HOPE CHAPEL NORTH SHORE is a local body of believers, who are committed to the goal of telling and showing people their value to God, and their need for Him, by our service to them. As sinners saved by God’s amazing grace, we profess that there is only “one faith,” or one gospel by which we can be saved. Namely, we are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 14:6).
It is our purpose in presenting this basic doctrinal statement to develop and protect within us a common understanding of the truth of Scripture. The elders of HCNS are committed to study to show ourselves approved of God and to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (2 Tim. 2:15; Jude 3).
STATEMENT OF FAITH
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
(Jn.1:1, 8:24; Eph. 1:11, 4:6; Duet. 6:4; Acts 5:3-4)
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
(2 Tim. 3:16)
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
(Rom. 3:10-12, 8:5-8; )n. 6:44; 1 Cor. 2:14).
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
(Mt. 1:23; Heb. 4:15; Jn. 1:18; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:6-7; Eph. 1:20)
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
(Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:9; Eph. 2:8-9)
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
(1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Jn. 5:10)
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
(Acts 16:31-34; 1 Cor. 11:23-34)
Christian Living
8. We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
(Eph. 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; 1 Jn. 3:2, 1 Jn 5:16)
Christ’s Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
(Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 4:15-16)
Response and Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
(Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Cor. 15)
HCNS Distinctives
COMPLEMENTARIANISM
WE TEACH that men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to the church, men and women are both expected to lead and serve; however, the office of elder is reserved for qualified men.
(1 Tim. 3; Titus 1, 1 Tim. 2)
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
WE TEACH that the salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God. Before the foundation of the world, God elected His people, setting His affection and grace upon them. In love God predestined His people for adoption. Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast. Apart from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of his own accord to worship God and pursue righteousness. God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God.
(Rom. 8:29–30; Eph. 1:4–6;Rom. 3; Eph. 2:1–3)
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
WE TEACH that a believer is to be gifted by the Holy Spirit, and should seek to serve the Lord for “the building up of the body of Christ”. We believe that the Holy Spirit still distributes all the spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament to each individual person as He wills. We also believe in the use of those spiritual gifts in a biblical (proper and orderly) manner.
(1 Pet.1:15; 1 Cor. 12:4-31, 13:39, 14:40; Eph. 4:12; Gal. 5:24-25)
ONE PEOPLE OF GOD
WE TEACH the unity of God’s people throughout the ages. God’s people consist of Old Testament saints, New Testament saints up to and including present day believers (saints). We believe that Christ inaugurated the New Covenant by His death on the cross. Thus, as believers we are now grafted into the “olive tree,” are through faith called the “seed of Abraham” and are circumcised of heart as “true Jews”. Salvation has always been by faith and all who are a part of the family of God come in by faith.
(Lk. 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; Heb. 8:7-13; Rom 2:26-29, 11:17; Gal. 3:29)
If you have questions concerning our doctrinal statement please contact our elders at: 575-2650.