NEW VISIONBAPTISTCHURCH
FOUNDATION & BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
FOUNDATION
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the teaching of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties, inherent in each individual member of this Church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this foundation, which shall be New Vision Baptist Church located at 2947 Highway 88 West, Halls, Tennessee.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
NEW VISION BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH
New VisionBaptistChurch was founded in May 2010 by a group of believers who fully rely on the One, True and Living God- The Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth; God created this earth and every living thing on it, and has placed only its stewardship in man which he also created. God created man in His own image and the creation of all things, visible and invisible- including that of man came about by the direct, Spoken Word of God Genesis 1:1 – 2:22.
Jesus Christ, the perfect, sinless, Son of God, was born of a virgin to teach, preach and show us how God can work in our own lives. We believe he died on the cross for our sins so that we may be saved and spend eternity in heaven John 3:16. We believe that on the third day after His death on the cross, that He arose to be seated at the right hand of God the Father Luke 24:9. He is the only way by which men are saved and the only mediator between man and God the Father Acts 4:12.
The Holy Spirit dwells in each and every believer John 14:17. He convicts us and the world of our sin, of righteousness and judgement John 16:8. We believe that on the day of salvation the Holy Spirit imparts new life and baptizes the new believer into the Body of Christ, His Church I Corinthians 12:13. When a believer yields his or her life to the Holy Spirit- He directs their life, enabling them to bear fruit and empowering them to live a life free from the control of the devil Ephesians 4:30.
We believe in Eternal Destiny, that those who trust and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ and will spend an eternity in Heaven with Christ John 14:1-4. We also believe that those who are righteous and have died and gone before us will be raised from the dead to reign with Christ and share in His glory Romans 5:1-8. We believe that the lost, because of their un-belief, will spend an eternity separated from God. They will be judged and punished for their sins in a place called Hell Romans 20:12-15.
The Holy Bible is the infallible, inspired and inherent Word of God, free from error and the sole authority on our faith. It is our guidebook to our daily lives, it is where we find knowledge and wisdom on all aspects of our lives, it is our guiding light Psalm 119:97-105. Our leaders, pastor and teachers will strive to be strong in the Word of God Malachi 2:7 and it, solely, will be used in all aspects of decision making, teaching, message and counseling at New Vision Baptist Church II Timothy 2:16-17.
This congregation possesses a firm belief in the power of prayer Psalm 77:1-12. We believe that it is the way to a close relationship to God Psalm 5:1-3. Prayer is a conversation with God, we should speak to Him and prepare our hearts to listen to what He is telling us Proverbs 1:23. We will pray for one another in times of sickness and despair, but also to build one another up Colossians 1:9-14. Prayer shall precede all decisions to ask God His will for NewVisionBaptistChurchLuke 6:12.
God has instructed us to take a role in the Great Commission, to go and teach all people of salvation through Christ, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost Matthew 28:18-20. New VisionBaptistChurch will, at all times, reach toward the goal of winning souls to God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13-21. We will have a burden on our hearts for the mission field and send our resources, whether that be people, money or supplies, into our community, nation and world Acts1:8.
New VisionBaptistChurch is a unified body of believers, with God as the head I Corinthians 12:13. All members do have an active role and will seek the position He has called them too, but God, solely, is the leader and it is His church I Corinthians 3:16. The church members will show love for one another at all times, we will be there to comfort one another, to call upon in time of need and to build one another up through work, words, love and most importantly prayer Philippians 1:7-8. We will love and care for the new believers that God has placed at New Vision, we will share our knowledge and wisdom, originating from the Word of God, with them Philemon 16.
There are two ordinances that New Vision Baptist will recognize in obedience to Jesus Christ, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. New believers who come forward to profess their new found salvation through Christ will be baptized Acts 2:41 by full immersion in water showing the death of the old, lost body and the resurrection of the new body, filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Supper will be observed, as the Holy Spirit leads, with an attitude of self examination; we will remember and proclaim the ultimate price Jesus Christ paid for our sins just as He did with the Disciples before his death and resurrection and until He comes again I Corinthians 11:23-29.
Our church takes a firm position against sexual immorality. We believe that God has blessed the institution of marriage to be only between one man and one woman Genesis 2:24. God has designed a sexual relationship to exist exclusively within the confines of marriage Genesis 2:25. Based on these two principles, we further believe that it is totally against the Will of our God to pervert this order by what society refers to as an “alternative lifestyle” including, but not limited to, adultery and homosexuality Romans 1:18-32.
Scripture teaches us that all human life begins at the moment of conception Jeremiah 1:5 therefore, New Vision Baptist believes in the sanctity of life. Throughout the entire pregnancy, God is fashioning the life of that human being Psalm 139:15-16. The Bible places dignity on the human life because man was created in God’s image Genesis 1:26. Because of this, we believe that any form of abortion are morally, ethically and more importantly spiritually wrong and violate the standard of God that all life is sacred from conception to death.
New VisionBaptistChurch’s members are “foot-soldiers” for Christ, spreading the good news to a lost world. We will always show love to one another and all those we encounter. We will not ask God to bless our plans, but rather align ourselves with the plans God has already prepared for us Ephesians 2:10. Most importantly, we will work to develop a close love relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Our Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members at NewVisionBaptistChurch.
