In our contemporary society it seems more and more people are trying to do church according to their feelings, felt needs, or pragmatic cultural values rather than by what the Word of God teaches.
The now famous line from former first lady, Hillary Clinton, on raising children – “it takes a village” – is an appropriate parallel here. Does it take a village to do effective ministry for God and His glory or does it take a church? We are of the firm belief here at The Cross Church (TCC) that by the ministry of grace through the Word taught, Christ-centered worship, cross-centered evangelism, and the body life of God’s people serving others by using their spiritual gifts IS enough.
So through careful study of God’s Word and prayer, here is our effort to be and do church biblically in our day at TCC. We hope it will encourage you to the same end! SDG…
What Is A Biblical Church?
1. A biblical church is governed by a plurality of qualified biblical male elders committed to the obedience, instruction, proclamation and fidelity of Scripture; and the biblical gospel of sola fide – the chief article upon which the church stands or falls (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Cor. 5:21).
2. A biblical church exists for the worship of God and His glory alone. It is dedicated to present every man complete in Christ through the exposition of God’s Word rightly divided, disciple godly character, prayer, fellowship, sacrificial love of the saints to each other, benevolence, the breaking of bread, and the evangelization of the lost (the Lord alone adds to His church such as are being saved). (Acts 2:42-47; Col. 1:27-29; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Peter 1:3-12).
3. A biblical church faithfully practices and administers the two ordinances of the church, baptism and communion, by command of our Lord and the Apostles. It is also faithful in practicing church restoration: the grace of biblically restoring those who fall (1 Cor. 11:17-34; Mt. 28:16-20; Gal. 6:1-4; Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Thess. 5:14-15).
4. A biblical church is self-funded through the faithful giving of God’s people without the need of outside assistance through third-party fundraising, secular commerce, business, or trade. We are under the conviction that God’s work, done God’s way, according to God’s Word, will not lack God’s supply (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37).
5. A biblical church reproduces itself through making disciples, loving our neighbors, missions, benevolence, and church planting (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 15:20; Titus 1:5-16; Galatians 2:10; Matthew 5:40-44).
