OUR VISION
The vision of Open Heart Way of the Cross Church is to reach this generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ using a straightforward approach for sharing the tenets of the Christian faith with absolutely no deviation or alteration to the message of the bible. Our interest is to reach the whole man by standing up effective and transforming ministries to train, develop, and equip individuals not just to survive, but thrive in the world in which we live. We endeavor to facilitate wholesome fellowship by taking advantage of networking opportunities, social media, and technology to promote discussions that are both spiritual and natural in nature. We teach and promote the fundamental principles of the bible to enforce the enduring Christian values that will span generations to come. That said, we endeavor to train and develop Christian leadership who are equipped with an arsenal of modernized tools and techniques that will allow them to adequately address the needs of those individuals who’ll leverage the service offerings provided by Open Heart Way of the Cross Church. Most importantly, and the primary reason why we exists, is to help mankind reconcile back with God through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by teaching and preaching the uncompromised truth of His word.
OUR DOCTRINE
GOD
There is one God, who is one omnipresent, and all-powerful spirit. He revealed himself to man as Father; in creation, as Son; in redemption, and as Holy Ghost, as He empowered the church.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5, Malachi. 2:10, Mark 12:29, John 1:1-3, 10-14, Ephesians 4:4-6, Timothy 3:16
JESUS
Jesus is the Son of God, after the flesh, and God himself after the Spirit. His birth is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, making him the promised savior of man, born to a virgin. He had a dual nature fully God, and fully man. Jesus is the incarnation of the invisible God.
Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:10-11
RESURRECTION
Jesus Christ died on the cross on Calvary , and was buried in a tomb. Three days later, he rose bodily from the dead. He was resurrected, and appeared alive to Peter, and the rest of apostles, and many other brethren, who saw Jesus alive. We, who are born again in Christ, shall be resurrected as well and shall reign with Christ forever.
Luke 24:36-47, 1 Corinthians 15th chapter, Revelation 5:9-10
SALVATION
All people are born sinners (Romans 3:23), and must be born again in Jesus Christ. His shed blood is the atonement for our sins, and we must be born again of the water and the spirit, to receive eternal life with Jesus. Jesus Christ paid the price on Calvary for our sins, and salvation is in Jesus, and that name only.
John 3:1-18, John 14:1-6, Acts 4:12
REPENTANCE
To be saved, all men must repent, and turn away from sin. Jesus said, " except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" Luke 13:3. Godly sorrow brings conviction, and a turning away from the works of sin, to life in Christ.
WATER BAPTISM
Water baptism is essential for salvation. It is not an option for the Christian, but an act of obedience. Water baptism must be by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. Our sins are remitted, and washed away when we are baptized in Jesus name.
Matthew 28:19 (Jesus is the name referred to in this verse), Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12 -17, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16
HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the spirit of God indwelling the believer. The Christian must be sealed by the Holy Ghost in order to be resurrected when Jesus returns.
Romans 8:11
EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST INDWELLING
The prophet Isaiah wrote in the 28th chapter, the words of the Lord" with stammering lips and another tongue will I speak to this people" When the Holy Ghost fills the believer, they will speak in new tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (Acts 2:1-4). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost came and all spoke in new tongues. Jesus Christ still fills the believer today, and the Lord still sends the same evidence; speaking in other tongues.
Acts 2:37 -39, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 19:1-7, Hebrews 13:8.
THE BIBLE
The bible is the inspired Word of God that has been spoken to man, and recorded for our instruction. The Word of God is infallible, and is profitable for man's transformation from a life of sin, to a victorious life in Jesus Christ.
Psalm 68:11, John 1:1-3, John 6:63, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12.
THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is going to return to remove his bride, the church, from the earth. Those born again in Jesus, whether alive or dead, will Jesus bring with him, to live eternally with him in glory.
Matthew 24:35-42, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18.
HOLINESS
Holiness is the separation and sanctification of the Christian believer. The Christian is sealed by the Holy Ghost inwardly, which shows outwardly, in a transformed life of separation from the former ways of the world. A sanctified mind of holiness brings the Christian to a desire to be different from the world, in thoughts, words, and deeds. Holiness is also demonstrated as we show the love of Christ. It is essential for the Christian to be holy.
Leviticus 10:10 , John 13:35 , Hebrews 12:14 , 1 Peter 1:14 -16.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
A Christian must be rooted and grounded in a local church. It is essential for the growth, life, and development of the believer, and is not optional.
Hebrews 10:25.
ETERNAL JUDGMENT
Those who are not in Christ will be judged according to their works. All who reject him will be cast into the lake of fire, for eternal damnation. We will either be resurrected into eternal life with Jesus, or eternal punishment, and separation from Jesus.
Revelation 20:10-15.