The Church

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. - Article 7, EFCA Statement of Faith

THE TRUE CHURCH

We believe the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

The Universal church is comprised of all those from the day of Pentecost through to the time of the rapture who have accepted, and will accept, Christ as Savior.

Matthew 16:18 (NIV84) — And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Acts 9:31 NIV

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Romans 6:1–4 (NIV84) — What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV84) — For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV84) — And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:4–6 (NIV84) — There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 5:25 (NIV84) — Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Hebrews 12:23 (NIV84) — to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

CHRIST IS THE HEAD

We believe all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head.

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 (NIV84) — The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 1:22–23 (NIV84) — And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 4:15–16 (NIV84) — Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Colossians 1:18 NIV

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

LOCAL CHURCHES

We believe the true church is manifest in Local churches, …

Acts 8:1 (NIV84) — And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 20:28–30 (NIV84) — Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Romans 16:5 (NIV84) — Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV84) — To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 16:19 NIV

The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

2 Corinthians 1:1 (NIV84) — Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NIV

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Philemon 1–2 (NIV84) — Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

…whose membership should be composed only of believers.

Matthew 18:15–20 (NIV84) — “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Acts 2:41 (NIV84) — Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.,

Acts 2:41 NIV

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:47 NIV

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 14:23 (NIV84) — Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Acts 20:7 (NIV84) — On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV84) — To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV84) — God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 11:20 (NIV84) — When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV84) — For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NIV84) — But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (NIV84) — Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

1 Timothy 3:1–13 (NIV84) — Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 5:9 (NIV84) — No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,

Titus 1:5–9 (NIV84) — The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV84) — Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Why is it important for the “true church” to be “manifest in local churches”? Is there such a thing as a churchless Christian?

Because we are a believers’ church movement, “membership should be composed only of believers.” Does the “true church” find an exact parallel in the “local church”?

ORDINANCES

Specific acts of worship commanded by God

We believe the Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, Baptism…

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

…and the Lord’s Supper.

Matthew 26:26–29 NIV

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:22–25 (NIV84) — While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:15 (NIV84) — And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.20

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

These ordinances visibly and tangibly express the gospel.

We believe that through baptism and the Lord’s Supper are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

John 6:55–56 (NIV84) — For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.

John 6:55–56 NIV

For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.

ongoing action in these verses, not punctiliar action

Acts 2:38 (NIV84) — Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:39 NIV

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 16:33–34 NIV

At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

Participation - koinwnia, fellowship, working together with

1 Corinthians 11:29–30 (NIV84) — For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

Colossians 2:12 (NIV84) — having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

What does an ordinance mean? How does it differ from a sacrament? How is it these ordinances “visibly and tangibly express the gospel”?

Ordinance - done because God commanded it, good for nourishment of the believer

Sacrament - done to earn salvation

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume II: The Greek and Latin Creeds, with Translations (On the Sacrifice of the Mass)

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CANON I.—If any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God; or, that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat: let him be anathema.

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CANON II.—If any one saith, that by those words, Do this for the commemoration of me (Luke 22:19), Christ did not institute the apostles priests; or, did not ordain that they and other priests should offer his own body and blood: let him be anathema.

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CANON III.—If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice;

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or, that it profits him only who receives; and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and other necessities: let him be anathema.

Hebrews 7:26–27 NIV

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Hebrews 9:11–12 NIV

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:10–14 NIV

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:18 NIV

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Romans 6:9–10 NIV

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

1 Peter 3:18 NIV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Though the ordinances are clearly “not the means of salvation,” could they be a means of spiritual growth or sanctification? What is the important connection between “genuine faith” and the fact that the “ordinances confirm and nourish the believer”?

Often the ordinances have been relegated to a place of unimportance or indifference in the life of the local church. What do the terms “mandated” and “celebrated” have to say to this trend?

CONGREGATIONALISM

Though not included among our central doctrinal convictions, the Evangelical Free Church of America is congregational. That is, Evangelical Free churches are autonomous and self-governing. We hold this as an integral part of our history and tradition, and on the basis of our understanding of biblical teaching.

Jesus is the lone Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). This means the church is governed preeminently as a Christocracy not a democracy.

Based on the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6; 5:9), we believe that the will of Christ for his church is best discerned through the collective understanding of the congregation.

Therefore, the congregation is the highest governing authority under Christ for the local church (cf. Matt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:4).

With Christ as the Head of this priesthood of believers, he has also given spiritual gifts to each one to be used to glorify him and build up the body (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-7, 28-30; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

Some of these gifts are to be used for positions of leadership in the local church, specifically elders/overseers/pastors (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)2 and deacons (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).

These servant-leaders are to be affirmed/chosen by the people they serve (cf. Acts 6:5). This addresses an internal call of God and gifting by God and an external recognition and acknowledgment of this by the people in the local church.

What does congregational church government look like? In 2000 the District Superintendents and other national leaders (composing what was then called the National Ministries Team) created a statement (updated in 2008) seeking to provide some guidance to local churches on this issue. Here is what they wrote:

An EFC [Evangelical Free church] has the freedom under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to govern its own affairs in accordance with both the mind of Christ and the Word of God. An EFC develops a local church polity that fits within the following parameters of congregationalism:

The membership includes only those who have a personal faith in Christ (a believers’ church).

The collective membership in a duly called meeting is the highest authority, under Christ, in the local church, exhibiting both a willingness to be scripturally accountable to the elected leadership and encouraging elected leadership to be mutually accountable to them as the ultimate authority in the local context.

Moreover, members and leaders unitedly subscribe to a relationship covenant based on Matthew 18, giving priority to biblical patterns of conflict resolution and exercising biblical discipline within the context of Christian love and cultural sensitivity.

Congregationalism is that form of government wherein the highest authority under Christ in a local church resides in the corporate understanding of the mind of Christ and in which a realistic process and reasonable opportunity exists by which that understanding is determined and carried out, especially as it affects such matters as:

1). Determination of membership.

2). Selection or appointment of the principal governing board (elder, deacon, etc.).

3). Selection of the senior pastor or senior directional leader(s).

4). Approval or alteration of constitution/bylaws.

5). Approval of an annual church budget.

6). Approval of any major purchase or dissolution.

An EFC has as its local polity a form of congregationalism that fits the size and demographics of the congregation.

An EFC teaches that congregationalism includes the involvement of the entire body in ministry.

An EFC entrusts much of the decision-making to godly leaders who are trained, trusted and allowed to lead.

EFCA, Evangelical Convictions

Memory Verses:

Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:9-10