Mission, Covenant and Articles of Faith

Our Mission 

"It is the desire of the Open Bible Tabernacle to reach out to all Christians regardless of race, creed, national origin, or denomination and to demonstrate the power of unity, and to join together in Christian love with all who have been born again of His Spirit.

And to further demonstrate that we feel that our God is the Father of all creation, and that we are all one in Him." I John 2:9-10.

We will further demonstrate:
"In things essential, UNITY,
In things non-essential, LIBERTY,
And in all things, CHARITY."

Covenant

Having repented of our sins and being led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we do most solemnly and joyfully enter into a covenant as one Body in Christ. "We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Ghost, to walk together in Christian love; holiness of heart and life; to promote prosperity and spirituality of the church; to be faithful to the worship services and ordinances and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and other expenses of the church; and to help the poor, and the spreading of the Gospel to ALL nations. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to pray for one another, to aid one another in distress, to make every effort to be sympathetic and courteous in speech and behavior and to be slow to take offense, but if we do offend or are offended, we will always be ready for speedy reconciliation."

Articles of Faith

Preamble

The purpose of the Open Bible Tabernacle is to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was taught by the Apostles in the beginning of the Church Age, in which we are.

Article I

The Godhead – God is an invisible Spirit.  John 4:24 & Colossians 1:15.  Jesus Christ is God, the invisible Spirit, manifested in the flesh.  I Timothy 3:16 and John 1:14.  There is one God manifested as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  These three are one.  I John 5:7 

Article II

Plan of Salvation – Salvation is obtained through obedience to the Gospel which is the Death, the Burial and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I Corinthians 15:1-4.  God’s plan of obedience is Faith through Grace and Repentance in order to be saved, at which time the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, comes in and takes up his abode.  John 3:16;  Acts 16:31.

Article III

Water Baptism – After one has thoroughly repented of their sins, and turned from the world, they should be baptized immediately in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Baptism is burial with Christ to rise and walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 16:31-33; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:5.

Article IV

The Filling of the Spirit – We teach that every Christian who has received the Spirit through the new birth of baptism into Christ should yield to the Spirit until there is a Biblical manifestation (there are many):  Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretations, Gifts of Healing, Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Faith, Miracles, Discerning of the Spirit, Visions, Dreams, Sanctification (a separated life – from the world) with an endowment of power for winning the lost.  Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:1-31.

Article V

The Personal Return of Jesus – As Jesus ascended into Heaven after His earthly mission was finished, an angel announced to the sorrowing disciples that He would return in like manner as He had gone away.  Therefore, the return of Christ in person just as He went away has always been the hope of the church.  Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 1:7; Colossians 3:4; I John 3:2-3; I Thessalonians 4:13, 17.

Article VI

The Kingdom – We believe at His return He will deliver up the Kingdom, I Corinthians 15:24, not set up the Kingdom as many suppose.  The scripture is clear on the matter of the Kingdom.   John, the Baptist, preached, “It is at hand.”  Matthew 3:2; Jesus preached, “The Kingdom is at hand.”  Matthew 4:17; The Apostles preached, “It has come.”  Acts 28:23; I Corinthians 4:20; Acts 8:12; The Kingdom is a realty.  Hebrews 12:28; Colossians 1:13; Luke 12:32; Romans 4:17; Jesus is on the throne.  Acts 2:30-31.  We are reigning with Him now.  I Peter 2:5-9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 5:10.  He is in His temple.  I Corinthians 3:16-17.  At His personal return (the hour which no one know), the Heavens will part with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat.  The earth and its works shall be burned up.  There will be a new Heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.  II Peter 3:10-13.  We make no attempt to improve on that.  So Come Lord Jesus.

Article VII

The Church – The Church had its beginning on the day of Pentecost and consists of all people wherever they may be found in the world who have truly been born again.  The Church is not a denomination.

Article VIII

Church Membership – All Christians who attend Open Bible Tabernacle regularly at least once per week unless hindered by reasons or things beyond their control or unless requested by the Board of Open Bible Tabernacle to minister elsewhere and who (to the best of their ability) support the church financially and live according to its moral standards (to the best of their ability) can consider themselves members of the Open Bible Tabernacle.

