Statement of Faith

Its Nature: All who have placed their faith in Christ are united together immediately by the Holy Spirit in one spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the Head. We believe that the present Church Age or Dispensation of Grace began when Christ raised up the Apostle Paul to be the Apostle to the Gentiles and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the Rapture. We accept that many in the Body of Christ feel the Church began on the day of Pentecost, at the resurrection of Christ, or at some other time referenced in scripture. In addition to the spiritual union and communion which extends to the entirety of the body of Christ, the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:46-47; 11:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:1-13; 5:25-29; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:25). See our study below for additional information.

Its Mission: We believe the church as the Body of Christ has a four-fold mission:

1) Worship - The highest privilege and responsibility of the church both gathered and scattered is worship and adoration of our great God, the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ the Lord through the eternal Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24; 16:13-14; Acts 2:42; Revelation 4:11; 5:12-13).

2) Instruction - The central life line of the church is the Word of God. Therefore, one of the prime responsibilities is the nurture of the believer through the instruction and admonition of our Father’s Word (Colossians 1:28; Acts 20:28-32; 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:16).

3) Fellowship - Since the believer is a part of a body and not simply an isolated individual, one of the primary responsibilities of the church is to so order its corporate life that genuine fellowship is precipitated among believers (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 John 1:3).

4) Evangelism - The last command of the risen Christ was for His followers to make disciples permeate the entire world in a continuous effort to disciple men (Matthew 20:28; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 1:28).

Its Authority: These local assemblies have been given the needed authority for administering that order, discipline, and worship which Christ the sovereign Head has appointed. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders and deacons (Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

Its Spiritual Gifts: We believe that every member of the Body of Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift at his conversion according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are to be developed and used in the local assembly to the end that every believer will become completely mature in Christ. Their specific purpose is the mutual edification of the saints.

Its Ordinances: We believe the church as the Body of Christ has two ordinances:

1) Baptism - We believe that baptism by immersion is an outward sign and confession of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. We do not believe that salvation is obtained by baptism nor is baptism required for salvation. Baptism is not an act of removing sins (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:4-6; Acts 2:38-41; 10:48).

2) The Lord’s Supper - We believe the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s body which was broken for us and of His blood that was shed for our sins. There are two requirements that must be met before a person can partake of the Supper. First, a person must be born again, for one who is not saved cannot show forth the Lord’s death when he has been unwilling to accept the Savior and His atoning work for him. Secondly, a Christian must examine himself to determine if he is in right fellowship with the Lord. We are warned of the consequences of partaking unworthily. When these two requirements are met the believer is free to participate. We believe it is the Lord’s table and as such is open to all believers who are in right relationship with God, regardless of denomination. Not only is the Lord’s Supper a memorial of what Christ has done on the Cross, but it shows our faith in that past work and faith in His anticipated return (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-30).