Northwestern’s educational programs and radio ministries are firmly founded upon definitely formulated and explicitly stated biblical doctrines as follows:
I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally and plenary inspired of God, are inerrant in the original writings, and are the infallible authority in all matters of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:16).
II. The Godhead
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 1:1,2). These three are equal in every divine perfection and execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation and redemption (John 15:2).
III. The Father
We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power (Gen. 1:1, Ex. 15:11, Job 12:13, Matthew 19:26). We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer (Matthew 6:6), and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 1:12).
IV. The Son, Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sin of the world by His substitutionary death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His present high priestly intercession for His people (Hebrews 9:24), and His personal, visible, imminent (Hebrews 9:28), and premillennial return to this earth according to His promise.
V. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 16:7,8).
VI. The Salvation of Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), that he sinned in Adam, and that all men by nature and by choice are sinners having incurred not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God (Romans 3:23). We also believe that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Therefore, those who by faith, apart from human merit, works, or ceremonies, accept Christ as Lord and Saviour are justified on the grounds of His shed blood and become children of God. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust (I Corinthians 15:22, Acts 17:31). The saved will rejoice forever in God’s presence and the lost will be forever separated from God in everlasting conscious punishment. We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith (Jude 24).
VII. The Church
We believe in the Church, a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and of which all regenerated people are members. We believe that a visible church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, buried with him in baptism and associated for worship, work, and fellowship (Ephesians 1:22,23). We believe that to these visible churches were committed for observance “till He come” the ordinances of baptism (Matthew 3:13-15) and the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26); and that God has laid upon these churches the task of persuading a lost world to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and to enthrone Him as Lord and Master. We believe that human betterment and social improvement are essential products of the Gospel. We believe that Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from the dictation or patronage of the other.
VIII. The Responsibility
We believe that we are under divine obligation to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints by proclaiming to a lost world the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and the enthroning of Him as Lord and Master (Jude 3, Acts 16:30, Colossians 3:1-3).
Scripture References (KJV)
I. The Scriptures
II Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II. The Godhead
John 1:1,2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
III. The Father
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name;
IV. The Son, Jesus Christ
Hebrews 9:24
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
V. The Holy Spirit
John 16:7,8
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
VI. The Salvation of Man
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Jude 24
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…
VII. The Church
Ephesians 1:22,23
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Matthew 3:13-15
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
1 Corinthians 10:23-26
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness there of.
VIII. The Responsibility
Jude 3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Acts 16:30
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
