What We Practice

based on what the Bible teaches, we believe the following should be practiced by the church.

1. The Bible is our sole authority and guide. (II Timothy 3:15-17)
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” We encourage the practice of daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

2. Autonomy of each local church. (Colossians 1:18)
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing.

3. Plurality of Elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-5)
No one person has all the gifts nor all the responsibility. The Elders are the spiritual overseers of the church. They are recognized as being spiritually mature and being servant leaders.

4. Priesthood of all believers. (I Peter 2:9)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every Christian has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.

5. Tithing of income. (Malachi 3:10)
At NHCC we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Bible standard of giving.

6. Baptism by immersion. (Colossians 2:12)
We practice baptism by immersion under water — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

7. Taking communion weekly. (Acts 20:7)
In the New Testament Church, the Lord’s Supper was taken every week on the first day of the week. We model this approach of remembering the Lord’s sacrificial death for us every week.

8. Spirit-led living. (John 15:5)
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. Through daily Bible study and prayer, we seek to practice a day-to-day dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

9. Telling others about Christ. (I Peter 3:15)
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God has given us a relationship with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and invite friends to church.

10. Marriage is only between one natural born man and one natural born woman. (Genesis 1:27-28,2:24)

God created a man and a woman to enter a covenant of marriage, be united into one flesh , and be fruitful and multiply.