Oxford Bible Fellowship
Doing everything we can by faith through the living Word of God and in the power of the Spirit to equip this next generation in the love of Christ for a lifetime of service throughout all the world.
800 Maple Avenue, Oxford Ohio 45056 (513) 523-5300 Pastor: Jeremy Carr
Wednesday
August 20 2008

What we believe

 

Doctrinal Statement

The doctrinal position of The Evangelical Free Church of America is summarized in the following twelve-article Statement of Faith which we as a church affirm. Following some of the EFCA articles are additional statements (those written in italics) which we as a church also believe.

We Believe:

1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.

As a church we also understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired in that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture. (Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.

As a church we also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful humanity. This redemption He accomplished by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26, 8:34)

4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.

As a church we also believe that the Holy Spirit alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead. He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ. He indwells them permanently and is the personal pledge of the believer's eventual full redemption. He bestows spiritual gifts upon them and fills those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit for godly living and service. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)

5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

As a church we also believe that sin is failure to conform to God's standards, and includes both rebellion against and indifference to God. Man is therefore completely unable to recover from his lost condition except by a personal faith in Jesus Christ. He has alienated himself from God and is in need of reconciliation. This is true of all men and women, and except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis 1:26-27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)

6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become children of God.

As a church we also believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace. Salvation is received only by faith in Jesus Christ and is based, not on human effort, but solely through the gift of Jesus' death on the cross so that our sin can be forgiven. All who repent of their sin and trust the Savior are born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Believers in Christ are not only saved by grace, but are by grace kept secure forever. (John 1:12; 10:27-30; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9)

7. That water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.

8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head.

9. That only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.

10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.

11. In the personal premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

As a church we also believe that Jesus will return - visibly and bodily - at God's appointed time, and will establish His kingdom and will reign in glory over a new heaven and a new earth. (John 14:1-2; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 11, 19, 20, 21)

12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.