What We Believe

Our Doctrine

Core Beliefs and Foundations

Our doctrinal statement contains the core beliefs that New City Church members affirm and unite around as a church body. It includes what we believe Scripture teaches about God, mankind, the good news of the gospel, and the church. 

We believe in the one living and true God, eternally (John 17:3) existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).

Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory and honor and obedience (John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4).

We believe God the Father created all things in six literal days for His glory according to His own will (Revelation 4:11), through His Son, Jesus Christ.

He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3).

We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18).

Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man (John 14:8-9), lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place, accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father’s right hand, He is now Head of His Body, the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission (1 Timothy 3:16).

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer, bringing that person into union with Christ and the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, seals, fills, guides, instructs, comforts, equips, empowers, permanently indwells at salvation, and bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for Christ-like living and service (John 16:8; 13:15; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12).

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind.

Different men, while writing according to their own styles and personalities, were supernaturally moved along by the Holy Spirit to record God’s very words, inerrant in the original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God’s Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that God created mankind—male and female—in His own image and likeness, free of sin, to glorify Himself and enjoy His fellowship.

Tempted by Satan, but in the sovereign plan of God, man freely chose to disobey God, bringing sin, death, and condemnation to all mankind. All human beings, therefore, are totally depraved by nature and by choice. Alienated from God without defense or excuse, and subject to God’s righteous wrath, all of mankind is in desperate need of the Savior (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as the substitutionary atonement in our place, and that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ.

Before Creation, God chose those who would be saved and granted this unearned grace solely based on His sovereign good pleasure. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the sole and complete payment for sins, fully satisfying God’s righteous wrath, for each person that turns from sin in repentance and places their faith in Christ alone by grace alone. At salvation each person is made a new creation by the Holy Spirit, declared righteous before God, and secured as an adopted child of God forever. Genuine faith continues in obedience and love for Jesus Christ with a life eager to glorify God and persevere to the end (Romans 8:37–39; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

We believe that upon placing one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, the believer is made part of the Body of Christ, the one universal Church, of which Jesus Christ is the Head.

The Scriptures command believers to gather locally in order to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, fellowship, the ordinances of baptism and communion, service to the local body through the development and use of talents and spiritual gifts, and outreach to the world to make disciples (Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 2:42–46; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Matthew 28:18–20). Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the Church under the watchful care of a plurality of elders. A church’s members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ (Ephesians 4:16).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as the substitutionary atonement in our place, and that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is the united commemoration by believers of Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by a careful self-examination (Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29).

We believe that marriage is created by God to be shared between one biological man and one biological woman, in a lifelong holy covenant, for the purpose of companionship, sexual intimacy, and procreation.

Our created gender, sexuality, and sexual fulfillment are gifts from the Creator and are to be embraced with gratitude and worship. God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed and consummated only between a man and a woman when they are united as one flesh in marriage (Genesis 1:27–28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6).

Men and women are created in the image of God and stand equal in dignity and worth (Gen 1:27, 9:6; Gal 3:28; James 3:9). God designed gender, recognized through our biological sex, as an immutable reality essential to our identity as male and female. While the fall distorts God’s design for gender (Gen. 3:16-19), Jesus makes men and women fellow heirs of God’s eternal grace (1 Peter 3:7) who differ in complementary and mutually beneficial ways. We affirm the significant role women should play in the local church and that every leadership opportunity is open to women except those excluded by Scripture in the home and church. Specifically, the Scriptures state that husbands are called to lead and love in the home as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:22-33) and that a plurality of men are to serve the church as elders and pastors (1 Timothy 3:2).

We believe it is the aim, duty, and privilege of every believer and local church fellowship to glorify God by responding as active participants in the Great Commission call of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of all nations.

We believe the primary focus and priority of this call is centered on efforts that establish, strengthen, and reproduce biblically-based churches, which will then plant churches that plant churches for future generations and God’s glory.

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed hope of His return has vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to judgment and experience eternal wrath in hell. The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the manifested presence of God (Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25-26).

What We Believe About

The statements below are intended to clarify and expound upon some of the aspects of our doctrinal statement.

We believe in the importance of serving the Body of Christ by providing clear pathways for people to begin and deepen healthy, growing relationships within the church. We value an intentional plan that helps every interested person experience godly community. Church membership is the natural outgrowth of individuals maturing in Christ and embracing the call to serve the Lord by using their gifts to build up others in the local church.

Salvation is the result of God’s divine initiative. It is His kindness, forbearance, and patience that lead a person to repentance (Romans 2:4). All glory for the salvation and eternal security of every believer belongs to God alone (Romans 3:21–31; Ephesians 1:7–9; 2:8–9; Jude 1:24–25).

We believe that all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ are eternally secure from the moment of conversion. This assurance is based entirely on God’s grace, not on human effort. While obedience, good works, and fruit-bearing do not earn or sustain salvation, they are the evidence of genuine faith and love for Christ (Luke 6:46; John 14:21; James 2:17–18).

The believer’s eternal security rests in God’s sovereign adoption (Galatians 4:4–7), His sealing of the believer by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Ephesians 1:13–14), and the Spirit’s presence as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).

From the moment someone truly places their faith in Christ, they belong to Him (Luke 23:42–43; Acts 2:40–41; 16:30–34), and nothing can separate them from His hand (John 10:27–29). Redeemed by the blood of Jesus, believers are no longer their own—they are Christ’s possession (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). This assurance is unshakable, reserved in heaven, and protected by the power of God (1 Peter 1:4–5).

We joyfully affirm that men and women are equal in value, dignity, and worth, having both been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28). While equal, men and women are not the same—God has given them distinct, complementary roles within the church and the home.

