{"id":66,"date":"2018-09-11T11:55:12","date_gmt":"2018-09-11T15:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nbc.dev.sci.network\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2023-12-29T23:21:29","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T04:21:29","slug":"a-brief-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/a-brief-history\/","title":{"rendered":"A Brief History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_slider admin_label=&#8221;Fullwidth Header Slider&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.15&#8243; animation_style=&#8221;fade&#8221; animation_duration=&#8221;2000ms&#8221; auto=&#8221;on&#8221; auto_speed=&#8221;10000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;184&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_slide use_bg_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; use_text_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_title=&#8221;2 Timothy 4:18 ESV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nepeanbaptist.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/banner1.jpg&#8221; button_on_hover=&#8221;on&#8221; body_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"cycle-captions captions float\">\n<div class=\"caption\">The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. &#8211; 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide use_bg_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; use_text_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_title=&#8221;Philippians 4:13 ESV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nepeanbaptist.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/banner2.jpg&#8221; button_on_hover=&#8221;on&#8221; body_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide use_bg_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; use_text_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_title=&#8221;John 4:14 ESV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; body_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nepeanbaptist.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Water_drop_001-e1536715484571.jpg&#8221; background_position=&#8221;bottom_center&#8221; button_on_hover=&#8221;on&#8221; body_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; body_text_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.51)&#8221; text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; text_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.64)&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.\u00a0<\/em><em>John 4:14 ESV<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide use_bg_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; use_text_overlay=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_title=&#8221;Matthew 17:20 ESV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; body_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nepeanbaptist.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blue-mountains-wallpapers-27782-7788679.jpg&#8221; button_on_hover=&#8221;on&#8221; body_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>He said to them,\u00a0<span class=\"woj\">\u201cBecause of your little faith. For\u00a0truly, I say to you,\u00a0if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed,\u00a0you will say to this mountain, \u2018Move from here to there,\u2019 and it will move, and\u00a0nothing will be impossible for you.\u201d Matthew 17:20 ESV<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||4px|||&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/nabconference.org\/us\/#our_beliefs&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Brief History<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On the first Sunday in November 1972, twelve people met for the initial worship service at Nepean Baptist Church.\u00a0 Since then, Nepean Baptist Church has grown steadfastly in numbers, yet remains a sincere and caring ministry reaching out to all in need.<\/p>\n<p>Nepean Baptist Church has seen God work in a variety of remarkable ways for over 40 years.\u00a0 Many have grown in their faith and this growth has led to numerous individuals becoming leaders and workers in both the local and global Church.\u00a0 Nepean Baptist Church is a fully self-supporting entity. It is affiliated with the Eastern Association of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nabconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North American Baptist Churches<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We have adopted the teachings of Christ in this passage as Our mission statement: &#8220;Following Christ and Helping Others Follow Him&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"text Luke-9-23\">And (Jesus) said to all,<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"woj\">\u201cIf anyone would come after me, let him<span>\u00a0<\/span>deny himself and<span>\u00a0<\/span>take up his cross<span>\u00a0<\/span>daily and follow me.<\/span><\/span><span> <\/span><span id=\"en-ESV-25317\" class=\"text Luke-9-24\"><span class=\"woj\">For<span>\u00a0<\/span>whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.<\/span><\/span><span> <\/span><span id=\"en-ESV-25318\" class=\"text Luke-9-25\"><span class=\"woj\">For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?<\/span><\/span> ~ Luke 9:23-24 ESV<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>&#8220;FOLLOWING&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0&#8211; This term\u00a0describes the main action our hearts and lives are engaged in.\u00a0A\u00a0biblical parallel for this term is \u201cdisciple\u201d.\u00a0 A disciple was a\u00a0committed follower and learner\u00a0of a respected leader and teacher.\u00a0Today, &#8220;disciples&#8221; is not a common word,\u00a0but\u00a0&#8220;followers&#8221; is.\u00a0 A new person might say \u201cThese\u00a0people are getting in behind a leader of some sort.\u00a0They think this\u00a0leader is important.\u00a0 This person leads and guides this group and\u00a0focuses their energies.