We believe in the active ongoing ministry of the gifts of Christ moving through apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, who through Christ’s leading, equip all followers of Christ to become mature and equipped for ministry in God’s Kingdom. We also believe in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to produce Christ-likeness in saints as He empowers us through the ministry of all the grace gifts found in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.
We believe in the “Apostle’s Creed” as the expression of fundamental truths of the Christian faith. We know there are many modes and models for forming Christ’s church, and we seek to partner and join in unity with all Christian fellowships which affirm the above Apostle’s Creed. This profession below embodies our beliefs.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. The third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian* Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Christian: the ancient text reads “catholic,” meaning the whole Church as it confesses the wholeness of Christian doctrine.
Furthermore, the Revival Valley Statement of Faith is as follows:
- We believe that the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, and are the final source in all matters relating to faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
- We believe that the one true God is revealed through the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God has manifested Himself to mankind in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3; John 15:26; Matthew 28:19
- We believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. He is the full revelation of the Father. He is eternally coexistent with the Father and the Spirit and uncreated. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him, not one thing was created that has been created. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-4; John 14:9; John 19:1-20:18; Acts 1:9; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Peter 4:5
- We believe that man was created good and in the image of God but through voluntary transgression is lost and spiritually dead. Genesis 1:27; 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 3:9-10
- We believe that redemption may be obtained only through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing a sinner can do to save himself–except repent and call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:10-24; 6:23
- We believe that honest repentance and faith toward Christ Jesus will produce a sanctified vessel and separation from the world of sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 5:23
- We believe in water baptism by immersion as commanded in the Scriptures for all who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 23:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; Rom. 6:4
- We believe in the “Baptism with the Holy Spirit” as a definite experience available to all believers. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Acts 2:4; 11:16
- We believe in miracles, prophetic utterances, and supernatural gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the church today. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
- We believe in the foundational ministries of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the church today. Ephesians 4:7-15
- We believe in New Testament order and organization for the local church, and in the authority of indigenous church government. Titus 1:59; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:17
- We believe that the unique human life, made in the image of God, begins at the moment of conception. Thus, all human life is sacred from conception until natural death, and every person possesses a God-given, unalienable right to live, and the Church, God’s people, must defend the helpless, in all stages of life. Psalm 39:4; 127:3; 71:6; 139:14-16; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:44; 1 Cor. 11:12; Job 14:5-7; Galatians 1:5
- We believe that God created humans male and female, has ordained marriage as a union between one man and one woman (an exclusive union as defined in Scripture), and that these two complimentary and immutable sexes reflect the image and nature of God, and rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person Genesis 1:26-27.
- Furthermore, we believe any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, cohabitation, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, rejection of the immutable and complimentary genders, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. All employees, officers, and board members of NCBC are to be attendees in good standing of churches in agreement with the Biblical perspective stated here regarding marriage, sexuality, and purity. Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10
- We believe in the literal bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth again. He will return from heaven in great glory and power, climaxing this age with resurrection and the final judgment: the eternal punishment of the ungodly and the eternal life and glorification of the righteous. Matthew 16:27; 24:30; Acts 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 2:8; Jude 14-15; Revelation 1:7
- We believe in the priesthood of all believers. Because of this, we consider all staff and ministry leaders, paid or unpaid, whether officially licensed or not, to be ministers of the gospel. We ask ministers to show respect for our doctrinal positions. Ministers are asked not to campaign for their differing positions or use any association with Revival Valley to proselytize positions contrary to these statements. Revival Valley does not require staff, volunteers, or ministers to adhere completely to these doctrinal statements, but substantial deviation may be a reason for dismissal from staff or volunteer positions (judgments of the President or Board of Directors of Revival Valley are final). Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10
Also, we hold these truths in tension (for we only know in part, as a dim reflection, but later it will all be clear 1 Cor 13:9, 12):
- By grace, we are saved through faith, and we were created for good works (Eph 2:8,9 & Eph 2:10).
- God is good and everything God makes is good, but we live in a fallen world because of sin that is not fully aligned with the Kingdom of God (1 Tim 4:4-5, Jam 1:17 & Rom 8:18, Acts 7:60).
- Though we have received the righteousness of Christ, we work out our salvation with fear & trembling (Rom 3:22 & Phi 2:12).
- Through Christ we have gained freedom, but we are now slaves to righteousness and compelled by the commands of Christ (2 Cor 3:14 & Rom 6:18, John 14: 23).
- Key ministry roles (Eph 4:11) will teach and pull the church in different directions, and that is a good thing!