When a member of Open Bible Tabernacle moves into an area that would hinder them from attending the Open Bible Tabernacle regularly, and they deem it necessary to attend another church, and yet they cannot join the other church because of convictions and the teaching of the Open Bible Tabernacle, as long as they do not join another church, and live according to and believe in the Doctrine and Faith of the Open Bible Tabernacle, they can continue to consider the Open Bible Tabernacle their church home.

Article IX

Speaking with Tongues – Since there is much discussion concerning our position on this question, we feel that the following statement should be made.  We believe that speaking in other tongues (languages) as the Holy Spirit give utterance is one of the gifts of the Spirit, all of which are for the church today.  See Article XXIII for more information concerning our position on the subject of “speaking in tongues.”

Article X

The Lord’s Supper – The Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.  Matthew 26:26-29.  This is an ordinance of the church and as such it is to be taken literally.  The order and meaning of the Lord’s Supper is set forth in I Corinthians 11:32-34.  We shall endeavor to observe this ordinance the first Sunday in every quarter.  Although we don’t feel that the washing of feet is an ordinance of the same significance as the Lord’s Supper, the Lord did wash His disciple’s feet after supper.  Further, He said, “If I your Lord and Master wash your feet you should also wash one another’s feet.”  Therefore, this privilege will be given at least once a year on a pre-announced date, and if at all possible, the Friday before Easter for those who wish to take the Lord’s Supper with the washing of feet.  I Timothy 5:10; John 13:4.

Article XI

Divine Healing – It is a privilege of the Christian today to go to the Lord for the healing of their body.  James 5:14, 15.  The prayer of faith shall save the sick.

Article XII

Heaven and Hell – There is a literal hell for those who reject the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour.  Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:15.  There is a Heaven for those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and are found faithful at His coming.  John 14:1-2;  Revelation 20:15.

Article XIII

Our Relationship to other Christians – The Open Bible Tabernacle is a full-gospel, non-denominational institution.  Its doors are open to all Christian people.  Our loyalty to Christ, not our opinions about Him, should bind us together.  Jesus said, “I am He that openeth the door and no one closeth it.”  Again, He said, “I am He that closeth the door and no man openeth it.”  Revelation 3:7-8.

Article XIV

Fellowship – The true basis of fellowship is walking in the light of God’s Word.  The members of the Open Bible Tabernacle are not compelled under the sentence of excommunication to surrender their conscience to the dictates and personal interpretation of scripture of others.  They meet as the Apostles, in the 15th chapter of Acts to discuss any and all points of doctrine with the aim in view of arriving at the truth.  In the multitude of counselors, there is safety.  Proverbs 11:14.  We welcome into our church all Christians of other denominations and organizations who respect our views, exercise Christian principles and courtesy.  Our motto is “We are all brethren and ONE is our MASTER.”  Christians should rally around the Cross of Christ and not around doctrine.

Article XV

Missions (Foreign & Home) – Among the last words of Jesus to Him disciples were, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”  Again, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish.”  And again in Acts 1:8, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”  Because of the foregoing, we feel that the sole purpose of the church is to carry the gospel to the whole world.  It is the duty of the Church Board to promote and carry out the missions program of the church, which shall originate with the Church Board.  It will be the policy of the church to encourage those who have been called to the ministry to go to the mission field and to stand behind them with all our resources, there being millions yet untold.  All missionary funds will be handled by the general treasurer when at all possible.  The treasurer will disburse funds to fulfill our mission obligations or when directed by the Church Board or the Pastor.

The Missionaries that consider themselves members of this church have first priority of the support of the church.  After they receive their support, the balance will be divided among the other Missionaries that we have agreed to support – plus, anything designated to them or any other Missionary or cause.

Article XVI

Benevolence – Any member of the Church Board can serve as a benevolence committee member and accept the responsibility to approve or disapprove any request for help for needy persons or families that may come to the Church.  The approval or disapproval will be made after each request is investigated by the Board Member.  The person through whom the request may come should help the Board make such an investigation.

