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CHURCH

We teach that all who believe in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit in one unified spiritual body, the Church (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11: 2; Eph. 5: 23-32; Rev 19). : 7-8), whose Head is Christ (Eph 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).

 

We teach that the creation of the Church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-21, 38-47) and will be completed until Christ comes for His children at the rapture of the Church.

 

We teach that the Church is a unique spiritual organism, created by Christ, made up of all newborn believers in the present age (Eph. 2: 11-3: 6). The church is separate from  Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32), a secret only revealed in this era (Eph. 3: 1-6; 5:32).

 

We teach that the establishment and continuation of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Gal. 1: 2; Phil. 1: 1; 1 Thess. 1: 1; 2 Thess. 1: 1) and that members of one spiritual body are directed to associate in local congregations (1 Corinthians 11: 18-20; Hebrews 10:25).

 

We teach that the only supreme authority of the church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11: 3; Eph 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are established through His sovereignty as taught by the Scriptures. Scripturally appointed functionaries to serve under Christ and the congregation are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastors-teachers; Acts 20:28; Eph 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must be biblically qualified (1 Tim 3: 1-13; Tit 1: 5-9; 1 Peter 5: 1-5).

 

We teach that these leaders lead or govern as ministers of Christ (1 Tim 5: 17-22) and have His authority in governing the church. The congregation should submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13: 7, 17).

 

We teach about the importance of discipleship (Mt 28: 19-20; 2 Tim 2: 2), the mutual responsibility of all believers to one another (Mt 18: 5-14), and the need to discipline sinful members of the congregation in accordance with the standards of Scripture ( Mt 18: 15-22; Acts 5: 1-11; 1 Cor 5: 1-13; 2 Thes 3: 6-15; 1 Tim 1: 19-20; Tit 1: 10-16).

 

We teach about the autonomy of the local church,  not subject to religion  no outside authority and control, with the right to self-determination and not subject to interference by any structure, person, or organization (Titus 1: 5). We teach that it is biblical for true churches to work together to present and spread the faith. However, each local church through its elders,  their interpretations and application of the Bible should be the sole judge of the scope and methods of this cooperation. The elders should also determine all other matters of membership, politics, discipline, charity, and governance (Acts 15: 19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5: 4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5: 1-4).

 

We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph 3:21) by building up in faith (Eph 4: 13-16), by teaching the Word (2 Tim 2: 2, 15; 3: 16-17), fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1: 3), observance of ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2: 38-42), and by preaching

and communicating the gospel to the whole world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1: 8; 2:42).

 

We teach about the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Eph 4:12; Rev 22:12).

 

We teach about the church's need to cooperate with God in achieving His purpose for the world. He also gives the church spiritual gifts.

He gives people chosen to prepare the saints for ministry (Eph 4: 7-12), as well as gives unique and special spiritual skills to each member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12: 5-8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4-31; 1 Peter 4: 10-) 11).

 

We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given to the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, temporarily given in the time of the apostles to authenticate their message (Heb. 2: 3-4; 2 Cor. 12:12); and ministry gifts to equip believers to edify one another. Currently  after the completion of the New Testament revelation, the Bible became constant  be the sole test of the authenticity of the human message, and the gifts  supernatural  are not  longer needed to authenticate man or his message (1 Corinthians 13: 8-12). Miraculous gifts may even be counterfeited by Satan in order to deceive even believers (1 Corinthians 13: 13-14: 12; Rev 13: 13-14). The only gifts in use today are the non-revelatory endowing gifts given for edification (Romans 12: 6-8).

 

We teach that no one today has the gift of healing, but that God  hears and answers the prayer of faith and will answer accordingly

with His perfect will for the sick, suffering and afflicted (Luke 18: 1-6; John 5: 7-9; 2 Corinthians 12: 6-10; James 5: 13-16; 1 John 5: 14-15).

 

We teach that two ordinances have been entrusted to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2: 38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8: 36-39) is a solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer demonstrating faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to new life (Rom. 6: 1-11) . It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2: 41-42).

 

We teach that the Lord's Supper is for the commemoration and proclamation of His death until His coming, and should always be preceded by serious self-evaluation (1 Corinthians 11: 28-32). We also teach that while the components of communion merely represent the body and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord's Supper is nevertheless communion with the risen Christ, who indwells each believer and thus is present by sharing in fellowship with His people (1 Cor. 10:16).

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