Statement of Faith

As an inter-denominational school, OCA seeks to unify believers by emphasizing the basic Biblical truths of salvation. We recognize the Bible as God's complete revelation and accept no extra-Biblical teaching as its equal. We interpret the Scriptures literally in a normative, grammatical sense.

OCA accepts students from families that agree with the basic Biblical truths for salvation presented in this Statement of Faith, although they may differ on other points. However, those that serve the Lord as board members, faculty and staff at OCA must be in total agreement with this Statement of Faith. If they change their views, they are expected to terminate their ministry at OCA. OCA seeks to maintain unity by emphasizing salvation by the grace of God through Jesus Christ rather than opposing differences.

1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired of God, and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.

2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and is the only true God and true man.

4. We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners in thought, word, and deed, becoming accountable upon reaching moral responsibility.

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that whoever believes in Him is justified on the basis of His shed blood. We believe that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6).

6. We believe in the literal bodily resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven and His present life there for us as High Priest Advocate.

7. We believe in the local church, which was established by Jesus Christ. Membership in the church is based on a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and baptism by immersion is a public confession of our identification with Christ.

8. We believe in "That Blessed Hope," the personal, premillenial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

9. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit.

10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just unto everlasting blessedness and of the unjust unto everlasting conscious punishment.

(OCA Bylaws, Article I)