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Ecclesiology (the Doctrine of the Church)
The Invisible Church:
We believe that the invisible church is an organism composed of all saved people from the time of Pentecost to the rapture, that it is a New Testament institution unknown to the Old Testament prophets, and that it is separate and distinct from Israel, composed of both Jews and Gentiles. Believers become part of this institution through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby He places them into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation (Rom. 6:1-10; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:10-17; 3:3-6; Col. 1:18, 24-26).
The Local Church:
We believe that the invisible church is manifested through the local church, which is an organized assembly of baptized believers who meet together regularly for purposes which include prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and observance of the two church ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. The ministry of the local church is to be carried out under the leadership of men filling the two offices of pastor and deacon, with the entire operation of the church being under the direct headship of Christ and apart from any other human hierarchy. Members are to be born again and baptized by immersion (Matt. 28:19-20; John 3:3-8, 16-18, 36; Acts 2:41, 47; 8:12, 36-39; 9:18; I Cor. 11:23-26; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-4).
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