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'An Independent Baptist Church' The ChurchThere are 3 divine
institutions ordained by God on this earth…Government, Home, and The Church…and
the Church is God’s ordained Institution that was built by and upon Jesus
Christ…not Peter or any of his so-called successors. (Matt. 16:16-18) In
the Bible, some references are to the Church Universal…which refers to
ALL those comprising the Bride of Christ who have been born-again since the day
of Pentecost up until the Rapture; while other references are to the Church
Local, …local congregations of believers associated by a covenant of faith
and fellowship based upon the Word of God; observing the ordinances of Christ;
governed by His laws, exercising the gift, right and privileges vested in them
by the Word, and that the officers are PASTORS and DEACONS, whose
qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. The 6 things necessary for a proper church
according to the Book of Titus are: 1. A Proper GOSPEL
(Titus 1:1-3) Salvation by Grace thru Faith ALONE! 2. Proper
ORDINANCES…Water Baptism after salvation (immersion) and the Lord’s Supper. 3. Proper
LEADERSHIP (Titus 1:5-9) Pastors are the God-Ordained LEADERSHIP of the Local
Church. A Church is not to be run by a
Deacon Board, Trustees, or a Denominational hierarchy. A local church ought to be automous and
independent. There is no example of
denominations in the Bible! 4. Proper DOCTRINE
(Titus 2:1) …according to the Bible…not according to MEN or TRADITIONS. 5. Proper LIFESTYLE
and SERVICE. (Titus 2:2-12) …The members of that local church ought to PRACTICE
what the BIBLE teaches. 6. Proper
DISCIPLINE (Titus 3:10-11) …Biblical Discipline of members who misbehave and
fall into sin by the leaders of that local church. The mission of the
Church is to win People to the Lord by the Preaching and sharing of the Gospel;
Baptizing those Believers, teaching disciples the Word of God so they can grow,
and training them to win others; Ordaining Pastors, and sending forth missionaries
to the world. (Matt. 28:19, 20) According to Acts
2:41-47 there ought to be the following characteristics of a good local
church. It ought to be a place where
one can: 1. gather together publicly to worship and
praise the Lord. 2. receive God’s Word and its instruction thru
preaching and teaching. 3. use his/her spiritual gifts to serve the
Lord. 4. be trained to win others. 5. Observe the Ordinances of our Lord. 6. fellowship with other believers, bear one
another’s burdens, comfort and encourage one, restore erring or fallen
believers, and help others in time of need. 7. give one’s tithe. 8. serve as home base for evangelists and
missionaries. 9. receive discipline when needed. |