The church is the community of believers who
confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people
of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we
join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word,
for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and
for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which
are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children,
its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body
of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The
church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse
her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious
church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having
spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (
Genesis 12:3;
Acts 7:38;
Ephesians 4:11-15;
Ephesians 3:8-11;
Matthew 28:19-20;
Matthew 16:13-20;
Matthew 18:18;
Ephesians 2:19-22;
Ephesians 1:22-23;
Ephesians 5:23-27;
Colossians 1:17-18.
)