THE CHURCH
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism consisting of all born-again persons, and that all Christians are commanded by Scripture to take part in the regular teaching, fellowship, and accountability of a congregation of fellow disciples led by biblically qualified pastors organized as a Gospel Church (Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1–4; 15:19–31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4). We believe baptism is a sign of our covenant relationship with God and is a part of our act of spiritual worship and Biblical obedience. We believe the Lord's Supper is a Scriptural means of testimony for the church meant to declare the life, death and resurrection of Jesus together. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 16:31; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).