THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
I believe that the church is the community of God’s called-together people given life by the Spirit and sent to continue the disciple-making ministry of Jesus in the world (Jn. 20:21-22; Matt. 28:19-20). The universal church is comprised of people from all ages (Gal. 3:29; Heb. 12:23) who are reconciled to God and one another by the gospel (Eph. 2:16). As the people of God, the church exists to glorify Him and proclaim His greatness (1 Pet. 2:9-10). As the body of Christ, the church is held together by Jesus—the head of the church (Eph. 5:23-27, Col. 1:17-20) who is building the church (Matt. 16:18), leading the church (Heb. 3:1), and extending His life (Eph. 1:23) and ministry through the church (Jn. 14:12). As the community of the Spirit, the church is the people among whom and in whom God dwells (Eph. 2:22; 1 Cor. 3:16). The church is a mysterious trans-cultural community of people (Eph. 2:19, 3:6) called and chosen by the Father, purchased and sent by the Son, created and empowered by the Spirit to display the wisdom and glory of the Triune God (Eph. 3:10, 21).
I believe that the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The church is united in Christ (Eph. 4:4-6), set apart to become like Christ (2 Cor. 2:18), not limited by time or place (Heb. 11), and founded on the apostle’s teaching recorded in Scripture (Eph. 2:20). The church is distinct from the nation of Israel, yet closely connected (Gal. 3:29). Both play a significant role in the purposes of God (Rom. 11:17-24). The church is not the kingdom of God, but is integrally related (2 Tim. 4:1) as a foretaste of the coming kingdom (Rev. 21), a sign that it is already here (Mk. 1:15), and an outpost for the kingdom mission (2 Cor. 5:17-20).
THE LOCAL CHURCH
I believe that members of the universal church gather together in local communities—visible expressions of the invisible church. As members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), it is essential for every believer to be actively involved (1 Pet. 2:5, 4:10) in an organized yet organic community (1 Cor. 14:40; Rm. 12:4) that gathers regularly (Acts 2:46-47) for worship (Col. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 14) and edification (Acts 2:42, Heb. 10:25), and scatters actively, empowered by the Spirit joining Jesus on the mission of God (Acts 1:8, Jn. 20:21). Local churches are to live out the great commandment (Matt. 22:37-40) and the great commission (Matt. 28:10-20) as they demonstrate to the world what a community looks like when God is there (1 Cor. 14:25). Local churches are countercultural communities of love (Jn. 13:34-35, Col 3:12-14) who serve (Gal. 5:13), support (Gal. 6:2), honor (Rom. 12:10), exhort (Heb. 3:13), submit to (Eph. 5:21) and provide for one another (Acts 2:45). Local churches are to be communities of honesty (Col. 3:9) and encouragement (1 Thess. 5:11) where sin is confessed, people are prayed for (James 5:16), and loving discipline takes place (Matt. 18:15-18; Gal. 6:1). Members of local churches are to use their Spirit-empowered gifts to build up the body (1 Cor. 12:6-8; Rom. 12:6-8). However, not everyone who is part of a local church is a member of the universal church (Matt. 13:24-30; Jude 4).
I believe that God appoints qualified and competent elders (1 Tim 3:1-7, Tit. 1:5-9) to lead the church under the leadership of Jesus. Elders are men who shepherd the flock (1 Pet 5:1-4), keep watch (Heb. 13:17) and care for souls (Acts 20:28). They provide oversight and direction through preaching and teaching God’s Word (1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:2). They warn (Col. 1:29), encourage (1 Thess. 5:14), exhort and rebuke with Christ’s authority (Tit. 1:9; 2:15). The elders protect and guard against false teachers (Acts 20:29) and ensure that every member is equipped for ministry (Eph. 4:11-16). Serving alongside elders are qualified and competent deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13)—men and women called by God and appointed by the elders to serve as ministry leaders in the church (Acts 6:1-6; Phil. 1:1).
I believe that local churches are not defined by a building and can meet in homes (Rom. 16:5, 1 Cor. 16:19). They should also intentionally network with other churches in their city and region (2 Cor. 1:1) cooperating together in gospel ministry (Acts 15; 2 Cor. 11:9). In the gathering of a local church, Jesus has commanded that two sacraments be observed—baptism (Matt. 29:19) and communion (Lk. 22:19). These are means of grace that nourish spiritual life, and pictures of God’s work for us in the gospel. Communion should be observed regularly and orderly, remembering the cross and anticipating Christ’s return (1 Cor. 11:24-26). Believers should be baptized by immersion (Jn. 3:23; Mk. 1:9) as a physical demonstration of their new identity in Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:4) and as a sign of their new life in new community—the church both universal (1 Cor. 12:13) and local (Acts 2:41).
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