What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of NMBC based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe that all words of the original Old and New Testaments were inspired by God so as to be inerrant (1 Cor 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pt 1:20-21; Mt 5:17-18). Our Bible of sixty-six books is the Word of God and complete (Jn 16:13). Rightly translated and interpreted, it is the final authority on everything it declares to be true (Lk 24:25; Jn 10:35; Prov 30:5-6).

We believe that Scripture should be interpreted by seeking the original intent of the Lord, given to us through each biblical author. Historical and literary context, word usage and relationships, and literary features should be taken into account (2 Tim 2:15). Scripture is to interpret Scripture. The Holy Spirit must direct our attitudes as we seek to understand and respond to God’s Word (1 Cor 2:14).

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.

We believe that there is one and only one living, personal God (Dt 6:4; Isa 43:10-11). He is totally in control of the universe, which He created and maintains (Heb. 11:3; Col 1:15-17; Eph 1:11). He is perfect in all of His attributes (Mt 5:48). He exists in three equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who exercise distinct but harmonious functions. He is the true and everlasting God. He mercifully concerns Himself with us and answers prayer (Mt 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).

We believe that God the Father is the true and everlasting God. He freely and supernaturally created the world out of nothing (Gen 1:1-2). He is the ruler, sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation (Col 1:16, 17; Ps 90:2; 97:9). He is faithful in His steadfast love always keeping His promises, working all things together for good to those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Dt 7:9; Rom 8:28). The Father in His relentless grace, gave His Son, Jesus Christ, for humanity’s redemption (Jn 3:16). He made all things for the praise of His glory and intends to walk in fellowship with humanity through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ (Rev 4:11; 1 Jn 1:7).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the true and everlasting God (Gen 1:1-2). He is the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh (Jn 1:1, 14; Heb. 1:8;) Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man (Mt 1:18-25; Jn 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 (Phil 2:6-11; 1 Pt 2:22-24; 3:18; Rom 5:1-11). 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 (Acts 1:9-11; 13:30-31; 1 Tim 2:5; 3:16;).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the true and everlasting God (Gen 1:1 2; Acts 5:3-5; Eph 4:30; 1 Pt 4:14). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judg¬ment, regenerates the unbelieving, and to baptize, seal, teach, sanctify, fill, guide, empower, and comfort those who be¬lieve in Jesus Christ He spiritually baptizes every true Christian, indwells each from conversion to resurrection, and gives each a special ability for building up the local church and Christ-like living (Jn 16:8 11; Acts 5:3 4; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 12:4-11; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 1:13-14; 2:1 7; 1 Jn 2:20 2¬7).

We believe that the first human was created without sin, but sinned (Gen 1:27-31; Rom 5:12). Every person is created in God’s image, but stands condemned because of Adam’s sin and because he or she willfully chose to sin, thereby incurring both physical and spiritual death (Rom 5:12; James 3:9). Each person is unable, apart from God’s grace, to please God, or turn the heart to God (Rom 3:10-11; 8:8; Jn 6:44). Each person is responsible to respond to God’s invitation to salvation (Acts 17:30; Rev 22:17).

We believe that Satan is a created being, fallen from heaven, the enemy of God and His people, who blinds the unsaved and works for the ruin of believers (Mt 13:24-26, 36-39; Lk 10:18; Jn 8:44; 1 Pt 5:8; 2 Cor 4:4; Heb 2:14-15). His eternal doom is sure (Jn 16:11; Rev 20:10).

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, and that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit, thereby becoming children of God. We believe the true believer is eternally saved (Eph. 2:8, 9; John 3:3, 16-21). Conversion always occurs at a point in time, although some saved individuals may not know exactly when they experienced it (Jn 1:12; 3:18; Rom 8:9-10; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Gal 3:2; Col 2:6; Rev 20:15). No one earns or deserves salvation in any way (Jn 1:13; 6:29; Rom 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5). In conversion, the individual admits his or her sinful, helpless condition under God’s wrath, repents, and believes in God the Son, who was condemned because of our sin and produced the righteous standing that we lack (Lk 18:13-14; Jn 3:36; Acts 13:38-39; 20:21; Rom 10:13; 2 Cor 5:20-21).

God brings about significant personal change in the life of a Christian (1 Jn 1:8,10; 3:9-10,14; Eph 2:10; 1 Cor 3:1-3; Heb 5:11-14). Every true believer has been chosen, convicted and converted by God (2 Cor 13:5; Eph 1:3-4; 1 Pt 1:1-2; Jn 12:32; 16:7-8; Titus 3:5-6; Jer 31:33). At conversion, God ensures eternal life and forgiveness of past, present and future sins (Jn 5:24; 10:27-30; Rom 8:29-39; Heb 10:10-14). Although perfection is not reached in this life and Christians may experience periods of unfaithfulness; our salvation is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Eph 1:13, 14).

We believe that all who have put saving faith in Jesus Christ since Pentecost have been united by the Holy Spirit into one body, the universal Church (1 Cor 12:13; Acts 2:4; 11:15; Eph 3:3-6). The local church should be a body of true believers who have been baptized (Acts 2:41), and who regularly examine themselves to partake of the communion elements, which represent the crucified Lord Jesus (1 Cor 11:23-32). Each believer should join and participate in a Bible-based local church for worship, local and worldwide outreach, and spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Heb 13:17).

We believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead in bodily form, ascended into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the God the Father, where He acts as our High Priest and Advocate. We believe that at death, the saved enter into the joyous presence of Christ; this blessed hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. The unsaved enter into eternal pain (Mt 25:31-46; Lk 16:19-31; 23:43; Phil 1:23). We believe in Christ’s imminent return when at the last day, He will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. At Christ’s return, we believe that a solemn separation will then take place, the wicked will be judged to endless punishment, the righteous to eternal joy, and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell (Dan 12:2; Lk 24:1 50; Jn 14:2-3; Acts 1:8 11; 1 Cor 15:20 24; 2 Cor 5:1 20; 1 Thess 4:13-17; Heb 1:1 4; 2:9 18; 4:14 16; 1 Jn 3:1 2; Rev 3:10; 5:10; 19:1-20:14; 21:1-8).

We believe God has ordained and created marriage to exist between one man and one woman, with marital fidelity. The Bible sets forth specific home and family values, which include the distinct roles of husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and children. It is our firm conviction that we uphold the dignity of each individual as we embrace the unchanging and longstanding principles of scriptural truth (Gen 1:27-28; 2:18-24, Mt 19:4-9; Mk 10:5-9; Eph 5:31-33).

We believe that Jesus Christ left His Church two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (or communion.) Baptism is a public declaration of the believer’s salvation in Christ, identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection symbolized by immersion in water (Mk 1:5, 10; Jn 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Rom 6:3-6; Col 2:12). Baptism symbolizes the believer’s faith in, and union with, the crucified, buried and risen Savior (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The Lord’s Supper uses the bread and the cup as symbols of Jesus Christ giving His body and blood for the payment of our sins. Its observance is preceded by faithful Spirit-led self-examination. It is partaken of by saved individuals in remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death and in anticipation of His coming again. (Mt 28:19 20; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:20 29; Rev 19:6-9).