About
Church Motto
Opening Doors
To
God's Word
To
Transform Lives
for
God's Glory
What We Believe
The Bible
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the written Word of God, and the supreme and sole authority of Christian faith and practice. We believe the Bible was given by inspiration of God. No other writings, experiences or traditions of any kind are inspired in this sense. Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:4, 9-11, 16, 60, 136; Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2Pet. 1:19-21.
The Nature of God
We believe the only true and living God is a tri-une God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as stated in the Bible. He is the creator of everything that exists. Gen.1:1; Ex.20:2-3; Jer. 45:5-6, 21-22; Matt. 28:19; Jn.10:30; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 8:6
Jesus Christ
We believe the eternal Son became flesh through miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a sinless human life, perfectly fulfilling the divine law, and then offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin. He died on the cross, shedding His precious blood, in full substitution and atonement for the sins of all people everywhere. He was buried and on the third day he arose bodily from the dead, and is alive forevermore. He later ascended bodily into heaven. He now continually intercedes for those who put their trust in Him. He is fully man and fully God. Isa. 7:14; Lk. 1:30; I Cor. 13:3-4; Heb. 10:19-22; I Pet. 3:18.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. In relation to the world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He seals, empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies and helps believers to live for God. Isa 6:1-13 (cf. Acts 28:5-6); Matt. 28:19-20; Jn. 3:5-6; 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Acts 5:3-4; Eph. 1;13-14; 4:30.
We believe that the Holy Spirit, according to His will, gives gifts to believers so that they can fulfill the ministry of the church. Some of the gifts given were temporary and limited to the 1st century believers. Other gifts continue today and are to be used by Christians to serve. Each person has been given a gift by the Holy Spirit so that each person may serve in and through the church. 1 Cor.12; 13:8-10; 14; Rom 12:3-8; I Pet. 4:10.
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death (separation from God), and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are now sinners by birth and by choice. Man’s only hope of salvation is found in Jesus. Gen. 3:1-6; Ps 51:5; Rom 1:20; 3:10-19; 5:12-21; I Cor. 4:14; Acts 4:12; 1 Pet. 3:18
We believe Man is unable to save himself from the power and penalty of sin. Man can only be saved when he repents of his sin and places his faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. A true Christian is one who has been “saved: or “born again” by the work of the Holy Spirit upon receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior of His life. The reality of his salvation, as well as one’s personal assurance of salvation, will be evidenced by a genuine love for God as seen in his obedience to God’s Word. One who has been truly born again continues in his walk with the Lord and is kept saved by the power of God for the day of redemption. John 3:3; Rom. 6:23; 10:9-13; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:8-10; Heb. 9:22; I Pet 3:18; I Jn. 2:3-6; 2:19; 5:13
The Church
We believe the church is a hospital for sinners. It includes all who have turned to Christ for salvation. It is the support group created by God as a place to help both individuals and families to live for Him. Matt 16:18; 22:37-40; 28:19-20; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 11:23-28; Eph. 4:11-12; Col. 1:24; I Tim 4:14-15.
The Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, both of the saved and the lost. The lost will be resurrected to an eternal punishment in hell. The saved will be resurrected to an eternal joy with Christ in heaven. Matt. 25:34-41; Jn. 14:1-6; Rom 6:23; I Cor. 15; 1Thess 4:16-18; Rev. 20-21.
Our Church Provides
1. A Foundation for Living
At Open Door you will hear the Bible taught in a way that you will understand. Our church exists to provide you with a place to learn the Bible through preaching, discipleship, and Bible studies. The Bible, although written some 2,000 years ago, is full of useful information for us today. Sermons at Open Door are meant to take the principles found in the Bible and apply them to our lives in a rich and meaningful way.
2. A Family for Living
The world we live in is ready to condemn and look down on us and so we need a place where we can go to be uplifted, encouraged and supported, and that is exactly what you will find at Open Door. At Open Door you will find people who care about you. Come and be part of the Open Door Family.
3. A Force for Living
In the “Star Wars” movies the famous saying was, “May the force be with you.” At Open Door you will learn how to be connected to the true force of the universe – Almighty God. At Open Door we learn who God is and how to worship and serve him.
4. A Function for Living
Open Door provides a place for you to invest your life in the lives of others. It provides a place for you to become part of a team, working together with others for God’s glory, to impact the lives of people. It is a place for caring, sharing, serving, learning & growing.
5. A Focus for Living
God wants us to be messengers of His Love. He wants us to tell others of the good news of the gospel. At Open Door we learn how to share God’s love and good news to a world which is so in need of good news.
Meet Our Leaders
Tom Sica
Tom is a graduate of Dunmore High School and Liberty University. He has been married for 39 years and has two children and three grandchildren. He has been preaching God’s Word in the Scranton area for over 39 years. He is the founding Pastor of Open Door Church.
John Sokolowsky
DEACON
John is a deacon, greeter, and oversees our clothing shed for the needy.
Bob Sauers
DEACON
Bob is a deacon and a small group leader.
Frank Marcinko
Worship Leader
Frank is a small group leader and our worship leader overseeing our projection system.
Rob Parfitt
PRAISE TEAM LEADER
Rob leads our Praise Team and a Men’s Prayer Group.
Belinda Schindler
CHURCH SECRETARY
Belinda is our Church Secretary, photographer, and our all around media and graphics person.
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