Statement of Faith

by | Sep 4, 2019 | Christianity, Faith | 0 comments

The Omitherian Confession

I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is God incarnate.1 He is the only human to have truly imaged God, which he accomplished through his life of love, his unerring words, his miracles of service, and his absolute obedience to the Heavenly Father. His words were so disturbing to the entrenched people of his time, he was crucified. However, Jesus overcame death and rose from the grave to life. As the perfect substitute, his sacrifice was sufficient to cover all human sin. And because of the worthiness of his life and death, the Father appointed him Lord over all creation.2

Jesus offerssalvation to all who trust in him as Lord.3  He is the only mediator between humans and God the Father, and he is the only hope for deliverance from the deadly effects of sin. The common theme of human religions is salvation by works, but this theme is a pandering to human pride, and useless for salvation. Salvation cannot be earned—it must be received through faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.4

God is a triune being: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune nature is illustrated in various Scripture passages. Jesus prayed to his heavenly Father. He proclaimed to the Jewish leaders,“Before Abraham was, I am,”—a clear quote of God speaking to Moses.5 Jesus claimed that“When anyone looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.”6 When Jesus was baptized the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove.A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased.”7 Additionally,Jesus told his disciples he had to return to the Father but in his place he was sending the Counselor (Holy Spirit).8

God is sovereign and good.9 He is the creator of the universe and all living creatures. God has always been benevolent towards humans.10 He is love.11  All his actions are governed by love, which he has defined in his Word.12 God rules over the grand arc of human history, as well as the details of every person’s life.13  

All creation suffers because of the human failure to trust and obey God.14 Those who cling to self determination or false religions, rather than serving God, will be ushered into the Heavenly courts to be judged. There, despairing, they will bow before Christ while the destructive impact of their rebellion is revealed. Having rejected the Grace of Jesus, they will be banished from God’s presence, which is the irrevocable sentence of death.15 

In contrast, all experiences pleasant or difficult work to the good of those who serve God.16 For the Christian, suffering refines and purifies17. Christ perseveres over all obstacles in order to bring Christians salvation.18 God purifies the saints19, to the end that they will be delivered to the new earth he has prepared for them.20

Humans are created by God; they are not accidents of a material universe. God has made every person in his image21, which implies that each one is appointed to represent him on the earth, exercising creativity, constructive abilities, and careful decision-making. But, as descendants of Adam and Eve, humans are infected with sin, which means all human actions are tainted by wickedness.22 Because of this flawed nature, and because humans are dependent on God for life, humans have ample reason for humility. At the same time, God lifts up those who trust in him. Christians are God’s delight.23 His adoption makes them children of the Heavenly King24—a title that exceeds any earthly title. This knowledge should fill Christians with peace, confidence, and a sense of identity.

Fundamentally, human activity is to fulfill the commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself.”25   This love encompasses love’s meaning: passion, empathy, forgiveness, mutual support, sacrifice, and holiness. As the Forgiven, Christians must be filled with grace, freely forgiving the transgressions and abuses of others.26

Every Christian is to live as a steward27, caring for God’s earth, and for his or her body, God’s earthy sanctuary.28 Christians are to live in gratitude for all possessions and talents, which are God’s gifts29. The Christian life is to be characterized by service,30 not self-indulgence; it is not for the accumulation of wealth, fame, and power,31 but for spending what God has given on blessings and the lifting up of those in need. There is no sacred/secular division, no separation of “things belonging to God” and “things discretionary”. All recreation is to be holy and restorative; all relationships are to be honest, loving, and guided by Christ; all time is to be spent in Christ’s service. Christians are to practice honest labor as long as they live. Work is service to the Lord.32 While it is wonderful to be involved in “purposeful” work, all work of service is honorable. To be able to provide sustenance through one’s work is, itself, purposeful and important.33 In Christ, life is lived to the fullest, because relationships are loving, fear is overcome, needs are met, and life is punctuated with laughter.34

