NEW TESTAMENT
CHURCH PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES :

1.

THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY:
The local assembly is autonomous (independent) and governed solely by the elders in the congregation and is in no way subject to outside legislation or leadership. The assembly of saints gathers unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and is subject to Him only. (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18 )

2.

THE ELDERSHIP:
The elders (unders-shepherds, overseers, bishops, pastors) are directly responsible to the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus for the teaching, counseling, discipline and correction in spiritual matters pertaining to those who have come into fellowship in the assembly. ( 1 Pet. 5:2-4; Heb. 13:7,17 ) The elders are also accountable to the saints in the local assembly fellowship. ( Titus 1:7-9 )

3.

THE CHURCH:

3.1.

ITS PURPOSE:
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ the church is to preach ( Luke 24:47 ), pray ( John 16:23-24 ), baptize ( Acts 10:48, 19:5 ), discipline ( 1 Cor. 5:4-5 ), and gather     ( Mat. 18:20 ) Scripture has established that the purpose of gathering is for doctrine, fellowship, worship and prayer. ( Acts 2:42 )

3.2.

ITS FUNCTION:
The assembly functions by the instruction of God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit and exercises the gifts that have been given for the edifying and maturing of the saints.
( II Tim. 3:16; Eph. 3:16; 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11 )

4.

THE ORDINANCES:

4.1.

BAPTISM:
The command to baptize comes with authority from the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, ( Mat 28:19; Mark 16:15-16 ), and from Apostolic practice. ( Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 18:8 ). All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are to be baptized ( Acts 2:41 ), by immersion (Acts 8:38), signifying identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. ( Rom. 6:3-6 )

4.2.

THE LORD'S SUPPER:
This ordinance was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ before His crucifixion, ( Mat. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20 ), and was confirmed through the apostolic teaching ( 1 Cor. 11:23-32 ). Only true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are entitled to partake of the Lord’s supper. ( Acts 2:41-42 ) Frequency for this ordinance is "as often", ( 1 Cor. 11:25-26 ) and the practice of early believers was weekly. ( Acts 20:7).

5.

PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS:
In the dispensation of grace, all believers are unconditionally constituted a "kingdom of priests" ( 1 Pet. 2:5,9 ) so that the believer priests, equally with Christ the High Priest, have access to God in the holiest.                          ( Heb. 10:19-22 ).

5.1.

The believer priest as a sacrificer offers

5.1.1.

his own body ( Rom 12:1 );

5.1.2.

praise to God, ( Heb. 13:15 );

5.1.3.

his substance, ( Heb. 13:16 ; Rom.12:13 ).

5.2.

The believer priest is also an intercessor.
( 1 Tim. 2:1; Col 4:12 ).

6.

HEADSHIP:
Both men and women are God’s special and unique creations, the ones for whom Christ died. Nevertheless God, in His Word, provides for headship and subordination among equals. ( Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 3:18-19 ). Even as there is equality in the Godhead, yet Christ, subordinate to the Father, demonstrates the role of headship between man and woman.( 1 Cor. 11:3 ). The Word of God delegates to man the responsibility for authority and leadership in the local church for ministry, prayer and teaching in mixed audiences. ( 1 Cor. 14:33-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-12 ). Scripture instructs men to exercise authority with their head uncovered and women to cover their heads to demonstrate God’s divine order in the local church.          ( 1 Cor. 11:4-16 ).

7.

TONGUES:
7.1 God intended tongues to cease after the infant church period ( 1 Cor. 13:8,10 ).
7.2 Tongues were meant as a foundation gift only and as a sign to unbelieving Jews. ( 1 Cor. 14:22: Heb. 2:3-4 )
7.3 There is no scriptural place for the practice, promotion or pursuing of tongues today and we would discourage anyone from following this direction. We will not allow any teaching opposed to these views within the assembly or it’s meetings.

8.

MARRIAGE:
The scriptures teach that marriage is the indissoluble union between one man and one woman for life ( Mat. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9 ). The bonds of marriage are broken only by the death of one partner ( Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-11 ). Cases of divorce and remarriage will be considered in the light of the teaching of scripture.