About · What We Believe
A closed hand
and an
open one
Some things we hold firm and do not budge. Everything else, we hold with an open hand — and a seat at the table for you to talk it through with us.
The closed hand
The essentials
On the primary beliefs of the historic Christian faith, we are firm. We do not budge.
Who God is. Who Jesus is and what He did. What Scripture is. What we are, what went wrong, and how it gets made right. These are not SOJO’s opinions — they are the faith Christians have confessed for two thousand years, and the nine statements below are where we stand.
The open hand
Everything else
On secondary beliefs, we hold our convictions with an open hand.
How the end times unfold. Styles of worship. Questions of church practice and Christian liberty that faithful believers have read differently for centuries. We have convictions here too — but we will not break fellowship over them, and we would genuinely rather talk than win.
If you come from a different faith background, come. Bring the questions and the disagreements. Dialogue is not a threat to what we believe; it is one of the ways we love you.
SOJO doctrinal position
Nine things
we hold firm
God
We believe God is the Creator, Sovereign over creation. He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26–27; 3:22 · Psalm 90:2 · Matthew 28:19 · 1 Peter 1:2 · 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and His virgin birth. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to receive us into Heaven.
Matthew 1:22–23 · Isaiah 9:6 · John 1:1–5; 14:10–30 · Hebrews 4:14–15 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · Romans 1:3–4 · Acts 1:9–11 · 1 Timothy 6:14–15 · Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
John 16:7–13; 14:16–17 · 2 Corinthians 3:17 · Acts 1:8 · 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16 · Ephesians 1:13; 5:18 · Galatians 5:25
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s Word. Through the Bible God reveals Himself — His character and His will — to human beings. Penned by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is truth and without error in what it intends to say. As such, the Bible is the supreme source of truth for what Christians believe and how we live. When properly understood and practiced, the Bible defines love and leads us to love God and people.
Psalm 12:6 · Psalm 119:105, 160 · Proverbs 30:5 · Matthew 22:37–40 · 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16 · 2 Peter 1:20–21
Humanity & Sin
We believe human beings are made in the image of God — spiritually, volitionally and emotionally. As image-bearers of God, every person matters to God. We are God’s supreme purpose for creation. Yet, because of Adam’s sin, we are a fallen people. Human beings will always be bent toward fighting God. Sin separates mankind from God. Therefore, everyone needs a supernatural Savior.
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 8:3–6 · Isaiah 53:6 · Isaiah 59:1–2 · John 3:16 · Romans 3:23
Eternity
We believe Heaven and Hell are real. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places.
John 3:16 · John 14:2–3 · Romans 6:23 · Romans 8:17–18 · Revelation 20:15 · 1 Corinthians 2:7–9
Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift from God. Human beings can never put God in our debt so that He owes us salvation. Therefore, we are saved by grace through faith because Jesus paid sin’s penalty on the cross.
John 14:6; 1:12 · Romans 5:1; 6:23 · Ephesians 2:8–9 · Titus 3:5 · Galatians 3:26
Baptism
We believe baptism is the public declaration that one is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism was commanded by Jesus and practiced by the New Testament church. We believe one who has believed, confessed and repented should be baptized, in a timely act of obedience. Baptism represents both Christ’s resurrection from the tomb and the resurrection of all believers yet to come.
Matthew 28:18–20 · Acts 2:37–38 · Acts 8:35–39 · Romans 6:4 · Colossians 2:12 · 1 Corinthians 12:13
Marriage & Gender
We believe that matrimony is a holy monogamous marriage between one man and one woman. This means that man and woman are two distinct genders willed by God their Creator in their respective beings, which reflect the image and nature of God.
Genesis 2:24 · Malachi 2:16 · Matthew 19:4–6 · Deuteronomy 22:5 · Romans 1:26–27
Know · GrowDoctrine is not trivia for insiders. Knowing who God actually is, is where knowing Life starts — and roots grow in solid ground.
Go deeper
Three weeks,
every question
welcome
Discover More is our three-week virtual class on basic doctrine and discipleship — everything on this page, unpacked, with room to push back.
You do not have to agree with all nine statements to take it. You have to be curious.
Still deciding what you believe?
Come anyway
This page is where we stand. It has never been the price of admission.