STATEMENT OF FATIH

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of Victory Baptist Church and its members.

(A) The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The King James Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

(B) Dispensationalism. We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose (in all dispensations salvation is by grace and grace alone). Three of these dispensations—the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; al. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6)

C) The GodheadWe believe that there is one living, triune, true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. That in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost -- each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections, each executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Genesis 17:1; Exodus 15:11; 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 2:7; 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:20; John 1:1; 4:24; 5:36-37; 6:27; 10:30; 14:10,16-17,26; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 9:5; 11:33; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5; I Timothy 1:17; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11.

1. The Person and Work of God the Father.

a. We believe that God the Father acts with a paternal kindness. He has the title of Respect, Honor, and Authorized Teacher as God the Father. He is the Begetter and Guardian of His spiritual children. He is Father in His relation to the Godhead. Genesis 1:1; 45:8; 2 Kings 2:12; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 11:26; 28:19; John 1:12-13,8; 8:16-30; Romans 4:11; 8:15; Galatians 3:26; 4:6; Ephesians 3:14,15.

b. We believe man by creation was constituted for sonship to the Father and bore the divine image and likeness. The introduction of sin severed this relationship which was restored by God. The Father is the Supreme Ruler and Divine Judge. God is the believers’ Father in the real and full sense to those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ Jesus the Son. John 1:12,13,18; Romans 9:5; Galatians 3:26: Ephesians 3:14,15; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 3:1.

c. From the Personality of God the Father we see His attributes: immutable, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, eternal, sovereign, holy, righteous, just, faithful, gracious, merciful, and love. Genesis 2:4; 22:13,14; Exodus 3:14; 15:26; 17:15; Deuteronomy 7:9; Judges 6:24; 1 Kings 8:27; Job 37:16; Psalm 23:1; 90:1,2; 102:27; 103:8; 116: 1,2; 145:17; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 23:6; Ezekiel 48:35; Malachi 3:6; John 17:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; James 1:17; 1 John 3:20; 4:7,8,16; Revelation 4:11.

2. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

a. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 2:5-7; John 1:1-2, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Philippians. 2:5-8; 1 John 5:20.

b. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His sinless life and death on the cross as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice. He was buried according to the Scriptures. Our justification is made sure on that third 24 hour day, Sunday, by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Acts 2:22-36; Romans 3:21-28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24.

c. We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Jesus Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood is His righteousness imputed unto us. Deuteronomy 25:1; Isaiah 5:23; 53:6-11; Zechariah 13:1; Luke 15:22-24; John 3:36; 5:24; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 1:17; 3:19-24; 4:1-9; 21-25; 5:1,2,9; 8:1,30,33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:10,11,13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:14-17; Colossians 1:20-22; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 2:4; 10:38.

d. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God. As our Great High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate. Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 4:14; 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2.

3. The Person and Work of the Holy Ghost.

a. We believe that the Holy Ghost is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature. He was active in the creation. In His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled. Genesis 1:26-27; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Matthew 12:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-8; 1 John 5:7.

b. We believe that the Holy Ghost bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent of the New Birth in that he seals, guides, induces, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. Nehemiah 9:20; Isaiah 30:21; Ezekiel 36:27; Luke 11:13; John 3:5-6; 6:63; 14:7-26; 16:8-15; Acts 2:37; 5:9; 9:17,31; Romans 8:2,9,14,16; 15:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 6:11-19; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:3; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 2:20,27; 3:24; 4:4,14.

c. We believe that the Holy Ghost is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, indwelling and sealing believers unto the day of redemption. John 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14.

d. We believe that the Holy Ghost is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18-21; 1 John 2:20, 27.

e. We believe that the Holy Ghost is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. The Holy Ghost uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12.

f. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Ghost, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Ghost. The ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently heals through the prayers of believers. Romans 8:11; Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; 15:47,49,53; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; James 5:15-16; Revelation 2:3-4.

(D) The Total Depravity of Man. We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)

(E) Salvation

1. We believe in God’s electing grace. The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept these blessings by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of even the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. Isaiah 55:1,6,7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24,40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; 13:38,39; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22,29-30; 4:5; 5:12,15,16; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:4,5,8,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 2:11; 1 Peter 1:2.

2. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatory office of the Son of God. He, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature yet without sin. He honored the Divine law by His personal obedience. By His death, He made a full and vicarious atonement for sin. This consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, having born our sins in His own body on the tree rose from the dead. He is now enthroned in Heaven, uniting in His wonderful Person the tender sympathies with Divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. There is no redemptive power in any other. Isaiah 53:4-7; 11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3,11,20; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2; 4:10.

3. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. The New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus, which is instantaneous and not a process. In the New Birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. This new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, and not by; culture, character, or the will of man. It is wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, securing our voluntary obedience to the Gospel. Proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life. Ezekiel 11:19; Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3-21,67; Acts 2:41; 16:30-33; Romans 6:4,23; 7:6; 8:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; 6:15; Ephesians 2:1,5,8,10; 4:7,8,16,21-24; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 4:1-12; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 2:27-29; 3:9,14; 4:7; 5:1-18.

4. We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God. Thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. At the same time, we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confess Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Psalm 5:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:8-13.

(F) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.

1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)

2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)

(G) The Church

1. We believe that a church is a local congregation of Scripturally baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. A Church observes the ordinances of Jesus Christ and is governed by His laws. They exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by the Word of God. Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:41-47; 6:2-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:3.

2. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons. Matthew 16:13-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-32; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 1:19-20.

3. We believe that the only office that requires ordination within the Church are pastors. Their qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 8-13; Titus 1:6-9.

4. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission. This teaches that first we are to teach and make individual disciples; second to baptize and build up the church; and third to teach as Jesus Christ has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:7-10.

5. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government. It is free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations.

6. We believe that the one and only Head of the Church is Jesus Christ with the superintendence of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 21:42; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19; 1 Petet 2:7.

7. We believe that true churches are to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. Every church has sole judgment on this earth of the measure and method of its cooperation on all matters. Leviticus 32:1; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:3,22-23; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 5:11-13; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3-4.

8. We believe that baptism is the total immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is done with the authority of the local church to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of the believer’s faith. It illustrates the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In baptism the believer identifies with Jesus Christ, showing the effect the Gospel has in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is therefore a pre-requisite to the privilege of church membership. Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48.

9. We believe that members of the church have the privilege and duty to partake of the Lord’s Supper. They do commemorate together the death and love of Christ by their participation. The sacred use of unleavened bread and the unfermented fruit of the vine are the church’s prescribed elements. This supper is always preceded by a solemn self-examination. Matthew 3:6,16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 1:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12.

(H) Separation. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and that the saved should refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. Victory Baptist realizes that some may have obtained such body markings before they were saved and do not in any wise intend offense in that case. (Lev. 19:28; Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)

(I) The Second Coming of Christ. We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)

(J) The Eternal State.

1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)

2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)

3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)

(K) The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)

(L) Creation. We believe in the Biblical creation model. It is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively. This model states:

1. In the presence of the Godhead, the Son of God supernaturally spoke into existence all things in six solar days.

2. All elements in the universe exist by design, have specific purpose, and are interdependent with specific information encoded within them.

3. Each category of life appeared abruptly without descending from an ancestor of a different sort. Variation within a category is expected, but each possesses genetic limits to its variability, thus exhibiting stasis.

4. Man was created in God’s image and after His likeness. As God is triune, so is man composed of body, soul, and spirit.

5. All other models are rejected such as evolution, the gap theory, the day-age theory, and theistic evolution.

6. God’s established law is that each category of life brings forth only “after their kind.”

(M) Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)

(N) Human Sexuality.

1. We believe that the only legitimate and Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. We further believe that as God has commanded that no intimate relations or sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

2. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

(L) Family Relationships

1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)

2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and be willing to sacrifice for her sake. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)

(O) Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication or desertion. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:15; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

(P) Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

(Q) Euthanasia. We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment. (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)

(R) Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)

(S) Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Bible believing Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)

(T) Missions. We believe that all missionary endeavor should be carried on within the confines of the local church; that mission boards and mission hierarchies tend to usurp the authority of the local church. The Great Commission was given to the local New Testament Baptist church; therefore, the authority to preach, baptize, and teach rests solely with the local church, and not with any school, board, denomination, or other religious organization. It is, therefore, our responsibility to train those who go forth to spread the Gospel and to supervise their labors under the direction of the Holy Spirit. We do believe that it is the privilege and right of local churches to cooperate with each other in carrying out the Great Commission. This cooperation should be carried on in such a manner as to preserve the sovereignty and autonomy of each local body in all matters of faith and practice. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:20; 2 Cor. 8:1-6; 9:1-15)

(U) Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)