NOVO (latin for “to make new”) Ministries has a mission statement that is succinct and spot-on. Each of these could be a lesson all its own! I encourage you to look up the Scriptures that are listed with each subject.
WHAT WE BELIEVE…
About Scripture:
The Bible is 100% true and is God’s Word. The Holy Spirit guided men to write down words from God – the Bible is the supreme authority for our faith and practices. (2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21)
About God:
God is one God Who exists eternally as three distinct Persons Who are of the same substance: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God loves every single person. God is holy, just, absolutely perfect, and lives in Heaven. (Colossians 1:16; Matthew 5:48; Deuteronomy 4:35)
About Humanity:
Adam was created in the image of God. By voluntary choice, he sinned; and now all of humanity is sinful by nature and practice. Sin is anything thought, said, or done that breaks God’s Law. Every single person has sinned. The punishment for sin is death – eternal punishment in Hell and separation from God forever. (Genesis 1-3; Colossians 1:16, I John 3:4, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Hebrews 9:27)
About Jesus Christ:
God the Father sent Jesus, God the Son, to die on the cross as a Substitute for the sins of humanity. His sacrificial death was payment and justification for God’s forgiveness of sin. After His death on the cross, He was buried in a tomb. He rose again the third day, having conquered death and sin. (I Peter 2:22; John 10:30; II Corinthians 5:21, I Corinthians 15:3-4)
About the Gospel:
The Gospel means “Good News.” Because of Jesus’s shed blood and substitutionary death, we can be forgiven of our sin, born again of the Spirit of God, and have a personal relationship with God. The Gospel is life-changing; a relationship with Jesus Christ is irrefutably powerful and utterly unique. (John 5:24; Romans 3:28; Eph. 1:3; John 17:23)
About Salvation:
There is no work, good deed, habit, or action that can earn God’s love or forgiveness or provide propitiation for sin. Only through faith and trust alone in Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross can we repent of our sins and be made right with God, receiving forgiveness of sin, being given a new, redeemed nature, and entering in a personal relationship with Him. Baptism is an outward expression of inward change. It signifies a believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is the first step of obedience after a believer receives Jesus as Savior. (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:20; Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; I Corinthians 12:13)
About Satan:
Satan is a personal being that opposes God and works unceasingly (tirelessly, constantly) to keep people from knowing and serving Him. (Revelation 12:9; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8)
About the Church:
The Church is the Body and Bride of Christ. It is made up of all those who have believed the Gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:3-6; Galatians 5:13-15)
About the Holy Spirit:
All who have been saved receive the Holy Spirit to empower, direct, correct, and lead them as they follow Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:28; John 17:23; Galatians 4:6-7; 5:16; Acts 1:8)
About the Christian Life:
All believers are called to follow Jesus Christ. Their purpose is to glorify God in the way they live and make Him known to the lost world. They are called to fulfill the Great Commission. (Philippians 2:1-5; Matthew 28:19-20, Galatians 6:10; 1 John 2:15-16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10, Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
In the Master's Hands 