FAQ

This is a difficult question, both because we aren't a part of an umbrella organisation, and because people have different ideas of what it means to be "Lutheran" or "Baptist" or "Pentecostal". Therefore, we would rather describe what we believe than identify us with one specific group. Under are some short descriptions of what characterises us, with similarities and differences to different denominations.

We believe that people are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We believe that the Scriptures (the Bible) alone are the guideline for the church's faith and practices.

We practice baptism for those that understand and confess the gospel, but those who were baptised as a baby who trust in Christ are welcome to participate in communion and to be a member of our congregation.

We believe that the Spirit is personal and active today, and that God still performs miracles and supernatural healing. However we believe that our focus shouldn't be on miracles, but on teaching and following the Scriptures, knowing that God is the one who gives both health and sickness to His glory.

We believe that God is completely sovereign in the election of individuals to salvation, and at the same time that it is His will that every person be saved. However it is only those that sincerely seek God that are saved. This is a mystery for us, in the same way that it was a mystery in the Old Testament that God could both be just and justify those who trusted in God. 

We believe that the focus in a church service should be exalting God and preaching the Scriptures, and that each part of the service should help people get to know God better and glorify Him. 

We preach the Bible, mostly verse-for-verse. There are many different viewpoints among us about various topics – on politics, end times, baptism, etc – but we share the common belief that the Bible is our final authority when we discuss disagreements, and try to focus on the same things the Bible focuses on. 

Those who wish to do so meet at 10:15am for a 20-30 minute prayer meeting. 

Our church service starts at 11:00am. Most Sundays follow this order: 2 songs, a Bible reading, 1 more song, preaching for about 40 minutes, 2 songs, information about the week ahead, and communion. Sometimes there are other things happening in addition, like a baptism, congregation meeting, baby blessings, etc. 

After communion, we eat a warm meal together, so that we can stay longer and encourage one another. Most people stay for 1-3 hours after the service for fellowship, which is an important part of the meeting. 

Communion is held weekly, with alcohol-free wine and gluten-free bread.

During the week we have:

- an evening of fellowship for men, and a different evening for women (both with Bible studies, with a focus on prayer and application)

- a Bible study for all (with more focus on Biblical interpretation and about 30 minutes to talk about application)

- marriage group once a month

- parents group every third week

- and a prayer meeting every other week. 

In addition there are often birthday celebrations and other activities arranged for those that are interested. 

The time and place for all of these meetings varies, so contact us at post@bibelkirken.no to get more information!  

Bibelkirken began in 2015 with a small group of friends who were looking for a biblical church:

• with a strong foundation in God's Word
• who were willing to allow themselves to be governed by the Scriptures in what they believed and practiced
• and with a biblical congregation composition with elders that have a personal responsibility for their flock. 

After much prayer, reflection in God's Word, discussion and deliberation with the wise and gray-haired (or bald), Bibelkirken was started. 

God has led us through many joys and sorrows. We have seen many saved and grow to be strong in their faith. But we have also had people among us who wouldn't stop trying to convince others to follow food laws from Leviticus, or that Jews can be saved through works, which we have had to take a stand against. 

We have encouraged and been encouraged by other churches and Christians in Norway.

We support a missionary, and under Corona we supported a church in India where all of the members were day labourers who had lost their jobs, and didn't have money for vegetables for their children – we are still good friends with them. 

As a church, we first met in homes, then in other meeting places. Some places have been wonderful for children and adults alike until we grew out of them, while others were clearly full of glass shards, urine, vomit, and beer cans when we got there. Under Corona, when it wasn't allowed to meet inside, we met outside in the forest; we were out in the cold and heat, in sun and rain, and rejoiced in the reminder of how valuable Christian fellowship is.

We have experienced sickness and death among us, and marriage and new life (both physical and spiritual). 

Each summer we arrange a summer camp with Bible teaching, where families and singles are invited. There is also a fall conference "Sammen for evangeliet" (Together for the Gospel), that we arrange with other churches. We take care of each other and work together to be a resource for Christians in Norway, and to spread the Gospel. 

We work closely with Bibelkirken Vestfold, Sandefjord Evangeliske Menighet and Kilden Menighet Jæren. We also have good fellowship and friendship with Berøa Presbytarianske Kirke and Hamar Reformerte Kirke. In addition to these, we have friends and contacts in other churches in Norway.

We are also connected with Khandigari Fellowship, a church in India that we supported financially during the Corona period, and who we continue to rejoice in, in mutual prayer and encouragement.

We believe that it is better for us as a congregation to support individual missionaries than missionary organisations. An individual missionary is someone we can get to know personally, who can visit us, hold us updated with prayer requests, and be held responsible if there is anything going on that isn't God-honouring. 

We send money knowing where it is going, following what the missionary does, praying for him, encouraging him, and supporting him in many different ways in addition to financially.

The missionary we support is named Ted, an American who has visited us before and who we have come to know, who travels around India and Africa to train pastors and teachers to teach others. He has seen much fruit, as the Gospel has reached out locally by the strengthening of the local churches. Many pastors that have been taught are now teaching others. It was through Ted that we came in contact with the church in India who we pray for and have supported financially during Corona. 

Kristian and Daniel our the leaders, and you can contact them at post@bibelkirken.no if you have any questions. They are both new parents with full-time work on the side of church work and diaper changes. 

It is important that we as a congregation don't only focus on ourselves, but work together for our country and the world. We encourage each other to evangelize to unsaved friends, family, colleagues, other students, and neighbours, and have seen fruit from that. 

We don't have our own street evangelism team, but have a member who is a contact person with Open Air Campaigners for any who would like to join this important work for our city. 

We pray often for our country and our political leaders: first and foremost for a revival. 

Other than that, we:

• work with other churches to be a mutual encouragement to them, and publish sermons
• moderate the Facebook group «Reformerte i Norge» (Reformed in Norway)
• help organise the «Sammen for evangeliet» (Together for the Gospel) conference, with other churches
• arrange the annual summer camp, that gathers Christians from different areas of the country
• stream and publish sermons and summaries from Bible studies as a resource for others, especially for those wanting to go verse-for-verse through the Bible
• recently published a book about the Sermon on the Mount (in Norwegian) — send a message to post@bibelkirken.no if you would like a copy
• work together with Teologihuset (the theology house), which develops video-based Christian teaching and has contributed an overview of the New Testament
• actively work on finding out the best way to create and share resources that will serve Christians in Norway

Lastly, we keep in contact with a church in India for mutual encouragement and prayer; this has been an important reminder for us on how Christians in other parts of the world suffer under hardship and persecution. 

Translation at Bibelkirken Oslo:
Our Sunday services are in Norwegian. We offer translation of the Sunday service into English every week. The translation is simultaneous, and is sent over our Discord channel.
To get access to the translation:

1. Download Discord
2. Create a profile
3. Please ask us for the Discord link. The translator is easy to spot in church.
4. Join the translation group via this Discord link. The translation is accessed at the same link every Sunday.

The Sunday service songs usually include both Norwegian and English songs. 


For the time being (April 2023), these weekly meetings are held in English:

• The Monday evening ladies´ Bible study
• The Thursday evening Bible study for both ladies and men
• At most of our other meetings, you are free to participate in English if you prefer.
• At the summer Bible camp and the fall conference Sammen for evangeliet (Together for the Gospel), we usually offer translation to English