In Essential Beliefs ~ We Have Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6)

 

In Nonessential Beliefs ~ We Have Liberty (Romans 14:1, 4, 12)

 

In All Our Beliefs ~ We Show Love (1 Corinthians 13:2; Ephesians 4:15)

 

1. We will practice love in everything. At the heart of all our activities will be the two greatest commandments of our Lord – Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40)

 

2. We will practice unity in essentials, and liberty in nonessentials. The Bible gives us definite boundaries for faith and practice, and on these we will firmly and lovingly stand. However, the Bible leaves a variety of options for carrying out the Great Commission as cultures and needs change. Tradition is, therefore, appropriate in the sense that it facilitates the reaching of Biblical objectives. However, if tradition no longer meets this goal, we must change our approach, but keep presenting the unchanging message of Christ. (Mark 7:1-223; Acts 14:23)

 

3. We will encourage every member to be diligent in maintaining unity and peace within the body. For example, this means speaking only to the brother or sister who has offended us and not anyone else. It also means confessing when we are wrong and seeking forgiveness from the person we have offended. (Matthew 18:15-20, 5: 23-24; Romans 12:18; Philippians 2:1-18)

 

4. We will use diligence and wisdom in the stewardship of the resources God has given us. (Proverbs 27:23-24, Luke 16:1-13)

 

5. We will encourage the development of ministries that meet both the spiritual and practical needs of those who attend Open Door Bible Church, particularly providing a refuge for those who are hurting. (Matthew 11:25-30, 15:21-39, 18:12-14; Luke 10:30-37)

 

6. We will pursue excellence in the ministry by encouraging everyone to minister in the areas in which they are gifted and passionate. (Colossians 3:17, 23-24)

 

7. We will provide multiple leadership,and service through a plurality of elders and deacons, led by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:7; James 5:14)

 

8. We will encourage meaningful relationships at Open Door Bible Church through Christ-centered fellowship activities. (Romans 12:13; Galatians 610; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 4:9)

 

ADMIT that you have sinned and that you are separated from God

 

Romans 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

BELIEVE that Jesus died to pay for your sins when He died on the cross for you

 

Romans 10:10 (NIV) For it is with your heart that you BELIEVE and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are SAVED.

 

ACCEPT God’s free GIFT of Salvation

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been SAVED, through FAITH – and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

(Our relationship to God is not restored by anything we do, but on the basis of what Jesus already did for us)

 

INVITE Jesus Christ to come into your life (to make you His and to change you from the inside out)

 

John 1:11-12 (NIV) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…

 

(This is done through prayer – turning to God. It is not about a formula or ritual or a certain prayer you have to pray. IT is about person realizing they are LOST without a Savior. Turning to Jesus for Salvation – Trusting in Jesus for WHAT HE has done – NOT trying to do anything yourself.)

 

God’s PROMISE to us

 

Romans 10:13 (NIV) …”Everyone who calls on the NAME of the Lord WILL BE saved.”

 

Because Jesus Christ COMMANDS it

 

Matthew 28:19-20 “Jesus said, ‘Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, BAPTIZE them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.’”

 

It demonstrates that I really am a BELIEVER

 

Acts 18:8 (NIV) …many of the people who heard Him BELIEVED and were baptized.

 

It is an act of OBEDIENCE

 

1 John 2:3 (NIV) We know that we have come to know Him, if we OBEY His commands.

 

It illustrates Christ’s DEATH and resurrection

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV) Christ died for our sins… He was buried…and He rose again.

 

Colossians 2:12 (NIV) For when you are baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.

 

It illustrates my NEW LIFE as a Christian

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!

 

Romans 6:4 (NIV) By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…so also we may live a new life!

 

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it DEMONSTRATES that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER / COMMUNION?

 

A Celebration of the DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION, and SECOND COMING of Jesus.

 

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT) For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until HE comes again.

 

WHY do we Celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (MSG) Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me. After supper, he did the same thing with the cup: This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember me.

 

– It is commanded by Jesus.

 

– It is an object lesson to help us to remember.

 

– We announce to the world and to each other what Jesus accomplished.

 

WHO should take the Lord’s Supper? (Believers who are RIGHT with God)

 

1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (NLT) So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

 

How do I PREPARE myself for Lord’s Supper?

 

1 John 1:9 (NLT) But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

 

When and HOW OFTEN should we observe the Lord’s Supper?

 

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NAS) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

 

At Open Door Bible Church we celebrate communion each month. Normally it is a part of service and may included a time for sharing, singing, and a time to take the bread and the grape juice.

 

PRIVILEGES of MEMBERSHIP

 

On any given Sunday, there are many who meet at Open Door Bible Church. We realize there is a difference between those who attend and those who are a vital part of the church. This document defines and identifies the privileges and responsibilities of members of Open Door Bible Church.

 

Members show they are SURRENDERED to Jesus Christ:

 

¨ By accepting Jesus as their personal Savior

 

¨ By obedience to the command to be baptized

 

¨ By investing in those godly habits (spiritual disciplines) necessary for spiritual growth

 

Bible reading and study

 

Prayer

 

Memorizing Scripture

 

Small Group involvement

 

Church attendance

 

Service

 

Outreach

 

Members SERVE in the ministry of the church:

 

¨ By developing an attitude of willingness to serve

 

¨ By being equipped to serve through discovering their gifts, talents and abilities

 

¨ By being actively involved in service to and with others

 

Members SUPPORT the church:

 

¨ By attending faithfully

 

¨ By living a godly life

 

¨ By regular financial giving

 

Members PROTECT the unity of the church:

 

¨ By acting in love towards others

 

¨ By refusing to gossip

 

¨ By following and supporting the leaders

 

Members share in the RESPONSIBILITY of growing the church:

 

¨ By praying for its growth

 

¨ By inviting the un-churched to attend

 

¨ By warmly welcoming those who visit

 

¨ By taking part in the business meetings of the church

 

¨ By voting and affirming the church leadership

 

(Members have the privilege of voting at any of the business meetings of the church corporation.)