Statement of Faith

OVCA Statement of Faith ABOUT GOD There is one God who is the creator and ruler of the universe; eternally existing in three persons, i.e. Father, Son and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7-8).

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST Jesus is the Son of God. He is fully man and fully God. He is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind (John 3:16). He rose from the grave three days later demonstrating His power over death, hell, and the grave. He ascended to the Father where He prays for us (Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:5), is preparing an eternal place for us (John 14:1-4), and will come again for us (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

ABOUT HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He convicts of sin (John 16:7-8), comforts us (John 14:16-19), guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and is our deposit, sealing us against the day our salvation is fully realized (Ephesians 1:13-14).

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD All mankind needs forgiveness from sin (Romans 3:23) in order to enjoy a full life now and to share eternity with God. This forgiveness is available through God’s free offer of grace (Ephesians 2: 8-10), through trusting what Jesus Christ has done for us on the Cross (Romans 10:9-10), and by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). This relationship with God is essential to enjoy the wonderful realities of heaven and to avoid the painful realities of an eternal hell (John 5:24,28 and 29; Philippians 2:9-10).

ABOUT THE BIBLE The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. It is the inspired and only infallible, authoritative, complete Word of God. As such, it should be viewed as the “owner’s manual” for life (2 Timothy 3:16).

ABOUT THE CHURCH It is God’s intention that the Christian life be lived out in community with other members of the church which form Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 27:17). God established the church as the institution through which His wisdom is shown (Ephesians 3:10), and in which His Spirit dwells (Ephesians 2:19-22).

CHRISTIAN LIVING When a person accepts God’s free gift of grace, he is regenerated and new life in Christ begins (2 Corinthians 5:17). The goal of this new life is to be transformed into a life of “Christ-like” character (Romans 12:1-2). However, the supreme evidence of Christian discipleship is not that we keep all the rules, but rather that we have love for one another (John 13:35).

MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY Matrimony is a holy monogamous marriage between one man and one woman. Marriage is a union ordained by God. It was first instituted by God in the early chapters of Genesis, codified in the Levitical law, the Old Testament prophets compared it to a relationship between God and his people, examples of it are in the historical narratives, and the scripture discusses the unique unity of this relationship. Jesus explained the original intention and core elements of marriage, and several New Testament Epistles give explicit instructions on this union. Marriage is a typology of Jesus Christ and the Church. As such, the Church views marriage as a profound spiritual institution established by God. We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man, and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. Marriage is a covenant made between two people, one man and one woman, with God. The Christian marriage covenant requires the married parties to be faithful, loving and helpful to each other as long as they both shall live. (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:15-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:5-6,9; Romans 7:2-3; I Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-25).

STATEMENT ON GENDER AND SEXUALITY So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) This means that man and woman are two distinct genders willed by God their Creator in their respective beings, which reflect the image and nature of God. ‘Being man’ or ‘being woman’ is a reality that is good and willed by God. Therefore, to reject one’s biological gender is to reject the work of the Creator and imply that God made a mistake. God does not make mistakes. (Romans 1:24-27, Job 42:1-3, Isaiah 55:8, 9)

As God’s image bearers, man and woman have inalienable rights and ensuing responsibilities. Man and woman should be treated with dignity and respect. They should also lead lives worthy of the dignity of their unique gender. This is done by living chastely – a call all baptized Christians are called to follow. (Ephesians 5:3)