The following statement is an expression of certain doctrinal positions held by Northbrook Bible Chapel and must be interpreted as expressed in and according to, the literal meaning of the Word of God.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible in its entirety (all 66 canonical books) is inspired by God; free of error in the original writings and is our sole authority on all matters of doctrine and conduct. (Mark 12:26-36; John 16:12,13; Acts 1:16, 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21)
Trinity of the Godhead
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections. (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:6-8; Isaiah 63:8-10; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)
God the Father
We believe God is eternal. He is the Creator of all and the sustainer of life, the Father of Jesus Christ, and the Father of all who believe in Christ. (Malachi 2:10; Matthew 3:17, 4:17; John 1:14, 3:3, 3:16-18; Romans 8:15-17; Revelation 20:11)
The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son and fully possesses the same nature and attributes as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He is also truly Man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal, visible, pre-millennial return from heaven. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35; 24:38-39; John 1:1-3; 1:14; 1:29; 10:15,30; 14:9; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 1:4; 3:24-25; 4:25; 5:8-9; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20,23; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8, 9-11; Colossians 1:15-17; 2:9; Hebrews 1:2; 7:25; 9:24; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:1)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person, that He is God, with all the attributes of God. He was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal Christ to members of the Church, to indwell believers to enable them to serve Christ, to comfort, instruct, lead, and build them up in Christ. He has been sent to convict the world of sin, teach them of Christ’s righteousness, and warn them of coming judgment. (John 7:38-39, 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:13-15; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4)
The Creation, Fall, and Depravity of the Human Race
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is factual, literal, and historic. Humans are a special creation of God, made in His image, created as male and female. Humans are distinct from the animal world. All human life is sacred, from conception until death. We believe that humans are sinners from birth and guilty before God through the disobedience of Adam. The consequences of that sin are the penalty of physical and spiritual death, and subjection to Satan’s power. (Genesis 1-11; Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17; Ps 139:13-16; Isaiah 64:6; John 5:40, 6:53; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:6; 1 John 3:8. Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)
Salvation by Grace through Faith
We believe that salvation is only by grace and received as a gift from God through faith alone in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It is entirely apart from good works, such as baptism, church membership, and giving. Salvation includes the forgiveness of sins, the receiving of a new nature, and the guarantee of eternal life. (Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-14)
Atonement by the Shed Blood of Christ
We believe that the penalty of sin requires a payment, and this has been fully accomplished once for all by the shed blood of Christ when He died in our place for our sin. His sacrifice is acceptable to God and is effective for every sinner who receives Christ as Saviour. (Leviticus 17:11; Matthew 26:28; John 1:12; Romans 5:6-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:24)
Assurance of Eternal Life
We believe that salvation and eternal life is assured to all who are born again by the Spirit of God from the moment in which they trust Christ as their personal Saviour. (John 5:24, 10:28-29; Romans 8:33-39; 2 Timothy 1:12)
Christian Conduct
We believe that the purpose of every believer is to glorify God in life and conduct and be blameless before the world. The Christian should seek to be a growing disciple of Jesus Christ in every area of life. (Matthew 11:28-30; 18:5-14; 28:19-20; Luke 13:3;5; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 2:10; 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 John 2:3; Revelation 22:12)
The Church, The Body of Christ
We believe that all believers together form the universal church, having been placed into the body by the Holy Spirit. Each local church is to be a visible expression of that body, organized for the fellowship, edification, and encouragement of believers and the continuation of Christ’s work on earth. (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:3-10; Colossians 2:19)
Church Government
We believe the local church stands accountable to the Lord alone, an autonomous unit which owes no allegiance to any ecclesiastical system that is established and controlled by men. We believe the prescribed pattern for leadership within a local church involves both biblically qualified elders and deacons. (Philippians 1:1)
Elders
We believe leadership of the local church is the responsibility of a plurality of elders, also described as overseers, pastors, and leaders. Elders are responsible to shepherd the people of God. This involves feeding, guarding, supporting, and guiding by exhortation and example. Ministries in which the elders should be primarily involved include teaching, evangelism, discipling, and counseling. (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:5-7; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24; Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28, 31, 35; Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Peter 5:3; Hebrews 13:7)
Deacons
We believe that deacons are those appointed to perform a particular service within the local church. The nature of the service may be spiritual (e.g. teaching), or practical. Deacons are appointed by the local church considering the spiritual qualifications that are required. Anyone in fellowship in the local church may suggest the name of an individual for consideration for a particular service. (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 6:2-3; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:3)
The Great Commission
We believe that all believers are to make the most of every opportunity to communicate their faith in Christ and encourage and disciple other believers through lifestyle, action, and word. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
The Second Coming of the Lord
We believe that the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church is imminent and will precede the Great Tribulation. We believe that the period of the Great Tribulation in the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to introduce the millennial age, to bind Satan, and to place him in the abyss. (Zechariah 14:4-11; Acts 15:16,17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:9; Revelation 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6)
The Resurrection of the Body
We believe that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead as the Scriptures affirm, and all believers who die go immediately to be with Christ. When Christ receives the Church to Himself, the bodies of believers who died will be raised as glorified bodies and will share in His glory. (Psalm 90:3-4; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Romans 1:4, 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 20:5,6)
The Eternal State of the Saved and the Eternal Punishment of the Unsaved
We believe that dead and living believers will be forever with the Lord Jesus Christ and will become joint heirs with Him in His inheritance. We also believe that those who die still refusing to accept God’s gift of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ will be destined to suffer conscious eternal separation from Christ in the lake of fire. (Daniel 7:22-27, 12:3; Romans 8:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8, 22:11)
Ordinances
We believe that the Scriptures teach the practice of observing two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that Christ prescribed baptism for believers. The believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection is signified through the symbolic and public act of baptism. We observe baptism by immersion. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 8:12)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ clearly directed believers to partake in the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of the His death until He comes again. We observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper weekly. (Luke 22:19-20; Corinthians 11:23-28)
Marriage and Family
We resolve that as a matter of belief, doctrine, and religious practice, the Scripture reserves the term “marriage” for the covenant relationship between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. (Genesis 2:22-24; Matthew 19:4-6)
Northbrook Bible Chapel 