VIII. THE CHURCH

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are Pastors or elders and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; on all matters of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22-23; Acts 20:17-28; I Corinthians 5:11-13; I Corinthians 6:1-3; I Corinthians 8:11; I Corinthians 11:2; I Corinthians 1 2:4; I Corinthians 1 6:1-2; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3,4)

A. BAPTISM

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem their faith in the crucified, buried, risen, and coming Savior, with its effect in their death to sin and resurrection to a new life and that it is a prerequisite for proper church relationship and a God-blessed life. We, hereby, declare that the Church will receive into its membership those who have been truly born again, and then baptized (immersed) in obedience to the command of Christ. (Matthew 3:6-16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12)

B. LORD'S SUPPER

We believe the Lord’s Supper to be an ordinance of the church in which born-again believers, by the sacred use of bread and juice, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. We, hereby, declare that the Church invites other scripturally baptized Christians, to participate in our communion service. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 10:16; I Corinthians 11:23-28)