THE CHURCH:
A. THE BODY OF CHRIST -
The body of Christ has been called the universal church. It includes all believers in the dispensation of the church. At the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13, 27).
B. THE LOCAL CHURCH -
1) Its Members - The members of the local church must profess salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith in Christ, if genuine, will then show itself in a desire to live a consistent Christian life. Members must be willing to abide by the church constitution, and must be baptized by immersion.
2) Its Officers - The pastor is the one who oversees the entire administration of the church affairs. He shall be assisted by others such as assistant pastor, youth pastor, etc., if the church grows to where these officers are needed. The deacons will serve in the physical properties of the church, building, ground, repairs, etc. (Acts 6:1-4), so that the pastor may spend time in the Word and prayer. The pastor, assistants, and deacons shall also watch over the spiritual welfare of the church. They shall be involved in visitation, evangelism and the administration of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, etc.
3) Autonomous Church - The local church has the absolute right of self-government free from any interference of any hierarchy, individuals or organization. The one and only head is the Lord (Colossians 1:18).
4) Indigenous Church - The church is self-propagating. It is made up of local members, not outsiders. It is not governed by outsiders, but by local members.
5) Its Ordinances - Ordinances are not a means of bestowing grace but are done in obedience and remembrance of our Lord. The ordinances are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The ordinances have been given to the church for the entire dispensation of the Church Age. The requirement for baptism is profession of faith in Christ Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). The requirement for the Lord’s Supper is salvation, baptism, and a desire to confess all known sin unless one desires to drink damnation (judgment) unto himself (I Corinthians 11:17-34).
6) Its Discipline - The church shall have the right at any time to dismiss from its membership any member who may be found guilty of willful violation of the church constitution and by-laws. The procedure in the case of church discipline shall be in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.
7) Its Relationship To Other Churches Of Like Faith - Fellowship will only take place between churches of like faith (doctrine) and practice (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32).
a) Primary Separation - This is separation from all religious apostasy, all sin, worldly pleasures, practices and associations such as National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, Ecumenical Movement, Charismatic Movement, Neo-evangelicalism, Liberals, etc.
b) Secondary Separation - The church will not fellowship with fundamentalists that associate with neo-evangelicals, liberals, etc. This would be entertaining apostasy which is displeasing to God.
c) Personal Separation - Saved people should not engage in worldly pleasures, practices, and associations. This would bring reproach upon our Saviour (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Timothy 2:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 7-11).
8) Its Purpose and Commission - The purpose of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12-13). Their commission is to win the lost, baptize them, and bring them into the local church and train them to go out and disciple others (Matthew 28:19-20).
9) Separation Of Church And State - We believe very strongly in the separation of Church and State. Each have a definite and distinct sphere of responsibility (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7).
A. THE BODY OF CHRIST -
The body of Christ has been called the universal church. It includes all believers in the dispensation of the church. At the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13, 27).
B. THE LOCAL CHURCH -
1) Its Members - The members of the local church must profess salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith in Christ, if genuine, will then show itself in a desire to live a consistent Christian life. Members must be willing to abide by the church constitution, and must be baptized by immersion.
2) Its Officers - The pastor is the one who oversees the entire administration of the church affairs. He shall be assisted by others such as assistant pastor, youth pastor, etc., if the church grows to where these officers are needed. The deacons will serve in the physical properties of the church, building, ground, repairs, etc. (Acts 6:1-4), so that the pastor may spend time in the Word and prayer. The pastor, assistants, and deacons shall also watch over the spiritual welfare of the church. They shall be involved in visitation, evangelism and the administration of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, etc.
3) Autonomous Church - The local church has the absolute right of self-government free from any interference of any hierarchy, individuals or organization. The one and only head is the Lord (Colossians 1:18).
4) Indigenous Church - The church is self-propagating. It is made up of local members, not outsiders. It is not governed by outsiders, but by local members.
5) Its Ordinances - Ordinances are not a means of bestowing grace but are done in obedience and remembrance of our Lord. The ordinances are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The ordinances have been given to the church for the entire dispensation of the Church Age. The requirement for baptism is profession of faith in Christ Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). The requirement for the Lord’s Supper is salvation, baptism, and a desire to confess all known sin unless one desires to drink damnation (judgment) unto himself (I Corinthians 11:17-34).
6) Its Discipline - The church shall have the right at any time to dismiss from its membership any member who may be found guilty of willful violation of the church constitution and by-laws. The procedure in the case of church discipline shall be in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.
7) Its Relationship To Other Churches Of Like Faith - Fellowship will only take place between churches of like faith (doctrine) and practice (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32).
a) Primary Separation - This is separation from all religious apostasy, all sin, worldly pleasures, practices and associations such as National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, Ecumenical Movement, Charismatic Movement, Neo-evangelicalism, Liberals, etc.
b) Secondary Separation - The church will not fellowship with fundamentalists that associate with neo-evangelicals, liberals, etc. This would be entertaining apostasy which is displeasing to God.
c) Personal Separation - Saved people should not engage in worldly pleasures, practices, and associations. This would bring reproach upon our Saviour (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Timothy 2:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 7-11).
8) Its Purpose and Commission - The purpose of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12-13). Their commission is to win the lost, baptize them, and bring them into the local church and train them to go out and disciple others (Matthew 28:19-20).
9) Separation Of Church And State - We believe very strongly in the separation of Church and State. Each have a definite and distinct sphere of responsibility (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7).