A. We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), the body and bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22, 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We believe that the formation of the Church, the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We believe that the Church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all believers during this present age (Ephesians 2:11-3:6). The Church is distinct from Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32). The Church is a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament (Ephesians 3:1-6, 5:32).
B. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures, (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11) and that believers in Christ are directed to associate themselves together and actively participate in such local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:24-25).
C. We believe that the one, supreme authority for the Church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) 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 and pastors; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5). We believe that these male leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 2:9-12; 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the local church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership within scriptural guidelines (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
D. We believe that the objectives of the local church involve the exaltation of the Savior, the edification and equipping of the saved, and evangelism of the lost (1 Corinthians 10:31, 14:5, 12, 26; Ephesians 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).
E. We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government under Christ headship (Titus 1:5). We believe that it is scriptural for doctrinally sound 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, and through congregational feedback, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine via prayer, searching the Scriptures, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit all other matters of administration, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
F. We believe that the purpose of the Church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by prayer and fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42; 20:7), and by advancing and communicating the Gospel to the entire world. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
G. We believe in the ordinances of believers' water baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the Church Age (Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:41, 42; 18:8; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
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