NEW VISION BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT
OF LOVE TO CHRIST FIRST AND TO ONE ANOTHER
1. We will put God first in our lives and congregation, remembering that we are accountable to Him for all our words, thoughts,and actions. We will strive to love and forgive one another as God has loved and forgiven us for Christ's sake.
Mark 12:30-34 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the firstcommandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour asthyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there isnone other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, ismore than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that heanswered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
2.We will treat one another with honor, respect and kindness.
3.We will listen, both with our ears and hearts, to what other members have to say and will not attack one another's motives.
4. We will focus on issues and not personalities.
5. We will strive to maintain the value of every individual member of the church family by refusing to insult, demean, ridicule and otherwise use hateful or negative language toward one another for Christ's sake.
6. We expect to be held accountable for our words and our actions.
7. We will seek to speak to one another the truth in love.
8. We will follow the biblical injunction to restore the one who has fallen in a spirit of gentleness and love as described in:
Galatians 6:1 - Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
James 5:16 & 20 - 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
9. When we feel someone in the church has wronged us, we will seek to resolve the problem by following the instructions set forth by Jesus in:
Matthew 18:15-17 - If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Butif he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen ever to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
1 John 1:8-10 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
10. If we have reason to believe that we have offended a brother or sister, we will practice the prescription outlined by Jesus in:
Matthew 5:23-24 - Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
11. If the issue/problem cannot be resolved otherwise, it will be referred to the Deacon Ministry Team.
John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
NEW VISIONBAPTISTCHURCH ORDINANCES & MEMBERSHIP
Ordinance of Baptism:
Baptism is an act of obedience whereby the believer publicly identifies themselves, through immersion, with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Baptism should be a part of every believer's experience, but it is not required for salvation. Since obedience is a very important and necessary action for every believer to grow and mature in their relationship with Christ, then Baptism is something that every believer should participate in. Baptism is not merely about being immersed, making a commitment, or joining a particular church, but is about publicly identifying with Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward decision and work done by the Holy Spirit at conversion. It is called "Believers Baptism" to underscore the connection between believing and baptism.
Romans 10:9-10,13 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, andshalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt besaved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lordshall be saved.
Luke 12:8-9 - Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Matthew 3:13-17 - Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptizedof him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he wasbaptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened untohim, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Andlo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Church Membership:
When a new believer comes to know Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior, we will never rush into membership, but will rejoice with them in the single most important decision that has changed their life forever. When an individual decides to become a Member of New Vision Baptist Church, someone from our Deacon Ministry Team will help council you in your decision. Membership is expressed by one of the following means:
1.By Public Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then followed by scriptural baptism by full immersion in water.
2.By Letter from any church of like faith and order provided such person can give satisfactory evidence of conversion and scriptural baptism by full immersion in water.
3.By testimony, providing such an individual, due to circumstances beyond their control, cannot obtain a letter from a church of like faith and order, but gives satisfactory evidence of conversion and scriptural baptism by full immersion in water.
4.By restoration providing said member gives evidence of repentance and genuine desire to be restored into church fellowship as defined by our Church Covenant.
The Deacon Ministry Team will strongly encourage all new members to complete our Membership Class, which outlines our Foundation in Jesus Christ, Statement of Faith, Covenant of Love to Christ First and to One Another, Church MembershipChurch Ordinances in which binds NewVisionBaptistChurch as a body of believers.
Only Members can vote and hold office at NewVisionBaptistChurch.
Members are encouraged to:
1.Be faithful in attending Sunday morning worship service, Sunday evening worship service, and Wednesday evening service.
2.Give regularly to the financial support of the church and missions.
3.Share in the church’s missions work.
4.Fulfill the Great Commission by sharing their Christian gifts and ministries daily with the world around them.
Membership involves commitment to worship the Lord corporately, edifying brothers and sisters through mutual exhortation and service, cooperating in missions, sharing our testimonies and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and holding each other accountable to walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord as a witness to the truth of Christ in the world. When every opportunity has been acted upon by members to restore one who has fallen, Church Membership can be revoked as Jesus prescribes and as it is shown in our Church Covenant.
Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby born again believers, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ, and anticipate His second coming. Jesus said to eat of his body (flesh) anddrink of his blood. He said to do this in remembrance of me. We hold firmly to the observance of the Lord's Supper to be that which would be seen as Open Communion. However this Open Communion is to be received by those who have been saved and baptized, but not necessarily a member of this local assembly. We do not see this as being the church's table, nor a denominational table, but the Lord's table, for true communion is really between the person and the Lord and it is only He who can see a person's heart. Communion is a solemn time and we do not take lightly the body and blood of Jesus our Savior and Lord. Therefore, prior to the observance of the Lord's Supper, we will always take time to examine ourselves in a spirit of humility and confession. Let us also remember that not only is the Lord's Supper a memorial service of what He has done for us, but also what He is now doing in and thru us by His resurrected life, until He returns. The Lord's Supper shall be observed as the Holy Spirit leads for all who have been saved by the Grace of God.