Pastor: Darrin
Waldroup 766-8908
WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE
16. THE CHURCH
A. Visible, Local, New Testament: We believe that a local, visible, New Testament Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, meeting together regularly for worship, the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, the observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invented in them by His Word to actively fulfill the great Commission. (I Cor 1:1-13; Matt 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 2:14-42,47; II Cor 8:5;
I Cor 5:12,13; I Cor 11:2,23; II Thes 3:6; II Thess 1:1; Rom 16:17-20; Matt 28:19,20;
Jn 14:15,21; I Jn 4:21; Eph 4:21; I Cor 14:12; Phil 1:27)
B. Offices: We believe it’s only scriptural ordained offices are Bishops or Pastor, and Teachers, Deacons, Evangelists, and Missionaries; that the ordained officers of Apostle and Prophet have been fulfilled and completed, and no more is to be appointed (Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim 3:1-13; Eph 4:11; Acts 13:1-4; Rev 22:14; I Tim 4:14; II Tim 1:6,11; II Tim 4:5; Acts 6:1-7).
C. Body of Christ: We believe that the body called the Church is made up of all who are truly saved and born again regardless of race, color, or denomination; that one becomes a member of the body of Christ the moment he accepts Christ as his Savior and Lord; that this body is a holy temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit; that it is one flesh with Christ, and is espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband. (Eph 2:21,22; Eph 4:4-6,11: Eph 5:30,31; II Cor 2:2-4).
1. Church Defined
“Ecclesia”- a “called-out assembly” Matt 16:18 “I will build my church”
Collective Body of Believers in Christ Acts 2:37,38,41,47 (day of Pentecost)
Associated by faith and fellowship of the Gospel Phil 1:27
Meeting for worship, teaching and preaching Acts 20:7
Love for each other (1st -God Jn 14:15,21 2nd one another- I Jn 4:21)
2. Church is the Body of Christ
As one is saved or born again, one becomes a member of the body of Christ by new birth Jn 3:1-7
Believers are members of His body - I Cor 12:13,14,18 Eph 4:4-6 (by baptism at the new birth)
Christ is the head of the body Col 1:18 Eph 1:21-23
Each believer should seek out his God given gift or help(I Cor 12:4-7,25-31) see Eph 4:11,12
3.
Scriptural and Ordained of
Apostle-This refers to the twelve Lk 22:14 & to
Paul Gal 1:1 there are now no active apostles of the church
Prophet-We have no prophets and have not since the last book of the New Testament was written
Evangelists-A preacher without charge of a particular church yet serving the body of Christ II Tim 4:5
Bishop or Pastor -Qualifications I Tim 3:1-7 “shepherd of a flock”
Teachers-Men who are to instruct the flock Rom 12:7,I Tim 3:2
Deacons- Qualifications I Tim 3:8-13 Acts 6:1-7 are to assist the pastor & considered servants
Missionaries-Acts 13:1-4 Taking the gospel to the ends of the earth that others may know Christ
Pastor: Darrin
Waldroup 766-8908
WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE
16. THE CHURCH
D.
Baptism and The Lord’s Supper: We believe that Baptism
and the Lord’s Supper are the only ordinances of Christ given to the local
Church; that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that
this act is a symbol and a public testimony of our faith in a crucified, buried
and risen savior; that it shows our death to sin and resurrection to newness of
life; that it is a prerequisite to the privilege of local church membership and
to the Lord’s Supper; that in commemorating the Lord’s Supper, the members of
the local church remember the Lord’s death until He comes; that a solemn
self-examination must always precede the taking of this supper. (Acts 8:36-39;
Matt 3:5,6; Matt 28:19,20; Jn 3:22,23; Acts 10:47,48; Rom 6:4;
E.
Maintenance: We believe that God’s ordained way to
support the
I. Baptism (ordinance of the church #1)
A. John the Baptist- Forerunner of Christ is baptizing people, why ?
1) Matt 3:5,6,11 Baptizing for repentance
2)
John 1:25,29-34 “That he should be made manifest to
B. Christ was baptized, why ? Matt 3:13-17
1) He was not a sinner and needed no baptism for repentance I Pet 2:22
2) He was identifying Himself as taking the place of us sinners II Cor 5:21
C. We are to follow Christ in baptism
1) After salvation Acts 8:36-39
2) By immersion John 3:22,23
D. What does this water baptism, after salvation show ?
1) Water baptism shows death to sin, resurrection to life, and identity with Jesus
2) Rom 6:4 & Col 2:12
3) After our salvation & baptism we are to teach Christ Matt 28:19,20
E. Baptism a prerequisite to local church membership
1) You became a member of the body of Christ @ salvation by baptism of the Spirit
2) To join local church- confession of salvation followed by baptism Acts 2:41,42,47
II. The Lord’s Supper (Ordinance of the church #2)
A. The Upper Room
1) Matt 26:26-29 Bread represents His body Fruit of Vine represents His blood
B. Apostle Paul
1) I Cor 11:23-26 The institution of the Lord’s Supper
2) “Ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
C. Prerequisites
1) Salvation, Baptism & Local Church Membership
2) Self-examination I Cor 11:27-32
III. Support & Maintenance of the Church
A. Tithes and offerings
1) I Cor 16:1,2 & II Cor 9:6-15
B. Never a fund raiser
1) The church is not in the money making business nor is it in the fund raiser business
2) God is not broke and will use His people to support His local church