Oil Belt Christian Service Camp is a non-profit religious organization affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ of the Restoration Movement. With a belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we also hold an infallible view of the Bible as God’s Word. Our goal is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through the teaching of God’s Word.
The Bible: We believe the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired, inerrant Word of God (John 10:35; 17:17). It is therefore the authoritative source for everything done in the church (II Timothy 3:16-17).
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of OBCSC’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Leadership is OBCSC’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.
Creation: We believe that, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The universe is not here by accident, but rather was spoken into existence by the power of God’s Word (Genesis 1 & 2, John 1). Mankind is the special creation of God, made in His image, and not the result of animal evolution (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7). With the creation of Adam and Eve, God instituted the covenant of marriage between one adult man and one adult woman (Genesis 2:24), of which Jesus Christ affirmed in His ministry (Matthew 19:4-6). (See our marriage and wedding policy for our additional statements on marriage)
Additionally, we believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (See our Physical Privacy Policy for more information on sexuality and privacy)
We also believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Ps. 139).
Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). We believe that He is the Savior of the world (John 4:42). He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:22-23), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), was crucified for the atonement of sins for all mankind (I John 2:2), physically arose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10; Acts 2:24-32; 13:29-38), and He is coming back again (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:12-21). Through Him, and Him alone, is salvation found (John 14:4-6; Acts 4:10-12).
Salvation: God grants the pardon of sin, the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and the reward of eternal life to those who place their faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8), repent of their sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19), confess Christ as Lord (Matthew 10:32-33; Hebrews 10:23), and are immersed into Christ (John 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-7; I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12; I Peter 3:21). Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the power to live Godly lives and guidance in following His will (Romans 8:1-4, 26).
Eternity: We believe that Heaven is the real, eternal destination for all who are in Christ (John 14:1-6; II Corinthians 5:1-10). We believe that Hell is the real, eternal destination for all who are not in Christ (Matthew 10:28; 25:41-46; Revelation 20:15).