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Doctrines of OBC

By Joe Felim

There are three points of doctrine that immediately strike the eye when examining the statement of faith at the website of The Online Bible College.

First, it says that justification is through faith (”by simply believing”) PLUS something else: “acting out that faith through receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.” This is not “faith alone.” It is faith PLUS an action on your part. The statement also speaks the language of decision theology.

Second, under “Water Baptism” the website teaches contrary to what Paul writes in Romans 6:4 - “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Paul is speaking of a real event, something that actually happened to us in and through Baptism. The website says that “baptism is SYMBOLIC (emphasis added) of our death, burial, and resurrection with the Lord Jesus Christ….”

Third, the website speaks of the Lord’s Supper as an ordinance we should celebrate, but says nothing about what we receive in the Supper or how this Supper profits us.

An observation: We have never found a nondenominational ministry that does not make similar statements regarding the sacraments and very few that have not included some kind of “decision theology” in their statements on justification.

A recommendation: Go to the WELS website. Click “Faith.” Click “Bible.” Click “Bible Studies.” Click “Bible Study Basics” and/or “Explore the Bible.” Discontinue the course that will not build up and could well weaken your Lutheran convictions.