Doctrinal Statement
Oglesby Union Church

This is a summary of what we believe as a church.  For each element, we provide a scripture reference establishing the basis for that belief.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact our pastor to learn more about our faith.

The Revelation of God

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God,without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority of all Christian faith, life, and doctrine. (John 6:63; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21).

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19-20; II Corinthians 13:14).

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 28:5, 6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14; I John 2:1).

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. (John 14:16, 17, 26; Ephesians 1:13; Titus 3:5).

We believe in the existence of the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, prince of the power of the air, author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 20:10).

We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:6; Romans 5:12; 6:23).

The Church

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9, 10; 1 John 1:9).

We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:20-22; Colossians 1:18).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the ordinances of both baptism and communion during His ministry on earth. These two ordinances tangibly and symbolically express the message of the Gospel. Although not the means of salvation and conferring no special grace, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith they do confirm and nourish the church, the body of Christ. (Matthew 3:16; Matthew 26:26–29; 28:18–20; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:23–26).

We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death and should be observed until He comes again. Partaking of the Lord's Supper is for believers only and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (I Corinthians 11:23-33).

We believe that the Word of God clearly demands that the believer walk in the path of separation from worldly pleasures and questionable practices which stunt spiritual growth and become a stumbling block for others. We believe, therefore, that all believers should live whole-heartedly for the Lord Jesus Christ and forsake those worldly practices which detract from their Christian testimony. (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

We believe in the personal, premillenial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Matthew 24:44; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:51, 52; I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Titus 2:13).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:6).

World View

We believe that marriage is ordained of God between one biological man and one biological woman and is further a human object lesson of a divine relationship. Marriage is dissolved by the death of one of the partners. We further believe that Christians are commanded to marry only other believers and should not enter into any other entangling alliances with non-believers. (Genesis 2:18-25; Romans 7:2-3; Romans 14:21; I Corinthians 7:39; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:4; I John 2:15-17).

We believe that divorce is permitted because of fornication and adultery or because the unbelieving partner forsakes the believing partner and institutes the divorce. Before divorce is to be considered, every means of reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration is to be sought. In those cases where divorce and remarriage have already taken place before conversion, God's desire is for the best in every marriage; thus, present marriages are to be built on His love, forgiveness, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9; I Corinthians 7:10-24).

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally disabled, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to value and protect human life. (Psalms 139:13-16).

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Genesis 1:26, 27).

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bi-sexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15: 18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society and that leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and, together with the laws, obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-3).