God created male and female in his image.35 The union of male and female thus provides a critical revelation of God’s nature, especially for children. The union of male and female is a God-designed recreation of life and the God-designed re-creation of life.36 The union is to encourage joy and commitment, which are so critical to wellbeing, not only for the united ones, but for their offspring, and for the offspring of their offspring. Marriage is a complementary relationship, characterized by kindness, mutual service, and personal interest.37 Sexual activity outside of this marital commitment is counterfeit and is harmful to all participants, as well as the children who might be brought into counterfeit or broken relationships or, worse, who might be terminated prior to birth.38

Christians are to promote justice and mercy.39 Christians are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven but are also citizens of the earth. Christians are to faithfully serve in their communities and nations while seasoning society with the wisdom of God.40 Life itself is sacred to the Lord.41 Therefore, Christians must stand against the evil forces that would destroy life. It is particularly important that the Church stand up for the weak, such as the unborn, the abused, the exploited, the elderly, the disabled, the depressed, and those with limited resources.42 Christians must be evangelistic, since salvation, itself, is the greatest mercy of all.43 

The Church is comprised of all the saints, that is, those who trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.44  Jesus alone judges who has genuine faith.45 He does not look on the outward appearance but at the heart.46 It is not the responsibility, nor is it possible for Christians to determine who belongs to Christ. Therefore, in practice, Christians are recognized primarily on the basis of their professions of faith in Christ, or through Covenantal inclusion, which is to say, those who are children of believing parents.  

However, God assigns the stewardship of his revealed truth to the Church. Persons who profess Jesus as Lord must also be obedient to him. The Church may not accept the profession of one who selectively submits to the lordship of Christ. It does not matter whether an individual pursues gossip, or thievery, or promiscuity, or gluttony, or homosexuality, or violence, or racism, or hatred, or abuse, or exploitation, or other sins; it is not possible to claim Jesus as Lord while embracing sin. The Church effectively encourages sin whenever it remains passive about sin in its midst. The Church must confront its members who willfully sin, with the goal of repentance and restoration. Those who refuse to repent of sin must be excluded from the Church.47 

Those who make up the Church are no holier than those who do not,48 except that by the atoning work of Jesus the Church stands before the Heavenly Father perfectly clean.49 While on this earth, Christians continue to experience temptation, and they continue to sin. The Christian life, then, must include repentance and renewal, which are integral to spiritual growth. Christians must despise self-righteousness, while embracing true righteousness.50 The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of man; his commands are not a burden, but a guide for healthy and happy living.51

The Bible metaphorically refers to the Church as “members of one body”52. This metaphor suggests individuals of varied racial, cultural, and socio-economic origins, gifted in different ways, but committed to one another and working in harmony. The Church is made up of local congregations but also reaches across all nations and through time to include the saints who have gone before and who have yet to come. Those on earth are to be mindful of the wisdom of Christians from the past. The Church is to be all things to all men,53 which means it must hold passionately to the clear truths given by God, while holding all other traditions loosely, submitting to one another in matters of human preference. Christians are not merely to tolerate one another; they are to love one another.54

Christians are to assemble regularly for mutual encouragement, to remember God’s glorious acts, particularly the life and work of Jesus Christ, to consider his wise guidance, to pray, and to sing psalms and spiritual songs—all of which are means of worshipping him.55 Discipleship is a crucial work of the Church. It is important for Christians to attain Biblical knowledge, as well as a coherent understanding of God’s revelations. Most importantly, discipleship should lead to continuous applications of Biblical truths to relationships and responsibilities.56

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God.57 God delivered the words of the Bible over many centuries to various prophets and witnesses. These revelations were confirmed by miracles, by the thematic consistency of the writings, by the inter-confirmations of the writings, and by the affirmations of the believing Church for more than three millennia.

Christian faithfulness requires following God’s will, as revealed in the Bible. While historical background can add depth of meaning, and the context of every biblical passage is the entire Bible, God’s Word is no secret code; its important points can be understood by any reader.58 The Bible cannot be truly appreciated without faith, however.  One must trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God in order to be open to the truth of his Word. To those who trust the Lord, the biblical revelation is a window into the deep truths of reality; it is like hearing the voice of God himself. 

