Guest Information & Beliefs

Thank you for joining us here at New Life Christian Fellowship. On this page you will find some general information about our beliefs as a church. If you would like to know more about the ministries, staff, and meeting times, feel free to browse the menu on the left. If you have any questions you can email us at infodesk@nlcf.com or call 386.758.8397.

Water Baptism

We encourage every new believer to be baptized in water according to the scriptural pattern.

Jesus, Himself, set the pattern when He was baptized in water. "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him." Matthew 3:13

Baptism represents the new life that you now have in Christ, and is a wonderful way of letting others know the change that has taken place in your life.

Here at New Life Christian Fellowship we offer water baptisms every 2 months. You can sign up at the Welcome Table.

Get Connected!

Find people you can connect with through Life Groups. We have Life Groups available throughout the community. These groups of people in our church, who meet together to build relationships and grow in their walk with Christ. More information is available at the Life Group table in the foyer.

Newcomer Supper

We invite you to join us for our next Newcomer Supper. We would love to get to know you better, so join us by contacting the church office and reserving your seat at our next scheduled dinner. We look forward to seeing you there!

Beliefs

The Holy Scriptures
(II Timothy 3:16,17)
We believe the Bible is the inspired , inerrant, infallible, irrevocable and complete Word of God.

The Eternal Godhead
(I John 5:7)
We believe God is Triune; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the three in one.

The Fall of Man
(Romans 5:12)
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection.

Basis of Salvation
(John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9-10)
We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, signing the pardon of all who believe on Him and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Salvation through Grace
(Ephesians 2:8)
We believe that before salvation we have no righteousness of our own and must come to God through the righteousness of Christ.

Repentance and Acceptance
(I John 1:9)
We believe that upon sincere repentance and a wholehearted acceptance of Christ as Lord, we are justified before God.

The New Birth
(II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; John 3:5-7)
We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a literal one and is the result of being born of the Spirit of God.

Daily Christian Life
(Hebrews 6:1)
We believe that it is the will of God that we live a sanctified and holy life, growing constantly in faith.

Water Baptism
(Matthew 28:19)
We believe that baptism, by immersion in water, is an outward sign of the inward work of salvation.

The Lord's Supper
(I Corinthians 11:28)
We believe in the commemoration of the Lord's Supper by the symbolical use of the bread and the juice of the vine.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit
(Acts 1:8; 2:4)
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is to endue the believer with power, and that His empowering is after the same manner as in Biblical days.

The Spirit-Filled Life
(Ephesians 4:30-32)
We believe that it is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit continually.

The Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-13)
We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon the Christian and that we should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

Moderation and Balance
(Philippians 4:5)
We believe that all truth must be balanced with other scriptural truth in order to avoid any extreme or fanaticism and we believe that moderation should show forth in our daily walk as a believer.

Divine Healing
(I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17, 18:18-19; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 2:9; Mark 13:31, 16:15-18; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33)
We believe that divine healing is the provision of Christ to heal the sick in response to the exercise of faith, the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, anointing with oil, the gifts of healing or the laying on of hands. We believe that this provision of Christ is for everyone today.

The Second Coming
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
We believe that the second coming of Christ is literal and inevitable.

Church Membership
(Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:25)
We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify and actively participate with the local and visible church of Christ.

Civil Government
(Romans 13:1-5)
We believe that the laws of the land should be upheld at all times except in matters opposed to the Word of God.

The Final Judgment
(II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-13)
We believe that all shall stand one day before God in judgment, and there receive eternal reward or eternal judgment.

Heaven
(John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17)
We believe that heaven is a literal place, eternally existent.

Hell
(Revelation 20:10,15)
We believe that hell is a literal place of eternal torment for all who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelism
(James 5:20; Mark 16:15; II Corinthians 5:18-21)
We believe that soul-winning is the Great Commission given to the Church.

Tithes and Offerings
(Malachi 3:10; II Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 7:8)
We believe that the method ordained of God for the support and spread of His cause is by the giving of tithes and free-will offerings.

Worship
(John 4:24; Psalm 150)
We believe that "acceptable" and "true" worship is prescribed by God Himself in His Word. This embodies individual and corporate expressions of praise and thanksgiving and reverence in holiness.

Church Government
(I Peter 5:1-5; Romans 13)
We believe in church government to ensure order, and we believe in loyalty to those acting in rightful authority as they lead us in the Lord.

Unity, Liberty, and Love
We believe that in the essentials there must be unity, in non-essentials--liberty, and in all things--love.

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Why do we stand when we sing?
Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. (2 Chronicles 20:19)

Why do we clap our hands?
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! (Psalm 47:1)

Why do we lift our hands?
Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalm 63:4)
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD. (Psalm 134:2)
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)

Why do we have audible praise unto God?
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (Psalm 103:1)
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (Psalm 34:1)
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, you are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them. (Acts 4:24)

Why do we sing in tongues and in English?
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. That is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding . I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)

Why do we have this type of worship?
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)

Why does the whole church pray at once for specific needs?
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them. (Acts 4:24)

Why do we sing choruses as well as hymns?
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:18-19)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

What is prophesy?
A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who will prophesy? (Amos 3:9)
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7&10)
For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. (1 Corinthians 14:31)
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
(1 Corinthians 14:29)

Why do we have speaking with tongues and interpretation of those tongues?
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39)
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7 & 10)
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. (1 Corinthians 14:5)
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. (1 Corinthians 14:27)

Why are musical instruments a part of the worship service?
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the flute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! (Psalm 150:3-5)
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. (Revelation 14:2)

What is being slain in the Spirit?
Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:6)
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:17)

Why do we anoint with oil and pray for the sick?
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)

Some Scriptural Terminology

The Anointing - the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. “The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you…” (1 John 2:27)

To Minister - to serve or help another by anointing of the Holy Spirit “But our sufficiency is from God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant…” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)

Zion - the hill in the Old Testament (in Jerusalem) where God’s presence dwelt. God’s presence is now in his church (also called Mt. Zion) “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn…” (Hebrews 12:22-23)

The Glory - the manifestation of God’s presence and splendor to man’s spiritual and physical senses “And it came to pass... that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering... for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. (1 Kings 8:10-11)

Revelation - our understanding of God’s will and purposes “Therefore I also...making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…” (Ephesians 1:15-27)

The Body - “... all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-15)

Edify - to build up “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)

Spiritual Gifts - supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4:11. 14:1)