Though our weekend services offer modern music and some trendy amenities, our understanding of God is consistent with what faithful Christ-followers have believed and practiced for centuries. While it is impossible to fully communicate everything that any church teaches in a short statement, we want to be clear about our position on some of the more important Christian beliefs, and on some of the questions that people often ask us. We hope this will give you a sense of how we follow Jesus Christ at Northgate.

What we teach about core Christian beliefs...

Bible 

We teach the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament as the inspired Word of God and the sole authoritative source and norm of our proclamation, faith, and life.                           

2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105

God 

We teach that there is one God, eternally co-existing and co-equal in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.    Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:13

Jesus Christ 

We teach that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human, who by his death on the cross and resurrection has redeemed us.      1 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:15-20

Holy Spirit 

We teach that the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer and is a constant helper, teacher, and guide.     

Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-25, Romans 12, John 14:16-17 

Human Nature 

We teach that human beings are created in the image of God. All people are sinners redeemed only through faith in Jesus Christ. Genesis1:26-27, Genesis 5:1-2, Romans 3:23

Salvation 

We teach that Jesus Christ alone provides salvation. This salvation is a free gift -- “grace”. We teach that one can be certain of eternal life -- “assurance”. We teach that we share in this free gift of grace by faith alone and thereby enter a lifelong process of change and growth.           

Acts 4:12, John 14:6 Ephesians 2:8-9 John 5:24 Romans 3:28, John 3:16, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 2:20     

Kingdom of God 

We teach the message of Jesus Christ, “The Kingdom of God is near.” We believe the Kingdom of God is present now wherever God reigns and that this kingdom will come in its fullness when Jesus Christ returns.                 

Matthew 4: 17

We Also Teach...

Changed Life 

We believe that trusting Christ leads to a changed life. This is a lifelong process of growth in selfless love, humility, service, generosity, and holiness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Change and growth are byproducts for those saved by grace. Because a good tree bears good fruit, people justified by grace through faith act on that faith and will change and grow in Christ.   2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Peter 3:18, James 2:17, Romans 12:2, James 1:22, Matthew 7:17-18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24

The Church 

We believe that the local church is the hope of the world. Also, we teach that we are a part of one true Church made up of all who believe in Christ as Lord. We extend the hand of friendship to all members of this universal Christian Church.                                      Ephesians 4:4-6, Romans 12:5, Romans 15:7

Spiritual Gifts 

We teach that the Holy Spirit’s supernatural gifts are available and operative today for all Christians.                 

1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-25, Romans 12

The Historic Christian Creeds 

We accept the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the scriptural faith we believe, teach, and confess.

Prayer 

We are people of prayer. We teach that God answers prayer and we encourage everyone to grow in prayer at all times and in all seasons.

James 5:16, Matthew 18:18-20

Baptism and Communion 

We teach that Jesus instituted Baptism and Communion. We teach that God’s promises come to us in these sacraments and that our faith is essential for their effectiveness. Communion at Northgate is open to all who trust Christ as Lord and Savior and come with an open and repentant heart. At Northgate, we baptize people of all ages. We do not believe that the Bible gives a clear teaching on specific age for a baptismal candidate and/or method of baptism. 

Mark 16:16, 1 Corinthians 11:29,John 3:16 Romans 6:1-11

Our Lutheran Heritage 

We identify with the renewal movement begun in the 16th century during the Lutheran Reformation. We teach the Lutheran themes of grace through faith alone, scripture alone, and Christ alone. As Lutherans, we believe the Bible is God’s revealed Word to us, spoken in law and gospel. We accept and uphold that the Lutheran Confessions reliably guide us as faithful interpretations of Scripture. 

End Times 

We encourage a sense of readiness and a zeal for the return of Christ, but we do not advocate a position on the exact sequence and complexity or simplicity of the last days.

Acts 1:6-8

Peacemaking 

We teach that we are to be proactive in peacemaking.

Ephesians 2:14, Matthew 5:9

Poverty

We teach that we are to care for the “least of these”, the poor and the vulnerable.

Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:27

Breaking Down Barriers 

We teach that Christians are to work actively to break down the barriers that divide people; especially those of race, economics, and gender. We do not believe that these distinctions will matter in heaven and teach that the church on earth should begin to mirror this eventual reality.

Acts 10:34-35, Galatians 3:28, Matthew 6:10

Sexuality and Marriage 

We teach that a sexual relationship starts and belongs within the boundaries of a publicly committed marriage between one man and one woman.                         

Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:31, Exodus 20:14, Romans 1:26-27

Sanctity of Life 

We teach the sanctity and defense of all human life, including the unborn and defenseless.

Deuteronomy 30:19, Jeremiah 1:5, Proverbs 31:8

Our Associations...

Northgate Church freely affiliates with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, LCMC, and the Alliance of Renewal Churches, ARC. We partner with Debre Zeit Mekane Yesus Church in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia through Compassion International.