WHAT WE BELIEVE
Next Church is a non-denominational church. While this does mean that we are not affiliated with a denomination, it does not make us independent. We believe wholeheartedly that we must operate within the bounds of accountability and unity in the Body of Christ.
God
God created and directs all that exists according to His own purpose and plan. He has always existed and will always exist. Because of His love for His creation, God involves himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves those who come to Him through Jesus Christ from sin and death. God exists as three co-equal persons: the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus
Jesus is the Son of God and is co-equal with God. With His virgin birth, he came to earth as fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life and was the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all men and women. He died and was bodily resurrected from the dead. He physically appeared to many people before he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. One day Jesus will return to the earth in power and glory.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit lives within us, making us aware of sin in our lives, instructing us, and setting us apart to be holy. We grow in our relationship with Jesus by living a life that is obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we are empowered to lead a victorious life by means of the gifts that the Holy Spirit provides to us.
1 Corinthians 3:16; John 16:13
The Bible
In its original language, the Bible is the complete, divinely inspired and infallible Word of God. The Bible is the both the ultimate authority for our Christian faith and the ultimate source of truth for Christian living.
Mankind
Mankind was created by God in His own image. Although we were created to be in fellowship with God, we became alienated from Him through willful disobedience. As a result, each person is born with a sinful nature, choosing to disobey God. There is nothing we can do by our own efforts to reestablish a right relationship with God.
Salvation
In spite of our sinful nature, God offers us the gift of salvation if we are willing to accept it. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation by our own efforts. Salvation requires trusting in Jesus for forgiveness, turning away from our sinful nature, and turning toward God. Everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior is born again and made new by the Holy Spirit. When we accept God’s offer of salvation we are adopted as His children.
Eternity
Jesus is preparing a place in Heaven for those who believe in Him. Heaven and hell are real places. Although nobody knows the day or the time, we are certain that Jesus will return to earth to gather His people together to spend eternity with Him. Those who reject Jesus as Savior will be separated from Him forever.
The Church
The church consists of all those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Directed by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, it is the church’s responsibility to care for each other and to bring the good news of salvation to the world.
