Our Beliefs
Below is a summary of basic beliefs of Friendship Church. For a more comprehensive statement of faith please view the 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith.
1. The Authority of the Bible
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
We believe the Scripture to be the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Being divinely inspired, the written Word of God, its authority supersedes all traditions, creeds, and personal opinions. Through it we learn of our sinfulness and the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the supreme standard by which we pattern our life and ultimately will be judged. (See 2 Peter 1:20-21, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19, and Romans 3:4)
2. The Triune God
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19
We believe in the one, true, living God. He is a holy, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Spirit. In the unity of the Godhead there are three equal, yet distinct, persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead is equally divine and demands our worship and obedience. (See Jeremiah 10:10, John 4:24, John 15:26, John 10:30)
3. Salvation by Grace
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:7
We believe salvation is the great gift of God bestowed to man solely on the merit of Christ’s atoning death at Calvary. Man is inherently sinful, and must be personally drawn to repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Salvation cannot be attained through any amount of good deeds, sacraments, or mental commitments, but is bestowed upon the penitent believer completely by grace. Through this experience with Jesus Christ, the believer is inwardly made righteous, saved from an eternal hell, and enters into eternal life. (See Romans 5:12, Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 2:4-9, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3)
*Note – Friendship Church rejects all evangelical methods that deny sinners the opportunity to personally seek Christ. Many times these methods are referred to as “easy believism” techniques. There is only one intercessor needed, The Lord Jesus Christ, and we encourage sinners to seek Him.
4. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” – Matthew 28:20
We observe two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ. It is the ordained method for a believer to publicly profess his faith in Christ, to give a testimony that his old man has been put to death and he is risen to newness of life, and to show forth a symbol of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Upon baptism, the believer is granted all rights and responsibilities of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is a solemn ceremony where the members of the church, by the use of bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorate the dying love of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 8:36-39, Romans 6:4, Acts 2:41-42, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:36)
5. Christian Living and Perseverance
“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:2
We believe that genuine salvation brings about a radical change in the heart, soul, and life of a believer. Once the believer is brought to new life in Christ, his desires change. Jesus becomes his savior and the Lord of his life. The believer becomes obedient to the commandments of Christ through continual sanctification, and suffers divine discipline when he is disobedient. This continual relationship and transformation through Christ distinguishes true believers from false professors. (See John 8:31, 1 John 2:19, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Ephesians 1:4)
6. The Church
“And upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
We believe the gospel church is a local, called-out assembly of Christ’s baptized disciples joining together to obey His commandments and carry out His commission. Christ is the head of the church and must have preeminence in worship, in teaching, and in the lives of the members. (See 1 Corinthians 14:23, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:2, Colossians 1:18)
7. The Second Coming of Christ and Judgment
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up.” – II Peter 3:10
We believe that, in God’s time, Jesus Christ will come a second time according to His promise. At this time, Jesus will come as a judge, dividing the righteous from the wicked. The righteous will enter into eternal joy in heaven with Jesus Christ, and the wicked will enter into eternal torment in Hell, separated from God. It is our duty to be ready, sober, and watchful for that great and terrible day. (See 2 Peter 3:3-13, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:31-33)
1. The Authority of the Bible
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
We believe the Scripture to be the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Being divinely inspired, the written Word of God, its authority supersedes all traditions, creeds, and personal opinions. Through it we learn of our sinfulness and the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the supreme standard by which we pattern our life and ultimately will be judged. (See 2 Peter 1:20-21, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19, and Romans 3:4)
2. The Triune God
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19
We believe in the one, true, living God. He is a holy, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Spirit. In the unity of the Godhead there are three equal, yet distinct, persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead is equally divine and demands our worship and obedience. (See Jeremiah 10:10, John 4:24, John 15:26, John 10:30)
3. Salvation by Grace
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:7
We believe salvation is the great gift of God bestowed to man solely on the merit of Christ’s atoning death at Calvary. Man is inherently sinful, and must be personally drawn to repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Salvation cannot be attained through any amount of good deeds, sacraments, or mental commitments, but is bestowed upon the penitent believer completely by grace. Through this experience with Jesus Christ, the believer is inwardly made righteous, saved from an eternal hell, and enters into eternal life. (See Romans 5:12, Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 2:4-9, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3)
*Note – Friendship Church rejects all evangelical methods that deny sinners the opportunity to personally seek Christ. Many times these methods are referred to as “easy believism” techniques. There is only one intercessor needed, The Lord Jesus Christ, and we encourage sinners to seek Him.
4. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” – Matthew 28:20
We observe two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ. It is the ordained method for a believer to publicly profess his faith in Christ, to give a testimony that his old man has been put to death and he is risen to newness of life, and to show forth a symbol of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Upon baptism, the believer is granted all rights and responsibilities of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is a solemn ceremony where the members of the church, by the use of bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorate the dying love of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 8:36-39, Romans 6:4, Acts 2:41-42, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:36)
5. Christian Living and Perseverance
“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:2
We believe that genuine salvation brings about a radical change in the heart, soul, and life of a believer. Once the believer is brought to new life in Christ, his desires change. Jesus becomes his savior and the Lord of his life. The believer becomes obedient to the commandments of Christ through continual sanctification, and suffers divine discipline when he is disobedient. This continual relationship and transformation through Christ distinguishes true believers from false professors. (See John 8:31, 1 John 2:19, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Ephesians 1:4)
6. The Church
“And upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
We believe the gospel church is a local, called-out assembly of Christ’s baptized disciples joining together to obey His commandments and carry out His commission. Christ is the head of the church and must have preeminence in worship, in teaching, and in the lives of the members. (See 1 Corinthians 14:23, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:2, Colossians 1:18)
7. The Second Coming of Christ and Judgment
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up.” – II Peter 3:10
We believe that, in God’s time, Jesus Christ will come a second time according to His promise. At this time, Jesus will come as a judge, dividing the righteous from the wicked. The righteous will enter into eternal joy in heaven with Jesus Christ, and the wicked will enter into eternal torment in Hell, separated from God. It is our duty to be ready, sober, and watchful for that great and terrible day. (See 2 Peter 3:3-13, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:31-33)
