Doctrinal Basis

The Open Bible Trust is a registered charity, number 326717, whose object is the furtherance of the Christian faith; to bring men and women to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth; to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God (1 Timothy 2:4, Ephesians 4:12,13).

One of the ways in which the Open Bible Trust meets the above objective is through its publications which must be in accordance with the evangelical, fundamental and dispensational basis of the Trust. However, beyond this minimum, writers are free to express whatever beliefs they may have as their own personal understanding, providing their aim in doing so is to further the object of the Trust. The doctrinal basis of the Open Bible Trust is as follows:

Evangelical

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word who was from the beginning God and who dwelt among us as God manifest in the flesh (John 1:1; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16).

The all sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for sin (Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:14). Salvation is by grace through faith in the completed work of the Lord Jesus on Calvary's Cross (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Fundamental

The full verbal inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) written by holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

The responsibility of each believer to live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way by bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 2:10).

The need as a sure foundation for continual growth in faith for the diligent study of the Scriptures under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, Who bears testimony through them to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

The recognition of Scripture as the sole arbiter in matters of Christian doctrine and practice and that received tradition and opinions are of no binding authority.

Dispensational

The correct handling of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) taking into account in interpretation of Scripture not only what is written but of whom, and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstance, considering what goes before and what comes after.

The need to take note in Scripture of God's different dealings with men at different times and places and, in particular, the change recorded in Acts 28:17-31 with the resulting ministry of the Apostle Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9).

These themes are expanded on in the booklet "This We Believe".