ODESSA PEOPLE’S CHURCH

Sola scriptura (by Scripture alone) is the doctrine that the Bible is the only God-inspired and authentic Word of God, it is the only source of Christian teaching, clear and self-interpreted.

This doctrine abolishes traditions in Christianity that contradict the letter and spirit of the Bible, or are not clearly confirmed in the Holy Scripture.

Holy Scripture is the only judge, the norm and rule, according to which one must test and evaluate all dogmas.

«But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work».

(2 Timothy 3:14-17)

« You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me… ». (John 5:39)

Sola fide (by faith alone) is the doctrine that forgiveness can be obtained only by faith, in spite of good deeds and actions. We do not depreciate good deeds, but we deny their significance as a source or condition for the salvation of the soul, we consider them to be the inevitable fruits of faith and the testimony of forgiveness.

This doctrine affirms the absence of other possibilities for forgiveness of a sinner, with the exception of faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice.

«… your faith has healed you …».

(Matthew 9:22)

«… a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law».

(Romans 3:28)

«So also Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith».

(Galatians 3:6-11)

Sola gratia (by grace alone) is the doctrine that salvation is God's grace, undeserved mercy; it’s not something that sinners deserved. That means that salvation is an unmerited gift from God for the sake of Jesus Christ.

«Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding …».

(Ephesians 1:3-8)

Solus Christus (through Christ alone) is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind, that salvation is possible only through faith in Him.

«For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people…».

(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

«But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah».

(Matthew 23:8-10)

«…and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy».

(Colossians 1:12-18).

Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone) is the doctrine that a person should revere God and worship only Him, since salvation is only and exclusively given through His will and actions.

«So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God».

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

«If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen».

(1 Peter 4:11)

«For For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen».

(Romans 11:36)

God loved us so much He gave His son to die for us, that we might live. In response, we believe the Church should show love and compassion, not only in Odessa but throughout Ukraine. This means we don’t just preach the Word of God, we live it out through actions and deeds that demonstrate God’s love for the world.

We use various methods and keep looking for new opportunities to show our love for God and people - we can do no other.

Every week a group of volunteers carries out visits around the Odessa region to; homes for the elderly, orphanages and boarding schools, with a programme of encouragement and humanitarian aid.

Employees and volunteers of the church organise various events such as:

• visiting the sick, widows whose husbands were killed in fighting in the East, and daughter churches in the district centres and villages in the Odessa region;
• celebrating Christian holidays at the city level, including Christmas Folk Festivals, an Easter Reconstruction and Harvest Thanksgiving. These events are very popular, we go to great lengths to make them interesting and accurate; visitors describe them as world class;
• engaging the media to reach a wider audience; we want to let as many people as possible know what we’re doing and to encourage new volunteers to come and join us;
• children’s Sunday School, which helps our children to meet amazing people and hear their stories;
• Royal Rangers, a children’s group that encourages discipline, self-organisation, develops knowledge and skills;
• meetings of teenagers and young people to strengthen them into a deeper faith in God.

After the war began in Ukraine, our church, using the "Good Samaritan" foundation, began to take displaced people from Crimea and Donbass; many of them are still here.