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;CHRIST&#8221;<strong>\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0This\u00a0communicates clearly\u00a0<i>who\u00a0<\/i>we are following.\u00a0Jesus is\u00a0the head of the church.\u00a0 Our teaching, service and message to point\u00a0to Him as the leader and focus of our worship and energies.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;HELPING&#8221;<strong>\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>This\u00a0word says that we are a body of people who are available to assist in\u00a0something.\u00a0 Though it is not popular in these days of\u00a0&#8220;self-actualization, self-will and self-help&#8221;, we all need a\u00a0group of people surrounding us that are willing to help.\u00a0 This word\u00a0communicates our willingness to do just that, for each other and our\u00a0community.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;OTHERS&#8221;\u00a0<strong>&#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>Where\u00a0the first two words &#8220;following Christ&#8221; show where our main,\u00a0individual focuses lie,\u00a0 this word points our focus\u00a0outward.\u00a0Outward to our friends, co-workers, community, city,\u00a0province and nation.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;FOLLOW&#8221; &#8211;\u00a0This word focuses\u00a0our helping efforts. What are we trying to help people to do?\u00a0To\u00a0follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.\u00a0 Jesus told us in the Great\u00a0Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 to make followers, teach them to obey,\u00a0baptize them, and reminded us that He would be with us always.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;HIM&#8221;\u00a0<strong>&#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>Again, a\u00a0reference to Jesus.\u00a0 We are not helping others so they will become\u00a0members of our church, so they will tithe, or because we want them to\u00a0learn &#8220;self-reliance&#8221;. \u00a0We are not helping others so they\u00a0will become followers of us, our doctrine, our pastor or our\u00a0congregation.\u00a0We want to help people become followers of Jesus Christ\u00a0and rely on Him.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>We believe:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;in living lives obedient to God, as followers of Christ.<br \/>&#8230;that focusing on God and His Word is central to our spiritual growth.<br \/>&#8230;in preaching and teaching God&#8217;s Word with the awe &amp; authority it deserves.<br \/>&#8230;that loving and serving others as Christ did\u00a0is central to our Christian calling.<br \/>&#8230;that developing biblical leadership is essential.<br \/>&#8230;in the proclamation of Christ&#8217;s message of love &amp; salvation to non-Christians.<br \/>&#8230;in the nurturing of spiritual growth in the church through small group fellowships and organized Bible studies.<br \/>&#8230;in honouring God through public worship and personal devotion.<br \/>&#8230;in Christ&#8217;s call to be a visible &amp; shining example of His Gospel message within our community.<br \/>&#8230;in building the future of the church through innovative youth programs that are culturally relevant and doctrinally pure.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>We adhere to the published Statement of Beliefs of the North American Baptist Association. For a more in depth exploration of those beliefs, please follow the link below.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nabconference.org\/us\/#our_beliefs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.nabconference.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. &#8211; 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESVBut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him never [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p><strong>A Brief History<\/strong><\/p><p>On the first Sunday in November 1972, twelve people met for the initial worship service at Nepean Baptist Church.\u00a0 Since then, Nepean Baptist Church has grown steadfastly in numbers, yet remains a sincere and caring ministry reaching out to all in need.<\/p><p>Nepean Baptist Church has seen God work in a variety of remarkable ways for more than 40 years.\u00a0 Many have grown in their faith. This growth has led to numerous individuals becoming leaders and workers in both the local and global Church.\u00a0 Nepean Baptist Church is a fully self-supporting entity. It is affiliated with the Eastern Association of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nabconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North American Baptist Churches<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>Our mission statement:<\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cFollowing Christ and helping others follow Him.\u201d ~ Luke 9:23-24<\/p><ul type=\"disc\"><li>\"FOLLOWING\"\u00a0\u00a0- This term\u00a0describes the main action our hearts and lives are engaged in.\u00a0A\u00a0biblical parallel for this term is \u201cdisciple\u201d.\u00a0 A disciple was a\u00a0committed follower and learner\u00a0of a respected leader and teacher.\u00a0Today, \"disciples\" is not a common word,\u00a0but\u00a0\"followers\" is.\u00a0 A new person might say \u201cThese\u00a0people are getting in behind a leader of some sort.\u00a0They think this\u00a0leader is important.\u00a0 This person leads and guides this group and\u00a0focuses their energies.\u201d<\/li><li>\"CHRIST\"<strong>\u00a0-\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0This\u00a0communicates clearly\u00a0<i>who\u00a0<\/i>we are following.\u00a0Jesus is\u00a0the head of the church.\u00a0 Our teaching, service and message to point\u00a0to Him as the leader and focus of our worship and energies.<\/li><li>\"HELPING\"<strong>\u00a0-\u00a0<\/strong>This\u00a0word says that we are a body of people who are available to assist in\u00a0something.