THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ, organized to carry out the commission to evangelize, to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s table. Its offices are pastors and deacons, and it is self-governing. It functions through the ministry of gifts given by the Holy Spirit to each believer. 

Ekklesia – “church” 

• “a group of called out ones”
  • Called out from the former life
  • Called for a purpose[1] 

What is the church? 

Acts 2:41-47 (NKJV) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

What is the church supposed to do?

1. Reach 

Doctrinal Statement: …organized to carry out the commission to evangelize…

Vs 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

• The role of the church is to carry out the Great Commission
• The impact of the church is not limited by the power of God, it is limited by the obedience of men

Vs 47b And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

2. Teach

Doctrinal Statement: …to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s table…

Vs 42a And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work

3. Serve

Doctrinal Statement: …under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ…

Vss 44-45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

• Phil 2:4 tells us to “look out for the needs of others”
• Jesus modeled serving others during His ministry

4. Fellowship

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers…

Vs 42b …and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Vs 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

• As the body of Christ, we do not have the luxury of isolation
• We cannot isolate from the world, nor can we isolate from the church

Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

5. Worship

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God and the lordship of Christ, organized to carry out the commission to evangelize, to teach, and to administer the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s table.

Vs 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

• Everything we do as the church when in acting in obedience to His Word, it is an act of worship 

[1] Foundational Doctrines of the Faith, Dr. Elmer Towns, page 86.