Our Distinctives

What Makes Us New Hope Fellowship

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as listed in 1 Cor. 12 and Rom. 12, are meant to be used in our daily lives and in the church today. These gifts began on the Day of Pentecost and are still in operation today and will be into the future. We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2, others) is a work of grace that is distinct from conversion, though it may happen simultaneously with conversion. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a singular, empowering event in which believers experience the person of the Holy Spirit, who already dwells within them, (Gal. 4:6 / Titus 3:5) resulting in believers being released with greater power and influence to impact the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The experience is often accompanied by a greater and more regular use of supernatural spiritual gifts such as those listed in 1 Cor. 12 & Rom. 12. Those gifts may be manifested immediately, or later on, and no one individual gift is the singular evidence of Spirit baptism. While baptism in the Holy Spirit is a one-time experience, scripture also directs believers to continue being filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), suggesting that Christians should consistently and intentionally ask God to release the full impact of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in their life. 

Human Sexuality

We believe Scripture speaks very directly to the appropriate expression of human sexuality. God designed sex to be shared exclusively between one man and one woman who are united in the covenant of marriage (Gen. 2, Mark 10, 1 Cor. 7). All other expressions of sexuality stand outside of God’s declared will, including premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexual sex, and habitual engagement of pornographic materials (Rom. 1, Matt. 5, 1 Cor. 6). All human persons are created in the image of God and derive their primary value from that truth as listed in Gen. 2. Regardless of marital status, gender preference, sexual preference, or sexual orientation, we choose to submit our lives under God’s design and created intention. As such, all people should be loved unconditionally, welcomed enthusiastically, and served without hesitation. We call all people to align all areas of their life to God’s will as expressed in the Bible.

Women in Ministry Leadership

We believe that God’s calling and gifting to pastoral ministry is not limited by gender. We observe in scripture that God has seen fit to use women in key leadership roles in the history of His people in the Old Testament, in the community of followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry, and in the creation of the New Testament church through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are aware of the Biblical passages (1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2 most notably) which would seem to prohibit women from teaching men or functioning as pastors. However, we understand those instructions to be linked to some identifiable cultural realities in the churches, or a possible specific individual, that allows us to view these scriptures and others (Acts 2, Philemon, Gal. 3, 1 Cor. 11, Romans 16, Judges 4, 2 Kings 22:14-20, Matt. 28) in a deeper and a more contextual and holistic Biblical view to which Paul wrote that does not violate in any way God’s creative order and purpose for men and women.

A Kingdom Mission

We believe that we are part of the greater Body of Christ and that we are participating in God’s bigger story, which is the Kingdom of God. We are committed to the understanding that the church is an agency of reconciliation of the Kingdom of God on planet earth, and in El Dorado County. We are in partnership with the other Christ-honoring churches in our county to serve the King together. New Hope Fellowship is not in competition with other churches but instead we are in partnership with other churches to see the Kingdom of God advanced in our county and in our world. Because of this, we pray for our sister churches and leaders, that God would make them fruitful in all of their endeavors as they advance the Mission of Christ.