WHO WE ARE
Northpark Baptist Church has a long and adventurous history that begins with a small group of people from First Baptist Church, San Bernardino, California.
Two groups launched out from First Baptist in the early 1960’s. Immanuel Baptist Church (which is currently in Highland, Ca.) and the North Park Southern Baptist Church of San Bernardino.
North Park was organized in 1963 under the leadership of Pastor Aubuy Wilkinson with the vision of reaching the Arrowhead Suburban Farms and the Northpark area. In 1998 the church disbanded and restarted under the name of Good News Baptist Church led by Pastor Ron Nettles. On September 10, 2000, Solid Rock A Christian Family Center from Riverside CA., merged with Good News under the leadership of Pastor Sal Martinez to form the current church, Northpark Baptist Church.
In keeping with the tradition and history of this church, Northpark continues to associate with the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) and the Inland Empire Southern Baptist Association (IESBA) of Ontario, CA.
WHAT IS THE CALIFORINA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION (CSBC)?
California Southern Baptist Convention is a fellowship of some 450,000 members in approximately 2,300 language and multi-ethnic churches that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America. Each week throughout California some 80 language groups are represented in the Convention.
CSBC is one of 42 state Baptist conventions and fellowships that work in all 50 states and American territories. Each state convention is independent of, but cooperates financially in, the ministries of the SBC. The Convention and the SBC share a common bond of basic biblical beliefs and a commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.
WHAT IS THE INLAND EMPIRE SOUTHERN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION (IESBA)?
The IESBA is fellowship of over 200 churches reaching 4.2 million people, which is mainly in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. There are 29 likeminded Associations in California.
What are the advantages of affiliating with the SBC?
1. It allows us to identify with other Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Bible. Unlike other groups, the SBC has no man-made “creed”. The Bible is our only authority.
2. It allows our church to participate in the largest missionary organization in the world. Through the SBC “Cooperative Program” we help support over 10,500 missionaries in 153 countries around the world.
Why not just be an independent church?
We are an independent church! Every SBC church is completely independent. There is no denominational control or hierarchy, as there are in most other denominations. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs.
For example:
• Every SBC church chooses its own pastor
• Every SBC church owns its own buildings and assets
• Every SBC church determines its own programs
WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5).
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God is the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe. He is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the second person of the Trinity. He possesses all the divine attributes and is co-equal, coeternal, and of the same substance as the Father. Through him, all things are created and continue to exist because of him. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of his people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and he is co-equal, coeternal, and of the same substance with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their sin and their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every reborn, redeemed believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. He administers spiritual gifts to each member of the Church as He desires. He neither glorifies Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He brings glory and attention to Jesus and the redeeming work of the cross (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; John 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 2:2-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
ANGELS
Holy Angels
We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped.
Although they are a higher order than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).
Fallen Angels
We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator by taking numerous angels with him in his fall and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14; Genesis 3:1-15).
MAN
Man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination and moral responsibility to God. In Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God and became inherently corrupt and absolutely incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7, 15-25; Genesis 3:1-19; James 3:9;; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1; John 3:36; Romans 3:21; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8).
SALVATION
Salvation is completely of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the working of the Word of God when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation (John 5:24).
The manifestation of regeneration is fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).
Election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously would save, regenerate and sanctify (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-20).
Sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23; 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).
All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).
The unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative on their own part nor to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2).
Election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises the sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience. Sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11).
Justification is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the placing of our sins on Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God maintains His justice and can become the “justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).
Sanctification means every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is identified as a saint [belonging to the Lord]. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
By the work of the Holy Spirit there is a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18;1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23).
Every saved person is involved in a daily conflict- the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh- but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of the sin nature is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the Last Days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the genuine believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9)
THE CHURCH
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body; the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13); the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the head (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18). The formation of the Church; the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We believe the local church is autonomous; free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any denomination, hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5).
LAST THINGS (Eschatology)
Death
We teach that physical death involves no loss of consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:21-24) and that for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) which initiates the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44. 50-54). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We teach the bodily resurrection of all men; the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14) and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).
We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrected body will be united (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear before the Great White Throne of judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell; the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46) and be cut off from the life of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
The Rapture of the Church
We teach that 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 refers to a “rapture” of the Church. “Rapture” comes from the Greek word, “harpazo,” and the Latin word, “raptus,” meaning “to catch up” or “snatch away.” The Rapture is thus a time when the dead in Christ will rise first and all living believers will be caught up bodily to meet the Lord in the air. At this time they will receive glorified bodies and be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:27).
We teach that this will occur before the seven-year period of the Great Tribulation (Daniel 12:1-2), also referred to as the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27).
We teach that because the Rapture will occur to rescue the Church from the time of the Great Tribulation that will come upon the whole earth (Revelation 3:10), believers will not face a judgement for punishment, but will give an accounting to Christ for their service to Him (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Therefore, believers are to encourage one another regarding the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The Tribulation Period
We teach that the Tribulation is a seven-year period in which Satan is given freedom to rule the earth, but that this period will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27- 31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). During this time God will pour out His righteous judgments upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16). This period, known as the Tribulation, was prophesied of by Daniel in his description of the seventieth week (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46).
The Millennial Kingdom
We teach that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:3-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His Messianic Kingdom for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time, the saints will reign with Him over Israel and the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16).
We teach that this Kingdom will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore Israel to the Promised Land (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing at the return of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29).
We teach that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness and love (Isaiah 11; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38). This golden era, however, will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).
The Final Judgment
We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment.
We teach that this final phase of resurrection includes the physical resurrection of unsaved dead. Upon receiving their judgment (Romans 14:10-13) they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15). Also, believers who died in the Millennial Kingdom will be raised at this final resurrection, but they will enter the eternal state to reign with the Christ forever and ever (Revelation 20:11-12; 22:5).
Eternity
We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peters 3:10) and replaced with a new heaven and earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy fellowship with God and one another forever (John 17:3; Revelation 21, 22). In that perfect place, the triune God will be glorified forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN
Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in Scripture.
God Is Sovereign Creator
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him.
God Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Mankind Is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and Savior
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore He owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John 2:3). It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).