Baptism and the Lord’s
Supper
We believe that Christian baptism
is the single immersion of a believer in water to show
forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification
with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through
Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism
is to be performed under the authority of the local
church; and that it is prerequisite to the privileges
of church membership. We believe that the Lord’s
Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes
and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
We believe that the biblical order of the participants
in the Lord’s Supper should be immersed believers
(Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom.6:3-5; Matt. 3:16; Col.
2:12; I Cor. 11:23-28; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42).
Separation
We believe in the biblical doctrine
of separation which encompasses the following: (1) the
separation of the local church from all affiliation,
fellowship and cooperation with those who deny the true
Christian faith. We believe that the church should refuse
to be drawn into compromising alliances whereby our
testimony would be impaired and/or our position confused.
Specifically, we reject the concept that our church
should cooperate with unbelievers and apostate churches,
even if by so doing beneficial results may seem to be
produced (II Tim. 3:5; Eph. 5:11), and (2) the separation
of the individual believer from all worldly practices
that would dishonor the Savior, including membership
in a secret order or lodge (II Cor. 6:14; II John 9-11).
Civil Government
We believe that civil government
is of divine appointment for the interests and good
order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed
for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in
those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming
King of kings (Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21;
Acts 5:29; 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18).
Israel
We believe in the sovereign selection
of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that
she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and
rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered
in the Holy Land and, after the completion of the Church,
will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ
(Gen. 13:14-17; Rom. 11:1-32; Ezek. 37).
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