Membership Class Wk 2

Benjamin Gonzalez

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Week 2

Doctrinal Statement

At Heritage Christian Fellowship we respect that people hold a variety of doctrinal positions. With the assumption and aim that we are all continually submitting ourselves to Scripture, we will over time come to more and more doctrinal unity. However, it is important for all Christians to affirm the essential Christian doctrines that have been affirmed by the Church since the Apostles. We desire to see our members heartily affirm the following doctrinal statement, but if they cannot affirm every point, please speak to the elders about what differences you may have in your membership interview.

Orthodoxy:

The Bible

The Bible is the Word of God. The Holy Scriptures are inspired by God (God–breathed), not only in the general sense, but in every word. The Bible is without error and infallible as originally given. Being the written revelation of God, it is the divine, final, and complete authority in all matters pertaining to mankind, salvation, and the church. For the purposes of our faith, practice, doctrine, policy, and discipline, the eldership, being under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, bears the responsibility of being the final interpretive authority on the meaning of Scripture and its application at Heritage Christian Fellowship. (Zech. 7:12; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3–4,19–21; Heb. 4:12–13)

The Triune God

There is only one true God who exists in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are equal in divine perfection, co-eternal, and execute distinct but harmonious offices. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is holy, sovereign, and personal. God knows all things, is everywhere present, and is all-powerful. God is love, gracious, and merciful, and in every way good. God is spirit, self-existent, and transcendent. Being the Creator of all things, it is in Him that we live and move and exist. (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 34:6–7; Lev. 11:44; Isa. 9:6, 44:8, 45:5; Jer. 23:23–24; Dan. 4:35; Matt. 3:16–17; John 4:24; Acts 17:24–28; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Tim. 1:15–16; 1 John 3:20; 4:8; Rev. 4:11)

God the Father

God the Father is the first person of the Trinity (Godhead) who orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. He is faithful to all His promises, works all things together for good for those who love Him, and in His unfathomable grace gave His Son Christ Jesus for mankind’s redemption. It was He who sent His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, to be the Savior of the world, raising Him from the dead, glorifying His Son, and seating Him at His right hand. Recognizing the authority of God the Father, God the Son obeyed the Father in all things. God the Father being the only Sovereign, upholds, governs, and oversees all creation and creatures, for all exists for His glory. (Matt. 6:25–32, 28:18; Mark 16:19; Luke 22:39–42; John 1:14, 3:16, 8:27–29, 11:42, 12:49–50, 17:18–23, 14:16–17, 26; 15:26, 16:26–28; Acts 1:4, 2:22–24,33, 3:13–15, 5:30–31, 10:39–41, 13:28–34; Rom. 8:11, 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 1:1;

Eph. 1:3–14, 18–23, 4:6; Phil. 2:5–11; Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 1:9–10; Heb. 1:3, 2:9, 10:12; 1 Pet. 1:20–21; 1 John 4:14)

God the Son

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly man. As God incarnate, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He therefore lived a sinless life and perfectly fulfilled God’s law, and his righteousness is imputed to those who believe by the Father. He glorified God by saving His people from their sins, taking our sins upon Himself, and dying on the cross under the punishment of God as the atoning sacrifice. Having been raised from the dead, He ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for His saints. Christ is the only means whereby mankind can be forgiven of their sins and their guilt removed. At the appointed time He will return bodily in power and glory to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate His redemptive purpose. (Matt. 5:17; Luke 1:26–33, 2:6–7; John 1:1–3, 5:22–29, 14:6, 16:7; Acts 4:12, 17:31; Rom. 3:21–26, 8:11,34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 1:15–18; 2 Thess. 2:7–10; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 2:21–24; 1 John 3:5)

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God, possessing all the characteristics and attributes thereof. The work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict men regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment—and to regenerate the sinner. Sent by the Father and the Son to indwell all believers, the Holy Spirit baptizes each believer into the body, and guides the believer into all truth. He instructs and empowers the believer for godly living and service. He is the One who imparts spiritual gifts to the body as He wills for the edification of the body and for various works of ministry in the world. These gifts are to be earnestly desired and practiced in love. (John 14:16–17,26, 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 6:19, 12:7–13; Titus 3:4–6; 1 John 2:27)

The Creation

The creation (all material things, all mankind, and all angels), exist for the purpose of manifesting the glory of God. He created the physical universe (including mankind) in six literal days. God rules over the entire creation, being the rightful owner and proprietor thereof, bringing all things into conformity with the purpose of His will. (Gen. 1:1–2:3; Ex. 20:11; 1 Chron. 29:11–13; Ps. 148; Prov. 16:4; Isa. 42:8–12; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 1:9–11; Rev. 4:11)

Man

Mankind, male and female, was both holy and good when originally created. God created humanity in the image of God, and thereby distinct from all other living creatures. Therefore, we are of surpassing value before God, this being manifested in the price paid for our redemption. All of mankind is under God’s authority and are accountable to God for our actions, speech, thoughts, and motives. (Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 12:13–14; Ezek. 18:3–24; Luke 2:14; John 3:16; Rom. 2:16, 3:19; Heb. 4:12–13)

