The Church.
The Church.
The church is the Body of Christ, believers baptized by one Spirit into one body; many members where Christ is the head, joined together with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission, the building up of one another, and the provoking of love and good works. Each believer is an integral part of the church, adopted into God’s family, committed to the hearing of the Word of God, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-26, 14:26; Eph. 2:19-22; Col. 1:17-20; I Thess. 2:4; 1 Tim. 3:14-15; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:4-5)
Ministry.
Divinely called and Scripturally ordained, ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (1) To make disciples of all nations, and (2) To equip the saints for the work of ministry (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11-13).
Divine Healing.
Healing and deliverance from sickness is wrought by the power of God through prayer, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:1-17; Mark 16:18; John 5:5-14; James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24).
The Sacraments.
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4).
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).