The Holy Bible -
That every word of the
original autographs
(consisting of the
sixty-six books of the
Old and New Testaments
with no Apocrypha) was
given to the prophets
and apostles by
inspiration of the Holy
Ghost in such a manner
that every word might be
said to have come from
the mouth of God. At the
same time, God's choice
of words reflected the
personalities of the
prophets and apostles in
literary style,
vocabulary, etc. Exodus
20:1; Isaiah 59:21;
Jeremiah 30:2; John
17:8; Acts 28:25;
Galatians 1:12; I
Thessalonians 2:13; II
Timothy 3:16; Hebrews
1:1; II Peter 11:21;
3:2; Revelation 1:1
That the doctrine of
inspiration is of little
value apart from the
doctrine of the
preservation of God's
"words". Exodus 24:3;
Deuteronomy 6:6,7;
18:18; 27:3,8; 29:29;
Joshua 3:9; 8:32-35; Job
22:22; 23:12; Psalms
12:6, 7; 78:1; 119:89,
103, 130, 140; Proverbs
22:21; 30:5, 6; Matthew
4:4; John 6:63; 17:8; I
Corinthians 2:13; I
Thessalonians 2:13;
Revelation 22:18, 19)
Since no one living
today holds (or has ever
seen) the original
autographs, the Bible we
believe in is one that
is available to man
today. We believe God
has preserved the holy
word of God "the
scriptures") for the
last period of the
Church Age in the King
James 1611 Authorized
Version. Every word
therein is inerrant and
infallible with no need
of correction. Not only
is the Authorized
Version superior to all
other versions and
translations, but it is
superior to any Greek
text in existence. The
King James 1611
Authorized Version will
be the final authority
in all matters of faith
and practice above the
opinions of man,
tradition or any other
source. (Mark 7:9,13; I
Thessalonians 2:13; II
Timothy 3:16-17)
That the word of God is
eternally existent.
(Psalms 119:89; Isaiah
40:8; Matthew 24:35;
Mark 13:31; Hebrews
11:3; I Peter 1:23-25).
Though given to men at a
point in time, the word
of God has and always
will exist
incorruptible.
That only those
foreign translations
made from the King James
1611 Authorized Version
or from the Textus
Receptus Greek Text
shall be considered
reliable. All others
should be used with
caution and compared
with the King James
Version.
That other versions and
paraphrases that change
the words of the King
James Version are
considered to be the
work of Satan to
undermine the believer's
confidence in the
authority of God's Holy
Word. (Deuteronomy 4:2;
12:32; Proverbs 30:6;
Jeremiah 8:8,9;
Revelation 22:19)
That understanding of
the scriptures comes
only to the born-again
child of God. While one
may obtain knowledge of
the Bible through study
at a Bible school or
seminary, understanding
comes only by the
illumination of the Holy
Spirit. (Psalms 119:130;
Luke 24:45; John 16:13;
I Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 1:17,18)
That unsaved men, not
possessing the gift of
the Holy Spirit, can
have no understanding of
the word of God except
the understanding of the
plan of salvation which
is a work of the Holy
Spirit outside of man.
(Matthew 22:29; John
8:43,47; 16:13; II
Corinthians 2:17; II
Peter 3:16)
That having authority
and power over all
things, the word of God
is also the only way to
salvation. (Matthew
22:29; John 1:12; 5:24;
6:63,68; Romans
10:14,17; Ephesians
6:17; Philippians 2:16;
I Timothy 3:15; Hebrews
4:12,13; I Peter 1:23)
That a Bible-believer is
one who subjects himself
to the pure word of God
(the King James 1611
Authorized Version)
The Bible-believer is
exhorted to: Study the
word of God (II Timothy
2:15), Memorize it
(Psalms 119:11), Obey it
(Psalms 119:9) , Cleanse
himself with it (Psalms
119:9), Love it
Regarding authority:
The Bible-believing
Christian puts the word
of God above everything.
All others put some
thing above the Bible.
The Lord Jesus Christ
- That He is
fully God. (Isaiah 9:6;
John 1:1,14; 20:28;
Philippians 2:6; Titus
2:13; Hebrews 1:8; I
John 5:20
That He is the second
person of the Trinity
and not a lesser Deity.
(Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19;
Philippians 2:6;
Colossians 2:9; I John
5:7)
That without any
essential change in His
divine Person: He became
man by the miracle of
the virgin birth:
(Matthew 1:23; John
1:14; I Timothy 3:16)
Thus to continue forever
as both true God and
true man. (Philippians
2:6,7; Colossians 1:15;
2:9; Revelation 22:16)
That as man, He was
in all points tempted
like as we are, yet
without sin (John 8:46;
Hebrews 4:15), that as
the perfect Lamb of God,
He gave Himself in death
upon the cross, bearing
the sin of the world and
suffering its full
penalty of divine wrath
in our stead. (Isaiah
53:5-7; Matthew 20:28;
John 1:29; Galatians
3:13)
That He was buried and rose again the third day according to the
scriptures. (Luke 24:46;
I Corinthians 15:4) His
resurrected and
glorified body was a
physical one of flesh
and bone. (Luke
24:36-43; John 20:25-28)
As our great High
Priest, He ascended into
heaven, there to appear
before the face of God
as our Advocate and
Intercessor. (Hebrews
5:1-10; 9:24; I John
2:1)
The Creation and Fall of Man
That he was the direct creation of God, spirit, soul and body, not in
any sense the product of
evolutionary
development, but made in
the image of God.
(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,
18-24; Matthew 19:4; I
Thessalonians 5:23)
That by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God: Man became a
sinful creature and the
progenitor of a fallen
race (Genesis 3:1-24;
5:3; Romans 5:12) Who
are universally sinful
both in nature and
practice (Romans 3:23;
5:12; Ephesians 2:3) Who
are alienated from the
life and family of God
(John 8:42-44; Ephesians
4:18) Who are under the
righteous judgment and
wrath of God (Romans
1:18; 3:19,20; John
3:36) Who have within
themselves no possible
means of recovery or
salvation (Matthew
19:25,26; Mark 7:21-23;
Romans 7:18)
Salvation
That it is by grace: (John 1:17; Acts 15:11; Romans 4:16; 5:15-17;
Ephesians 2:8,9; and
therefore is a free gift
of God. Romans 5:15-18;
6:23; Ephesians 2:8)
It is by faith: (Romans 3:22; 4:5; 10:8; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians
2:8,9)and merited
neither in part nor the
whole by any virtue or
work of man. (Romans
4:4,5; 10:3; Titus 3:5)
It is by the blood: (Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians
1:7; Colossians 1:14; I
Peter 1:18,19; I John
1:7; 2:2; Revelation
1:5)
The believer is washed from his sins by the precious, incorruptible
blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, by which he is
forgiven, cleansed,
purchased, justified,
redeemed, sanctified and
washed. And by the word
of God. (Luke 8:11;
Romans 10:13-15, 17).
All that men know about
salvation comes from
this one source (John
5:24). It is itself
alive (Hebrews 4:12) and
able to impart life
(James 1:18) to those
who hear the preaching
of the gospel (I
Corinthians 1:18, 21; I
Peter 1:23-25; James
1:21). We reject the
modern trend of easy
believism. Salvation is
the result of true
repentance that comes
from godly sorrow for
sin. (Luke 24:47; Acts
3:19; 17:30; 20:21; II
Corinthians 7:9-10; II
Peter 3:9). We believe
that God (in His
absolute sovereignty),
gave man a free will to
accept or reject the
salvation He has
provided. Still, God is
"not willing that any
should perish, but that
all should come to
repentance" (II Peter
3:9; Ezekiel 33:11; Acts
10:34, 35; I Timothy
2:4).
That salvation is a threefold process that begins with: Justification,
being the instant and
complete deliverance
from the penalty of sin
forever (John 5:24;
Romans 4:5-9).
Sanctification, being a
progressive deliverance
from the power of sin
daily (I Corinthians
10:13; Ephesians 4:7,
12, 13; I Thessalonians
4:3; I John 1:9).
Glorification, our final
deliverance from the
presence of sin forever
(II Corinthians 1:10;
5:8; I Thessalonians
4:17; I John 3:2).
