4. What we believe about the Church.
The universal church is the worldwide body of Christ-followers. It is composed of regenerate people, knowing no boundary by way of culture, race, language, or denomination. Christ is the only Head of the universal church.
The local church is a gathering of Christ-followers formally organized on biblical principles and associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ. Its mandate is to exercise faithfully the gifts, privileges, and duties entrusted to it by the Word of God.
The ordinance of baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is one’s identification with the death and resurrection of Christ. It represents death to independence and self-centred living and resurrection to newness of life in Christ.
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper memorializes what Christ did for us by his death on the cross. The bread and the wine are symbols of the sacrificed body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is a time for commemoration, confession, communion, and consecration.
References: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:37-38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
5. What we believe about eternity.
The hope of the church is the return of Jesus Christ. The certainty of His personal, imminent return is a motivation to His followers: for integrity of life and for eager effort to evangelize the world.
Resurrection is the reuniting of soul and body. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. The resurrection of the righteous will occur at the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the unrighteous following the millennial reign of Christ.
The Bible reveals God as the Judge of all. His judgement is based on His love, omniscience, and justice. The judgement of humans will take place before His throne of majesty and power, where records will be examined and final destinies determined.
Eternal destiny is determined by God’s grace and an individual’s response. Heaven with its eternal glory and the presence of God Almighty is the final estate of those who know the salvation God provides through Jesus Christ. Those who neglect this salvation will be separated from God and destroyed in the lake of fire.
References: Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2-3; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:21-24; Matthew 10:28; 13:31-43; Revelation 20:11-15.