DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
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THE HOLY SCRIPTURES:
We believe the Holy Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the complete and final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice (Matt. 5:18; John 16:12-13; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
THE GODHEAD:
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections, each equally deserving worship (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; Acts 7:55-56; 1 Cor. 8:4; 2 Cor. 13:14).
THE PERSON & WORK OF THE FATHER:
We believe that God the Father:
Is the Creator of all things. He is the absolute and omnipotent Ruler of the universe who orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Gen. 1; Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:9).
Is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. In His sovereignty, He is neither author nor approver of sin, nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures, nor does He interfere with the ability of man to choose (Joshua 24:15; Psalm 103:19; Hab. 1:13a; John 3:16; Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 1:5).
THE PERSON & WORK OF CHRIST:
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ:
Is the eternal Son of God, God incarnate, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2,14).
Accomplished our redemption through His death by the shedding of His blood on the Cross as a voluntary representative, a vicarious, propitiatory, and substitutionary sacrifice. Our justification is made secure by His death and His literal, physical Resurrection guarantees a future resurrection life for all believers (Romans 1:4; 3:24-25; 4:25; 5:8-10; 1 Cor. 15:20,23; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24).
Ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:33-34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2).
THE PERSON & WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe that the Holy Spirit:
Is the third person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He is the active Agent in regeneration. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ. He indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption (John 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Romans 8:9-16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14).
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Is the Divine Teacher who, through His Word, guides believers into all truth, sanctifying, instructing and empowering them for service (John 14:25-26; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 2:20,27).
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THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN:
We believe that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. As a result of Adam’s sin, all mankind inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God, incurring the penalty of spiritual and physical death. Thus, man is totally depraved, and utterly incapable to remedy his lost condition, sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Gen.1:26-27; 2:7; 3:1-19; Psalm 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3,12; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
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SALVATION:
We believe:
That the gift of salvation is wholly of God by grace through faith. It is received by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (which involves repentance) and is based on the merit of His shed blood which purchased our redemption. It is not on-the-basis of human merit or works. We believe every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God through justification (declared to be holy) (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 5:11-13; 2 Peter 3:9).
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That at salvation every believer is sanctified unto God, declared to be holy and is identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition. It should not be confused with progressive sanctification (Romans 5:9-12; 8:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Hebrews 10:10,14).
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We also believe in progressive sanctification wherein the believer is brought closer to the standing he positionally enjoys. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Rom. 6; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:4-8; 1 John 1:5-9).
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THE ETERNAL SECURITY & ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS:
We believe that all redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; 17:12; Romans 8:1,31-39; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
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Statement on Marriage & Sexuality:
According to the Christian Scriptures, marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His Church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for the procreation of the human race. We believe that sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift of God that is only to be expressed between one man and one woman (as genetically defined), within the love and bonds of marriage (Genesis 2:24-25; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:21-33; 1 Cor. 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:4).
We believe that any form of sexual intimacy outside of marriage is both immoral and a perversion of God’s gift (Lev. 18:1-30; Proverbs 6:32; 1 Cor. 6:18; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Thess. 4:3-8). Furthermore, we believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, cohabitation (regardless of the age of the individuals involved), and any attempt to change one’s gender in disagreement with one’s genetically defined gender, is sinful and offensive to God (Lev. 18-20; Romans 1).
We believe that in order to preserve the function, unity, and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly, whether at church, home, or in the community.
In light of our biblical commitments, the Pastor(s) of Nehalem Valley Bible Church will not perform same gender weddings or any other anti-biblical weddings or ceremonies at the church or at any other location. Furthermore, no member or no-member parties will be allowed to use the facilities of the church for same gender and/or sexually immoral weddings, wedding receptions, or other functions.
We do believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Romans 8). And we believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior, attitudes, or speech towards any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Nehalem Valley Bible Church (1 Peter 2:13-25; 1 Thess. 4:11-12).
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SEPARATION:
We believe that all believers should live in such a manner as to not bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. Separation from all religious apostasy, sinful worldly pleasures, practices and associations is commanded by God. God’s Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to sin (Romans 12:1-2; 13:13-14; 14:13; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Gal. 5:13; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:11-15; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
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THE TWO NATURES OF THE BELIEVER:
We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and, that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural (Romans 6:11-14; 7:14-25; 8:12-13; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16).