That all born-again believers are eternally secure. The Bible teaches
that: True believers
never perish (John
3:15,16). Neither shall
any man pluck them out
of the Father's hand
(John 10:28,29). They
are "kept by the power
of God" (I Peter 1:5),
sealed until the day of
redemption (Ephesians
1:13; 4:30), delivered
from all condemnation
(John 3:18; 5:24) Simply
stated, we believe that
"repentance toward God,
and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ "are
the only conditions for
salvation". How shall we
escape if we neglect so
great salvation?
(Hebrews 2:3; Acts
20:20,21). That while in
no sense having anything
to do with obtaining or
retaining salvation,
(Romans 3:20; Galatians
2:16; Titus 3:5),
righteous living and
good works are the
proper evidence and
fruit of salvation.
(Matthew 5:16; Ephesians
2:8-10; Titus 2:14; I
Peter 2:12)
Satan
That he was originally created a holy and perfect being, but through
pride and ambition
rebelled against God
(Isaiah 14:13,14;
Ezekeil 28:13-17; I
Timothy 3:6), thus
becoming: Utterly
depraved in character
(John 8:44).
The great adversary of God and His people (Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation
12:10).
Leader of all other evil angels and spirits (Matthew 12:24-26; 25:41).
The deceiver and god of this present world (II Corinthians 4:4;
Revelation 12:9).
That his powers are supernaturally great (Luke 4:6; II Corinthians 4:3;
Ephesians 6:12; II
Thessalonians 2:9), but
strictly limited by the
permissive will of God
(Job 1:12; Luke
22:31,32).
That he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final
doom is certain (John
12:31,32; 16:11; Hebrews
2:14; Revelation 20:10).
That we are to resist
and overcome him only in
the armor of God and by
the blood of the Lamb
(Ephesians 6:1-18;
Revelation 12:11;
Zechariah 3:2).
The Holy Spirit
That He is: Fully God (Acts 5:3,4). The third person of the Trinity and
not an impersonal force
or influence (Matthew
28:19; I John 5:7).
The divine agent in: Creation (Genesis 1:2, 3; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6;
104:30; John 16:13-15).
Revelation, wherein He
reveals new truth (Luke
2:25,26; John 16:13; I
Corinthians 2:9-14).
Inspiration, wherein He
communicates truth to
men (Jeremiah 36:2; Acts
1:16; II Timothy 3:16;
II Peter 1:21).
Illumination, wherein He
gives understanding of
truth (John 16:14-15; I
Corinthians 2:9-14;
Ephesians 1:17).
That the Holy Spirit is a person with personal attributes of: Will
(Acts 16:6-11; I
Corinthians 12:11)
Knowledge (Isaiah 11:2;
Romans 8:27; I
Corinthians 2:10-12)
Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; I
Corinthians 2:10-12;
Ephesians 1:17) Power
(Isaiah 11:2; Romans
15:13,19; Ephesians
3:16; I Thessalonians
1:5; Acts 5:3-5) Love
(Romans 15:30)
That born-again believers must be careful not to offend the Holy Spirit
who can be: Grieved
(Ephesians 4:30) Vexed
(Isaiah 63:10) Tested
(Acts 5:9) Resisted
(Acts 7:51) Insulted
(Hebrews 10:29) Lied to
(Acts 5:3) Quenched (I
Thessalonians 5:19)
That in this dispensation, the work of the Holy Spirit upon the
unbeliever is conviction
(John 16:8-11), of sin
(John 16:9),
righteousness (John
16:10) and judgment
(John 16:11).
That all who become the sons of God by believing on the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ (John
1:12), the Holy Spirit:
Regenerates (John 3:3-5;
6:63; II Corinthians
5:17; Titus 3:5)
Baptizes (I Corinthians
12:12-14; Ephesians
4:4,5) Indwells (John
7:37-39; 14;17; Romans
8:8-10; I Corinthians
3:16; 6:19; I John 3:24)
Seals (II Corinthians
1:22; Ephesians 1:13,14;
4:30) Fills (Luke 1:15;
Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3, 5;
9:17; 11:24; Ephesians
5:18) Empowers (Acts
1:8; Romans 15:13; I
Corinthians 2:4)
Sanctifies (I Peter 1:2)
Anoints (Luke 4:18; I
John 2:20,27) Teaches
(Luke 12:12, John 14:26;
16:13; I Corinthians
2:13) Guides (John
16:13; Acts 8:27-29;
13:4; 16:6; Romans 8:14;
Galatians 5:16,25) Calls
to service (Acts 13:2-4;
20:28) Intercedes for
(Romans 8:26,27)
We reject the modern day Charismatic movement with its overemphasis on
the person and work of
the Holy Spirit, and its
doctrinal aberrations.
