Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of the Eastside Church of Christ in Midwest City, Oklahoma. These beliefs are grounded in the foundational truths of Scripture, and all of our teaching and ministry flow from these biblical doctrines.
God
There is one eternally existing God, the Creator of all things, who alone is worthy of all glory and praise. He is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, wisdom, justice, and mercy. God is unchanging—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever—and has revealed Himself in Scripture by the name YHWH (Yahweh).
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 ESV
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 ESV
Jesus
God has made Himself known through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God. Born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless life and gave Himself on the cross for our sins. God raised Him from the dead, and He now reigns as Lord and serves as the head of the church.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
Colossians 1:15-18 ESV
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
Colossians 1:15-18 ESV
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and His revealed truth to mankind. Through it, God shares His work throughout history and His will for our lives, providing everything we need to know in order to live in a way that pleases Him.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
The Church
The Church is the visible body of Christ, called to glorify God and proclaim the gospel to the world. It is made up of imperfect people who are united in their desire to follow Jesus, grow in His likeness, and share His message of grace and salvation.
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
Salvation
Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, offered to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Those who believe respond by confessing their faith, repenting of their sins, and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. From that point forward, they commit to living faithfully in obedience to Christ.
"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Galatians 3:24-27 ESV
"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Galatians 3:24-27 ESV
Mankind
Human beings, both male and female, are created in the image of God for His glory. Our purpose is to honor Him with our lives by learning His Word, allowing it to transform us, and sharing His truth with others.
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and will return one day to claim His people. Those who belong to Him will also be raised to live with God forever, sharing in the hope of eternal life.
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."
Romans 6:1-5 ESV
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."
Romans 6:1-5 ESV