What is the Rule of Faith and Practice? THE BIBLE.
II TIM.3:15-17.
15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
MATT. 16:18.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
REV.22:16.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to
testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the
bright and morning star.
What is the form of Government in the Church? CONGREGATIONAL-- all members equal.
MATT.20:25-28.
25. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise
dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you,
let him be your minister;
27. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life
a ransom for many.
MATT. 23:8-12.
8. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master,
even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is
in heaven.
10. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted.
Who are the Members of the Church? -ONLY SAVED PEOPLE
ACTS. 2:47.
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such
as should be saved.
I PETER 2:5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
EPH. 2:21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in
the Lord.
MATT. 28:19-20.
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I TIM. 3:1-15.
1.This is a tree saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour,
given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler,
4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and
the snare of the devil.
8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy
of filthy lucre;
9. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found
blameless.
11. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree,
and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of
God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
What is the Church's Work? HELPING PEOPLE GET SAVED, BAPTIZING
THE SAVED INTO THE CHURCH, TEACHING THEM TO BE CHRIST LIKE.
MATT. 28:18-20.
18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth.
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
How is the Church Financed? TITHES AND OFFERINGS
I CORTH.9:13-14.
13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and
they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
MATT.23: 23.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,
and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to
have done, and not to leave the other undone.
II CORTH. 10: 4-5.
4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;)
5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
EPH. 6:10-18.
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
What of the Church and Civil Government? SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
MATT. 22:19-21.
19. Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21. They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the
things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.