The Church
All who place their faith in Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united body, the church (1Cor 12:12, 13), the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:23-32; Rev 19:7, 8), of which Christ is the head (Eph 1:22; 4:15; Col 1:18). The body of Christ began on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ (1Cor 11:2; Eph 5:23-32; Rev 19:7, 8). The church is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Eph 2:11-3:6) and is distinct from Israel (1 Cor 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph 3:1-6; 5:32).
The supreme authority for the church is Christ (Eph 1:22, Col 1:18) and church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in Scripture. Biblically designated leaders are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teacher; Acts 20:28; Eph 4:11) and deacons, both of whom are to meet biblical qualification (1 Tim 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9; 1Pet 5:1-5). They lead as servants of Christ (1Tim 5:17-22) using the authority of His word for all decisions and the congregation is to follow their leadership (Heb 13:7, 17).
Discipleship is important (Mt 28:19,20; 2Tim 2:2) for the accountability of all believers (Mt 18:15-17), as well as for sinning members of the congregation in accordance with the standards of Scripture (Mt 18:15-22, Ac 5:1-11; 1Cor 5:1-13; 2Thes 3:6-15; 1 Tim 1:19,20; Tit 1:10-16).
The autonomy of the local church should be free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Tit 1:5). However, it is scriptural for churches to cooperate with one another for the presentation and propagation of the faith (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1Cor 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet 5:1-4).
The purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2Tim 2:2, 15; 3:16,17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Lk 22:19; Acts 2:38-42), and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the world (Mt 28:19; Acts 1:8).
Two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer demonstrating his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Christ in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2:41, 42). The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He returns, and should always be proceeded by solemn self-examination (1Cor 11:23-32). Though the elements of communion are only representatives of the body and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present, fellowshipping with His people (1Cor 10:16).