VI. THE CHURCH
We believe that all who receive faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1), the bride of Christ (2), of which Christ is the Head (3).
A. Formation of the Church
We believe that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (4) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (5).
We believe that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (6). The church is distinct from Israel (7), a mystery not revealed until this age (8).
We believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (9) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (10).
B. Church Leadership
We believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (11) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers) (12) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (13).
We believe that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (14) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (15).
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (16). We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (17).
C. Purpose of the Church
We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (18) by building itself up in the faith (19), by instruction of the Word (20), by fellowship (21), by keeping the ordinances (22) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (23).
We believe the importance of discipleship (24), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (25), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (26).
We believe the calling of all saints to the work of service (27).
D. Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God has called the church to serve Him by serving one another as He accomplishes His sovereign purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (28), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ (29).
We believe that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church:
With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (31). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (32). The only gifts in operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification (33).
We believe that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (34).
E. Ordinances of the Church
We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (35). Christian baptism by immersion (36) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (37). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (38).
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (39). We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people (40).
References: (1) 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; (2) 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8; (3) Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18; (4) Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; (5) 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; (6) Ephesians 2:11-3:6; (7) 1 Corinthians 10:32; (8) Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32; (9) Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; (10) 1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25; (11) 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; (12) Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; (13) 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; (14) 1 Timothy 5:17-22; (15) Hebrews 13:7, 17; (16) Titus 1:5; (17) Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; (18) Ephesians 3:21; (19) Ephesians 4:13-16; (20) 2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17; (21) Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3; (22) Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42; (23) Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42; (24) Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; (25) Matthew 18:5-14; (26) Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16; (27) 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12; (28) Ephesians 4:7-12; (29) Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11; (30) Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12; (31) 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; (32) 1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14; (33) Romans 12:6-8; (34) Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15; (35) Acts 2:38-42; (36) Acts 8:36-39; (37) Romans 6:1-11; (38) Acts 2:41-42; (39) 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; (40) 1 Corinthians 10:16
We believe that all who receive faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1), the bride of Christ (2), of which Christ is the Head (3).
A. Formation of the Church
We believe that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (4) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (5).
We believe that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (6). The church is distinct from Israel (7), a mystery not revealed until this age (8).
We believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (9) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (10).
B. Church Leadership
We believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (11) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers) (12) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (13).
We believe that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (14) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (15).
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (16). We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (17).
C. Purpose of the Church
We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (18) by building itself up in the faith (19), by instruction of the Word (20), by fellowship (21), by keeping the ordinances (22) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (23).
We believe the importance of discipleship (24), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (25), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (26).
We believe the calling of all saints to the work of service (27).
D. Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God has called the church to serve Him by serving one another as He accomplishes His sovereign purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (28), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ (29).
We believe that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church:
- miraculous or “sign” gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message (30); and
- ministering or “service” gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another.
With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (31). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (32). The only gifts in operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification (33).
We believe that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (34).
E. Ordinances of the Church
We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (35). Christian baptism by immersion (36) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (37). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (38).
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (39). We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people (40).
References: (1) 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; (2) 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8; (3) Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18; (4) Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; (5) 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; (6) Ephesians 2:11-3:6; (7) 1 Corinthians 10:32; (8) Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32; (9) Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; (10) 1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25; (11) 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; (12) Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; (13) 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; (14) 1 Timothy 5:17-22; (15) Hebrews 13:7, 17; (16) Titus 1:5; (17) Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; (18) Ephesians 3:21; (19) Ephesians 4:13-16; (20) 2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17; (21) Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3; (22) Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42; (23) Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42; (24) Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; (25) Matthew 18:5-14; (26) Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16; (27) 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12; (28) Ephesians 4:7-12; (29) Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11; (30) Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12; (31) 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; (32) 1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14; (33) Romans 12:6-8; (34) Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15; (35) Acts 2:38-42; (36) Acts 8:36-39; (37) Romans 6:1-11; (38) Acts 2:41-42; (39) 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; (40) 1 Corinthians 10:16