| We are thoroughly Reformed and Evangelical in our
theology (perhaps a little too much so for some), and the essential
tenets of the faith to which we subscribe are identical to those found
in the doctrinal statement of any sound Evangelical institution.
The areas in which we would differ from most Evangelicals are
primarily in ecclesiology (the study of the church). We have listed
(below) the areas that we feel have been neglected by the church, and
these are the areas of focus in our publications on church practice.
Meeting in homes rather than in specially designed buildings:
- This is the way the New Testament church met together.
- God has chosen "weak things" as the means of
accomplishing His purpose (1 Co. 1:27-29) and does not equate
bigness with ability.
- The church is to operate as a family, not a business.
- The instructions given by the apostles on how to do church were
given with house churches in mind; consequently, they work well in
house churches, but not so well in large churches.
- Meeting in the home fosters community, intimacy and accountability
among the members of the body.
- With no overhead expenses (such as the construction and upkeep of
a building), finances are directed toward the needs of the poor and
the sending of missionaries.
Mutual participation in the meeting by all is to be the rule, not
the exception:
- Everyone is to participate in the meeting for the building up of
the body as a whole (1 Cor 12).
- The only definitive statement of a first-century church meeting is
1 Cor 14:26; there it indicates that "everyone" has something to contribute, and that the
result is edification of the body.
- 45 minute sermons by one man while all others silently listen were
absent from the New Testament church meetings.
- The objective of the church meeting in the New Testament is mutual
edification, not Corporate worship (although, that is a by-product)
The Lord's Supper held weekly, as a full meal, with the elements
represented by one loaf of bread and one cup of wine:
- The Lord's Supper was the purpose of the church meeting together
in the New Testament (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:18-20, 11:33).
- The Lord's Supper consisted of a full meal, not a piece of cracker
and a thimble of grape juice (1 Cor 11:21; Acts 2:46; Jude 12).
- The elements were in the form of one loaf of bread and a single
cup (1 Cor 10:16-17); this singularity, Paul tells us, causes unity
in the body.
- The mood of the Lord's Supper is "joy" (Acts 2:46) not
solemn reflection, because the focus of the Lord's Supper was the
second coming, not the unworthiness of the participants.
On Church Leadership:
- The titles "elder," "overseer [bishop]," and
"pastor" in the New Testament are interchangeable terms
that refer to the same person.
- Elders (pastors) of the church are cultivated and trained by other
leaders within the church, not by seminary professors (2 Tim 2:2).
- Elders (pastors) of the church must meet primarily moral
qualifications, not primarily academic qualifications (1 Tim 3; Tit 1).
- Elders (pastors) of the church are not full-time professionals who
are paid a salary.
- Elders (pastors) of the church primarily "watch over" the flock; instead of delivering 45 minute sermons, theirs is primarily a "background" role.
Other Beliefs:
- There is no tithe in the New Testament church; with no buildings
or professional pastors. There is no need for storehouse tithing;
giving is done directly from giver to "getter."
- Women have specific limitations in ministry and in the church:
they are allowed to "prophesy" within the assembly (1 Cor 11:5), but not to teach biblical content (1
Tim 2:11-15), or to challenge the authority of a man (1 Cor
14:34-35).
- The church is to practice church discipline on members who go
astray and are sinning habitually.
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