The Purpose of God During our Age-The Church
We Believe that the Church is at the center of God's purpose for this age, and that God's wisdom will be displayed to the entire universe through the Church to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 3:1-13)
We Believe that Christ's central purpose is building His Church, and ultimately His kingdom; and nothing can stand in His way, even Satan and all his forces. (Matthew 16:13-20) The Church is the pillar and support of the truth, and that this truth was delivered once and for all through the apostles, and this deposit of truth ought to be preserved in all churches. (Acts 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 3:10-11,15-17)
We Believe in the ongoing command of the Great Commission, to take the gospel to the world. We believe that Christ's strategy for building His Church can be clearly identified in the book of Acts as a multiplication of churches (communities of Christians committed to maturing in Christ and to furthering the gospel of Christ) which is accomplished through a multiplication of disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:1-3)
The Message of God During Our Age- The Apostle's Gospel
(Kerygma-greek for "Proclamation")
We Believe that this gospel, proclaimed by the Apostles, can be summarized as follows:
* This gospel is the conclusion to the story of Adam and Eve begun in Genesis 1-3.
* This gospel is the story of a violated, Holy being, who set out to bring back those who were disobedient to Him.
* This gospel was prophesied beforehand in the Scriptures to the Jewish people as part of God's plan to bless all people through the nation of Israel. It was given in the form of a covenant (promise) that offered forgiveness of sins, and placing God's Spirit within man.
* This gospel was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the chosen one, who was the unique Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, taught about the Kingdom of God, offered his death as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, was buried and raised to life and seen by many witnesses, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.
* This Jesus will physically return to the earth, to judge mankind, and set up the promised Kingdom of God for all time.
We Believe that there is only one gospel of Jesus Christ. Each individual, who places his faith in the person and completed work of Christ alone for his eternal destiny, is at that moment forgiven of his sins. They are no longer subject to the penalty of sinfulness, but are reconciled to God, given the righteousness of Christ, are part of Christ's Church and will receive eternal life at the last day. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Romans 5 and 8; Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:1-10; Colossians 1:9-14)
We Believe that once one has identified with Christ and His Church through baptism, special care should be exercised to see that the baptized believer becomes a vital, functioning member of a body of Christ - a local church. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 19:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
The Teaching of God During Our Age-The Apostle's Doctrine
(Didache-greek for "teaching")
We Believe that God revealed his plan for the churches in the epistles, and that the apostles expected the churches to follow their instructions. These instructions can be divided into two categories: the teaching to individuals and the teaching to the corporate body. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:14-15)
We Believe the teachings to the individuals of the Church can be summarized as follows:
* Each believer is instructed to consider himself dead to his old life and the flesh, and to renew his mind in the teaching; to set his mind on the Spirit of God within him; and to conform his new life to the will of God through the Spirit of God. (Romans 6:1-8:17, Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:22-24)
* Each believer is to be characterized by the fruit of God's Spirit within them. (Galatians 5:22-25; Colossians 3:12-14)
* Each believer must be committed to do his/her part, in ministry one to another; and specifically in the use of his/her spiritual gifts for the building up of the body, the church. (Romans 12:3-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
* A pattern of relationships within the church must be observed -characterized by love, brotherhood, mutual acceptance and respect -in which each is to diligently pursue unity in the common union in Christ. (Romans 12:9-15; 14:1-7; Philippians 2:1-8)
* A pattern of relationships in the world must be observed-characterized by respect for governments, employers, and other authorities, and love and good deeds towards all. (Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1,14)
We Believe the teachings to the corporate Church can be summarized as following:
* God's household, the Church - which is the pillar and support of the truth - originated on the day of Pentecost with the preaching of Peter on the foundation of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20; Acts 2; Ephesians 2:19-22)
* The Church consists of those who have believed the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who have responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ need to be baptized, signifying their identification with Jesus and with his believing community, the Church. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
* The local church should celebrate the Lord's supper regularly as a reminder or memorial to the death of Christ, the unity of the body of Christ, and his imminent return (Mark 14:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
* All matters concerning the life and practice of the local church are to be settled under the authority of the Word of God with the full agreement of the local body. The local church is to be built up, guarded and protected by elders (men who are mature in their faith, some of whom are gifted as Pastors and Teachers) and Deacons (men and women who serve the congregation under the direction of the Bible and the elders). All are to be in submission to the authority of the Scriptures. (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