Article XVII

Alcoholic Beverages – Since so many homes have been broken over the use of alcoholic beverages and so much grief caused by it throughout this country, and whereas most alcoholics start by taking the so-called “social drink,” we condemn the use of alcohol for any purpose except medicinal.

Article XVIII

Tithes and Offerings – Tithes are God’s plan to provide for His work and has been His plan since the days of Abraham.  It was practiced by Moses in the law and Jesus endorsed it.  Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42.  A Christian should give at least 1/10th of their increase to the work of the Lord.  The practice of offerings date back to the days of Cain and Abel.  I Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrew 7; Luke 11:42.  Anyone who does not give at least 10% of their increase to the work of God is robbing God.  Malachi 3:8-10.

Article XIX

Conscientious Scruples – We, the members of the Open Bible Tabernacle, fully believe in loyalty to our government and to our country.  However, in time of war, we reserve the right to appeal if we so desire to our much-appreciated American privilege of non-combatant service.

Article XX

Christian Dress – We realize that the clothes one wears does not make them a Christian; but down through the ages a nation of people has been identified by the clothes they wear.  We believe this is true today of God’s people, as we are a nation, also.  It does not become a Christian to follow the extreme, immodest fashions fo the world.  The short, tight, form fitting clothes do not belong with God’s people; nor does excessive jewelry, makeup, boyish haircuts on women or long hair on men.  I Corinthians 11:14-15.  Christians should dress in modest apparel as becometh SAINTS and not follow the extreme, immodest fashions of the world.

Article XXI

Tobacco – Tobacco is a poisonous, habit-forming alkaloid nicotine and considered by the nation’s leading scientists as a major cause of cancer of the lungs, throat and mouth.  It is also a nuisance and offensive to a large percentage of Christians who do not have the habit.  We feel that it is associated with the old sinful nature and in view of this, we do not believe a Christian can advance very far spiritually and still continue its use.  Galatians 5:24.

Article XXII

Marriage and Divorce – We believe that all scriptures concerning marriage and divorce are written to the church.  Therefore, the status of an individual married or single at the time they become a Christian is their starting point as far as God is concerned.  The past is forgiven.  I Peter 4:17.  Judgment begins at the house of God (after a person is saved).  We believe there are certain scriptural grounds for divorce and remarriage which are as follow:

  1. One reason is (unfaithfulness) in the sense of failing to keep themselves only unto their companion and are guilty of fornication (which includes adultery).  The Lord Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:31-32, they may seek a divorce and remarry.
  2. Another reason is, when a man or woman comes to Jesus (saved) and their companion refuses to live with them as a Christian and departs solely for that cause, then in such a case a brother or sister is not under bondage.  I Corinthians 7:15.  We believe this to mean free to marry again.  Otherwise, he or she would most assuredly be under bondage.

Only ordained ministers have authority to perform marriages and then only after the seekers have attended four marriage counseling classes taught by someone approved by the Church.  No ordained minister will marry any divorced person whose companion is yet living unless the subject or subjects attend the Open Bible Tabernacle and the minister is thoroughly convinced of the innocence of the subject and that every effort has been made or attempted at reconciliation.  And that their previous companion has already married someone else.

Article XXIII

Standard of Conduct – Open Bible Tabernacle holds that the Bible is the infallible, divine Word of God and that salvation by faith in Christ is the initial step in the Christian life.  There is adequate Biblical basis for the idea of spiritual growth into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), which is the work of the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 3:18).  This growth begins with the initial act of saving faith and continues throughout life.  The Holy Spirit makes the Christian conscious of the Biblical demands for a holy life which fulfills both God’s moral law and high law of love (Matthew 22:37-39): Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 15:14.  That is a life consecrated unto God and separated from the world.  All of the activities of the Christian must be subordinated to the glory of God who indwells us (I Corinthians 8:9, 12-13, 10:32).  The Christian will endeavor to avoid practices which cause the loss of sensitivity to the spiritual needs of the world and loss of the Christian’s physical, mental or spiritual well-being.  I Corinthians 9:27 Christians must always maintain high standards of courtesy, kindness, morality and honesty.