The Church

The Church
Statement of belief:
The Church consists of all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church, which has been commissioned by Him to go into the entire world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations. The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper.

What is the relationship of each local church to the total Body of Christ, the Universal Church?
Romans 12:4 states that we are members of one body and that we belong to each other. There are many other places in scripture that either directly or indirectly refers to the unity of the church. This unity is demonstrated in the churches function and future destiny. It is my belief and understanding that there is no difference in the local church in regards to its essence as compared to the universal church. We are merely a geographical representation of the whole. In light of that statement the local church must seek to demonstrate its actions like those of the New Testament. The apostle Paul sought after the newly founded church to support each other as well the Church in Jerusalem, who was suffering great persecution at the time. 1 Corinthians 16:1 We should be diligent to pray for and support our brother's and sister's in the body of Christ at all times. I believe that if a church does not teach this principle axiom then it is doomed for failure and does not represent the truth found in the scriptures.

Why are corporate worship, prayer, and fellowship essential for the local church?
I believe that these are some of the most important sacraments of the church today. Each of these activities requires the believer to unify themselves to the larger sum of the whole body of Christ. There is an exchange of truth that is essential to the growth and power, which exist in the body of Christ. It is also supernatural in nature and points us to the future of the church found in John's Revelation. There is also a unique divine creation component to it as well. I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit within is gives the believer the ability to encourage and support another believer. We were designed and purposed for community. When Jesus tell us the whenever two or more are gathered in his name then he will be present, it should sound of an alarm that we need to be unified. God will represent himself though the body of believers if we represent Him well through corporate worship, prayer, and fellowship.

What is the role of the Church in the proclamation of the gospel and edification of the believer?
Matthew 28 tells us that we are commanded to "go and make disciples..." We presented with an incredibly important task of partnering with God to usher in the Kingdom of heaven. We are also to represent God as well to those who are in need of salvation. This may take many forms in the world we live in today. The modern missionary may look very different than their counterpart did 100 years ago but the means may be different but the message should never change. We are the voice of God to the lost; we are to share the hope in a lost and dying world. We are the "beautiful feet of those who bring the good news." Romans 10:15 We are also called to build each other up. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians represents this truth12-14. There is nothing more wonderful than to see the church care for one another. I have seen it as a pastor, missionary, and member of the body of Christ. I believe that is when we are at our best and represent God’s love in its truest form.

Why is it important to establish local churches?
I believe that the establishment of local church could be like the positioning of watchtowers for the Kingdom of heaven on earth. The local church is meant to represent the establishment of the power of Christ on earth. Ephesians 1:19-23 It is however a sad state of affairs for the local church in the United States. I feel that it has become anemic and powerless. The current condition of our culture is a representation of this symptom. If the local church realized its purpose and identity then our world would be a better place to be. We are to work in the fields until Christ comes again not to wait for a free ride to heaven. The local church is crucial to the health of the culture and society that they exist in.