7. We believe in the Church.
Universal: We believe in the true church which is called Christ's body. It
is composed of all true believers from the day of Pentecost to the translation
of the Church. The characteristic which distinguishes the church from all other
entities is the baptism of the Holy Spirit; and those who are part of the body
are neither Jew nor Gentile, but are one in Christ.
Matthew 16:16-18
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for
flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every
man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved.
Colossians 3:11
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Additional Scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Local: We believe that the local church is a body of professed believers, organized
with offices of Elder and Deacon, baptized and united in covenant to build up
the saints in the most holy faith in the public worship of God and to evangelize
the lost, and to carry out the ordinances.
Acts 2:41
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
1 Corinthians 11:2
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the
ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Mark 16:15
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
Additional Scriptures:
Acts 20:17-28;
I Timothy 3:1-7
• THE CHURCH
• ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
• OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
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