Copyright © 2011 One Church Universe Inc. All rights reserved.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of OCU Bible College and Seminary is an overall expanded version of the original articles of religion, and declaration of faith, as set forth by One Church Universe Inc., for clarity as to faith, and practice.
BIBLE
The entire Bible is divinely inspired by God; the only authority of faith and Godly conduct (Job 32:8; II Timothy 3:15-17). It is the only true record concerning God's love for the world (John 1:1; 3:16), His respect for humanity (Exodus 2:25; II Peter 1:17), and His disapproval of sin (John 8:44; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:26). United in content, theme (John 5:39-47), and infallible (Proverbs 30:5); therefore, we oppose all apostate teachings (Galatians 1:8-9).
UNITY AND PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
We are One Church in Christ, making a difference (Ephesians 4:5; I Corinthians 1:10-13; Jude 22). We are commanded of the Lord Jesus Christ to take the gospel to the whole world, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 12:23). The purpose of the Church is threefold: Worship (John 4:23-24); Edification (Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24-25); Evangelism (Mark 16:15-20). Concerning these purposes, God is not partial to male and female with regard to spiritual gifts, and leadership as each person who has been born of the Spirit is an important part of the Church, which is the body of Christ (Genesis 1:22; Acts 10:3-4; I Corinthians 12:27; Romans 2:11; Galatians 3:28; James 2:9).
TRINITY
We may scripturally speak of the God of heaven as a trinity, though He is the One and only true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6). God has revealed Himself in three distinct personal attributes (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and yet absolutely unified in One (John 1:1-14; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7; Luke 3:22).
GOD
CFO (Chief Founding Officer) of entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity. He is the first mentioned in the Bible, and the first of three witnesses in both heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:10-11; 45:5; Matthew 28:18; Mark 6:33; John 17:21-23; I Corinthians 12:1-14; James 1:17; I John 5:7-8). God is One (Deuteronomy 5:1; 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-22). He is Spirit (John 4:23-24). He is Light (I John 1:5). He is Love (I John 4:7-8). Consuming Fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Hebrews 12:29). Timeless (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 90:2; 93:2; Revelation 1:8-17; 2:8; 21:16; 22:13). Omnipotent (Genesis 35:11; I Samuel 3:18; Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Revelation 19:6). Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:24). Omniscient (Romans 11:33-34; I John 3:20). God has Intellect (Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 15:18; Hebrews 4:13). He has Emotions (Psalm 33:5; 103:8-13; Hebrews 12:29; James 5:11). He has a Will (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10-11; Daniel 4:35; Matthew 19:26).
JESUS
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity. He is God's only Son (John 1:1; 3:16). He is first in all; second only to God (John 1:14-18; Colossians 1:14-20; I Timothy 3:16; I John 3:8-10). He is the second of three witnesses in both heaven and earth (I John 5:7-8). Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:21), as the Savior of the world (John 4:42; I John 4:14). He is without sin (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22; II Corinthians 5:21; I John 3:5). He was anointed by God to preach, teach, and work miracles (Acts 10:38). He died for the sins of humanity (I Corinthian 15:3). He was resurrected (Matthew 28:6; I Corinthians 15:4), appearing many in a time span of forty days (Acts 1:3). Jesus ascended back to the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; Colossians 3:1). He is currently praying for us (I John 2:1; I Timothy 2:5; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 2:13). He will return for us (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). Jesus has Intellect (Matthew 21:23-27). He has Emotions (Matthew 21:12-13; 27:46). He has a Will (Luke 2:49; 22:42).
HOLY SPIRIT
COO (Chief Operating Officer) of the entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity; equal with God the Father and God the Son (Genesis 1:2-26). He is invisible, yet we see the outcome of His power (John 14:17). He is the third of three witnesses in both heaven and earth; divinely completing the Godhead Association (I John 5:7-8). God sent His Spirit to assist Jesus in all that He did (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-51; 15:26-27). He empowered the apostles (Acts 1:8). He dwells in the believers today (Acts 2:38), and serves as advocating source, and guide to all truth (Joel 2:28; John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Acts 2:4; 2:38; 5:3-4; Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit has Intellect (John 14:26; 15:15; 16:7-14). He has Emotions (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). He has a Will (Acts 16:6-10).
MAN
A tripartite being; created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; I Thessalonians 5:23). Man of his own choice transgressed the will and command of God; thereby inheriting the nature of sin which results in physical death as well as spiritual death /separation from God (Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 7:29; 12:7; John 6:44; Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 1:23). Whether in or out of Christ, man will be resurrected (Matthew 24:31-46; Acts 24:15; Revelation 22:11).
SIN
Disobedience to the laws of God (Romans 4:15; I John 3:4); knowingly (Numbers 15:28), and unknowingly (Exodus 18:4). God loves sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), but He hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19; Romans 6; Hebrews 1:9; 10:26; I John 3:8).
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s gift to us as an act of love; providing deliverance from sin and the consequence thereof (Ephesians 2:8-9), through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. This undeserved gift of salvation is free to all who believe and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; thereby being justified by faith (John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 10:9-15; I Corinthians 6:9; I John 2:1). The inward witness of a holy and righteous life are the evidence of salvation (Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:24).