\u00a0 Though it is not popular in these days of\u00a0\"self-actualization, self-will and self-help\", we all need a\u00a0group of people surrounding us that are willing to help.\u00a0 This word\u00a0communicates our willingness to do just that, for each other and our\u00a0community.<\/li><li>\"OTHERS\"\u00a0<strong>-\u00a0<\/strong>Where\u00a0the first two words \"following Christ\" show where our main,\u00a0individual focuses lie,\u00a0 this word points our focus\u00a0outward.\u00a0Outward to our friends, co-workers, community, city,\u00a0province and nation.<\/li><li>\"FOLLOW\" -\u00a0This word focuses\u00a0our helping efforts. What are we trying to help people to do?\u00a0To\u00a0follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.\u00a0 Jesus told us in the Great\u00a0Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 to make followers, teach them to obey,\u00a0baptize them, and reminded us that He would be with us always.<\/li><li>\"HIM\"\u00a0<strong>-\u00a0<\/strong>Again, a\u00a0reference to Jesus.\u00a0 We are not helping others so they will become\u00a0members of our church, so they will tithe, or because we want them to\u00a0learn \"self-reliance\". \u00a0We are not helping others so they\u00a0will become followers of us, our doctrine, our pastor or our\u00a0congregation.\u00a0We want to help people become followers of Jesus Christ\u00a0and rely on Him.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>We believe:<\/strong><\/p><p>...in living lives obedient to God, as followers of Christ.<br \/>...that focusing on God and His Word is central to our spiritual growth.<br \/>...in preaching and teaching God's Word with the awe &amp; authority it deserves.<br \/>...that loving and serving others as Christ did\u00a0is central to our Christian calling.<br \/>...that developing biblical leadership is essential.<br \/>...in the proclamation of Christ's message of love &amp; salvation to non-Christians.<br \/>...in the nurturing of spiritual growth in the church through small group fellowships and organized Bible studies.<br \/>...in honouring God through public worship and personal devotion.<br \/>...in Christ's call to be a visible &amp; shining example of His Gospel message within our community.<br \/>...in building the future of the church through innovative youth programs that are culturally relevant and doctrinally pure.<\/p><div align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\" \/><\/div><p>What follows here is a further exposition of our beliefs in scripture, God, salvation, etc. It is copied from the North American Baptist statement of beliefs, which we adhere to.<\/p><p><strong>We believe the Bible is God\u2019s Word given by divine inspiration, the record of God\u2019s revelation of Himself to humanity<br \/><\/strong>(II Timothy 3:16).<br \/>It is trustworthy, sufficient, without error\u2014the supreme authority and guide for all doctrine and conduct (I Peter 1:23-25; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17.) It is the truth by which God brings people into a saving relationship with Himself and leads them to Christian maturity (John 20:31, I John 5:9-12; Matthew 4:4; I Peter 2:2).<\/p><p><strong>We believe in the one living and true God, perfect in wisdom, sovereignty, holiness, justice, mercy and love<br \/><\/strong>(I Timothy 1:17; Psalm 86:15; Deuteronomy 32:3-4).<br \/>He exists eternally in three coequal persons who act together in creation, providence and redemption (Genesis 1:26; I Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-3).<\/p><ul type=\"disc\"><li><strong>The Father\u00a0<\/strong>reigns with providential care over all life\u00a0and history in the created universe. He hears and answers prayer (I\u00a0Chronicles 29:11-13; Matthew 7:11). He initiated salvation by sending His\u00a0Son, and He is Father to those who by faith accept His Son as Lord and\u00a0Savior (I John 4:9-10; John 3:16; John 1:12; Acts 16:31).<\/li><li><strong>The Son\u00a0<\/strong>became man, Jesus Christ, who was conceived of\u00a0the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (John 1:14; Matthew 1:18).\u00a0Being fully God and fully man, He revealed God through His sinless life,\u00a0miracles and teaching (John 14:9; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:23-24). He\u00a0provided salvation through His atoning death in our place and by His\u00a0bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans\u00a04:23-25). He ascended into heaven where He rules over all creation\u00a0(Philippians 2:5-11). He intercedes for all believers and dwells in them\u00a0as their ever-present Lord (Romans 8:34; John 14:23).<\/li><li><strong>The Holy Spirit\u00a0<\/strong>inspired men to write the Scriptures (II Peter\u00a01:21). Through this Word, He convicts individuals of their sinfulness and\u00a0of the righteousness of Christ, draws them to the Savior, and bears\u00a0witness to their new birth (James 1:18; John 16:7-11; I Thessalonians\u00a01:5-6; Romans 8:16). At regeneration and conversion, the believer is\u00a0baptized in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). The Spirit indwells,\u00a0seals and gives spiritual gifts to all believers for ministry in the church\u00a0and society (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 12:5-8; I Peter\u00a04:10). He empowers, guides, teaches, fills, sanctifies and produces the\u00a0fruit of Christlikeness in all who yield to Him (Acts 4:31; Romans 8:14; I\u00a0Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 5:18; II Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians\u00a05:16; 22-23).<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>We believe God created an order of spiritual beings called angels to serve Him and do His will<br \/><\/strong>(Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:16).<br \/>The holy angels are obedient spirits ministering to the heirs of salvation and glorifying God (Hebrews 1:6-7; 13-14). Certain angels, called demons, Satan being their chief, through deliberate choice revolted and fell from their exalted position (Revelation 12:7-9). They now tempt individuals to rebel against God (I Timothy 4:1; I Peter 5:8). Their destiny in hell has been sealed by Christ\u2019s victory over sin and death (Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10).