We believe the New Testament Church is the living body of Christ on earth, the visible representation of Christ to the world, and includes all of the redeemed that have believed in Jesus Christ and received eternal life. A local church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. We believe a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers. The church began on the Day of Pentecost. The church is organized under the authority of Jesus Christ who alone is the head and Chief Shepherd of the church. The Pastor-teacher is the under-shepherd and as such holds the primary responsibility for oversight of the church and the spiritual development of the believers through the careful teaching of the Word of God. Any Christian who is not a functioning, learning, serving member of a local church is outside the will of God. It is God’s intention that all believers publicly identify with a local assembly and be faithful to that assembly through attendance, financial support, and helping the congregation to achieve the purposes of the church. Such a congregation seeks to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. They cultivate personal spiritual growth in themselves by the learning of Bible Doctrine followed by loving obedience to the Word of God. Each believer is to lovingly encourage others to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through the learning and application of Bible Doctrine. They joyfully worship and celebrate God together making Jesus Christ the center of such celebratory worship. They minister to the needs of others, but especially to those who are of the household of faith. The only two offices of the church are those of pastor-teachers and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the offices of pastor-teacher and deacon are limited to men only, as qualified by Scripture.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 10-17; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 4:11-16; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
We believe in the literal, historical, and grammatical interpretation of Scripture. We practice the categorical and exegetical teaching of Scripture (Bible Doctrinal teaching) using the literal, grammatical, historical method of interpretation.
We believe the church is primarily a place for the teaching of sound Bible doctrine, under a spiritually gifted Pastor-teacher, and its main goal is to bring believers to spiritual maturity through the learning and application of Bible doctrine. This is the objective of the pastoral ministry.
Acts 2:1-4, 42; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:28-2:2; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion) are the ordinances set in the church by the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not save. As such it follows one’s personal trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. The Lord’s Supper (communion) is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the body of Christ, through the partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the broken body and shed blood of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ and celebrates His victory over sin and death. It is not in any manner a sacrifice for sin nor does it make present the sacrifice of the cross. It is a time of special fellowship for the family of God and is open to all born-again believers. While its observance points backward to the crucified Lord on Calvary, it also points forward to the returning Lord in glory.
Matthew 26:26-29, 2830-31; Mark 14:12-31; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
We believe that Christ’s people can, as the occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the good of church ministry. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of God's people but under no circumstances are doctrinally sound churches to work together with those who are not. Cooperation is desirable between various Christian churches, when the end to be obtained is itself consistent with Bible Doctrine, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Acts 11:19-30; Romans 15:24-29; 2 Corinthians 8-9
We believe Sunday, the first day of the week, is a Christian institution for regular coming together as a church body and this institution began in New Testament times with the disciples. The first churches, who were primarily Jewish, would have meet on Saturday evening after sunset which, according to Jewish reckoning, was the beginning of the first day of the week. The Sabbath is Friday sunset to Saturday sunset and was given to Israel under Mosaic Law and does not apply to the Church. A church is free to meet on whatever day of the week they so choose. However, the first day of the week commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead. All church meetings should include: serious Bible Class for the learning of Bible Doctrine with exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, fellowship with other believers, Scripture reading and prayer. Christians are commanded to meet for worship when the church has decided to meet and are not to forsake such meetings. This church meets on Sunday mornings as well as other times so designated.
Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13.