It is crucial that Christians should remain ever faithful to God, praying continually, fellowshipping with the saints, living as servants, and living in purity. Through these practices they will be prepared for the return of Jesus. The Lord Jesus will return to fully establish his reign,59 including the provision of a new earth on which his saints will live harmoniously forever.60 They will serve him there, experiencing all the wonders and joys of life on earth, but in perfected ways, no longer impeded by sin or physical corruption.61

  1. Hebrews 1.3 [Jesus, image of God]
  2. Ephesians 1.22 [Jesus, head of all]
  3. John 3.16 [God loves the world]
  4. Ephesians 2.8-10 [Saved by grace]
  5. John 8.58; Exodus 3.14 [Before Abraham, I am]
  6. John 12.45 [He who sees me sees God]
  7. Matthew 3.16,17 [Tbe Spirit descended]
  8. John 16.5-10 [Sending Helper]
  9. Deuteronomy 10.17; Psalm 97.1-9; Colossians 1.16 [Greatness of God]
  10. Psalm 103.8-14; Ezekiel 18.30-32 [God’s compassion]
  11. 1 John 4.8 [God is love]
  12. Deuteronomy 31.6 [God will not forsake]
  13. Genesis 50.19,20; Romans 8. 38,39 [God’s sovereignty]
  14. Genesis 3.17-19; Romans 8.19-21 [Sin’s curse]
  15. Matthew 25.41[Depart to eternal fire]
  16. Romans 8.28 [All things work to good]
  17. Isaiah 48.10 [Refinement]
  18. Philippians 1.6 [Jesus will complete his work]
  19. Titus 2.14 [God purifies us]
  20. Matthew 25.34 [Inherit the Kingdom]
  21. Genesis 1.26,27 [Humans: God’s image]
  22. Romans 5.12 [Adam introduced sin]
  23. Zephaniah 3.17 [God’s delight]
  24. Romans 8.14-17 [Sons of God]
  25. Matthew 22.36-40 [Love God & neighbor]
  26. Matthew 18.21-35 [Unforgiving servant]
  27. Psalm 24.1, 1 Peter 2.16 [Earth is the Lord’s]
  28. 1 Corinthians 3.16 [God’s temple]
  29. 1 Corinthians 4.7 [We possess what God gives]
  30. 1 Peter 4.10,11 [Use gifts to serve]
  31. Luke 16.13 [Can’t serve two masters]
  32. Colossians 3.23, Genesis 2.15 [Work unto the Lord]
  33. 1 Timothy 5.8 [Provide for relatives]
  34. John 10.10 [Abundant life]
  35. Genesis 1.27 [Created in God’s image]
  36. Genesis 2.18-25 [God created man and woman]
  37. Ecclesiastes 4.9, Mark 10.9, Ephesians 5.22-33 [Husbands and wives]
  38. Hebrews 13.4, 1 Corinthians 6.9, 1 Thessalonians 4.3-5, Proverbs 5.15-19 [Sex and marriage]
  39. Micah 6.8 [Do justice]
  40. Romans 13.1-7 [Submit to authorities]
  41. Genesis 9.6 [Human blood sacred]
  42. Psalm 82.3,4 [Justice for the weak]
  43. Matthew 28.18-20 [Make disciples]
  44. Romans 1.7 [Saints]
  45. James 4.12 [One judge]
    1 Samuel 16.7 [Lord looks on heart]
    Matthew 18.15-17 [Church discipline]
    Romans 3.9-20 [No one righteous]
    Colossians 1.21,22 [Jesus’ sacrifice makes us clean]
    Romans 12.9 [Genuine love]
    Psalm 119. 1-176 [Law is a light]
    1 Corinthians 12.12-31 [Many members, one body]
    1 Corinthians 9. 19-23 [All things to all men]
    1 John 4.18-21 [To love God must love brother]
    Hebrews 10.24,25 [Assemble regularly]
    James 3.13-18 [Wisdom in action]
    Deuteronomy 18.17-22; 2 Timothy 3.16,17 [Scripture inspiration]
    Deuteronomy 6.6,7, Psalm 119.130 [Bible understandable]
    1 Thessalonians 4.13-5.11 [Return of Jesus]
    Revelation 21.1-22.5 [Heaven]
    1 Corinthians 15.42-49 [Imperishable resurrection]

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