<\/p><p><strong>We believe God created man in His own image to have fellowship with Himself and to be steward over His creation<br \/><\/strong>(Genesis 1:26-28).<br \/>As a result, each person is unique, possesses dignity and is worthy of respect (Psalm 139:13-17). Through the temptation of Satan, Adam chose to disobey God; this brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all creation (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21; 8-22). Therefore, everyone is born with a sinful nature and needs to be reconciled to God (Romans 3:9-18,23). Satan tempts people to rebel against God, even those who love Him (Ephesians 4:27; II Corinthians 2:11; Matthew 16:23). Nonetheless, everyone is personally responsible to God for thoughts, actions and beliefs and has the right to approach Him directly through Jesus Christ, the only mediator (Romans 14:12; I Timothy 2:5).<\/p><p><strong>We believe salvation is redemption by Christ of the whole person from sin and death<br \/><\/strong>(II Timothy 1:9-10; I Thessalonians 5:23).<br \/>It is offered as a free gift by God to all and must be received personally through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 20:21). An individual is united to Christ by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27). As a child of God, the believer is acquitted of all guilt and brought into a new relationship of peace (Romans 5:1). Christians grow as the Holy Spirit enables them to understand and obey the Word of God (II Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:15; I Thessalonians 3:12).<\/p><p><strong>We believe the Church is the body of which Christ is the head and all who believe in Him are member<br \/><\/strong>(Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 12:4-5).<br \/>Christians are commanded to be baptized upon profession of faith and to unite with a local church for mutual encouragement and growth in discipleship through worship, nurture, service and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world (Acts 2:41-42, 47; Luke 24:45-48). Each church is a self-governing body under the lordship of Christ with all members sharing responsibility (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-28). The form of government is understood to be congregational (Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:3-6; 15:22-23). The ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord\u2019s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer\u2019s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-5). The Lord\u2019s Supper is the partaking of the bread and of the cup by believers together as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. It is an act of thankful dedication to Him and serves to unite His people until He returns (I Corinthians 11:23-26). To express unity in Christ, local churches form associations and a conference for mutual counsel, fellowship and a more effective fulfillment of Christ\u2019s commission (Acts 15; I Corinthians 6:1-3).<\/p><p><strong>We believe religious liberty, rooted in Scripture, is the inalienable right of all individuals to freedom of conscience with ultimate accountability to God<br \/><\/strong>(Genesis 1:27; John 8:32; II Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:21; Acts 5:29).<br \/>Church and state exist by the will of God. Each has distinctive concerns and responsibilities, free from control by the other (Matthew 22:21). Christians should pray for civil leaders, and obey and support government in matters not contrary to Scripture (I Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-16). The state should guarantee religious liberty to all persons and groups regardless of their religious preferences, consistent with the common good.<\/p><p><strong>We believe Christians, individually and collectively, are salt and light in society<br \/><\/strong>(Matthew 5:13-16).<br \/>In a Christ like spirit, they oppose greed, selfishness and vice; they promote truth, justice and peace; they aid the needy and preserve the dignity of people of all races and conditions (Hebrews 13:5; Luke 9:23; Titus 2:12; Philippians 4:8-9; I John 3:16-17; James 2:1-4). We affirm the family as the basic unit of society and seek to preserve its integrity and stability (Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 6:1-4).<\/p><p><strong>We believe God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring all things to their appropriate end and establish the new heaven and the new earth<br \/><\/strong>(Ephesians 1:9-10, Revelation 21:1).<br \/>The certain hope of the Christian is that Jesus Christ will return to the earth suddenly, personally and visibly in glory according to His promise (Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7; 3:11; John 14:1-3). The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge mankind in righteousness (John 5:28-29). The unrighteous will be consigned to the everlasting punishment prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25-41, 46; Revelation 20;10). The righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will receive their reward and dwell forever with the Lord (Philippians 3:20-21; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).<\/p><p><i>Adopted by the North American Baptist Conference delegates,<\/i>\u00a0<i>August 10-15, 1982, at<\/i>\u00a0<i>Niagara Falls,<\/i>\u00a0<i>New York.<\/i><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nabconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.nabconference.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/66"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/66\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":472,"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/66\/revisions\/472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.nepeanbaptist.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}