what we believe

  • Our mission is to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ. It defines everything we do as a church.

  • EVERYONE HAS A NEXT STEP

    It is impossible to follow Jesus and stay the same. He desires for us to always be taking our next step.

    LIFE IS BETTER CONNECTED

    We weren’t meant to do life alone. Followers of Jesus should be engaged in a local church. This means cultivating relationships that result in community, accountability, and care.

    SAVED PEOPLE SERVE PEOPLE

    Followers of Jesus are called, gifted, equipped, and empowered to show the love of Jesus both inside and outside His church.

    FOUND PEOPLE FIND PEOPLE

    If we are following Jesus, we will be concerned about people who are far from Him. Jesus loves those who are far from Him and so should we.

    WE GIVE BECAUSE HE GAVE

    A heart of gratitude results in generosity. When we realize how generous God has been toward us, we are happy to offer up our time, talents, and resources to see more people become more like Jesus.

  • THE BIBLE

    The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible alone is inspired by God, therefore it is absolutely true and the final authority for what we believe and how we live our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; Hebrews 12:4; 1 Peter 1:25

    THE TRINITY

    There is only one God, who is one being, but within the unity of the Godhead there exists three co-equal, co-eternal persons. God is one, and yet the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all equally and fully God. Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; John 1:1; Hebrews 1:3; Acts 5:3-4; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23, 14:10; 2 Corinthians 13:14; James 2:19

    GOD THE FATHER

    God is ever present, all powerful, all knowing, eternal, and unable to do wrong. He is love, holy, righteous, true, faithful, gracious, merciful and unchanging. God is the ultimate Creator of everything. God is above all that exists, yet chooses to be actively involved with His creation. Psalm 139:7–12 9; Jeremiah 32:17; 1 John 3:20; Deuteronomy 32:40; Romans 8:28; 1 John 4:8; Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2; Numbers 23:19; John 3:16; Malachi 3:6; 2 Chronicles 12:6, Ezra 9:15; Exodus 34:6; Genesis 1-2; Psalm 146:6; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 97:9; Job 38-41; Psalm 113:5-9

    JESUS THE SON

    Jesus is fully God, yet at the same time fully human. Jesus lived a perfect life, purchasing Him the ability to be the substitution for us in satisfying God’s standard of perfection. The punishment for the sin debt of the world was laid on Jesus in His death. He is the only pathway to right relationship with God. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life. John 1:1, 8:58, 10:30; Romans 8:3; Philippians 2:7; Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22, 2:24; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:2

    THE HOLY SPIRIT

    The Holy Spirit is fully God and equal to all parts of the Godhead in nature and attributes. He provides followers of Jesus with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, prompting and guidance in doing what is right, and conviction of sin. He gives gifts to accomplish His work of exalting Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we seek to live under His control daily. John 7:37-39; 14:16-26, 16:7-15; Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:16-25; John 3:5-8; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

    MANKIND

    Mankind was created in the image of God. Mankind was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sin. As a result, mankind cannot be reconciled back to God through their own effort. Jesus is the only way for all mankind to again have a right relationship with God. Every person is created uniquely and all people possess infinite value and dignity making them worthy of unconditional love. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 3; Romans 3:10-18, 23, 5:6, 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:1-10

    SALVATION

    The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people recognize the weight of their sin and place their faith in the work of Jesus as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gracious gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 1:21, 27:22-66, 28:1-6; John 1:12, 3:16, 36; Acts 2:21, 3:19, 4:12, 16:30-31; Romans 3:23-25, 5:8-10, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22; Titus 3:5

    THE CHURCH

    The church is a unified local community that exists to make more and better disciples of Jesus. It is committed to be like Jesus in all areas of life. The church works together in love, intent on the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 12:27; Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:11-12; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-47, 16:5; Colossians 1:18 


  • STATEMENT OF FAITH

    THE SCRIPTURES:  We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.  2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:19-21.

    THE TRUE GOD:  We believe in one God eternally existing as the creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth.  His glory, majesty, and holiness are inexpressible.  The unity of the Godhead exists in three persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 8:6; Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

    THE SON OF GOD:  We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true man.  John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6-7.

