DOCTRINE

The Local Church

We believe that a church, of Christ, is a congregation of baptized believers associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that it is to be given a sacred  preeminence over all institutions of human origin; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons whose qualification, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.  We believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission, first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; and third, to teach and instruct as He as commanded. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence the will of the local church is final.

Acts 20:17-28;  Matthew 28:19-20; I Peter 5:1-4; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Malachi 3:10, Matt. 16:15-19