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.

*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 Romans 14:5 tells us, some observe one day above another, while 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 church believes that men's heads should be uncovered in worship and that women's heads should be covered, and that the covering is something different than her hair. 

*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 the Wednesday night prayer meeting, but not if it turns into a form of teaching.