What We Believe

Norton Christian Church does not require that members subscribe to a formal creed. The foundational bases of our unity are our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, and our adherence to the Bible as the inspired text for our teaching and the one sufficient source for governing congregational life.
Our statement of beliefs does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible work of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the Norton Christian Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our board (or elders) is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

We seek a unity of understanding in the essentials of our faith, yet we do not suggest that we must agree on all things pertaining to our walk in Christ. On many issues we have the freedom to disagree. We do ask however, that all who accept and hold a leadership or teaching position at Norton Christian Church respect the following guidelines and resist any temptation to use their position as a forum from which to teach other views. Unity in the body depends upon harmony and mutual trust in leadership.

The Bible teaches that God is Creator of our world, He sustains us, and He is Lord of our lives. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-17; Matthew 22:37; Romans 10:9.

Jesus Christ is the one and only living Son of God and our Savior. Through Him, God opened the way of abundant eternal life through His death, burial, and resurrection to all who call on Christ's name. John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is God himself, encouraging, guiding, and transforming us in the way of Christ. John 14:16, 26; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:26; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the authoritative rule of faith and practice for Christians and the Church. 2 Timothy 3:16. Jesus instituted a new covenant with God that succeeded and transcended His former covenant with the people of Israel; hence we accept the Old Testament as preparatory to the New and we rejoice that we are related to God through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not through the Law. Romans 6:14; Hebrews 9:15.

We observe the practice of baptizing the repentant believer by immersion in water, confident that this expresses the form and purposes of the New Testament precedent. The New Testament teaches that all believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in relation to their faith, repentance, and baptism. Acts 2:38; Acts 19:1-6; I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-8; Matthew 28:19.

We teach that "every member is a minister," since the New Testament teaches the ministry of all believers, recognizing that the Holy Spirit gives various and different gifts to the members of the body so that every member can make an effective contribution to the ministry of the church. I Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:11-12, 16; I Corinthians 12:4-31.

We seek to promote worship that is God- and- Christ-centered; celebratory and participatory. Our services could be described as "contemporary music and methods. It is characterized by Bible -centered preaching and teaching, prayer, the breaking of bread, and fellowship. Acts 2:42.

We celebrate the Lord's Supper each Sunday, as we find the New Testament Christians did. In partaking of the bread and the cup, we remember our Lord's sacrifice for us and we strengthen our relationship with Him. We practice an "open communion," that is, the communion service is open to all believers, not just church members. Participation is between the individual Christian and his Lord. Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-28.

Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman and Himself, the Norton Christian Church will only recognize marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the pastors and staff of the Norton Christian Church shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one man and one woman. Finally the facilities and property of the Norton Christian Church shall only host weddings between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Ephesians 5:31

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life. Psalm 139:13-14, Exodus 20:13

We are a praying church. We pray daily to God fervent prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving and petition. 2 Chronicles 7:14; I Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; James 5:13-16.