This movement is carnal
and demonic in origin.
Howbeit when he the
Spirit of truth is come,
he will guide you into
all truth; for he shall
not speak of himself...
he shall testify of me."
(John 16:13; 15:26).
Separation
That all true believers should be separated: From all worldly
amusements and unclean
habits which defile mind
and body (Luke 8:14;
Ephesians 5:3-11;
Colossians 3:17; I
Thessalonians 5:22; I
Timothy 5:6; I Peter
2:11). From unbelievers
(II Corinthians 6:14-18)
in spiritual matters.
From modernists,
liberals and false
teachers (Matthew 5:19;
15:9; I Timothy 1:7;
4:2; 6:3; II Timothy
3:5; 4:3; Titus 1:11; II
Peter 2:1). From the
world itself. While we
are in this world, we
are not to be of this
world and are to have
"no fellowship with its
evil ways." (Romans
12:2; II Corinthians
6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11;
Philippians 3:18,19).
That Christians caught up in the things of the world can be the enemies
of God (James 4:4) and
can be guilty of
spiritual adultery
(James 4:4).
That the believer's proper position should be crucified unto the world
and the world crucified
to him (Galatians 6:14),
not conformed to this
world, but transformed
by the renewing of the
mind (Romans 12:2).
That the believer can expect to be hated by the world (John 17:14) and
persecuted by them when
he separates himself
from the world. True
separation from the
world is also separation
unto God and is
exemplified by a love
for, and a desire to
know more about the word
of God and the Lord
Jesus Christ, a fear of
God, obedience to the
word of God and an
earnest expectation for
the second coming of
Jesus Christ to deliver
us from this present
evil world.
That the church and the state should be separate. That neither has the
authority to govern the
other. That civil
government is of divine
appointment; that rulers
are to be prayed for,
honoured and obeyed,
except only in those
things opposed to the
will of our Lord Jesus
Christ as found in the
word of God. All members
waive any right to bring
before civil court any
matter of church
relations and business,
assenting to the
authority of the church
in all such matters.
(Exodus 18:21-22; II
Samuel 23:3; Psalms
72:11; Daniel 3:17-18;
Matthew 10:28; 22:21;
23:10; Acts 4:19,20;
23:5; Romans 13:7;
Philippians 2:10,11;
Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13,
14, 17)
The Holy Trinity
That there are three persons in the Godhead but they are only one God
(I John 5:7). While it
is a mystery to man, the
doctrine of the Trinity
is clearly taught in the
New Testament. The
baptism of Christ
(Matthew 3:16,17) In the
baptismal formula
(Matthew 28:19) The
apostolic benediction
(II Corinthians 13:14)
Christ Himself teaches
it (John 14:6) The New
Testament sets forth a
Father who is God
(Romans 1:7), a Son who
is God (Hebrews 1:8;
Titus 2:13), a Holy
Spirit who is God (Acts
5:3, 4).
That this one triune God is perfect in His: Holiness (Leviticus 11:44,
45; I Samuel 2:2; Psalms
99:9; Isaiah 6:3)
Righteousness (Psalms
50:6; 111:3; Isaiah
51:8; Matthew 6:33)
Faithfulness (Psalms
36:5; Lamentations 3:23;
I Corinthians 1:9; I
Thessalonians 5:24;
Revelation 19:11) Mercy
(Numbers 14:18, 19; II
Samuel 24:14; I
Chronicles 16:34; Psalms
103; Lamentations 3:22)
Love (Psalms 146:8;
Jeremiah 31:3; John
3:16; I John 3:16;
4:8-19)
That He is: Omniscient (having all knowledge) (Job 37:16; Proverbs
16:3, 11; Psalms
139:1-6; 147:4, 5;
Hebrews 4:13) Omnipotent
(having all power) (Job
37:23; Psalm 147:5;
Isaiah 40:21-26; Matthew
28:18; Romans 13:1;
Revelation 19:6)
Omnipresent (everywhere
present) (I Kings 8:27;
Psalms 139:7-10; Isaiah
66:1; Jeremiah 23:23,
24) Eternal (having no
beginning or end)
(Psalms 41:13; 90:1;
102:12, 24-27; Isaiah
44:6; Romans 1:20) and
The Creator and
sustainer of all things
(Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah
9:6; Job 38:4-10; Psalm
104:2-6; Isaiah 40:12;
John 1:1-3; Revelation
4:11)
That man's approach to God should always be with reverence and fear.
