Doctrinal Statement
We recognize and believe in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. We do not recognize creeds issued by man as authoritative and binding, but we do offer in humility and sincerity the following statement of doctrine:
The Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the divinely inspired Word of God and infallible and inerrant in their original writings. They are perfect and complete, the only written revelation of God to man and authoritative in all matters.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Luke 24:44
There is only one living and true God, who as creator of the universe eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-2,26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6
God the Father is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He reveals Himself as a merciful and loving Father seeking fellowship with mankind.
2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 21:3
God the Son is revealed as Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; born of a virgin, He is both God and man sent “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV)
John 1:1-2, 14,18; 3:16; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-21
God the Holy Spirit is sent forth from the Father to indwell the saints, to be their counselor and comforter, to empower them for service, and to seal them to Himself. His work is to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He bestows spiritual gifts upon the believers for the perfecting of the saints.
John 16:5-16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:7-14
Man was created in the image of God without sin. He voluntarily fell from his sinless state and sin has passed on to all mankind alienating all from God resulting in physical and spiritual death.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; 3:1-19; Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15
Because mankind is hopelessly lost, we are in need of a Savior. Salvation has been provided through the substitutionary death of Jesus upon the cross. Through the shedding of His blood we have the forgiveness of sin. Salvation is a gift entirely by the grace of God. Through repentance and faith in His death and resurrection we have a living hope and “through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV)
1 John 1:7-9; 5:10-13; Hebrews 10:5-25; Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10
Christ’s Church is composed of all born-again believers who are voluntarily united together for:
- Worshiping God. John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:25
- Ministering to the saints. Galatians 6:2; John 13:14; 1 Peter 4:10
- Evangelizing and discipling. John 21:15-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
- Keeping the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
- We believe in, and practice baptizing believers by immersion. Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 8:38-39
Country Oaks Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.
HOW WE LIVE THIS OUT
The Bible calls us to worship, grow, and serve. We believe the church life is best lived out in these three areas of biblical truth that we have adopted as our core values.
The ultimate goal of the church is Worship. We at Country Oaks want to be a Church body that has a deep, red-hot love for Jesus, His Word, and the Glory of God. With this shared passion, we ask our members to join together Sunday mornings to pray, give, sing, preach, fellowship and enjoy the glory of God in corporate worship.
Hebrews 10:24-25, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 95:1, Exodus 15:1, Revelations 14:3-4
A healthy church body is one that is growing in its relationship with the Lord. Although God has provided many means for personal growth, we believe growth happens best in context of intimate, loving communities. Therefore we ask our members to actively seek a midweek “Growth Group” where they can find encouragement and accountability.
Proverbs 27:17, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, James 5:16, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:2
God is a communal God of love (Father, Son & Holy Spirit). Being a God of love, He has commanded His children to follow in His footsteps and actively love one another. In His love, Jesus came to serve not to be served. Therefore we ask our church members to serve one another with the same attitude as Christ, a self-sacrificial love.
Mark 10:45, 1 John 3:16, Galatians 5:13, Romans 7:6 John 13:34, Romans 12:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:24