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B
iblical authority: We believe that the Bible is our sole authority. As a church we do
our best to follow the Bible in matters of faith and practice. Every tradition and
opinion must succumb to the Word of God.
our best to follow the Bible in matters of faith and practice. Every tradition and
opinion must succumb to the Word of God.
A
utonomy of the local church: We believe that the local church is a self-governing
body under Jesus Christ. We do not look to any council or denomination or
human ruler as lawgiver. Jesus is our only Head. Each member of the local
church must submit to Christ in all things and to each other in love.
body under Jesus Christ. We do not look to any council or denomination or
human ruler as lawgiver. Jesus is our only Head. Each member of the local
church must submit to Christ in all things and to each other in love.
| John Bunyan |
P
riesthood of all believers: We believe that every believer is a priest before God.
There is no special group of 'clergy' that are somehow closer to God than the
'laity'. While God has called some to be His ministers, all are on equal footing
before God.
There is no special group of 'clergy' that are somehow closer to God than the
'laity'. While God has called some to be His ministers, all are on equal footing
before God.
| William Carey |
T
wo ordinances: We believe that Jesus wants us to observe baptism and the
Lord's supper. Both are memorials illustrating spiritual truths. Neither gives
special grace to those partaking. Baptism is to be done for believers only, by
immersion only. The Lord's supper is for all true believers that are walking with
the Lord.
Lord's supper. Both are memorials illustrating spiritual truths. Neither gives
special grace to those partaking. Baptism is to be done for believers only, by
immersion only. The Lord's supper is for all true believers that are walking with
the Lord.
| Andrew Fuller |
I
ndividual soul liberty: We believe that each person has the responsibility to
obey God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No one can be
forced to believe or obey. Each individual must make up his own mind on all
matters before God. Each individual will one day be judged by God alone.
obey God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No one can be
forced to believe or obey. Each individual must make up his own mind on all
matters before God. Each individual will one day be judged by God alone.
S
aved church membership: We believe that a person must be born again in order
to be a church member. The church is both universal and local. Every true
believer is part of the universal (invisible) church and should become part of a
local (visible) church.
to be a church member. The church is both universal and local. Every true
believer is part of the universal (invisible) church and should become part of a
local (visible) church.
| Adoniram Judson |
T
wo officers: We believe that the biblical offices in the church are pastor and
deacon. The pastor is not a dictator or king, but a minister and servant/leader.
The deacon is a servant who serves the church and helps the pastor.
deacon. The pastor is not a dictator or king, but a minister and servant/leader.
The deacon is a servant who serves the church and helps the pastor.
| Charles Spurgeon |
S
eparation of church and state: We believe that the church and the state are
two distinct entities and should remain so. The state must not seek to control
the church, and the church must not seek to control the state. Whenever the
state attempts to control the church, true saints are persecuted. Likewise
whenever the church attempts to control the state, true saints end up being
persecuted. This has always been the case in church history, and it will be the
case in the Tribulation period when the one-world church and government is
set up.
two distinct entities and should remain so. The state must not seek to control
the church, and the church must not seek to control the state. Whenever the
state attempts to control the church, true saints are persecuted. Likewise
whenever the church attempts to control the state, true saints end up being
persecuted. This has always been the case in church history, and it will be the
case in the Tribulation period when the one-world church and government is
set up.