What we believe at NLT

What we believe the bible teaches about GOD:

There is only one God who is the creator and the supreme power of the universe. He is all-powerful, all-knowing and is constantly present everywhere.  God is an eternal Spirit. (Deut 6:4, John 4:24) This God relates to His creation in many ways.  The bible indicates three primary manifestations or personalities in which God relates to man.

1. Father:  In this manifestation, the eternal God is the originator of all things. By virtue of His creative offspring, He is the Father. As we are born anew, we develop a meaningful relationship as His child.  (1 John 5:7, Rom 8:15)

2. Son:  God, the eternal Spirit, was made visible in a human body.  Jesus is the God/man, both Son of God and Son of Man. On His Father’s side He is Divine, providing sinless blood for the perfect sacrifice. On His mother’s side He was flesh. As mediator between God and sinful man, He bridged the gap created by sin, by dying on the cross and rising from the grave.  His earthly life was a living example of love, generosity, and grace. (1 Tim 2:5, 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:19)

3. Holy Spirit:  In this capacity, God functions in and through the life of the believer. He is our Comforter, our Guiding Presence, and our Empowerment.  All Spiritual gifts are provided through the Holy Spirit.  (John 14:16, 26, Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 12:8-11)

  

What we believe the bible teaches about SIN:

Sin is simply the omission of God’s righteousness from humanity.  At the time of Adam and Eve’s sin, both fellowship and relationship were broken. Since that time every person has inherited the corrupt nature of Adam and therefore is in need of redemption.

Since the fall of man, the inherent curse of sin has been imparted to all humanity from birth. The wages of sin will always culminate in eternal death. Only salvation, as set forth in the Word of God, can prevent the soul’s ultimate demise. (Rom 3:23, Ps 51:5)

Sin separates man from God. Unless salvation restores that relationship, the gap of separation will only become wider and will last eternally.  (Luke 16:26)

What we believe the bible teaches about SALVATION:

About Faith: We believe the bible teaches us of the Father’s desire to bestow mercy and grace upon those who come to Him in faith. The beginning point of salvation is always faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith in One who can erase the past and bring hope to the future gives an individual a reason to repent. (Acts 15:9, Heb 11:6, John 3:16)

About Repentance: Repentance is an act of the human will whereby a sinner forsakes his sin, evil habits, sinful thoughts and erroneous deeds.  It includes a sorrowful feeling concerning how much pain our sin has brought the Savior.  In turning away from sin, we turn toward heaven desiring a relationship with God.  This act is one’s faith in action!  Our freedom from sin, or forgiveness, is granted by our trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Mt 9:13, 2 Cor. 7:10, Acts 2:38, 1 John 5:1)

About Water Baptism: We believe water baptism is the ideal means of sealing your faith in Jesus.  It is part of the natural progression of the Spiritual journey. We practice baptism by immersion, calling on the name of the Lord, which symbolizes Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  Baptism in water is a public testimony of one’s Christian conversion. (Rom 6:4, Mat 28:19, Acts 2:38)

Holy Spirit Baptism: We encourage every believer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.  This miraculous occurrence brings empowerment, renewal, and special abilities as given by the Holy Spirit.  While there are many evidences of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, this special baptism is for everyone who desires it. (Gal 5:22-23, Acts 2:4, 10:44-46)

What we believe the bible teaches about SACRAMENTS:

About Communion:  Sometimes referred to as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is the sacrament initiated by Jesus the night before He died upon the cross. We partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, representing the body and blood of Christ.  This act serves as a continual reminder of the sacrifice made by Jesus.  It reminds of us of our need to live a life that is free from sin, or holy, just as Jesus was holy. Further, it brings the believer into unity with the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:23-30, Mat 26:26-29)

About Baptism: This memorial is celebrated in light of our forgiveness, or because of the remission of sins.  Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward work.

About Matrimony: The marriage service is symbolic of the holy covenant uniquely made between a man and a woman and their God.  The various portions of the service including the ‘giving away’, the veil, the unity candle, etc., hold symbolic significance. Vows, repeated in the presence of God and humanity, are considered sacred, legal and binding. (Eph 5:28-33)

About Dedicating Children: Often parents of New Life bring their children for a special dedicatory prayer. As Hannah of the Old Testament presented her young son to the Lord, so we symbolically present our children to God for His blessing, protection and Christian service.  (1 Sam 1: 27-28, Mt 19:14-15)

   

We promote the following core values:

Excellence  -  Scholarship  -  Submission  -  Praise

Brotherhood  -  Family  -  Evangelism  -  Learning

Teamwork  -  Service  -  Fellowship  -  Missions

Unity  -  Synergy  -  Forgiveness  -  Fun

Acceptance  -  Blessing  -  Sincerity  -  Grace

Diversity  -  Authority  -  Vision  -  Study