About New Hope

New Hope is a United Brethren Church, and has served as a welcoming, Christ-centered home in Huntington for over three decades—a place where people from all walks of life can encounter God’s grace and grow together in faith.

We remain steadfastly grounded in the hope of Jesus Christ. As Ray Pritchard wrote, "When we’re anchored in eternity, we can weather the storms of time... When the waves of life threaten to overwhelm us, we need an anchor that will hold up in the strongest storm." Whatever challenges you face, our church family is here to help you find that lasting anchor and navigate life's journey together.

What We Teach

THE GOSPEL

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.

1. God is Soverign Creator

Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him.

The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

2. God is Holy

God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for l am holy."

3. Mankind is Sinful

God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: (Ezekiel 18:4).

That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

4. Jesus is Lord & Savior

The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

5. The Character of Saving Faith

True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John 2:3).

It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 3:24; 2 John 6; 3 John 4).

Core Values and Biblical Topics

THE BIBLE

We believe the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament are God's authoritative revelation to mankind and verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:12).

God moved human authors so that the original texts (the "autographs") are the very word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error (John 17:17).

The Bible is the supreme and final authority (Psalm 19:7-11; 119; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12) and is completely sufficient for life, godliness and sanctification in the Person of Christ Jesus and is the means of God to accomplish His ends (Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 19:7-11; John 17:17; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:17)

GOD

We believe there is one sovereign eternally existing God, (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5) in three persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 6:27; John 10:30; 1 Corinthians 3:16); one in nature, attributes, and glory.

The three are one God (2 Corinthians 13:14), infinite (Malachi 3:6; Acts 17:24), eternal (Hebrews 1:8), unchangeable (James 1:17), all wise (Romans 11:33), all powerful (Isaiah 40), all knowing (Psalm 147:5), holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Psalm 9:16), loving (1 John 4:7-21), gracious (Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 3:18), good (Psalm 100:5), and true (Isaiah 45:19).

GOD the FATHER

We believe that the Father is God (Isaiah 64:8). He begins and ends all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 90:2).

He is the Creator (Revelation 4:11) and Sustainer (Psalm 104) of all things, and the spiritual Father of believers (1 John 5:11).

He expresses Himself in relationships with those whom He chooses, binding Himself to them by His eternal promises (Genesis 9:9; 17:7-9; 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 8:29-30; Hebrews 10:16).

He is loving (Ephesians 2:3-5), long-suffering, and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to faith in Christ (John 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

GOD the SON

We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; Colossians 1:17; Titus 3:4-5). He is fully God (John 1:1-2:14; John 17:1-5) and fully man (Philippians 2:5-8).

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4), lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15), performed miracles (Matthew 11:4-5; John 2:11), died as the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins, and was buried (Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 3:18).

He was literally and bodily resurrected (Matthew 28:5-10), appeared to the apostles and other witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), was glorified (1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:9), and now intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34).

GOD the HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). He convicts people of sin (John 16:8-11) and restrains the extent of sin in the world (Genesis 6:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7).

He opens the hearts and minds of people (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14) to turn from sin (2 Corinthians 3:2-3; Romans 8:1-14), believe in the Son (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5), and be born again (John 3:3-7).

At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer forever (John 14:16; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30). He fills believers with His power (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16), enables them to live in obedience to the will of God (Galatians 5:16-26), teaches them (1 Corinthians 2:13-15; 1 John 2:27), and gives them His gifts "to each one individually just as He wills," to serve the church (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11).

ANGELS

We believe that God created angels as spiritual beings to glorify and serve Him. Angels act as God's messengers and minister to believers. Although powerful, they are not to be worshiped (Colossians 1:16; 2:18; Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1:13-14; Revelation 22:8-9). Satan, an angel of high rank, led many angels in a rebellion against God, bringing judgment on himself and his followers (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; John 16:11; 2 Peter 2:4).

Satan tempted Adam and Eve into rebellion against God (Genesis 3:1-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3) and continues, with other fallen angels (demons), to deceive and tempt all mankind and actively opposes God (2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 12:9).

Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons by His sacrifice on the cross. Satan and his legions will be thrown into the lake of fire forever at the last judgment (Matthew 25:41; John 12:31-32; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10).

ORIGINS OF CREATION

We believe that God spoke the heavens, the earth and all living things into existence in six literal days. God directly created the original kinds of plants and animals and ordered them to reproduce after their kind.

In its original form, the creation was very good and untouched by sin. Man is unique, created in God's image, and did not originate from any other living thing (Genesis 1-2; 5:1-2; 9:6; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:6-9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).

SIN

We believe that God created Adam and Eve, the first humans, without sin and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-28, 31; 2:18-24; James 3:9). They chose to sin, to disobey God, and incurred His judgment.

The consequences of their sin (the "fall") separated them from Him and brought suffering and death upon themselves, their descendants, and the whole creation (Genesis 3; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Romans 8:20-22).

Mankind's continued unbridled wickedness brought further judgment which destroyed the earth in a world-wide flood (Genesis 6-8; 2 Peter 2:4-5). After the flood, mankind's continued rebellion at Babel brought God's judgment in confusing their language and scattering them over the earth (Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:51).

All mankind inherited Adam's sin nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12), are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and are all sinners (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12). Consequently, no one can reconcile themselves to God (Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:8).

FAMILY

We believe that God established the family as the foundation of society and that marriage is a covenant between one natural man and one natural woman in a lifelong commitment.

Christ's words, referencing God's design in Genesis "He who created them from the beginning made them male and female" (Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24, 5:2; Matthew 19:4-6) unequivocally establishes His position and our practice.

Marriage between one man and one woman is not merely a longstanding traditional definition in human history, but God's holy design. No other iteration or cultural definition of marriage can supplant God's design for a heterosexual, monogamous, and lifelong marriage.

Marriage, ordained by God, provides intimate companionship, pure sexual expression (Genesis 2:25; Ephesians 5:31-33), procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and His church (Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5).

Children are a gift from God and are fully human at the moment of conception (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-16). Parents are to train their children by modeling a godly life, teaching them the Bible, disciplining them in love, and encouraging them in wisdom (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 1:8-9; 13:24; 22:6).

Parents are to care for the needs of their children (2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:4). Children are to obey their parents with respect and honor, caring for them in the time of their dependency, and old age (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 23:22; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:8).

CHURCH

We believe that Christ established His church and He is the Head of His church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church includes believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out Christ's work in the world (John 15:26; Acts 1:8). The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ Jesus to the world, and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

The church is to teach His Word (Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Timothy 4:11); to seek Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); to equip the saints to walk, serve, and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26); and to keep His ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:24,25; Matthew 28:19).

We believe that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public statement of faith in Christ and obedience to His command to be baptized (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer as a follower of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:13-17) and is best represented by immersion in water (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord's Supper is open to all believers in remembrance of our Lord's life, death, burial, and resurrection until He returns (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

We believe that the church is expressed in local congregations of believers established under the headship of Christ and the authority of the Bible (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Individual congregations are governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), men who meet biblical standards, who are responsible to guard the purity of church doctrine (Titus 1:9), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), and to oversee the church (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Deacons can be established to assist the elders in the work of the ministry (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

FUTURE

We believe that Jesus Christ will physically return to take the church out of the world to be with Him forever (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

We are to remain alert for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6; Revelation 22:20).

At that moment, the dead in Christ and living believers will be given their eternal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Jesus Christ will then bring a seven-year period of wrath upon the earth known as the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:2,3; Revelation 6-18). At the end of this period of judgment, He will return bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Zechariah 14:4-8) with the church to set up a kingdom to righteously rule the earth for a thousand years (Revelation 19:1-20:6; Matthew 13:41-43).

The kingdom will end in rebellion against Christ and His people (Revelation 20:7-9), but the rebellion will fail, Christ will have victory over Satan and all who oppose Him (Revelation 20:9-10). The unbelieving dead of all time will then be raised and given eternal bodies to face God in final judgment (Revelation 20:11) after which they will be thrown into the lake of fire to eternal torment (Revelation 20:15). Believers will enter a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-22:6) prepared for them to enjoy perfect, everlasting fellowship with God (Is.35).

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