Its Nature:
Those who have placed their faith in Christ are united together immediately by the Holy Spirit in one spiritual body, the church, of which Christ is the Head. This body began on the day of Pentecost, and will be completed at the coming of Christ. In addition to the spiritual union and communion that extend to the entirety of the body of Christ, the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (Matt 16:18; Acts 1:4,5, 11:15, 2:46,47; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:4-6, 5:25-27; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:25).
Its Mission:
We believe the church as the Body of Christ has a four-fold mission:
- Worship:
The highest privilege and responsibility of the church, both gathered and scattered, is worship, is worship and adoration of our great God, the Father, and our savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, through the eternal Spirit. (John 16:13-14, 4:23-24; Acts 2:42; Revelation 4:11, 5:12-13). - Instruction:
The central lifeline of the church is the Word of God. Therefore, one of the prime responsibilities is the nurture of the believer through the instruction and admonition of our Father's Word
(Col. 1:28; Acts 20:28, 32; 2 Tim 3:16, 2:2). - Fellowship:
Since the believer is a part of a body and not simply an isolated individual, one of the primary responsibilities of the church is to provide opportunities for genuine fellowship among believers
(Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:24-25; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 John 1:3). - Evangelism:
The last command of the risen Christ was for all disciples, to permeate the entire world in a continuous effort to make disciples of all men. (Matt 28:19 -20; Acts 1:8; 1 Pet. 3:15; Col. 1:28).
Its Organization and Relationships: Authority
These local assemblies have been given the needed authority for administering that order, discipline, and worship which Christ the sovereign Head has appointed. The biblically designated officers, serving under Christ and over the assembly, are elders and deacons (Matt 18:15-18; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 14:40; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).
Its Organization and Relationships: Spiritual Gifts
We believe that every member of the Body of Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift at his conversion according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are to be developed and used in the local assembly to the end that every believer will become completely mature in Christ. Their specific purpose is the mutual edification of the saints. We believe that certain gifts, which were evident in the early church, were temporary. The use of any gift or supposed gift must meet the test of edification. If it does not edify the Body, its use must be dispensed within the local assembly. We are totally opposed to any charismatic teaching that is divisive, or challenging to the teaching of the believer's security or to the teaching of the universal baptism of the Spirit at the moment of salvation of every believer. (1 Cor. 12; John 7:37-39).
Its Organization and Relationships: Ordinances
- Baptism:
We believe that baptism by immersion is an ordinance of definite institution in the New Testament. It is the outward sign and confession of our identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Rom. 6:3-7; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:38; 10:48). - The Lord's Supper:
We believe the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of the Lord's body which was broken for us and of His blood that was shed for our sins. There are two requirements that must be met before a person can partake of the Supper. First, a person must be born again, for one who is not saved cannot show forth the Lord's death when he has been unwilling to accept the Savior and His atoning work for him. Secondly, a Christian must examine himself to determine if he is in right fellowship with the Lord. We are warned of the consequences of partaking unworthily. When these two requirements are met, the believer is free to participate. We believe it is the Lord's table and as such is open to all believers who are in right relationship with God, regardless of denomination. Not only is the Lord's Supper a memorial of what Christ has done on the Cross, but it shows our faith in that past work and faith in His anticipated return. (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-30).
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