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Statement of faith
New Hope is a Brazilian, Presbyterian, and Reformed church, part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the PCUSA. This page summarizes what the church believes and how that shows up on an ordinary Sunday.
New Hope Church believes in the Triune God, in Scripture as the Word of God and the rule of faith, in Jesus Christ as the only Savior, and in salvation by grace through faith. It celebrates Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments instituted by Christ.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
None of this is unique to New Hope. It is the historic Christian faith, consistent with the Reformed tradition and shared with thousands of Presbyterian churches around the world. What changes from one church to another is not the doctrine but how it is lived out in practice, and that is also what this page covers.
New Hope Church Statement of Faith
We believe in the one true God, in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator and Lord of all things.
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and our only rule of faith and practice.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our only Lord and Savior, who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will return in glory to gather His Church.
We believe that salvation is by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by our own merits or works.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who regenerates, transforms, sanctifies, strengthens, equips, and guides the people of God on earth.
We believe in the Church as the Body of Christ, called to worship God, live in fellowship, teach the Scriptures, make disciples, serve our neighbor, and proclaim the Gospel.
We recognize the two sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a sign of the covenant of God’s grace and of our union with Christ and His community of faith. In the Lord’s Supper we remember the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross for us, and as we partake, we are strengthened within by the sense and conviction of belonging to the church and of communion with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are visible signs of an invisible grace.
The Word of God, the sacraments, and prayer are the means of grace established by Jesus to strengthen His church.
We believe in the resurrection, the return of Jesus Christ, and eternal life, and we seek to live for the glory of God, following His Word and bearing witness to His love before the world.
Soli Deo Gloria · To God alone be all the glory
In practice
At New Hope Church, the table is open to every baptized Christian who professes faith in Jesus Christ, whether a member of this church or of another. The table is set, and the invitation is given aloud during the service.
Anyone who prefers to simply observe this moment may do so. The table belongs to Christ, not to the institution.
How this shows up on Sunday
Three concrete results of what is written above.
If the Bible is the final rule, the text sets the subject of the sermon, and not the other way around. That is why the preaching moves through books and series.
The church is led by a council of elders elected by the congregation, and not by a single leader.
They take part in the life of the church from an early age, and are not treated as visitors until they make an adult decision.
Sunday, 10:30am
What the church believes, it lives out on Sunday: the Word preached, the table set, and prayer for one another. As Acts 2:42 (NIV) says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…” Come and see for yourself.
