THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that all born again believers saved from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture are members of the Universal Body of Christ. We believe that the Universal church, which is the body and the espoused Bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons.
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by faith and fellowship in the truth, that we are to observe the ordinances of Christ; that we are to be governed by His commandments; that we are to exercise spiritual gifts for the edifying and unity of the body; that we are to observe the rights and privileges invested in us by His Word; that its officers are one pastor and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in Scripture.
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. In addition, we believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.
We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful worship of its members, witnessing of Jesus Christ to all men as the Holy Spirit leads us to do so. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from governmental or denominational interference whatsoever; and that the one and only Head of the church is Jesus Christ; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, as long as Biblical principles are not violated; that each church is the sole judge of the measure and method of such cooperation. On all matters of membership, polity, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
In light of the doctrine of God’s holiness, the local church must be militant in its responsibility to expose, refute and separate from false teachers and false teaching. In addition, the local church must not associate with any denomination, organization, agency or association that links itself to compromising endeavors or activities.
At times, this may require us to disassociate ourselves both ecclesiastically and individually with those who deny the faith or those who are content to walk with those who compromise the doctrines and practices of Scripture. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations.
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. The church is to be separate from the world by refusing to love its philosophies, pleasures, practices and principles, regardless of what forms they take. The church must maintain a Biblical balance between being in the world while not being a part of the world. This way, the church is able to guard and maintain its purity and testimony.
(Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 20:17-28; 15:19-31; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 12:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 4:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; 1 John 2:15-17)
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
(Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)
We believe that all born again believers saved from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture are members of the Universal Body of Christ. We believe that the Universal church, which is the body and the espoused Bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons.
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by faith and fellowship in the truth, that we are to observe the ordinances of Christ; that we are to be governed by His commandments; that we are to exercise spiritual gifts for the edifying and unity of the body; that we are to observe the rights and privileges invested in us by His Word; that its officers are one pastor and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in Scripture.
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. In addition, we believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.
We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful worship of its members, witnessing of Jesus Christ to all men as the Holy Spirit leads us to do so. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from governmental or denominational interference whatsoever; and that the one and only Head of the church is Jesus Christ; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, as long as Biblical principles are not violated; that each church is the sole judge of the measure and method of such cooperation. On all matters of membership, polity, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
In light of the doctrine of God’s holiness, the local church must be militant in its responsibility to expose, refute and separate from false teachers and false teaching. In addition, the local church must not associate with any denomination, organization, agency or association that links itself to compromising endeavors or activities.
At times, this may require us to disassociate ourselves both ecclesiastically and individually with those who deny the faith or those who are content to walk with those who compromise the doctrines and practices of Scripture. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations.
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. The church is to be separate from the world by refusing to love its philosophies, pleasures, practices and principles, regardless of what forms they take. The church must maintain a Biblical balance between being in the world while not being a part of the world. This way, the church is able to guard and maintain its purity and testimony.
(Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 20:17-28; 15:19-31; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 12:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 4:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; 1 John 2:15-17)
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
(Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)
