OUR HISTORY

 

Open Bible Churches is an association of evangelical Pentecostal/Charismatic churches called to be a vital organ in the Body of Christ. Jesus is blowing a fresh breeze of repentance, prayer, fasting, and evangelistic fervor into our movement. Our mandate includes the development of healthy, loving relationships that produce support and accountability among our ministers and churches. God is giving us ever clearer vision, vibrant leadership, and comprehensive strategic planning that He might cause Open Bible to fulfill His purposes in this generation...and generations to come.

The Open Bible family of ministers and churches is an international movement having historic roots that date to the first decade of the twentieth century. Our association represents over 1,600 churches worldwide, ministering in nearly 40 nations. Jesus is blowing a fresh breeze of repentance, prayer, fasting, and evangelistic fervor into our movement. The Holy Spirit gives expression to this through various streams of ministry and anointing as expressed in our local churches. Thank you for your interest in learning more about Open Bible. Your discovery will be enriched as you read what We Believe in these Articles of Faith, and remember…you are always a welcome guest at your local Open Bible church.

The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. (Ps. 119:89; Matt. 24:35; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21)

God
We believe there is one God. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and attribute, fulfilling distinct, but complementary, roles in the great work of redemption. (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 3:16-17; II Cor. 13:14; I Tim. 1:17; I John 5:7)

God The Father
We believe in God the Father, the co-Creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and unchangeable Creator of all. (Deut. 32:6; Ps. 103:13; Isa. 63:16; Matt. 6:9; Eph. 4:6; John 5:19-23, 17:1-11; Acts 17:28; Rom. 8:14-16; I John 3:1)

God The Son
We believe in God the Son, co-Creator with the Father and Holy Spirit, who took upon Himself human form, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and given the name, Jesus. His death by crucifixion and His bodily resurrection, reconciled the human race to God. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us as the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Isa. 53:1-5; Matt. 1:21-23; John 1:1-3, 11:25-26; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:1-6; I Tim. 2:5)

God The Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, co-Creator with the Father and Son, who is now sent by the Father through the Son to convict the world of sin, lead us into all truth, and empower and equip the Church to carry on Christ’s work on earth. (Gen. 1:2; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8; Acts 1:8)

The Fall of Mankind
We believe the human race is fallen from its original, created goodness because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 1:27, 3:1-6; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 5:19)

The Plan of Redemption
We believe Jesus Christ was the sacrifice God planned from the foundation of the world for the sin of the human race. By shedding His blood and dying on the cross, Jesus made provision for the salvation of all people. (Isa. 53:5; Titus 2:14; Heb. 7:25; I Pet. 1:19-20)

Salvation
We believe, because of our total inability to save ourselves, salvation is by God’s grace alone. It is received by faith with repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. (John 3:3, 3:16-17; Eph. 2:8-10; II Cor. 5:17; I Pet. 2:24)

Water Baptism
We believe water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an outward sign of an inward work and is commanded by God following conversion. (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Acts 2:38)

The Lord’s Supper
We believe in partaking of the bread and the cup of communion in remembrance of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. We celebrate an open communion for all believers regardless of church affiliation. (Luke 22:7-22; I Cor. 11:23-28; II Cor.13:5)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the moment of salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. Consistent with biblical accounts, believers should anticipate Spirit-baptism to be accompanied by speaking in tongues and other biblical manifestations. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service. (John 7:37-39, 14:16; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 19:6; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 3:16)

Spirit Filled Life
We believe every Christian should walk and abide in daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit and experience continual renewing of God’s power to live a Spirit-filled life in attitudes, thoughts, speech, and conduct. In order to build up and equip both individual believers and the Church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts that are to be earnestly desired and exercised in the spirit of love. The fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in the life of every believer is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (John 15:4, 15:8; Acts 4:31; Rom. 8:1, 8:5, 12:1-2, 12:6-8; I Cor. 3:17, 12:7-11, 12:31; II Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:11, 4:30-32, 5:18; Gal. 5:16-25; I Thess. 5:22; I Pet.1:15, 4:10-11; I John 2:6)

Divine Healing
We believe the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted is provided for in Christ’s death on the cross. God is willing to and does heal today. (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; Acts 3:16, 10:38; James 5:14-16; I Peter2:24)

Resurrection
We believe the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ assures the believer of bodily resurrection and eternal life. (Matt. 28:1-7; Rom. 6:1-10; I Cor. 15:20-22; I Thess. 4:14-18)