Statement of Faith
Matthew (Tolu) Olowoyeye
“They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
My faith is founded upon Jesus Christ and governed by the authority of the Holy Scriptures. I believe that Christian faith must be more than a confession of the lips; it must shape how we worship, live, lead, serve, love, teach, work, and relate to others. I therefore affirm the following.
1. The Holy Scriptures
I believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, given through human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Scripture is trustworthy and authoritative for Christian faith, doctrine, conduct, and spiritual formation. The Bible is not subject to changing culture; rather, our beliefs and lives must continually be examined in the light of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12
2. The One True God
I believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, distinct in Person, yet one in divine being, glory, nature, and purpose. God is eternal, holy, loving, righteous, merciful, sovereign, and Creator of all things.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 6:3
3. Jesus Christ
I believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, revealed the Father, performed mighty works, willingly died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven, reigns at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for His people, and will return personally and gloriously. Jesus Christ is not merely one way among many. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
John 1:1-14; Matthew 1:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:6; Hebrews 7:25
4. Humanity, Sin and the Need for Redemption
I believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing inherent dignity and value. Through sin, humanity became alienated from God and unable to restore that broken relationship through human effort, morality, religion, achievement, or good works. Every person therefore stands in need of God’s grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption.
Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-5
5. Salvation by Grace through Faith
I believe that salvation is the gift of God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection provide the sufficient basis for forgiveness, justification, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. Salvation cannot be earned through human works. Those who repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ are forgiven, justified, born again, and brought into a new relationship with God.
John 3:16; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7
6. Repentance and the New Life
I believe that the gospel calls people not only to believe but also to repent, to turn from sin and toward God. Genuine faith produces a transformed life. Christians are not saved by good works, but salvation produces a life increasingly characterised by obedience, holiness, love, humility, justice, mercy, and the fruit of the Spirit. Christian maturity is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ.
Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2
7. The Holy Spirit
I believe in the Person, presence, and continuing work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts the world concerning sin, brings about regeneration, indwells believers, teaches truth, produces spiritual fruit, empowers Christian witness, distributes spiritual gifts, and equips believers for godly living and effective service. I believe believers should continually yield themselves to the Holy Spirit and seek to walk in His power, character, wisdom, and guidance.
John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9-14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18
8. The Church
I believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of all who genuinely belong to Jesus Christ. The local church is called to worship God, teach Scripture, make disciples, practise fellowship and prayer, care for people, proclaim the gospel, exercise spiritual gifts, develop leaders, serve communities, and participate in God’s mission in the world. Christ, not personality, title, institution, or tradition, is the Head of the Church.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-16
9. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
I believe that Jesus Christ gave His Church the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism publicly identifies the believer with Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper is a sacred remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s sacrificial death and our covenant relationship with Him until He comes again.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
10. Prayer, Faith and the Supernatural Work of God
I believe that God hears and answers prayer according to His will. I believe God remains sovereign and active in His world. He heals, delivers, guides, provides, comforts, restores, and intervenes according to His wisdom and purpose. Our confidence, however, is ultimately not in signs, experiences, personalities, or manifestations, but in God Himself and the truth of His Word. Faith is not an instrument for controlling God; it is confidence in His character, promises, wisdom, and sovereignty.
Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:7-11; Hebrews 11:6; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15
11. Holiness, Character and Christian Living
I believe that every Christian is called to a life of holiness, integrity, love, humility, purity, generosity, forgiveness, justice, compassion, and service. Spiritual gifts can never substitute for godly character. Leadership in God’s Kingdom is stewardship rather than status. Those entrusted with influence are called to serve rather than dominate, to protect rather than exploit, and to model the character of Christ.
1 Peter 1:15-16; Micah 6:8; Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 3:1-13
12. Human Dignity and Love of Neighbour
I believe that every human being bears the image of God and must therefore be treated with dignity, compassion, justice, and respect. Jesus commands His followers to love God wholeheartedly and to love their neighbours as themselves. Christian conviction must therefore never become an excuse for hatred, cruelty, exploitation, discrimination, or indifference to human suffering. We are called to speak truth in love, defend the vulnerable, care for those in need, pursue peace, and demonstrate Christ’s compassion in both word and action.
Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37; Ephesians 4:15; James 1:27
13. Calling, Purpose and Service
I believe that every believer has been saved by grace and called to a life of purpose and service. God gives gifts, opportunities, responsibilities, and assignments for His glory and the good of others. Calling must therefore be accompanied by character, preparation, humility, accountability, and faithful stewardship. Ministry is not primarily about platforms or titles. It is about knowing Christ, becoming like Christ, and faithfully serving the people and purposes entrusted to us.
Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 3:23-24
14. The Great Commission
I believe that every follower of Jesus participates in Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations. The gospel must be proclaimed faithfully, demonstrated through transformed lives, and passed intentionally from one generation to another. The mission of the Church extends beyond gathering people into buildings; we are sent into families, communities, workplaces, institutions, nations, and every legitimate sphere of human influence as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
15. The Return of Christ, Resurrection and Eternity
I believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and gloriously. I believe in the resurrection of the dead, God’s final judgement, eternal life with God for those who belong to Christ, and final separation from God for those who reject Him. The Christian hope ultimately looks toward the fulfilment of God’s redemptive purposes, when evil and death are finally defeated and God’s people dwell eternally in His presence.
John 5:28-29; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:1-5
My commitment
Because these truths are more than theological statements to me, I seek to order my life, family, ministry, leadership, writing, teaching, publishing, mentoring, and professional work under the lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture. I do not claim perfection or complete understanding. I remain a student of God’s Word, committed to learning, growing, being corrected by Scripture, and following Christ faithfully. My desire is not merely to be known as one who preaches the Word, but to be shaped by the Word I preach.
I believe that truth must be taught faithfully, grace must be extended generously, people must be treated with dignity, leadership must be exercised responsibly, and Christ must remain at the centre of everything.
My faith is in Jesus Christ. My foundation is the Word of God. My dependence is upon the Holy Spirit. My calling is to serve. My responsibility is to remain faithful. And my ultimate purpose is the glory of God.
Matthew (Tolu) Olowoyeye
