Oshawa Community Church Statement of Faith & Doctrine
WE BELIEVE in the verbal inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. (II Tim. 3:16)
WE BELIEVE in the existence of the eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as one God, existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinguishable but indivisible. (Matt. 28:19)
WE BELIEVE in the creation of man in God's image, man's test and fall as recorded in Genesis, man's total spiritual depravity, and man's inability to obtain divine righteousness apart from God. (Rom. 5:12,18)
WE BELIEVE in the all-sufficient atonement of God's only Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and who is very God and very man. (Luke 1:26-35)
WE BELIEVE Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples. (I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 4:25)
WE BELIEVE in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation and personal, literal and bodily coming again the second time for the Church. (John 14:2-3; I Thess. 4:13-18)
WE BELIEVE in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins. (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:25)
WE BELIEVE in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in order to fulfill the commands of Jesus. (Matt. 18:19)
WE BELIEVE in the Spirit-filled life, a life of separation from the world and perfection of holiness in the fear of God as an expression of Christian faith. (Eph. 5:18; II Cor. 6:14; 7:1)
WE BELIEVE in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, with the scriptural evidence; namely, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; Gal. 3:14-15)
WE BELIEVE in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in I Cor. 12-14, as manifested in the early church.
WE BELIEVE in the healing of the body by Divine Power, or Divine healing in its varied aspects as practiced in the early church. (Acts 4:30; Rom. 8:11; I Cor. 12:9; James 5:14)
WE BELIEVE in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion or the Lord's Supper, for believers. (I Cor. 11:28-32)
WE BELIEVE in eternal life for believers (John 5:24; 3:16); and eternal punishment for unbelievers. (Mark 9:43-58; II Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:10-15)
WE BELIEVE in the reality and personality of Satan and the eternal judgment of Satan and his angels. (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15)
WE BELIEVE in the ministry of the laying on of hands for blessing, dedication, confirmation, and impartation of spiritual gifts. (I Tim. 4:14)
In addition to these basic fundamentals we also hold that:
The biblical form of church government is a plural eldership with a senior minister, who qualifies on the basis of spiritual life, character, domestic life and rulership ability. (I Tim. 3)
The church of Jesus Christ is the last instrument that God is using to extend His kingdom prior to the second coming of Christ. (Eph. 3:10; Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1; 20,22)
The local church is completely autonomous, that is, it is self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating in its mature state.
Every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection and long-term fruitfulness. (Heb. 13:17)
