I believe the church is God’s ordained institution for accomplishing His purposes in the world today. God has set apart the church to bring Him glory and to equip believers for His service. The church is a body of baptized believers, who are associated together by covenant. In the church God has ordained the pastor as the shepherd of the flock and deacons to serve the needs of the body. Each church is an autonomous body, not answering to any heirarchy or organization, but to Christ Himself. God has instituted two ordinances, they are symbolical, not sacramental. Baptism by immersion after salvation and the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 26-39; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:17-34; Ephesians 4:11-16; Revelation 4:11