Our Authority

Our source of authority is that which is found only in the inspired Scriptures. Therefore, we seek to be governed in all that we do by God's Word. Since the Scriptures are sufficient for our every need (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we do not ask that anyone accept any creed book or church manual written by men.

Our Mission

It is our responsibility as Christians to preach the saving message of Jesus Christ to the lost of the world (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47). In order to be saved one must believe on Christ (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9-20); repent of his sins (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 2 Cor. 7:10); confess Jesus (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10) and be immersed in water for the remission of his sins (Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). Baptism puts us into Christ where salvation is (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27; 1 Timothy 2:10) and into the one body of Christ, His church, the church of which He is savior (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).

The Church

The religious world of our day is divided into various denominations. Each of these wears a denominational name that serves to further divide believers. We believe that this division is contrary to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3-4; Ephesians 4:3-6; John 17:20-21). Therefore, we have no denominational organization, name, doctrine or creed. We are known simply as Christians (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16). As a congregation, we are a church of Christ (Romans 16:16).

The word "church" means the "called out ones." The church is composed of those who have been "called out" of this world by the gospel unto Christ (II Thess. 2:14). The gospel tells of sin and of its wages of eternal death (Rom. 6:23). It tells of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (I Cor. 15:1-4). It urges all to receive forgiveness of sins. When one obeys the gospel, when he heeds its call, he is then "called out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Pet. 2:9). So, the church is made up of those who have obeyed the gospel, who have been "called out" of sin unto salvation.

Jesus Himself is the only recognized head of the church, who has been given all authority in heaven and on the earth (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23). The congregation at Oldham Woods is overseen by qualified elders and served by qualified deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28). Every member is considered a necessary and important part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Jesus Himself is the only recognized head of the church, who has been given all authority in heaven and on the earth (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).

The church is the saved (Eph. 5:23). The church is not the Savior. Jesus is. But the church is the body of Christ. All who believe and are baptized are saved (Mk. 16:16), that is, they are "added to the church" by the Lord (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).