Northampton Church of Christ

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe (Genesis 1:1). He has eternally existed (Psalm 90:2) in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2). These three are coequal and are one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:4-6).

The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35). He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:22-24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5). The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-12; Romans 8:33-35; Hebrews 5:5-10; 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1–2). Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:8-9; 2 Timothy 4:1-2).

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ (John 16:7-11). He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation (John 14:16-17; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 3:16). He provides the Christian with power for living (Acts 1:8), understanding of spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:12), guidance in doing what is right (Ephesians 5:15-18) and reassurance of redemption (Romans 8:8-9; Ephesians 1:13-14). As Christians we seek to live under His control daily (Galatians 5:25).

The Bible is God’s Word to people. It was originally written inerrant and infallible by human authors (Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; 119:160), under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It is the final authority for Christian beliefs and living (Psalm 119:9, 105).

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character (Genesis 1:26-27). People are the supreme object of God’s creation on earth (Psalm 8:3-6). Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all self-aware people have been marred by their own sin and affected by the sin of others (Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23, 5:12). Only God can remedy this lost condition (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10) and received through personal faith in Jesus at immersion for good works (Mark 16:16; John 3:16; Romans 5:1). Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life through immersion (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27; Titus 3:3-6; 1 Peter 3:21). The alternative to eternal life is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Hell is a literal place of eternal torment, whereas heaven is a literal place of eternal reward (Revelation 20:15).

Salvation is both an event where a transaction is made in immersion and a process where a person continues to grow and act in faith (Galatians 3:11; Colossians 1:21-23).

The church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25–31; 2 Corinthians 11:2). The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:26-28; 18:22; 20:17; Titus 1:5). Local churches are free to operate autonomously, free of any external human authority and control (Acts 13:1–4; 15:22–31; 20:28; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 3:5-11; 5:4; 1 Peter 5:1–4).

The example of the early apostolic church gives a pattern to follow for church life (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:13-14). Whatever is not clearly taught or described in Scripture as a matter of faith and practice is a matter of freedom.

Following the example of the early church and the command of Christ, we meet together to share the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week to remind us of Christ’s death, His future coming, and the unity that exists within the church because of his resurrection (Luke 22:14-20; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-29).

We immerse only those who have demonstrated their personal faith in Christ as is described in the conversion accounts found in the book of Acts (Acts 2:41; 8:12, 35-38;
16:32-34; 18:8).

Worship is a lifestyle, not just an event (John 4:23-24). This lifestyle is described in Scripture as one of service and sacrificial stewardship (Romans 12:1-8). All we have belongs to God. God has made us stewards (managers) of the resources He allows us to use. Every Christian will give account of how he manages the abilities and resources God has entrusted in him (Matthew 25:14-46). Every Christian should give regularly, sacrificially and cheerfully as God has blessed him both in time and money (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–11). It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gifts and grace of God that is given to him (1 Peter 4:10–11). Since man is saved for good works, neglecting this responsibility results in eternal death (Matthew 7:21; John 15:9-11; James 2:14-24; 1 John 5:1-5).