What We Believe

"So they will be called Oaks of Righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
Isaiah 61:3

Core Beliefs

The purpose of The Oaks Community Church is to continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in Isaiah 61:1-3 and confirmed through our Lord in Luke 4:16-21.
1. Sowing the seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the hearts of the
afflicted, the brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners and those who
mourn;
2. Growing together into "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord
that He may be glorified."

1. We believe that the Bible has final authority in all matters.

 The Bible fully reveals God's perfect plan for humankind. It is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions o f the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the child o f God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16, 17). Therefore, we believe the Bible is first, foremost, and final in all matters of Christian faith and practice.

2. We believe in God as three persons in one,

 As revealed in Scripture, expressed in the historic confession of the Apostles' Creed and passed down to the church.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come 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.

3. We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ reveals God's plan for the human race and requires our personal response.

This response is often referred to as conversion or rebirth. Conversion or rebirth is a free gift of God, offered to all people. The following is a brief presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
The Plan
God loves us and desires for each of us to have a personal, abundant and eternal relationship with Him (Genesis 1-3, John 3:16, John 10:10).
The Problem
We are all sinners, without exception (Romans 3:10, 23). Our sin has severed our relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2).
The Person
Jesus Christ alone has the power to forgive our sins and restore our relationship with God (John 14:6). Jesus "bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live in right relationship" with God. "By His wounds you were healed" (I Peter 2:24).
The Response
We must respond to Jesus by repenting and believing that He died for our individual sins. Jesus said, "The time Is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).
The Result
We become new creations when we respond through repentance
(turning to Jesus) and belief (trusting in Jesus). The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new" (II
Corinthians 5:17).


4. We believe that eternal and abundant life is a free gift of God.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). No one can ever make up for their sin by self improvement or good works.

5. We believe that heaven and hell are real.

They are the final and eternal destinations for all people. Heaven is eternity in God's presence, while hell is eternity separated from God. Our personal response to the Good News of Jesus Christ determines where we will spend eternity.

6. We believe that God desires all followers of Christ to grow more like Him in their thoughts and actions everyday.

The Apostle Paul writes, "Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, He gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed (from our hearts and minds) so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more" (II Corinthians 3:17-18).

7. We believe that love is the greatest evidence of a follower of Jesus Christ.

We live by an up, down, and all around expression of our love. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22 :37- 40). Jesus says we are to love up (our God), love down (ourselves), and love all around (our neighbors). This love is the single greatest proof of the presence of Jesus in us and His church.

8. We believe that fellowship among Christians is essential for healthy spiritual life.

Believers in the book of Acts were "continually devoting themselves to fellowship" (Acts 2:42) . Through our common trust in Jesus Christ, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family! The Bible encourages us to love each other, pray for each other, encourage each other, admonish each other, greet each other, serve each other, teach each other, accept each other, honor each other, bear each other's burdens, forgive each other, submit to each other, and be devoted to each other. There are no "Lone Ranger" Christians in the Bible. We are growing into "Oaks of Righteousness" (Isaiah 61:3) together.

9. We believe that unity demonstrates our love for Jesus and for each other.

Jesus prayed to the Father for us, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; Iin them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me" (John 17:22- 23). Within the body of Christ there is diversity of thoughts and opinions. We celebrate this freedom and diversity outside the bounds of these Core Beliefs. However, diversity of thoughts and opinions will always be secondary to our unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:12-17). "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).

10. We believe that giving of our time, talents, and treasure expresses our love for God and others.

The Oaks Community Church is entrusted with the tithes and offerings of her members and friends . As an example of biblical stewardship, we will give a minimum of ten percent of all tithes and offerings to local and world missions (Genesis 14:18-20).

11. We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world.

It is God's primary instrument for bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to every person. Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overpower It" (Matthew 16:18).

12. We believe that Jesus was a friend of sinners

(Matthew 11:19), and so must His church be. As such, our doors will always be open to all who seek the Truth of God. However, the church of Jesus Christ, while remaining open and culturally relevant to all, must remain pure of heart and doctrinally true.

13. We believe that prayer is the source of life and power for the church.

Prayer is communication with God. The early church was "continually devoting themselves to prayer" (Acts 1:14, 2:42). Every decision, every minister, and every ministry was birthed, bathed, and sustained by prayer. So shall it be with us. Our church will be "a house of prayer" (Matthew
21:13). Our members will be a "people of prayer" (Acts 2:42, Philippians 4:6, 7, I Thessalonians 5:17) . Prayer connects us with God's vision and
plugs us into His power.

14. We believe that the return of Jesus Christ to this earth will be sudden, certain, and soon

(Mark 13:28-37). There is divine urgency in our purpose. May God bless the Oaks Community Church with His grace, His mercy, and His power as we continue this grand endeavor of sowing and growing For His Glory!