Encounter God in a New Way

The mission of Oakland Community Church is to reach people with the truth, relevance, and life-changing power of Jesus Christ, and equip us all to be committed disciples who fulfill our purpose in the world. We affirm classical Wesleyan doctrine and the historic faith, which the church has used to define the parameters of Christian teaching. Doctrine, properly understood, unifies the church and gives direction to its life.

DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY 

1. What we believe about GOD?

There is but one living and true God, Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are of one substance, power and eternity. God is Transcendent- not bound by time or space... Infinite- he cannot grow more… Eternal- his existence is without beginning or end… Immutable- never changes- his attributes are constant… Omnipotent- all powerful, sovereign. The only limitation God has is His own character. He may place limitations on Himself if he chooses… Omnipresent- all present, everywhere, not bound as we are to one location at a time… Omniscient- all knowing… Absolute Goodness- He is totally holy… He is Personal & Loving- God loves us so much that he created the world and human beings who would have a relationship with him.

I John 4:7-11, Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:10; 1 Peter 1:2; 

• 2 Corinthians 13:14- May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2. What we believe about THE BIBLE?

The Bible is God’s inspired Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and authority for Christian beliefs and living.

2 Timothy3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

Statement on Biblical Authority. Given the current challenges directed to the unique place of the Bible in the church, we affirm that the core of the Christian faith is revealed in Scripture as “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3; NRSV). We look to the Bible therefore as our authority and trustworthy guide, which “is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16; NRSV). Illuminated by tradition, reason, and experience, the revelation of Scripture is the church’s primary and final authority on all matters of faith and practice.

3. What we believe about HUMAN BEINGS?

People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. We were given free will. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of rebellion that separates us from God and causes many problems in life. We are helpless to overcome this brokenness by ourselves. It leads to death. 

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

4. What do we believe about CHRIST’s ATONEMENT & RESURRECTION?

The Son, Jesus Christ, is the Word of the Father. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people 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 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

5. What do we believe about THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy Spirit is of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make humans aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift/s when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under his control daily.

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

6. What do we believe about SALVATION?

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith.

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

7. What do we believe about SIN AFTER WE’RE SAVED?

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, believers may have assurance of that fact. When we fall into sin again, we must confess our sins to God, trusting in his forgiveness and mercy to restore us to Himself.

John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 

• I Peter 1:3-5- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

8. What do we believe about SANCTIFICATION?

Because God loves us so much, he accepts us just the way we are but he loves us too much to leave us that way. Part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to sanctify us, to enable us to die to the old way and become a new person, one who reflects our maker, who follows our Savior and is empowered by the Holy Spirit to new heights of holiness.  

Colossians 2:6-12 and 3:1-17, 

• Ephesians 4:22-24, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of

your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). For “those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did” 

9. What do we believe about the KINGDOM OF GOD?

The Hebrew and Greek words for kingdom both primarily mean “rule” or “reign”. Only secondarily do they denote a realm or territory over which a reign is exercised. So the Kingdom of God refers to the exercise of God’s power, dominion and sovereignty in the entire world, present and future. Christians voluntarily yield themselves to God’s power and dominion, living out their lives as part of the Kingdom.

• Psalm 22:28 says, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over all.” 
• Psalm 103:19 states, “The Lord has established His throne [kingdom] in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” 
• Psalm 145:11 declares, “They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power.” 
• “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10
• “A certain nobleman who went to a distant country to receive a kingdom,” those over whom he was to rule said: “We do not want this man to reign over us” Luke 19:12, 14 
• Colossians 1:13, Paul teaches that redemption amounts to an exchange of rulers over our lives, stating that God has delivered us believers “from the authority of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

10. What do we believe about ETERNITY?

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44-46

GENDER EQUALITY

Scripture teaches that men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. (Gen 1:26–27) Accordingly, the church should treat women and men equally. We believe that both women and men are called to and gifted for ordained and licensed ministry, and both genders are able to hold any role of leadership within the church. (Acts 2:16-18, Galatians 3:28)

We believe that all persons are of sacred worth. Therefore, we gladly welcome all who seek to grow in their relationship with God to attend worship services and participate in the church’s ministries. No person shall be disqualified from becoming a member of a local congregation, holding a leadership position in the church, or becoming an ordained or licensed clergy based on race, color, nationality, national origin, marital status, or economic condition. 

We believe marriage and sexual intimacy are good gifts from God. In keeping with Christian teaching through the ages and throughout the Church universal, we believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:23-24). We believe that God intends faithfulness in marriage and celibacy in singleness.

We believe that every person, born and unborn (Psalm 139) are made in the image of God and known intimately by him. Therefore, all human life must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, dignity and the opportunity for life. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual or group are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church.

STATEMENTS of FAITH

The Nicene Creed (AD 381) 

We believe in one God,

     the Father, the Almighty,

     maker of heaven and earth,

     of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

     the only Son of God,

     eternally begotten of the Father,

     God from God, Light from Light,

     true God from true God,

     begotten, not made,

     of one Being with the Father;

     through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

     he came down from heaven,

     was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

     and became truly human.

     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

     he suffered death and was buried.

     On the third day he rose again

     in accordance with the Scriptures;

     he ascended into heaven

     and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

     and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

 who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

     who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

     We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

     We look for the resurrection of the dead,

     and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, 

was crucified, died, and was buried;

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

He is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.