OIKOS BELIEFS
GOD
We believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of all things. He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – each with distinct attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. This triune God is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present. He is perfect in love, justice, and holiness, and worthy to receive all glory, honor, and praise.
Mat. 28.18-20; 2 Cor. 13.14; 1 Pet. 1.1-2
JESUS
God the Son is Jesus Christ. While eternal in nature, His incarnation was conceived of the Holy Spirit and He was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of the Living God, and God in human form, and both fully God and fully man.
Jesus perfectly revealed and lived out the will and law of God, taking upon Himself human nature without sin. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin and through His death made provision for the redemption of humanity from sin. Jesus died in our place, for our sins, was buried, was raised from the dead, and appeared to His disciples proving His power over death and His ability to raise us from death.
He later ascended into Heaven to the right hand of God the Father where He currently mediates reconciliation between God and humanity.
He will physically return in power and glory to judge the world and consummate His redemptive mission.
John 1.1,14, 8.58, 14.9; Col. 2.9; Phi. 2.5-7
We believe in the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15.1-4
We believe in the literal return of Jesus as promised.
John 14.1-6; 1 The. 4.16-18; 2 Pet. 3.3-4,10,13
HOLY SPIRIT
God the Holy Spirit is fully divine. He inspired the writers of the Scriptures. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He enables Christians to understand truth. He dwells in the hearts of every Christian from the moment of salvation. He bestows spiritual gifts on believers. He comforts and intercedes for them. He is the deposit of God for the believer for the day of redemption. He enlightens and empowers the believer in worship, evangelism, and service.
Acts 2.38; Rom. 8.26-27; 1 Cor. 12.4-11; 2 Cor. 5.5-9; Gal. 5.22-23; Eph. 1.13-14
BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content, and without any error in its teaching. The Bible is the final rule of faith and practice for the believer.
2 Tim. 3.16-17; 2 Pet. 1.20-21
HUMANITY
We believe God made us male and female and in His own image. Every person has the dignity and value God has placed upon them in His creation.
Gen. 1.27
We believe that humanity willfully rebelled, sinning against God and separating us from God. As a result all humanity is lost and without hope apart from Jesus.
Acts 4.12; Rom. 3:23-24
We believe that all humanity is now born with a sin nature that inclines us toward rebellion against God.
Jer. 17:9; Rom. 5:12-14
We believe in the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity.
Isa. 53:3-6; Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21
SALVATION
We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. The forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life are promised to those who trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
John 3.16-17; Eph. 2.8-9
We believe that those putting their trust in Jesus repent of their sins, confess their faith, and are baptized into Him.
Acts 2.38-39; Rom. 6.3-4, 10.9-10
We believe that those who receive Jesus also receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He marks them as the possession of God, manifests the fruit of righteousness in their character, and endows them with spiritual gifts for ministry.
1 Cor. 12.4-6; 2 Cor. 1.21-22; Gal. 5.22-23
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is a body of Christ-followers who should live in intentional community as modeled by the first century church.
Acts 2.42-47
We believe love is to be shown to all people as the central trait of the Christian faith.
John 13.35; 1 Cor. 13.13; 1 Pet. 4:8
We believe the mission of the Church is to reach the spiritually lost for Jesus, to teach with the goal of spiritual formation and growth, and to mobilize believers to accomplish God’s purposes in the world.
Mat. 28.18-20
ETERNITY
We believe that Heaven and Hell are real places and all of humanity will spend eternity in one place or the other. Heaven a place of bliss in the presence of our God and Savior. Hell a place of eternal torment separated from the goodness of God.
Luke 23.42-43; 2 Cor. 5.6-10; 2 The. 1.8-9; Heb. 9.27; Rev. 20.15; Rev. 21.1-8
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that a spiritual gift is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer, to be used to minister to others and thereby build up the body of Christ.
Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 1 Pet. 4:10
We believe that spiritual sign gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, and speaking in tongues has ceased as a normative manifestation in the church with the completion of the 66 books of biblical revelation. God is still able to achieve each at any time, but none of these is individually gifted to a specific person.
1 Cor. 12:7-11, 13.1-3,9-12