The Church
We believe
a. That a local church is an organized congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship in the gospel; worshiping God; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word, (Acts 2:41-42; I Cor 11:17-34; I Cor 12:12-13; Jn 4:23-24; Heb 13:15; I Jn 1:3, 6-7)
b. That its officers are pastor and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures, (Acts 6:1-7; 20:17-28; I Tim 3:1-13; Eph 4:11-13; Titus 2:1-10)
c. That the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity, (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 15:13-18; Jn 15:8)
d. That the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, (Acts13:1-3; 14:26-27; 15:1-35)
e. That the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit, (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23; Col 1:18)
f. That it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel, (Gal 1:1-10; 2:9; Jude 3)
g. That each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation, (II Cor 8:1-5)
h. That on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final, (I Cor 16:1-4; Php 4:14-17)
i. In the unity of all New Testament believers in the Church, which is the Body of Christ, (Eph 2:21; 3:1-6, 21)
j. It is imperative for the church to keep itself pure if it is to honor and glorify God, properly worship God, build itself up, provide fellowship consistent with holiness, and keep an undefiled testimony in missions, evangelism and all that is good, (Col 2:1-4; Gal 6:10; Rom 15:6)
k. In order to be obedient to Scripture regarding purity, the church is charged to exercise discipline on its members when they behave in an unbiblical, disorderly manner. All discipline is to be done in love with a view to repentance on the part of the offender and his full restoration to Christian fellowship. (Mt 18:15-17; I Cor 5:1-3; Gal 6:1-5)