OPEN DOOR CHURCH
Small - Simple - Significant
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
In essential beliefs – we have unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12:22
In all our beliefs – we show love.
“… If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge, but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
About God as Trinity
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.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all 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.
About the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of human nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sits, until he returns to judge all humans at the last day.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make humans aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian 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 to be used within the church, the Body of Christ. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
About the Bible
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. About the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. The Holy Scripture contain all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any human, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.
About Human Beings
Humans are made in the image of God, to be like Jesus in character. Human beings are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates humans from God and causes many problems in life.
About Human Free Will
The condition of humans after the fall of Adam and Eve is such, that humans cannot turn and prepare themselves, by their own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God. Therefore humans have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ going before us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are given salvation. We are counted as righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith alone is a sound doctrine.
About Eternal Security
Not every deadly sin willingly committed after salvation is a sin against the Holy Spirit and unpardonable. Therefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after salvation. After we have received the Holy Spirit, we may fall into sin, but by the grace of God we may repent and amend our lives. And therefore, they are errant, who say, they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
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.