The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is without error in the original manuscripts and is trustworthy. It applies to every area of life and is the authority in all matters on which it speaks. (Psalm 19:7-11, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Our church operates under the Lordship of Christ. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors, elders, and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell where His full wrath will be experienced. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 14:3; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18, Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
Gifts of the Spirit
We are continuasionists which basically means be believe the gift of tongues is still active. The Holy Spirit empowers believers for Christian witness and service. The promise of the Father is freely available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, thereby enabling them to exercise the powers of the age to come in ministry and mission. The Holy Spirit desires to continually fill each believer with power to witness, and imparts His supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of ministry in the world. The gifts of the Spirit must be careful to practice them according to the Scriptures.
Gifts are given according to the sovereign distribution of the Spirit for the purpose of edifying the body and advancing the gospel. The Scriptures say to pursue the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1, 39), exercise them in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40), and subject them to the Word (1 Corinthians 14:37). In our gatherings at Church Inside Out, we do not "showboat" the gift of tongues. If tongues were spoken in our gathering, we would follow the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.
There are some people who believe that evidence of salvation is speaking in tongues. We do not believe this. We believe that salvation is through Christ alone. It states in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 that different people have different gifts, and we see in verses 29-31 that not all speak in tongues. Paul asks the questions: Are all apostles? No. Are all prophets? No. Are all teachers? No. In other words, within the body of Christ, different people are called by God to have different gifts. If someone states that all are supposed to speak in tongues but that not all do, then are all supposed to be apostles as well but not all are? Are all called to be prophets? Are all called to be teachers? No. Likewise, not all are called by God to speak in tongues.
Gifts are given according to the sovereign distribution of the Spirit for the purpose of edifying the body and advancing the gospel. The Scriptures say to pursue the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1, 39), exercise them in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40), and subject them to the Word (1 Corinthians 14:37). In our gatherings at Church Inside Out, we do not "showboat" the gift of tongues. If tongues were spoken in our gathering, we would follow the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.
There are some people who believe that evidence of salvation is speaking in tongues. We do not believe this. We believe that salvation is through Christ alone. It states in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 that different people have different gifts, and we see in verses 29-31 that not all speak in tongues. Paul asks the questions: Are all apostles? No. Are all prophets? No. Are all teachers? No. In other words, within the body of Christ, different people are called by God to have different gifts. If someone states that all are supposed to speak in tongues but that not all do, then are all supposed to be apostles as well but not all are? Are all called to be prophets? Are all called to be teachers? No. Likewise, not all are called by God to speak in tongues.
God
There is one true God who has existed, and will exist forever in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These are equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Deuteronomy 6:4, Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 1:15-17, 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Healing
Does God heal today? No other conclusion is possible for Christians who hold to the inerrancy of Scripture. He can do it.
But is it always the will of God to heal? If I am not healed, is it because of my lack of faith? If I am sick, is it because of sin or perhaps even demonic activity in my life? There is much confusion in the church today over these matters. Click on the statement on healing to read as to what we believe on healing.
But is it always the will of God to heal? If I am not healed, is it because of my lack of faith? If I am sick, is it because of sin or perhaps even demonic activity in my life? There is much confusion in the church today over these matters. Click on the statement on healing to read as to what we believe on healing.
| cio_statement_on_healing.pdf |
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with God the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Christ. He convicts of sin and draws sinners to Christ. He lives in every Christ follower from the moment of salvation and seals them for the day of redemption. He provides Christ followers with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right and pleasing to God. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. These gifts are given to equip us to minister in the world in which we live. As Christ followers we are to seek to live under His control every day so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh, but will bear fruit that will glorify God. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Galatians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)
Human Beings
Humans are created in the image of God, but each one has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. We have all sinned by being disobedient toward God. Because of our sin, we are separated from God and are all in need of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:18-19)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God. He is the living Word who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and virgin birth. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose physically from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-5, 14, 8:58; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Hebrews 4:14-15)
Salvation
Salvation from our sinful condition and destination is a free gift to us from God. You can never make up for your sin through good works. Salvation is not earned and we do not deserve it. It is offered in grace and we receive it by faith in Jesus Christ alone. When we turn from our self ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. We are made right with God and are given eternal life. We also believe that speaking in tongues is not evidence of salvation, but a gift. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 3:28, 5:1, 10:9-10; John 3:16)
We are a Southern Baptist Church/Great Commission Church. We are affiliated with Oklahoma Baptists and the Tulsa Metro Baptist Network. Other networks we are a part of and have influenced our missional strategy: Missional Made Simple, FORGE America, and SOMA.
To read more in depth of our doctrinal positions, please read the Baptist Faith and Message here: bfm.sbc.net/
To read more in depth of our doctrinal positions, please read the Baptist Faith and Message here: bfm.sbc.net/