Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel

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Here is a brief summary of our convictions:


Bible is God's Word to guide people to faith in Him and the life He wants for us.

is One, existing forever in three equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

the Son, Jesus Christ, entered the human race being born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind. He rose from the dead and is now on His throne in heaven.

the Holy Spirit is active in applying God's good gifts of spiritual truth and life to people who genuinely believe in Jesus Christ.

people are sinners, unable to meet God's perfect standards even by the best we can do.

work of Jesus Christ in bearing the full penalty of people's sin is the only basis for our forgiveness and is offered by God as a free gift to any who will really accept it. One way the Bible describes such believers is that we are "born again."

Christ promised, "I will build My church." The church is a worldwide family of believers growing since the Day of Pentecost. We are to gather in local groups to worship the Lord, fellowship with one another, pray, learn God's truth, and serve Him.

Christ will fulfill His promise to return to take His people home to be with Him forever.

Bible warns unbelievers of judgment ahead, urging all to receive God's gift of forgiveness and life while there is time.


Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel began in 1984 as "Asbury Road Bible Chapel." Christians living in the Dubuque community, along with some of the people of Emmaus Bible College, began to meet together in a fellowship along the lines of early New Testament churches, making use of the facilities of Emmaus Bible College for services and Sunday school classes.

In 2003, the group moved into its own new building at 2843 JFK Road. In keeping with the new community, the congregation decided to adopt a new name, "Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel," while preserving all the other distinctive qualities that have influenced people to accept Jesus Christ as Savior, to grow as believers, and to serve the Lord together.


We believe that the Bible is God's Word. It is inspired by God and is without error, the revealing of His mind and will to mankind. It is totally sufficient as our guide for salvation and for living the Christian life.

We believe in one God. He is the Creator of everything and has always existed in three equal Persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--called the Trinity.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God. Christ is both truly God and truly human. He was born of a virgin, and after living a perfect and sinless life on earth, He died to pay the penalty for mankind's sin. He was buried, He physically rose from the dead, and He ascended to God's right hand, where He is today.

We believe in the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is active in regenerating, indwelling, and giving spiritual gifts to every believer.

We believe in the sinfulness of human nature. Mankind, since his fall in the Garden of Eden, is sinful, and powerless to meet God's standards by his own efforts.

We believe that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for mankind's sin. Every person who truly believes in Christ is, by faith, resting on Christ's finished work on the cross. This is the only righteous ground on which a holy God can forgive a person's sins.

We believe that the program of God in this age is to build the church of Jesus Christ. Beginning on the day of Pentecost, all believers in Christ are brought into the church, the body of Christ, and are commissioned to proclaim the gospel worldwide. This local congregation is a small part of that great body. It functions autonomously, with Christ as its Head governing through a plurality of elders. The essential functions of the local church are teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

We believe in the second coming of Christ and His subsequent millennial reign upon the earth. The imminent return of Christ is the "blessed hope" of the church. This event will precede the day of the Lord and thousand-year messianic kingdom of Christ on earth.

We believe in the future resurrection of all mankind and in the last judgment of the unsaved. At the return of Christ for His church, believers will be raised, glorified, and made immortal. Those who have rejected salvation through Christ will be raised to judgment and the lake of fire for eternity.