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“
North
Kent
Bible
Church
” has a rich
heritage of firm Bible teaching.
We do not easily accept doctrinal traditions, nor
do we seek to harmonize the Word of God with social or
religious standards.
Often Christians become overly attached to
precise wording of doctrine and statements of faith.
We believe it is important for the presentation
of Christian faith to be in accord with God’s Word.
Therefore we will stand on these basic, biblical
doctrines:
a.
The Bible
The
Bible is the inspired word of God.
It has authority over our lives and ministry.
It is the inspired, infallible guideline to
teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be thoroughly
equipped to be God’s people.
The central theme of both the Old and New
Testaments are the revelation of Jesus Christ and his
presence in every believer.
(Psalm 119:105; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy
3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:20-21)
b.
God
We
believe the living God is the Father, Creator and only
true God. He
is eternally existent, Creator of the universe and all
life. He is
the sustainer of all nature and active in all human
affairs. He
is God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 44:24, 45:18;
John 20:17; Acts 17:28; I Timothy 2:5,
6:15
-16; I
Corinthians 8:6)
c.
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Christ (Messiah) is the Son of God, born of woman
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
His life, death and resurrection were all given
according to God’s plan to reconcile man to Himself.
He is the one and only way for man to know and
serve God. (Matthew
3:16
,
16:16
; Luke 24:51;
John
20:31
,
14:28
; Romans 8:34;
I Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 2:12-14; Colossians
1:20; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:3)
d.
The Holy Spirit
The
Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God active and
at work in the lives of all believers.
The Holy Spirit renews us and persuades us to
repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
Each believer receives the Holy Spirit at
conversion and is equipped with spiritual gifts for the
work of the ministry.
It is through this Spirit that we receive the
fruit of the Spirit and the mind of Christ.
(John 14:15-17, 16:5-15; Romans 5:5, 8:9; II
Corinthians 3:2-3, 3:17-18; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians
1:13-14, 4:11-13; I John 4:2-3)
e.
Man
We
believe that man was made in the image of God and is now
in rebellion against him, thus under his judgment.
The only way for reconciliation with the Father
to take place is through God’s grace revealed in Jesus
Christ. The
natural man of body and soul is subject to death because
of sin. Man
can only attain eternal life by faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ. All
who have died sleep in the grave awaiting the second
coming of Christ. (Genesis
2:7; Job 14:1-15; Psalm 146:4; Daniel 12:2; John
11:25-26; Acts 2:29; Romans 5:17, 6:23; I Corinthians
15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
f.
Grace and Salvation
God’s
single most important attribute is that he loved us
while we were yet sinners.
Through his grace we can know, love and serve Him
and those He loves.
(John 3:16; Romans 3:23-25, 5:6-8, 6:12-13;
Galatians 2:20, 6:14-15; I John 4:7-21)
g.
Eternal Life and The Kingdom of God
The
gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Those who receive Christ will be included in the
Kingdom of God in the age to come.
It will be physically established on this earth
at the return of Jesus Christ.
This Kingdom will follow the resurrection of the
dead (those who sleep in death).
Then, shall the whole earth be filled with the
glory of God in the Eternal Kingdom of God.
(Psalm 37; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:51-52; I
Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation
5:10, 19:16, 21:1-8, 22:1-5)
h.
Baptism
Baptism
by immersion is an act or expression of faith and
obedience to Christ.
Baptism symbolizes putting to death the old
person, to rise from the water and walk in a new way of
life. (Matthew
3:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:2-11; Colossians 2:12)
i.
Communion
We
believe that communion is an ordinance of the church,
remembering the body and blood of Christ, proclaiming
the power of Christ’s death and resurrection until he
comes. We
believe it is for those who accept the reality of sin in
their life and the grace of God through His son Jesus
Christ. As a
church, we practice open communion.
(Isaiah 53:4-9; Matthew 26:17-30; I Corinthians
11:17-34)
j.
Church
We
believe and teach that the church is formed of believers
called from among all nations.
It is a community of those who have accepted
Jesus Christ as Lord and have received God’s Holy
Spirit. The
church is called to worship God, preach the Gospel, make
disciples, and build up other believers.
The church presents God’s transforming purpose
to the world. (Matthew
5:16, 28:19-20; Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:12-14,
12:25-27; Ephesians 2:19-22)
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