What We Believe About...

The Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit and is completely without error. It is the ultimate source and authority of truth for Christian beliefs and living.

Psalm 12:2; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

The Trinity

It is the testimony of the Old and New Testaments that God is both One and Triune. The biblical revelation testifies that there is only one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17

God - The Father

God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and fall of man.

Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 1:14; John 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; Acts 17:32; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 1:12-16; 1 John 4:8

Jesus Christ - God, The Son

Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was together with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning, and through Him all things were made. For man’s redemption, Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind 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 and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:35; John 1:1:5, 14; John 14:10-30; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15

God - The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord, and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature, and conforms us to the image of Christ. His presence in our lives is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:18

Humanity

We are made in God's image - made uniquely man and woman, and made with a purpose God set apart just for you. All humanity needs God's grace.

Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 8:3-6; Luke 13:1-4; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-5, 12; Colossians 1:21

Brokenness or Sin

Though we are made in God's image, we are not perfect. This a problem: how can an imperfect person and a perfect God coexist and have a relationship? The answer is  . . . we can't.  Not without God's help. This is the reason for Christ coming to earth, his sacrifice and resurrection.

2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:2; Romans 6:23; 1 John 3:5; John 8:24; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2

Salvation

Salvation is God’s gift to you - free to accept! We can never make up for our sin with self-improvement or good works. It is only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness that you can be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment you receive Jesus Christ into your life by faith.

John 1:12; John 14:6; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

Eternity

You were created to exist forever. We believe that forever is spent in one of two real and literal places:
1) Hell - eternally separated from God because of sin
2) Heaven - in union with God because of His forgiveness and salvation

John 3:16; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; Revelation 20:15

Eternal Security

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and eternal power of God that gives this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

The Church

  • The New Testament is the authority in all matters of faith and practice.  Churches operate according to what is presented in Scripture.
  • Open Door is made up of saved, baptized believers.  Membership in the local church requires first putting personal trust in Jesus.
  • We adhere to the separation of church and state.  No one has authority over the church except Jesus Christ.
  • The priesthood of believers.  Each believer has the ability to interact with God on his or her own.
  • The autonomy of the local church.  The local church of baptized believers is the highest ecclesiastical authority on earth. In matters of church polity and procedure, the local church is not subject to civil authorities or denominational conventions. Each local church is self-governing.

The goal of the Church is to make disciples of all nations and to present the saints complete in Christ. Church leadership is a partnership among the congregation, deacons, and pastoral staff. It is essential to the life of the Church that Scriptural patterns of discipline are practiced and that oversight for Church discipline, individual and corporate, is exercised by the leadership of the Church.

We believe the mission of the local church is found ultimately in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20):
   1. Be a disciple. 
   2. Make disciples.

Acts 2:38-42; 2 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-16; Ephesians 5:25-27