1. The Church is a people, not a place.
2. The Church is an organism, not an organization.
3. The Church is a family, not a fraternity.
4. The Church is both local and universal.
A local church is a gathering of regenerated people who regularly meet in Christ’s name and covet together to affirm and oversee on another’s commitment to Jesus Christ and his kingdom through gospel preaching, spiritual disciplines and gospel ordinances.
How did the Church come into existence?
1. It was established by . (Matthew 16:18)
2. It was inaugurated by the (Acts 2:1-4)
3. It was facilitated by (Acts 1:8)
Is Membership in a Church Biblical?
- Christians are ordinarily united to individual but interconnected churches.
- Christians collectively identify themselves as churches.
- Christians display a corporate identity when formally assembled.
- Christian ordinances are practiced among members of churches.
- The life and authority of the local church shape and orient the lives of its members.
- Christian leaders are made responsible for specific believers.
- Christians are responsible to submit to specific leaders.
What is the Purpose of the Church?
The Church is an of heaven. (Ephesians 3:10-11)