The Bible is God’s Word to us revealing Himself, His purposes, and His plans. It is God-breathed and was written by men under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is truth without any mixture of error and is the supreme standard by which all beliefs, conduct, and opinions should be tried.

Deuteronomy 4:1-14; 17:18-20; Psalm 19:7-11; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Titus 1:9

There is only one true and living God. He is all-present, all-powerful, and all-knowing. He is perfect in all His attributes. God is holy, just, loving, and merciful. He is creator and sustainer of the universe and has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him we owe our highest love, reverence, and obedience.

Genesis 1:1-2:3; Deuteronomy 32:3-4; 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalms 83:18; Psalms 139:7-10; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 6:3; Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 1:37; Acts 5:29; Hebrews 4:13; 11:3; 1John 4:8

Jesus Christ is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, equal with the Father. He is God’s Son, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world through His death on the cross. He arose from the dead demonstrating His victory over sin and death, giving Him preeminence in everything. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and intercedes for His church. He will return in power and glory, receive His church unto Himself, and establish His kingdom forever.

Matthews 3:17; John 1:14; Romans 1:3-4; 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2; Philippeans 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-22; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 1:1-4

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, equal with the Father. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for salvation through Jesus Christ. He dwells in believers providing power for living and ministry, granting understanding of truth, and sealing them until the day of redemption.

John 14:16-18,25-26; 16:5-15; Acts 1:8; Luke 4:1-11; Romans 8:9,16; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1John 4:13

Man is created in the image of God and as the supreme objects of His creation. God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect that image; therefore, rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. By choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. As a result, we are separated from the life and fellowship of God. Though marred by rebellion, all mankind possesses dignity and is worthy of love and respect. This is seen in that Christ died for mankind, providing the way of salvation and the restoring of relationship and fellowship with God.

Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-24; Psalms 139; Romans 5:12-19; Colossians 1:13-14; 1Timothy 2:5-6

Salvation is God’s free gift to mankind based on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in His sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection. It becomes ours in experience through faith in His provision. We cannot earn or maintain it by our own works or goodness. Salvation begins with the new birth, continues throughout our life of discipleship, and culminates in our being with Him in His eternal kingdom.

John 3:3,16-21; 8:31-32; Acts 4:12; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 1:3-11

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, those truly born of the Spirit are secure in that salvation. It is based in the covenant promises of God and His ability to keep those who believe. It is demonstrated by a life wholly yielded to Him and transformed by His presence.

John 10:29-30; Romans 5:12-19; Colossians 2:6-15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5

God, in His own time and way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised and Christ will judge all men according to righteousness. The unrighteous will be confined to everlasting punishment. The righteous, in their glorified bodies, will receive their reward and will dwell forever in His presence.

Matthew 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:50-54; Philippians 3:17-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 21-22

Discipleship is the process of growing in grace and being conformed to the image of Christ. It is initiated by the Holy Spirit through His convicting of sin, revealing the truth, and exalting Christ. It becomes reality in our experience through faith and obedience. Discipleship involves forsaking all, self-denial, personal sacrifice, renewing of the mind, and perseverance. All true believers are Disciples of Christ.

Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:26-27; John 8:31-32; 12:24-26; Acts 11:26; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Peter 2:21

It is the privilege and calling of every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Because of the need of every person for salvation, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ seek every opportunity to share the good news and encourage others to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:36-38; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:37-42; 8:26-40; 10:42-43; Romans 10:9-15; Hebrews 2:1-4; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 22:17

God created marriage to be the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. God intends that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union of one man and one woman. Marriage uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church.

Genesis 1:18-25; Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-2; Ephesians 5:31-32; 1Thessalonians 4:3

All human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, stages, or conditions from conception through natural death. As believers, we are called to value all human life.

Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 139

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible, itself, the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of The Open Door’s faith, doctrine (beliefs), practice, policy, and discipline, our elder board is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 1:9