The philosophy of OCU Bible College and Seminary is an overall expanded version of the original articles of religion, and declaration of faith, as set forth by One Church Universe Inc., for clarity as to faith, and practice.
BIBLE
The entire Bible is divinely inspired by God; the only authority of faith and Godly conduct (Job 32:8; II Timothy 3:15-17). It is the only true record concerning God's love for the world (John 1:1; 3:16), His respect for humanity (Exodus 2:25; II Peter 1:17), and His disapproval of sin (John 8:44; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:26). United in content, theme (John 5:39-47), and infallible (Proverbs 30:5); therefore, we oppose all apostate teachings (Galatians 1:8-9).
UNITY AND PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
We are One Church in Christ, making a difference (Ephesians 4:5; I Corinthians 1:10-13; Jude 22). We are commanded of the Lord Jesus Christ to take the gospel to the whole world, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 12:23). The purpose of the Church is threefold: Worship (John 4:23-24); Edification (Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24-25); Evangelism (Mark 16:15-20). Concerning these purposes, God is not partial to male and female with regard to spiritual gifts, and leadership as each person who has been born of the Spirit is an important part of the Church, which is the body of Christ (Genesis 1:22; Acts 10:3-4; I Corinthians 12:27; Romans 2:11; Galatians 3:28; James 2:9).
TRINITY
We may scripturally speak of the God of heaven as a trinity, though He is the One and only true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6). God has revealed Himself in three distinct personal attributes (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and yet absolutely unified in One (John 1:1-14; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7; Luke 3:22).
GOD
CFO (Chief Founding Officer) of entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity. He is the first mentioned in the Bible, and the first of three witnesses in both heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:10-11; 45:5; Matthew 28:18; Mark 6:33; John 17:21-23; I Corinthians 12:1-14; James 1:17; I John 5:7-8). God is One (Deuteronomy 5:1; 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-22). He is Spirit (John 4:23-24). He is Light (I John 1:5). He is Love (I John 4:7-8). Consuming Fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Hebrews 12:29). Timeless (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 90:2; 93:2; Revelation 1:8-17; 2:8; 21:16; 22:13). Omnipotent (Genesis 35:11; I Samuel 3:18; Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Revelation 19:6). Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:24). Omniscient (Romans 11:33-34; I John 3:20). God has Intellect (Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 15:18; Hebrews 4:13). He has Emotions (Psalm 33:5; 103:8-13; Hebrews 12:29; James 5:11). He has a Will (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10-11; Daniel 4:35; Matthew 19:26).
JESUS
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity. He is God's only Son (John 1:1; 3:16). He is first in all; second only to God (John 1:14-18; Colossians 1:14-20; I Timothy 3:16; I John 3:8-10). He is the second of three witnesses in both heaven and earth (I John 5:7-8). Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:21), as the Savior of the world (John 4:42; I John 4:14). He is without sin (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22; II Corinthians 5:21; I John 3:5). He was anointed by God to preach, teach, and work miracles (Acts 10:38). He died for the sins of humanity (I Corinthian 15:3). He was resurrected (Matthew 28:6; I Corinthians 15:4), appearing many in a time span of forty days (Acts 1:3). Jesus ascended back to the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; Colossians 3:1). He is currently praying for us (I John 2:1; I Timothy 2:5; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 2:13). He will return for us (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). Jesus has Intellect (Matthew 21:23-27). He has Emotions (Matthew 21:12-13; 27:46). He has a Will (Luke 2:49; 22:42).
HOLY SPIRIT
COO (Chief Operating Officer) of the entire Godhead Association, the world, and humanity; equal with God the Father and God the Son (Genesis 1:2-26). He is invisible, yet we see the outcome of His power (John 14:17). He is the third of three witnesses in both heaven and earth; divinely completing the Godhead Association (I John 5:7-8). God sent His Spirit to assist Jesus in all that He did (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-51; 15:26-27). He empowered the apostles (Acts 1:8). He dwells in the believers today (Acts 2:38), and serves as advocating source, and guide to all truth (Joel 2:28; John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Acts 2:4; 2:38; 5:3-4; Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit has Intellect (John 14:26; 15:15; 16:7-14). He has Emotions (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). He has a Will (Acts 16:6-10).
MAN
A tripartite being; created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; I Thessalonians 5:23). Man of his own choice transgressed the will and command of God; thereby inheriting the nature of sin which results in physical death as well as spiritual death /separation from God (Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 7:29; 12:7; John 6:44; Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 1:23). Whether in or out of Christ, man will be resurrected (Matthew 24:31-46; Acts 24:15; Revelation 22:11).
SIN
Disobedience to the laws of God (Romans 4:15; I John 3:4); knowingly (Numbers 15:28), and unknowingly (Exodus 18:4). God loves sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), but He hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19; Romans 6; Hebrews 1:9; 10:26; I John 3:8).
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s gift to us as an act of love; providing deliverance from sin and the consequence thereof (Ephesians 2:8-9), through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. This undeserved gift of salvation is free to all who believe and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; thereby being justified by faith (John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 10:9-15; I Corinthians 6:9; I John 2:1). The inward witness of a holy and righteous life are the evidence of salvation (Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:24).