Our Beliefs and Values
Core Doctrines
The Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures are completely true, inerrant, authoritative and sufficient.
Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
The Triune God
We believe that there is only one God.* We believe that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; the members of the Trinity are equal in nature, yet three distinct persons. And each member of the Trinity have roles that are distinct to who they are.**
*Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; 46:9-10; John 17:3; 2 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Timothy 2:5
**Genesis 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1; Matthew 3:13-17; 28:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Humanity & Sin
We believe that we are, along with all humanity (Christ excluded), by birth and action, sinners.* We believe that the deserved penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual.**
*Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 5:8,12-21; 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3
**Genesis 2:15-17; 3:19; Romans 5:12; 6:23; James 1:14-15
The Person of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin, is both fully God and fully human, and is without sin.
Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-4,14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3
The Death of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ died as our substitute to pay the penalty for our sin.
John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18
The Resurrection of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead.
Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
The Ascension & Return of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ physically ascended into heaven and will one day physically return.
John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7
The Salvation of Humanity
We believe that only by trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone we can be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.
John 3:18; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
The Resurrection of All Things
We believe in a future, physical resurrection of the dead. Those who trust in Jesus Christ alone will be raised to eternal reward. Those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal punishment.
Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15
Distinct Doctrines
Gospel Centrality in All of Life
This Gospel is not only the means by which people are saved, but also the truth and power by which people experience true life change; it is the truth of the Gospel that enables us to genuinely and joyfully do what is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ.
Colossians 3:16
The Sovereignty of God in Saving Sinners
We believe that God’s sovereignty in this salvation neither diminishes the responsibility of people to respond to the Gospel call nor marginalizes the necessity and power of prayer and evangelism, but rather reinforces and establishes them as the ordained means by which God accomplishes his saving work.
John 1:12–13, Matthew 11:27–28
The Work of the Holy Spirit for Life & Ministry
We are continuationists who believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit are still operating in the church including prophecy, miracles, tongues, and healings. We joyfully receive whatever gifts God gives us, we earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, seek to not despise them even though some have abused them, and humbly strive to grow in the fullness of all that God has for his church as we seek the Giver and not ultimately the gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:27–31
The Equality of Male & Female and the Principle of Male Servant Leadership
This principle of male headship should not be confused with, nor give any hint of, domineering control. Rather, it is to be the loving, tender and nurturing care of a godly man who is himself under the kind and gentle authority of Jesus Christ.
Plural Elder Leadership
We believe the model for church leadership found in the New Testament is for churches to be led by a plurality of elders. This means there isn’t one person running the show, there isn’t a group of staff that make every decision. Rather the church is charged to find qualified men to fill the role of elder. The scriptures call the group of these men to lead out in shepherding, oversight, leadership, and protection of the church body. The terms pastor and elder are synonymous and can refer to paid staff or nonvocational pastor/elders.
Member Responsibility
We believe each member of the church has also been charged with responsibility and a role to play in the local church. In particular we believe under the leadership of the elders, members have a responsibility to vote on members coming in or leaving the church and the appointment of new elders.
Our Values
Gospel Centrality
All of the Christian life is about the beauty of the gospel. The refreshing reality of the gospel is something we get to enjoy for the rest of our lives and helps combat moralism and licentiousness.
Col 1:23, Eph. 2:7, 2 Peter 1:3
Gospel Preaching
At Northbrook we strive to be preachers that are faithful to the scriptures and the gospel. We want to offer a compelling view of Jesus so that people might be drawn to him.
Mark 1:7, Luke 3:18, Acts 5:42
Mission Focus
The heartbeat of the New Testament is sharing the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Evangelism is something that has gotten twisted or often left behind in the Western church. We must be committed to finding ways as individuals and a community to share the gospel with non Christians.
Col. 4:5-6, Matt 28:16-20, Acts 2:42-47
Church Planting
We want to join in with what God is doing near and far. We want to be creative, sacrificial, and prayerfully ambitious in supporting and sending out church planting teams.
Acts 13:1-4, Acts 20, Luke 10:1-20
Scripture Loving
There is no way to clearly know God outside of the Scriptures. God chose to reveal himself through a book so to understand God we must seek to know, love, and understand the scriptures.
2 Tim 3:16, John 20:30-31, Psalm 1, 19, & 119.
Family Connection
We are a family, we need to live out of this identity with one another by inviting each other into our lives in such a way that we feel deeply known.
Matt. 12:49, James 3:1-12, Eph. 4:1-13