Doctrinal Statement of
New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc.
As Christian believers of the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Incorporated, we make the following declaration of the things which are “believed among us” (Luke 1:1), so as there will be no division or differences among us, and that all our churches preach, teach, and proclaim the following in love, and by the direction of the Holy Spirit.
I – The Scripture
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and should be taught and believed in its entirety (II Timothy 3:15; II Peter 1:20–21). That the Scriptures give us a complete revelation of God’s plan of Salvation and his will toward man, and that this is to constitute the complete rule of Christian faith and the practice of the same.
II – The Godhead
We believe that our God is a Trinity – God manifested in three distinct persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; coexistent, coequal, and coeternal (Genesis 1:1, 26; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 17:5; John 1:1; 5:31–37; 14:24–26; I Corinthians 15:24–28; Colossians 1:18–19; Hebrews 1:4–9; I John 5:6–9; II John 1:9).
III – Salvation
We believe that salvation for man, who through Adam is fallen from his perfect and sinless state, is only attained by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ his Son, by his death upon the cross, repentance, and the new birth (Luke 24:47; John 3:5–6; Romans 10:13; Titus 2:11; 3:5–7;
I Peter 1:23).
IV – The Church
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, his body of believers on the earth
(I Corinthians 12:27–28; Ephesians 4:15–16). To the church is delegated authority, instructions, offices, and rules to govern it and its members, so as to allow it to fulfill its mission in the fulfillment of Christ’s great commission (Mark 16:15–20; Ephesians 1:22; 5:23;
Colossians 1:18–19).
V – Ministry
We believe that God definitely calls and sets aside such as he desires to serve in ministerial offices, as ordained by the scriptures. Only those distinctly and evidently called of God should be ordained to any office (I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:1; Hebrews 5:4).
VI – Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord to believers (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36–39; I Peter 3:21). Water baptism does not take away sins, and is not the same as the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44–48; 11:16; 19:1–5).
VII – The Baptism of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised by the Father and confirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers, even in this dispensation. (Matthew 3:11–12; John 14:16–17; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 2:38–39). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance; and is received subsequent to the new birth. The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a sanctified life and be a personal witness
(John 14:24–26; Acts 2:4; 10:44–46; I Corinthians 14:5, 14–15, 39).
VIII – Sanctification
We believe the bible teaches that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. We believe the doctrine of sanctification to be a definite yet progressive work of grace in the believer’s life, starting at the time of the born again experience (John 17:17; I Corinthians 6:11;
II Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:26–27; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 12:14; 13:12).
IX – The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the ordinance of The Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Saviour, and that its time or frequency of observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (Luke 22:17‑20; I Corinthians 11:26–32).
X – Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing of the human body is wrought by God through the laying on of hands, by prayer, and by faith (Isaiah 53:5; Mark 16:17–18; I Corinthians 12:1–11;
James 5:14‑15; I Peter 2:24). We believe that all spiritual gifts are wrought by the Holy Spirit and divided to men severally as he wills (I Corinthians 12:11).
XI – Rapture of The Church
We believe that the rapture is imminent and is the blessed hope of the Church. We also hold that the rapture is to occur prior to the tribulation (I Corinthians 15:50–55; I Thessalonians 4:13–18;
II Thessalonians 2:3–7).
XII – The Second Coming of The Lord
We believe that the second coming of the Lord follows the Great Tribulation and includes the angelic host and ALL SAINTS. We believe that this event will fulfill all prophecies regarding Christ’s victory at Armageddon and the setting up of his kingdom for 1000 years (Zechariah 14; II Thessalonians 1:7–10; Jude 14–15; Revelation 19:11–21).
XIII – Resurrection
We believe that there are two resurrections (Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:5–7). The first resurrection is the resurrection of the just and consists of five parts; Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18), Old Testament Saints (Matthew 27:52–53), Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:14), Manchild, 144,000 Jews (Revelation 12:5–6; 14:1), two witnesses and tribulation saints (Revelation 11:3–12; 19:1, 14). The second resurrection is the resurrection of the unjust to the great white throne of judgement (Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:11–15).
XIV – Hell
We believe that when one dies in his sins without Christ, he is hopelessly and eternally lost and therefore has no more opportunity of receiving Christ as Saviour (Hebrews 9:27). We believe that the lost literally reside in hell, until the great white throne judgement after the second resurrection. We believe that after judgement all the lost shall be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Matthew 10:28; Luke 16:22–25; Acts 2:27; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 19:10, 14–15, 20; 20:13–14).
XV – Relation to War
We believe that our government was established by God and whereas we are thankful to the government of the United States of America for the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and whereas we understand and believe that the Word of God does not command or teach, either by example or statement, that we should not protect or defend our way of life; be it resolved that, during time of war or necessity, we will serve our government, bear arms, protect our citizens from enemies who try to overthrow our government and our country, and serve in whatever role is necessary.
XVI – Tithes
We believe the scriptural duty of all people as well as ministers, to pay tithe unto the Lord. Tithe should be used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord, and are not to be given to charity or used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7–11; Luke 11:42; I Corinthians 9:6–13; 16:2; Hebrews 7:2, 8).
XVII – Marriage
We believe that marriage has been instituted by God. This church defines marriage as the exclusive covenantal union of a man and a woman in which such union is a lifetime commitment.
A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it remains consistent with the definition of marriage found in these Articles (Genesis 1:27–28; 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–9; Ephesians 5:31–33).
XVIII – Human Sexuality
We believe that legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual relations outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia” – πορνειαv) including but not limited to, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation, distribution or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:7–23; 20:10‑21; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:27–28; 15:19; Romans 1:26–31; I Corinthians 6:9–13; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 4:17‑19; Colossians 3:5; I Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4).
XIX – Qualifications
Every officer of the denomination, corporate employee, ordained or licensed member of the clergy and member of a local New Testament Christian Churches of America congregation shall affirm their agreement with the Doctrinal Statement and shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith. This shall be a prerequisite, and continual condition, for these positions.