    THE SPIRIT OF GOD:  We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person equal to all parts of the Godhead in nature and attributes.  He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment leading men to repentance and faith whereupon He indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption.  John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14.

    We believe the Holy Spirit is capable of working in miraculous ways in this day and age. However, we believe sign gifts were used by God to give testimony to His new revelation (Deuteronomy 13:1-4; 18:21-22), and these gifts are no longer necessary today (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  These gifts began to lessen even during the time of the apostles (Philippians 2:27; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20 contrasted to Acts 5:16; 19:11). One example of these gifts was tongues, which were spoken human languages (Acts 2:4-12).

    THE CONDITION OF MAN:  We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature; and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, and deed.  Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1, 3.

    SALVATION:

    1. Atonement for Sin: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice.  I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; Acts 4:12.

    2. By Grace through Faith: We believe we are justified by grace alone through faith that comes as a result of the Spirit’s work of conviction leading to repentance.  Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Acts 3:19.

    3. Eternal Security: We believe in the eternal security of all the truly redeemed; once saved, they are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever.  John 10:27-30;  I Peter 1:5;  Hebrews 7:25.  This assurance in no way gives the believer license to continue in sin.  Romans 13:13, 14; Titus 2:11, 12.

    THE RESURRECTION:

    1. Of Christ: We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.  Ephesians 1:6; I Corinthians 15:3, 4.

    2. Of Mankind

      1. Of Believers: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the justified unto everlasting blessedness in heaven’s glory.  II Corinthians 4:14; I Thessalonians 4:16;  Revelations 20:6.

      2. Of the Unsaved: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the wicked dead unto everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.  Revelations 20:11-15.

    THE CHURCH:

    • Universally: We believe that the Church consists of all believers having become part of the body of Christ at the moment of conversion.  I Corinthians 12:12, 13;  Ephesians 5:25-27;  Ephesians 1:22,23.

    • Locally: We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of believers associated by the faith and fellowship of the Gospel.  It shall be governed by the Scriptural standards of pastors and deacons, with every believer utilizing the gift of grace within them, being active in the work of self-edification, evangelism, and observance of the ordinances.  Matthew 28:19, 20;  I Timothy 3:15;  Ephesians 4:7, 11-13;  I Timothy 3.

    CHURCH ORDINANCES:

    1. Baptism: We believe that Christian Baptism is the believer’s immersion in water symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord demonstrating the believer’s death to sin and commitment to a new life.  Romans 6:3-6.

    2. Lord’s Supper: We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ whereupon the believer solemnly examines himself for worthiness.  I Corinthians 11:23-32.

    THE RETURN OF CHRIST: We believe in the “blessed hope” of the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and that He will come before the thousand year reign of Christ on earth.  I Thessalonians 4:13-16;  Revelations 3:10; 19:11-21.

    CHRISTIAN LIVING:

    1. Sanctification: We believe that Christians are set apart unto God and that the Holy Spirit’s progressive work of sanctification coupled with obedience to the written Word enables each believer to live a victorious life over the old nature.  I Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:10; Galatians 5:16; Romans 12:1; 6:22.

    2. Separation: We believe that saved persons should not bring reproach to the Lord and should thus separate themselves from all worldly practices, associations, and religious apostasy.  I John 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II John 9-11.

  • Northbridge’s Lifestyle Statement (Membership Commitment of how we should live):

    Trusting in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and being in accord with the Doctrinal Statement of the Church, I promise:

    1. That I will make it a practice to pray for the Church and its members (“Pray Continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

    2. That I will live before the world in such a way that the name of my Lord and the Church will not be brought into disrepute (“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Philippians 2:14-15).

    3. That I will endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with the other members of the Church (“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3).

    4. That I will attend the services as often as God permits, absenting myself only when I can do so with a good conscience toward Him (“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24,25).

    5. That I will give to the support of the Church in proportion as the Lord prospers me (Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.  On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).

    In making this covenant, I realize that failure on my part to fulfill any of the above Scriptural duties will be sufficient grounds for my name being removed from the membership roll of the Church (“If anyone does not obey your instruction in this letter, take special note of him.  Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15).