New Hope Seneca subscribes to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (or the 1689 Confession). This confession is robust, theologically specific, time-tested, and best represents the views of our church body. We are in agreement with Charles Spurgeon, who said of the 2LCF:
This ancient document is the most excellent epitome of the things most surely believed among us. It is not issued as an authoritative rule or code of faith, whereby you may be fettered, but as a means of edification in righteousness. It is an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of those Holy Scriptures by which all confessions are to be measured. We hold to the humbling truths of God’s sovereign grace in the salvation of lost sinners. Salvation is through Christ alone and by faith alone.
You can find the full text of the 1689 Confession by clicking here.
In addition to the 1689 Confession, there are a number of other distinctives to know about our church. There are primary matters and secondary matters. There are essentials and non-essentials. There are things that Christians must believe and agree on, or else they are not Christians. And then there are things that Christians can and do disagree on, but which are not fatal to the Christian faith or to warm fellowship with one another. Romans 14 is our blueprint, but it is one of the most neglected passages in the church. Christians have trouble knowing how to interact with each other in light of our different convictions.
In Romans 14:1-12, Paul lays out for us the path to peace:
"Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. (2) One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. (3) The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. (4) Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (5) One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. (6) He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. (7) For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; (8) for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (9) For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (10) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. (11) For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." (12) So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God."
We think in terms of either/or. Either it is right to eat meat that is sacrificed to idols, or it is wrong. It can't be both. But Paul tells us here that it is not a matter of right versus wrong. It is a matter of understanding and faith. One Christian's understanding and faith allows him to eat the meat. Another Christian's understanding and faith won't allow him to do so. The important thing is that each person be convinced in his own mind, act according to his own conscience and not judge those who differ. If we can't learn how to do this, we are doomed to constant division or constant separation. We will leave one church after another, because we can't get along with anyone. And we can't get along with anyone because no church holds to exactly the same set of convictions that we do.
The following issues will differ from church to church, They also vary within our own congregation. Our church does not consist of clones. Different members hold different views on any number of these matters, as strict subscription to these views are not required for membership. These are secondary matters, not primary matters. We believe we can have warm fellowship with those who see these matters differently than us. We list them here, not because we are wanting to criticize those who differ from us, but to inform you of what to expect at our church.
*Bible translations: The pastor preaches from the NASB, but often quotes from the ESV and KJV. Each of these translations are respected and none are above scrutiny.
*Abortion: We believe that abortion should be abolished and we have come to the conviction that just (righteous) legislation would demand the immediate cessation of abortion. We are in favor of immediate abolition, not incrementalism. We think it is unethical to regulate murder. Murder should be punished as a capital crime.
*Music: We believe it is permissible to use instruments in the worship service. We sing mostly hymns, but also some psalms, and also some contemporary spiritual songs (as long as they are theologically sound).
*Education: We believe that homeschooling is preferable to public school.
*Family integration: We take a non-militant approach on this. We are integrated in every way. We don't separate children into separate classes, but we do not believe it would be a sin to do so if there were compelling reasons. For instance, talking to children specifically about honoring their parents, or addressing specific temptations that are common for children, or other possible scenarios.
*Religious days: The pastor preaches a sermon on the incarnation near the Christmas holiday, and a resurrection sermon on "Resurrection Day" or "Easter", whichever you prefer to call it. The observance is low-key and it is not treated as a Christian duty. Rather, it is dealt with as liberty. The pastor has the liberty to preach on these subjects at that time of year. As the passage in Romans 14 above indicates, some observe one day above another. Others, observe every day alike. We should not judge each other on the basis of observance or non-observance. The origins of the days are not as important as the present motive. Just as the sin of idolatry didn't transfer to the meat when someone sacrificed an animal to idols and didn't travel to the market and infect the one who bought the meat, so the evil motives or superstitions of men centuries ago does not transfer to a modern-day observance of Christmas or Easter and infect those who wish to observe such days for entirely different motives -- to honor Christ.
*Head coverings: The pastor believes that 1 Corinthians 11 is laying down a principle for worship, not speaking of something unique to first century Corinth. He believes that the covering for the woman is something other than her hair. Some in the congregation hold to this view. Some don't. It is not a point of contention.
*Sabbath: We believe that the Lord's Day is a Christian Sabbath and that the fourth commandment has ongoing relevance and application in our day. We believe that the principle of the Sabbath is enduring. Namely, rest and worship. While the pastor and his family do not engage in buying and selling, various members do in limited fashion. This is not a point of contention.
*Expository preaching: The pastor preaches verse by verse through books, but will also preach on various themes and topics from time to time.
*Women in ministry: We believe that women serve a vital role in the ministry of the church, but not in a way that would involve teaching or exercising authority over men. We believe women can pray in church, but not if it turns into a form of teaching.
