THE CHURCH
ECCLESIOLOGY-the study of the universal and local church; its origin, its nature, constitution, ordinances, and activities.
THE CHURCH
I believe that when a person places their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ they are placed in one united spiritual body know as the church (John 10:16; I Cor. 12:12-13). The church is the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Rev. 19:7-8) and is manifested in local bodies (Rev. 2-3).
the universal church
Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ is placed by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body known as the church (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 2:11-3:6; 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8).
Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:28).
The church began at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will end at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
The church is not Israel (1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 3:1-6; 5:32).
church ordinances
The church has two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42).
Baptism is to be by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) showing a believers death, burial and resurrection, and the union to Christ in his death to sin and resurrection to new life (Rom. 6:1-11).
Baptism also a sign of a believers union with the rest of the body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).
The local church
Jesus Christ is the supreme authority (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:28).
The local church is taught in New Testament and that all believers are to associate with a local church organism (Eph. 2:11-3:6; Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Gal.1:2; Phil. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1,2; 2 Thess. 1:1; I Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25).
The local church is to be led by men who meet biblical qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
The purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21; Eph. 4:13-16; 2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17; Acts 2:47; Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42; Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8).
the universal church
Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ is placed by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body known as the church (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 2:11-3:6; 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8).
Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:28).
The church began at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will end at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
The church is not Israel (1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 3:1-6; 5:32).
Gifts of the church
The early church possessed miraculous gifts of revelation and healing for the purpose of confirming the apostles message (Heb. 2:3-4; 2 Cor. 12:12).
These gifts are no longer in existence or necessary since revelation is now complete and no longer needed to proof man’s message (1 Cor. 13:8-12).
The only gifts in existence in todays church are non-revelatory gifts for the equipping of believers (Rom. 12:6-8).
God does heal today, but no one possesses the gift of healing (Luke 18:1-8: John 5:7-9; 2 Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).