Ecclesiology

Ecclesiology

What we believe concerning the Church

We believe that all who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church (I Cor. 12:12-13), of whom Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18) and who is His espoused bride (II Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8).

We believe that the formation of this body began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (I Cor. 15:51-54; I Thess. 4:13-18).

We believe that the Church is a unique spiritual organism (Mt. 16:18), made up of all born-again believers in this present age, Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:11-22). The Church is distinct from Israel (I Cor. 10:31), a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph. 3:1-6, 5:31).

The establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament (Acts 2:40-47, 14:23, 27; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; I Thess. 1:1; II Thess. 1:1), and the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (churches) (I Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25). A local Church is an organized body (Covenant, Constitution, Articles of Faith, and leaders) of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, meeting together in a local area.

We believe that the supreme authority for the Church is Christ (I Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) and that the order, discipline, and worship are appointed through His sovereignty. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ over the local Church are elders, also called bishops, Pastors, and Pastor-teachers (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; I Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5-9) and are to be assisted by deacons chosen from the congregation. These officers must fit the biblical qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-5; Acts 6:3-4). These leaders are to lead the Church (I Tim. 5:17-22) and have authority from Christ in directing the Church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership and example (Heb. 13:7, 17; I Thess. 5:12-13; I Peter 5:1-4).

We believe that the discipline of sinful members of the congregation is to be in accord with the biblical requirements (Mt. 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; I Cor. 5:1-13, 6:1-7; II Cor. 2:5-11; II Thess. 3:6-15; I Tim. 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16; Rom. 16:17-20).

We believe in the autonomy of the local Church. It is free from any external authority or control with the responsibility of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local Church, following the biblical teaching and example of its leaders, is to decide on the measure and method of its cooperation, as well as all matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government (Acts 15:1931, 16:4, 20:28; I Cor. 5:8, 13; I Peter 5:1-4).

We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (II Tim. 2:2, 15, 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:42; I John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; I Cor. 11:17-34; Acts 2:38-42), and by discipling the nations (Mt. 28:19; Acts 1:8).

We believe that all believers are to be involved in the work of the ministry (I Cor. 15:58; Eph. 4:12; Rev. 22:12). To facilitate that ministry, God gave gifted men to prepare God's people for works of service (Eph. 4:7-12). God also gives special spiritual abilities to each member of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5-8; I Cor. 12:4-13). At the moment of the new birth, each believer receives a gift or gifts (I Cor. 12:4-13). These gifts are sovereignly bestowed and should not be sought (I Cor. 12:11). Every believer should discover, develop, and use spiritual gift or gifts for the edification of the body and the accomplishment of the work of Christ in the world (Rom. 12:3-8; I Peter 4:10-11).

We believe in God’s direct creation of the universe without the use of pre-existing material and apart from any process of evolution whatsoever according to the Genesis account (Gen. 1:1-31; Ex. 20:11; Col. 1:16,17; Heb. 11:3). We believe that man was created in the likeness and image of God in innocence under the law of his Maker. God is the giver of life and the final authority in the cessation of life. Therefore, all human life is sacred and to be protected, including care for the pre-born, handicapped, infirm, needy and aged. Man through the sin of Adam by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice and, therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Gen. 1:27; 3:1-6; Job 12:9-10; Ps. 139:13-16; Ex. 20:13; Ps. 82:3-4; Rom. 5:10-19; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 1:18, 32; Is. 53:6; Rom. 3:23).

We believe that marriage is a God-ordained and God-regulated, heterosexual covenant relationship (Gen. 2:18-25) in which each person is equal in value in the sight of God and distinct in marital roles (Gen. 1:26-27; I Peter 3:7; Eph. 5:22-33).

We believe that God has commanded that no one engage in intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage covenant between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of fornication (homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, adultery, and pornography) is sinful perversion of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. Any individuals taking part in lifestyles not clearly approved of by Scripture may not hold membership in this Church but are invited to respectfully attend our services. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:6-11; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-32; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9-10; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

We also believe that marriage pictures Christ’s relationship to His Bride, the Church, and that, in God’s original plan, marriage is a permanent relationship between one man and one woman, broken only by the death of one spouse (Rom. 7:1-3; I Cor. 7:39).

Those persons whose lives have been marked by divorce, remarriage, or marriage to a divorced person but now exemplify a godly walk with the Lord in accordance with His Word and these Articles of Faith shall be considered for service in the ministries of First Baptist Church of Dacula except in the positions of Pastors and Deacons. As with all others who serve, each person’s qualifications and place of service in the church will be evaluated and determined by the Pastor and Deacons on a Scriptural, individual basis (I Tim. 3:1-16; Titus 1:5-9).

We believe that the temporary sign gifts—healing, speaking in tongues (unlearned languages), interpretation of tongues, and the working of sign miracles—gradually ceased as the New Testament scriptures were completed and the new Church established (I Cor. 13:8-10; II Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3-4; Acts 19:11-12 with I Cor. 12:1-3).

We believe that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer prayers of faith on the part of every believer and will answer according to His perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7; II Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; I John 5:14-15).

We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-41). Christian baptism (by immersion) is the testimony by the believer showing forth, in solemn and beautiful illustration, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and our union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to new life (Rom. 6:1-11; Acts 8:36-39). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2:41).

We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (I Cor. 11:23-38). While Christ's flesh and blood are not actually present, the Lord's Supper is an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (I Cor. 10:16-17).