The levity of God's
people concerning God
and His word is
abominable and is one
reason for the lack of
power in Christian work
today. (Deuteronomy
4:10; 5:29; Joshua
24:14; Job 28:28; Psalms
2:11; 15:4; 19:9; 34:7;
89:7; 99:1; 112:1;
Proverbs 1:7; 8:13;
10:27; 15:6; Isaiah
8:13; 33:6; Jeremiah
5:22; Hebrews 11:7;
12:28)
The Future Life, Bodily Resurrection, and Eternal Judgment
That at death (in this dispensation), the souls of the saved go
immediately to be with
Christ in heaven (II
Corinthians 5:8;
Philippians 1:21-23)
where they abide in
joyful fellowship with
Him until the
pre-tribulation rapture,
when their bodies shall
be raised from the grave
and changed into the
likeness of His own
glorious body (I
Corinthians 15:35-38;
Philippians 3:20, 21; I
John 3:2), at which time
their works shall be
brought before the
judgment seat of Christ
for the determination of
rewards, a judgment
which may issue in the
loss of rewards but not
the loss of salvation (I
Corinthians 3:8-15),
which has been eternally
secure for all believers
by the blood atonement
of the Lord Jesus Christ
for all sin.
That the souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into hell
where they are kept
under punishment until
the final day of
judgment of all unsaved
dead before the Great
White Throne (Luke
16:19-31; II Peter 2:9)
at which time their
bodies shall be raised
from the grave, they
shall be judged
according to their
works, and cast into the
lake of fire for
everlasting punishment
with the devil and his
angels (Mark 9:43-48;
Jude 13; Revelation
20:11-15)
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which takes place in two
parts:
That the first part is the rapture, the coming of the Lord "for" His
saints. That the period
of time preceding the
rapture will be
characterized by general
apostasy within the
church (II Thessalonians
2:1-3) That while no one
knows the day and hour
of the rapture, (Matthew
24:36-42; Acts 1:7),
true believers may know
the "times and seasons,"
(Luke 21:29-33; I
Thessalonians 5:1-8). It
could take place
anytime. When it does
occur, it takes place in
a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye
(Matthew 24:44; I
Corinthians 15:52). That
when He comes, He will
first by resurrection
and translation remove
from the earth His
waiting church (I
Thessalonians 4:16-18)
who will be caught up to
meet Him in the air. "So
shall they ever be with
the Lord." He will not
set foot on earth at
that time. That the dead
in Christ shall rise
first and then they
which are alive and
remain. As they are
caught up to be with the
Lord, they will receive
their glorified bodies
which are conformed to
the image of the Lord
Jesus Christ. So shall
they ever be with the
Lord. (Romans 8:29; I
Corinthians 3:18;
Philippians 3:20, 21; I
Thessalonians 4:16, 17;
I John 3:2) That shortly
after the rapture, a
seven-year period of
time will begin
variously known as "the
tribulation", "time of
Jacob's trouble" and
"Daniel's seventieth
week," during which time
God's wrath will be
poured out in righteous
judgment upon the
unbelieving world as in
no other time in
history. No born-again
believer will enter this
period of the great
tribulation. (Jeremiah
30:6, 7; Daniel 9:24-27;
12:1; Matthew 24:21, 29)
That the second part of
Christ's second coming
is His revelation and
glorious return "with"
His saints at the end of
the great tribulation.
He will then destroy the
armies of the antichrist
at the battle of
Armageddon (Joel
3:11-14; Titus 2:11-13;
Jude 14; Revelation
16:13-16; 19:11-14).
That the Lord Jesus
Christ will descend "in
like manner" as the
disciples "beheld Him
going into heaven."
(Acts 1:11). "And His
feet shall stand in that
day upon the mount of
Olives" (Zechariah 14:4,
5, 9; Revelation 1:7).
