Acts 2:23-24, 1 Cor 15:3-4, Heb 4:15, Eph 1:20-21, Matt 1:18-21, Acts 1:9-11, Rom 5:11, Heb 10:19-22.

We believe in the necessity for salvation by repentance before God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by which the individual is forgiven all sin, is justified before God and receives Christ’s righteousness. He is delivered from Satan’s rule, becomes spiritually regenerated and restored to fellowship with God. This justification is imputed by the grace of God because of the atoning work of Christ, is received by faith alone and is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit and a holy life. Acts 3:19, John 3:16, Rom 5:9, Col 1:13, Matt 24:13, Eph 2:8-9.

We believe in the baptism of believers by full immersion in water in obedience to the command of Christ and the commemoration of Christ’s death by the observance of the Lords Supper until He returns. Rom 6:3-4, 1 Cor 11:23-33, Acts 2:37-38.

We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son and the necessity of His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification. Also, every believer should expect to be baptised in the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience of empowering for the Christian life, witness and service and as a gateway into the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. John 16:8-15, Acts 2:38-41, Acts1:5, Acts1:8, Acts2:4, Acts 10:46.

We believe in the progressive work of grace in a believer, known as sanctification, which commences at the time of new birth and continues throughout life. This is a separation from that which is evil and dedication to God, thereby developing holiness and Christ likeness in character and lifestyle.

We believe that there is only one true Christian Church with Jesus Christ at its head, which is made up of all those who have been born again by the Holy Spirit. The Church, in its many different expressions, is served by divinely called anointed servant leaders; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and other ministries. It is the responsibility of each believer to be joined to a local church which is an authentic expression of biblical Christianity. We believe that the church has been commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples in all the earth before the end of this age.

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth at the end of time and be seen by all living people. Every person who ever lived will be resurrected to face the last judgement when all mankind will give an account of their thoughts, words and deeds. Those found righteous in Christ will receive everlasting life and enter the eternal presence of God and the unrighteous without Christ will be lost in hell for eternity. Then also the kingdom of Satan will be completely overthrown and consigned to eternal destruction and Christ will reign supreme forever. Matt 24:30, 1 Thes 4:13-18, 2 Thes 1:6-10, 2 Cor 5:10, Rev 20:10-15, Rev 21:1-8