Our Beliefs
VISION
ENGAGE. EQUIP. EMPOWER.
We believe it’s the church’s responsibility to meet people where they are; no matter what walk of life, circumstance or background. We ENGAGE people in their daily lives by investing in relationships with them; we invite them to make a commitment to a new life in Jesus Christ through baptism and church membership.
OVCN EQUIPS passionate followers of Jesus Christ through community worship so we are built up and encouraged in our faith. We are committed to the strategy of Small Groups and accountability. We believe the type of community found inside of Small Groups is rooted in the discipleship model of the great commission.
OVCN believes in missions. We EMPOWER our members to serve the world through the direct channels of local, regional, national, and international missions partnerships. We send people to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by meeting humanitarian and spiritual needs anywhere the Holy Spirit leads us. That starts in our neighborhood and continues to the ends of the earth.
Statements of Faith
Unity, Liberty, & Charity
In Essential Beliefs We Have Unity
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; and one God and Father of us all…”
Ephesians 4:4-6
In Non-Essential Beliefs
We Have Liberty
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In All Our Beliefs We Show Charity
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”
1 Corinthians 13:2
The Essentials of What We Believe
ABOUT GOD
We believe that God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; 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 the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22, 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
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He's present in the world to make us aware of our 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. 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 5:18
ABOUT SANCTIFICATION
We believe that after being born anew, we need the fullness of God’s spirit in our hearts. When we make a complete commitment to Him, He cleanses our spirit and gives us the power to live victoriously.
Matthew 3:11, 22:37-40; 1 John 4:17-18; Romans 6, 7, 8; Galatians 5:16-26; Acts 1:4-8
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The Church is the active body of Christ in the world today. It is called together by the Holy Spirit, through the Word, for the purpose of fulfilling God’s plan for the world until Christ returns which is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
I Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 5:25-28
ABOUT THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living, giving us all we need to know about how to be saved.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
We believe that people are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that 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, the old record of sin is wiped clean, and we are born anew.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5
ABOUT ETERNITY
We believe that 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 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
ABOUT OUR PRACTICE
1. The Bible is the sole authority. 2 Timothy 3:15
2. Every believer is a minister. Revelation 1:6
3. We have a commitment to tithing. Leviticus 27:30
4. We practice dependence on God’s Spirit. John 15:5
5. We tell others about Christ. 1 Peter 3:15