At this time, the whole
house of Israel will be
restored to the land
given to Abraham in
(Genesis 12, 13 and 15).
That at His coming, He
will establish His
glorious and literal
kingdom of heaven on
earth and execute the
judgment of the nations
(Matthew 25:31-46). He
will rule and reign for
a thousand years during
which Satan will be
bound in the pit. The
Lord will rule with a
rod of iron as the King
of Kings and Lord of
Lords in perfect peace
(Isaiah 9:7; Hosea 2:18;
Micah 4:3; Revelation
20:1-7). At the close of
His thousand year reign,
the Lord Jesus Christ
will raise the unsaved
dead and call them
before the Great White
Throne Judgment
(Revelation 20:5,
11-15). Finally, as the
Son of David, He will
deliver up His Messianic
Kingdom to God the
Father (I Corinthians
15:24-28) in order that
as the Eternal Son, He
may reign with the
Father in the New Heaven
and the New Earth
throughout the
dispensation of the
fullness of times (Luke
1:32, 33; Ephesians
1:10; II Peter 3:13;
Revelation 21:1; 22:5).
The One True Church; the Mystical Body and the Bride of the Lord
Jesus Christ (Romans
12:5; I Corinthians
12:12-24, 25-27;
Ephesians 1:22,12; 4:4;
Colossians 1:24)
That He began to build at Pentecost (Acts 2:4, 5; 47) and will complete
at the pre-tribulation
rapture (I Thessalonians
4:16, 17) and into which
all true believers of
the present age are
baptized immediately by
the Holy Spirit (I
Corinthians 12:12,12;
Ephesians 4:5). That a
Bible-believing
congregation of baptized
(immersed in water)
believers are associated
by a covenant of faith
and fellowship in the
gospel and the Lord
Jesus Christ (I
Corinthians 1:9;
Philippians 1:4, 5)
observing the ordinances
of the church, which are
two: (1)baptism, and (2)
the Lord's supper. That
Christian baptism is the
immersion in water of a
believer in the name of
the Father, of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost
(Matthew 3:13-16;
28:19-20; John 3:23;
Acts 8:36-39). It is a
picture of the death,
burial and resurrection
of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Romans 6:3-5;
Colossians 2:12) and is
prerequisite to
membership in a local
church congregation
(Acts 2:41). That the
Lord's supper is the
remembrance of the death
of the Lord Jesus Christ
by partaking of
unleavened bread and the
fruit of the vine. It is
always to be preceded by
solemn self-examination
on the part of each
participant. This
blessed ordinance is to
be observed as often as
the local assembly of
believers desires, until
Jesus comes (Matthew
26:17, 26-29; Mark 14:1,
Luke 22:15-20; I
Corinthians 11:23-29).
We emphasize the fact
that baptism and the
Lord's supper are
ordinances and not
sacraments. That's it's
scriptural officers are
two: Bishop (I Timothy
3:1, 2 and Titus 1:7)
and Deacon (Acts 6:3-5;
Philippians 1:1; I
Timothy 3:8) The bishop
is the pastor and the
presiding elder of the
individual flock that
God has set him over.
Being selected according
to the spiritual
requirements set forth
in (I Timothy 3:2-11)
and (Titus 1:5-7), he is
to lead the flock with
the counsel of the other
ordained elders of that
local assembly of
believers according to
the gifts of the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians 4:11).
He is to "preach the
word; be instant in
season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering
and doctrine" (II
Timothy 4:2) and do the
work of an evangelist
(II Timothy 4:5).
Deacons are to be
selected according to
spiritual qualifications
set forth in (I Timothy
3:3-13), and are to
serve the church under
the leadership of its
bishop as he shall call
upon them for the
administration of
business and spiritual
matters concerning the
church (Acts 6:2-4).
These two and any other
members ordained by a
local church are the
elders of that assembly
of believers and are to
be overseers of the
flock, to feed its
members with the word of
God, and to be examples
before them (Acts 14:23;
20:17, 28; Titus 1:5; I
Peter 5:1-3). That the
true mission of the
church is found in the
concept of the Great
Commission (Matthew
28:19-20). First, to
carry the gospel to all
the world Second, to
baptize them in the name
of the Father, of the
Son, and of the Holy
Ghost Third, to teach
them the word of God
Fourth, to instruct all
believers to do these
things also.