Foundations - The Church - Statement of Faith Article 7

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

Statement of Faith about The Church with Scripture linked HERE

Full Statement of Faith linked HERE

Questions for Further Reflection and Study

1) What comes to mind when you think of the church?

2) What is the Church?

3) What does scripture say that is takes for a church to be considered a church?

4) Can you be a Christ-follower without being part of a church?

5) Should you be a Christ-follower without being part of a church?

6) Who is the head of the Church?

7) What does Scripture say is the purpose/mission God gave the Church?

 We can see what the headship of Christ means in seeing the seamless union between Christ and the Church (From Timothy Savage in the Gospel Coalition.)

•Church is the body of Christ, Christ is the head. – Colossians 1:18
•Church reverberates with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 1:19-20
•Church personifies the love of Christ – Ephesians 5:2
•Church manifests the fullness of Christ. – Colossians 2:9-10
•The church is made the “new man” that measures up to the full stature of Christ Himself. – Ephesians 4:13
•The church is also distinguished form Christ in that it is His Bride – Ephesians 5:25-27
•Christ nurtures and cherishes the church as His own flesh. – Ephesians 5:29
•It is a repository of His Father’s wisdom – Ephesians 3:10
•The church is where God receives all glory.
•The Church is a beacon of divine light, a foretaste of heavenly glory. – Ephesians 1:18