With respect to the CHURCH ...
With respect to the CHURCH, we believe that all truly regenerated believers in Jesus Christ are members of the universal church. This is made visible as individuals unite to form autonomous, local church bodies. The goal of each church is to glorify God with the objectives of exalting Him in worship, edifying one another in fellowship, evangelizing the lost world, equipping one another in discipleship, and by exercising personal spiritual gifts in ministry service. With respect to the offices of the church, the church is to be governed through the plurality of elders and to be served by the ministry of deacons. The ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper; both of which are available only to professed believers in Jesus Christ.
Representative Verses: Matthew 16:18, Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 5:18-20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Acts 20:17, 20:28, 2:38, 8:12, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