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MISSIONS:
We believe that all believers are obligated to advance and communicate the Gospel to the entire world. Rejoicing that the Great Commission, given by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature...", is incumbent upon every child of God, we will seek grace and power from God to faithfully discharge, individually and unitedly, this solemn yet joyful obligation and privilege, seeking to win the lost, at home and abroad, to Christ. All of this we will engage to do through the gracious assistance of God for His Glory, to whom be the Glory forever and ever, Amen! (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:19-20).
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THE MINISTRY & SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
We believe that to accomplish God’s purposes in the world He has given the Church spiritual gifts.
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We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all these gifts and that every believer has been given one or more gifts.
We believe that two types of gifts were given: temporary and permanent ministering gifts. Temporary gifts were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers today. These temporary gifts: speaking in tongues, divine revelation, healing, and the working of sign miracles, gradually ceased as the apostolic era ended and the New Testament Scriptures were completed, their divine authority having been established. Scripture is the sole test of the authenticity of a man or his message. Miraculous gifts are counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers.
We believe that the permanent gifts were given to evangelize the world, build the church and equip the saints for the purpose of edification. It is the privilege and responsibility of all believers to minister according to the gifts of God that are given to them (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12-14; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Hebrews 2:3-4; Rev. 12:9; 13:13-14).
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THE CHURCH:
We believe that the Church, which is the body and the bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age, which began on the day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the Rapture (1 Cor. 12:12-13; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:25-27; Col. 1:18; Rev. 19:7-9).
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We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 2:41-47; Acts 9:31; Eph. 2:19-22; Phil 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1).
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We believe that it is the responsibility of every believer to attend, support and fellowship in the local church (1 Cor. 16:2; Hebrews 3:13; 10:23-25).
We also believe in the autonomy of the local church, which is free of any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Acts 5:4-7,12,13; 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 2:15).
Two ordinances have been given to the church; Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:
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Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ and not a means of salvation. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41; 8:36-39; Romans 1:16; 6:1-11; 1 Cor. 1:10-17).
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The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination. We believe that the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ and are not a means of salvation (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:28-32; 10:16-17).
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DISPENSATIONALISM
We believe that a dispensationalist is simply one who recognizes that God deals differently with people in different ages. We believe that the Scriptures reveal divinely determined dispensations which define man’s responsibilities in those successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose (John 1:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col 1:24-27; Hebrews 1:1-2; Rev. 20:2-6).
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THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN:
We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator, taking numerous angels with him in his fall. He introduced sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve. He is the open and declared enemy of God and man. He was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and shall be eternally punished in the Lake of fire (Gen. 3:15; Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-21; Eze. 28:11-19; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
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THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST:
We believe in that “Blessed Hope,” the personal, imminent, pretribulational and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16).
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THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH:
We believe in the personal, imminent, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ, before the seven-year tribulation period, to remove His Church from this earth. Between this event and His glorious return with His saints, He will reward believers according to their works (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 15:51-53; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:14-5:11; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10).
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THE TRIBULATION PERIOD:
We believe that immediately following the removal of the Church from the earth, the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world, and these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Dan. 9:26-27; 12:1; Matt. 24:27-31; 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16:1ff).
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THE SECOND COMING AND THE MILLENNIAL REIGN:
We believe that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth with His saints to occupy the throne of David and establish His Messianic Kingdom for a thousand years on the earth. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world. It will be a time of harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11; 65:17-25; Eze. 36:33-38; 37:21-28; Dan. 7:17-27; Matt. 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-7).
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THE ETERNAL STATE:
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. The saved are resurrected to eternal life. The souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited and changed to dwell forever with the Lord (Matt. 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:12-56; 2 Cor. 5:8-10; Phil. 1:23; 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6; 21:4).
We believe that the unsaved are resurrected to judgment and everlasting punishment. The souls of the unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the Second Resurrection, when with soul and body re-united they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Matt. 24:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8).
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