The fundamental teachings of Navigation Church (ie what we believe) are reflected in the following, clear statements of faith:

  1. We believe in the plenary-verbal inspiration of the accepted canon of the Scriptures as originally given and that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error of any sort in all matters with which they deal (I Corinthians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16).
  2. We believe in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).
  3. We believe in the literal, special creation of the existing space-time universe and all of its basic systems as indicated in Genesis (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16- 17).
  4. We believe in the creation, test and fall of mankind as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness (Romans 5:12,18).
  5. We believe that sin is a transgressing of, or falling short of, God’s standard in action, thought, and character. All individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, and death (Romans 3:10,23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; I John 5:17).
  6. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully man (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18).
  7. We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples (Acts 1:20; Romans 4:25; I Corinthians 15:1-8).
  8. We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation and personal, literal and bodily coming again the second time for His Church (Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28).
  9. We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary, by which we obtain remission of sins (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12,22).
  10. We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Eternal Godhead in order to fulfill the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38,39; 19:1-6).
  11. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with the primary evidence of speaking in tongues as well as evidences such as empowerment to witness, to conquer sin and to live a holy life (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 19:6).
  12. We believe in the Spirit-filled life, a life of separation from the world and the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God as an expression of Christian faith (II Corinthians 6:14; 7:1; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18).
  13. We believe that since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is then authoritative in all areas of human behavior, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality and ethics (Psalm 119:11,105; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Hebrews 5:12-14).
  14. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; I Corinthians 6:9-10)]
  15. We believe that the Bible defines marriage as the covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union to society requires that we support and protect marriage as the Word of God does (Genesis 2:24; Romans 1:27; Ephesians 5:22,25; 1Peter 3:1-7) We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. (I Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4).
  16. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26- 27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
  17. Tithing, Offerings, and Giving of Alms: Both Old and New Testament scriptures teach tithing as God’s financial plan for the support of the work. These are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord. (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Proverbs 11:24, 25; Malachi. 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; I Corinthians 16:22; II Corinthians 8:7-8; 9:6-9)
  18. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 6:9-11).
  19. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of the Church.
  20. We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit as manifested in the early church and enumerated in I Corinthians 12-14 (Romans 12:6-8;Ephesians 4:8-12).
  21. We believe in the healing of the body by divine power, or divine healing in its varied aspects, as practiced in the early church (Acts 4:30; Romans 8:11; I Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14).
  22. We believe in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion or the Lord’s Supper, for believers (I Corinthians 11:23-32).
  23. We believe in eternal life for believers (John 3:16; 5:24) and eternal punishment for unbelievers (Mark 9:43-48; II Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15).
  24. We believe in the reality and personality of Satan and eternal judgment of Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15).
  25. Laying on of hands: We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for:
    • The confirming of believers in the faith. (Acts 14:22)
    • The confirmation of one’s call by the laying on of hands with prophecy (Acts 13:1,3)
    • The impartation of the spiritual gifts when accompanied by prophecy and the laying on of hands. (I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6)
    • The recognition, ordination, and setting apart of ministry.
    • The impartation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17-18)
    • The ministry of healing the sick. (Mark 16:16)
    • The blessing and dedication (setting apart) of children. (Mark 10:16)
  26. In addition to these basic fundamentals we also hold that:
    • The church of Jesus Christ is the last instrument that God is using to extend His kingdom prior to the second coming of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; 3:10).
    • The local church is autonomous, that is, it is self-governing, self-supporting and selfpropagating in its mature state (Acts 2; 13:1-4).
    • The biblical form of church government is a plurality of elders with a Lead Pastor who all qualify on the basis of 1Timothy 3 in spiritual life, character, domestic life and ruling ability.
    • Every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection and long term fruitfulness (Hebrews 13:17).
    • The theological framework for understanding all of God’s dealings with mankind is to be found in the divine covenants revealed in Scripture.
    • We believe in the public gathering of the Church together for prayer, worship, teaching and preaching of the Bible and the administering of the sacraments of the church (Acts 2; I Corinthians 11; Hebrews 10:25).
    • We believe in the five-fold (Ascension Gift) Ministries namely: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12; Psalms 68:18)

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Scriptures, as originally given, are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error of any sort in all matters with which they deal, including truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, and are the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the Church’s doctrine, practice, policy, faith, and discipline, a plurality of elders is the Church’s final interpretive authority on the Scriptures’ meaning and application