The Scriptures teach that the office of Elder is reserved for qualified men (1 Timothy 3:1–2; Titus 1:6–9). Women are not to serve in roles where they exercise authority over men or teach doctrine to men in the gathered church (1 Timothy 2:12). However, qualified women are encouraged to use their gifts and serve in every leadership capacity that Scripture does not specifically reserve for men. Their contributions are essential to the life, health, and mission of the church.

Men are called by God to lead with humility, honor, and sacrificial love, reflecting Christ’s servant leadership in both the home and the church (1 Peter 3:7).

Satan and his demonic forces actively oppose the work God is doing in and through His people (Genesis 3:1–7; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12). Though Satan is powerful, God is infinitely greater, and the ultimate victory belongs to Him. Scripture assures us that God will fully and finally defeat Satan in His perfect timing (1 John 4:4; Revelation 20:1–10).

While it is fitting to pray in Jesus’ name for protection from demonic activity, the Bible does not command believers to “bind Satan.” Instead, Scripture outlines clear, God-ordained ways to stand firm against the enemy:

  • Draw near to God with humility, trusting Him to supply grace, mercy, and strength (2 Corinthians 12:7–9; Hebrews 4:15–16; James 4:8; 1 Peter 5:6–10).
  • Resist temptation, standing firm in faith (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9).
  • Apply the truth of God’s Word to counter lies and accusations (Matthew 4:1–11; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:24–27).
  • Forgive others, refusing to give Satan a foothold (2 Corinthians 2:10–11).
  • Put on the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, readiness with the Gospel, faith, salvation, and prayer (Ephesians 6:11–20).
  • Remain faithful to Christ, even through trials and suffering (Revelation 2:10, 13; Revelation 3:9–10).

We affirm that baptism and communion are the two ordinances commanded by Christ for the Church.

Baptism is the believer’s public declaration of faith, symbolizing identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. We believe in baptism by immersion in water, as modeled in Scripture. While baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is commanded for all who place their faith in Christ and is reserved for believers only (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 18:8). In Scripture, baptism always follows a personal response to the gospel—after one has trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin. The act of immersion vividly portrays the believer's death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in newness of life as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1–4; Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred act of remembrance for believers. Through the bread and the cup, we commemorate Christ’s sacrificial death and proclaim the significance of His broken body and shed blood. Communion is a time for reflection, confession, and worship, and it should always be preceded by personal examination and reverence before the Lord (Romans 6:3–6; 1 Corinthians 11:20–29). It is a visible expression of our unity in Christ and our ongoing dependence on His grace.

We believe that all aspects of the Christian life are supernatural, and that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer with spiritual gifts to build up the church (1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

While there is ongoing debate regarding whether certain gifts described in the New Testament are still in operation today, we see no scriptural basis to suggest these gifts have ceased. Therefore, we believe that the spiritual gifts we read about in Scripture remain active today, though they may be expressed in varying degrees.

Sadly, spiritual gifts have often been abused or misused, leading some to focus on personal experiences that detract from the clarity of the Gospel. To avoid this, we emphasize that all expressions of spiritual gifts at New City Church must be exercised in a way that is clear, orderly, and centered on the truth of the Gospel.

We also acknowledge that spiritual gifts are sometimes neglected in the church. We encourage every believer to actively use their God-given gifts for the edification, encouragement, and consolation of others (1 Corinthians 14:3), while respecting the role of spiritual leaders to ensure that everything is done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

By God’s grace, we will ensure that the use of spiritual gifts will not cause division at New City Church. Instead, we will be a church where believers love one another, displaying the power of the Holy Spirit through their gifts, as we seek to make disciples for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 13:1-2).

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, meaning that every word of the Bible is inspired by God and contains all the words we need to completely trust and obey Him. The Scriptures are inerrant in their original writings (Psalm 119:97-104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; John 5:46-47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-16) and infallible in their instruction (Proverbs 6:32; 2 Peter 1:19). They are eternal in duration (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25) and serve as the final authority and standard for faith and practice (Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119). The Scriptures are sufficient for counsel in every issue of life (Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:16).

We believe that the very words of Scripture in the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic are divinely inspired by God. As such, we believe that Bible translations that most faithfully render God’s Word into modern English should be preferred.

The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God by loving Him with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Isaiah 43:7; Matthew 22:37). Every believer—man, woman, and child—is called to glorify God and, in doing so, fulfill the purpose of their existence.

Worship glorifies God through adoration (Psalm 95:6), praise (Psalm 99:5), prayer (Daniel 6:10–11), thanksgiving (Nehemiah 12:46), and wholehearted surrender (Romans 12:1). Worship is the declaration of God’s infinite worth, the giving of reverent homage, and the celebration of His goodness in a life of ongoing devotion. We aim to worship God in spirit and in truth (Exodus 15:1–21; 2 Samuel 6:14–16; Psalm 5:7; John 4:23–24; Revelation 4:11; 5:12).

Several guiding convictions shape how we worship:

We lift high the name of Jesus Christ, the only way to the Father and the object of all true worship (John 4:22–26; John 12:32; John 14:6).

We lead God’s people to offer heartfelt praise and thanksgiving through music and lyrics that exalt His name (Nehemiah 12:45–46; Psalm 66:1–4; Psalm 95:1–2).

We prepare hearts to hear from God through the Word, knowing that worship and proclamation go hand-in-hand (Psalm 95:6–9; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–42).

We embrace both contemporary and traditional expressions, honoring the richness of our spiritual heritage while making room for new songs of praise (Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 33:3; Isaiah 46:8–9; Matthew 13:32; Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 5:9).

We pursue excellence in worship, offering our best to a God who is worthy of it all (Exodus 12; Deuteronomy 17:1; Psalm 33:3; 1 Timothy 4:14–15; Hebrews 11:4).