Our Beliefs

About Norwin Christian Church: The Mission of Norwin Christian: “Reach Out and Teach All to Follow Jesus” Norwin Christian Church is an independent, non-denominational church that seeks to follow Jesus Christ and wants to be identified by His name only. We are a self-governing community of believers, allowing the Scriptures to be the rule for our faith and practices. We are associated with other congregations who identify with the Restoration Movement, but we have no regional headquarters or hierarchical structure. This movement, with roots beginning here in Pennsylvania, seeks to “restore New Testament Christianity through the authority of the Word of God (One Creed) and unity through the Spirit of God (One Church).”

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About God: God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He eternally exists as “one-in-three persons” (Trinity): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the Divine Source of Life and the Sustainer of Life. He is the Absolute Authority for our lives and Righteous Judge of all people. Described as Light, Love, and Life, God provides the way for us to live forever through a relationship with Him.

 

About Jesus: Jesus is the Son of God and the promised Christ (Messiah). Though He was with God (co-existing) and is God (co-equal), He became a human being, was born of a virgin and lived a sinless (perfect) life. Christ died on the cross in order to reconcile our relationship with God, because our sin separates us from God. He arose from the dead on the third day (resurrection), demonstrating His power over sin and death, and He returned (ascension) to the “right hand” of God in Heaven’s glory. Someday, He will come again (just as He promised) to take His people home to heaven, verifying to all He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a personal entity who is God (co-existing and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son). He is present in the world and is intimately present within every Christian person. He is the source for the power and the ability to help us live righteously and to serve God. He gives us the comfort and encouragement that brings peace regardless of our circumstances and helps us understand spiritual truths. As Christians, we seek to live under His guidance daily.

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About the Bible: The Bible is God’s (written) Word. It was recorded through human authors, under the supernatural guidance (inspiration) of the Holy Spirit, and is without mixture of error (inerrant). As the ultimate source of authority and truth, the Scriptures are both appropriate for and applicable to our everyday life as Christians.

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About Mankind: Mankind is the supreme object of God’s creation, created in His image. Each person has tremendous worth and has been endowed with a free and independent will. We have incredible potential for righteous living, but we can become “marred” through errant attitudes and actions of disobedience (sin) towards God and His will for mankind. The consequences of sin are death and ultimately eternal separation from God. Unable to remove sin on our own, we cannot restore our relationship with God; thereby creating our need for a Savior.

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About Faith: Faith is the avenue through which we receive salvation. The Bible teaches that faith is believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and this comes through hearing God’s truth. Our faith also brings us to repentance - choosing to turn away from sinful life choices by wanting to live life God’s way. We acknowledge Jesus is Lord through a public confession of faith, (accepting Him as Lord of our life) and are immersed (baptized) in water, as Scripture details, for the remission of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are to continue to remain faithful to the Lord as we live our lives by faith.

 

About Salvation: Salvation is found through no one other than Jesus Christ. Through His death, burial, and resurrection from the dead, Jesus saves us from God’s eternal punishment for our sin. By God’s grace, He offers us the gift of eternal life. Through Christ, we find forgiveness of sin, a restored fellowship with God, and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven.

 

About Baptism: Baptism, as an expression of faith, is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In scripture, baptism is the normative means of entry into the life of salvation and discipleship. It marks our commitment to regularly die to ourselves and rise to live for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe God sovereignly saves as he sees fit, but we are bound by scripture to uphold this teaching about surrendering to Jesus in faith through repentance, confession, and baptism. Baptism is an expression and commitment of personal faith. Baptism is not something that parents can do for their children, but baptism is only for those old enough to make the personal decision to turn away from their sins and trust in Jesus Christ. For a more in depth explanation on baptism Click Here for a brief video from our Preaching Minister, Jeff Terpstra.

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About Every Christian: Every Christian lives their life to honor and glorify God. Each person is responsible to the Lord for… serving other people, properly managing (stewardship) God’s blessings in our lives, sharing the message of Christ with others, and submitting to the standards of God as we conform to the character of Christ.

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About Eternity: Eternity is a reality! Mankind was created to live forever, and our lives here on this earth will determine where we will live forever. Eternity will be “ushered in” with the second coming of Christ, which will be an existence when time is no longer measured or calculated. Eternity spent with God is Heaven, a state of perfection (Paradise); Eternity separated from God is Hell, a place of constant punishment. Heaven and Hell are real, literal places of one’s ultimate and eternal existence.