Sin

Humanity forfeited its original state of righteousness by willfully sinning against God. God holds us accountable to pay the debt of our sins—death. Sin is either a transgression of God’s law or His character. Beginning with Adam and Eve, all have sinned, bringing death (physical and spiritual) to all. Since our fallen nature is corrupt, we naturally desire to do what is contrary to God’s will. We are completely incapable of delivering ourselves—in whole or in part—from either our guilt or corrupt nature. In this condition, we are under God’s wrath and are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. (Gen. 3:6, 8:21; Ezek. 18:20; Eccl. 12:13–14; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 25:46; Rom. 3:9–12, 19–23, 5:12–21, 6:23, 7:7–13, 8:6–8; Eph. 2:1–3; 2 Thess. 1:8–10)

Salvation

God is sovereign in all things, which includes the salvation of men. In eternity past, God the Father, knowing that all men, if left to themselves, would reject Him and coming under His judgment would die in their sin, by an act of His own will graciously determined to save a people for Himself. Being a free gift of God, salvation from sin is offered to all men, which God Himself provided by His grace (alone), through the granting of faith (alone), because of the redemptive work of His Son, Christ Jesus (alone), to His glory (alone). In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Regeneration is the divine act of God whereby the sinner is granted the capacities needed to repent and exercise saving faith. Justification is an act of God whereby He declares the sinner righteous based on the merits of Christ and imputes that perfect righteousness of Christ to the sinner. Sanctification is the work of God in which the believer cooperates with God in the practical outworking of his/her new birth. Glorification is the work of God which is the consummation of one's salvation whereby the believer is given a glorified, spiritual body that is immortal and no longer subject to sin. The believer lives in this state of glory thereafter, forever, world without end. (John 3:3–6, 14–21, 6:37, 44, 65; Rom. 3:19–30; 8:28–30; Eph. 1:4, 11, 2:1–10, 3:10–11; Phil. 1:29, 2:12–13; 1 Thess. 4:3–8; 2 Tim. 1:9–10, 2:25)

The Lordship of Christ

The Christian life has at its core the desire to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, always being eager to honor and please God. This is accomplished by the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer as they walk by faith. Christians are God’s instruments to lead others to a saving knowledge of Christ and to nurture and disciple them to maturity. Christians live always and continually striving against sin and by God’s grace are being transformed progressively into the image of Christ. Self–sacrificing love to God and others, humility, joy, the desire to seek peace, the ability to forgive others as Christ has forgiven them, are among the fruit which are to be evident in the true Christian’s life. Genuine faith will produce good works, although they in no way merit salvation. (John 20:28; Rom. 6:12–23; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22–24; Phil. 2:5–11; Col. 1:10–12, 3:12–17; Heb. 13:21; James 2:14–26; 2 Pet. 1:5–9; 1 John 3:21–24)

Man's Eternal Future

The Lord Jesus Christ will one day return visibly and bodily to the earth with His powerful angels and all mankind will be resurrected and face God's judgment. The present heavens and earth will be destroyed, and a new heavens and earth created. Those who have not been saved will be eternally damned for their sins in the lake of fire, the penalty demanded by divine justice for sin. Those who have been saved will live eternally in the presence of God, worshipping and enjoying Him. (Matt. 24:29–31, 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7–10; Heb. 9:27; 2 Pet. 3:10–13; Rev. 20:12–15)

The Ordinances

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church that we observe. Christian baptism by immersion is the public testimony of a believer’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is for believers who have made their faith publicly known to the Church through baptism. The Lord’s supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination, private confession of sin, and the recognition of our need for divine grace and the fact that divine grace is available to us. (Matt. 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:1-23; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Rom. 6:1-11; 1 Cor. 11:20-34)

The Church

The Church is the universal body of Christ, those who by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and who upon repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus have been baptized into Christ—the only Savior from sin—and who are unified in submission to His Lordship and the Word of God, the Bible. At the same time the Church is comprised of autonomous local gatherings of believers who are governed by Christ in accordance with His Word through the service of its officers—the elders and deacons—and are accountable to all its members. The universal Church assembles in local gatherings of believers (small “c” churches) for the purpose of instruction in the Holy Scriptures, prayer, fellowship, worship, exhortation, encouragement, and the observance of the ordinances. The Church is responsible to propagate the Kingdom of God in the world through evangelism and discipleship, by the Spirit, and through the preaching of the Word, being the only voice of the Gospel message to the nations of the world. The Church is the bride of Christ, endowed with all the gifts and privileges afforded to her by Christ, the head of the Church. She eagerly awaits her triumphant victory when she will be united to Christ forever at His second coming. (Matt. 28:19–21; Acts 4:12, 15:19, 20:21, 20:28; Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:13,27; Eph. 4:7–12, 5:32; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 2 Tim. 4:1–4; 1Pet. 3:15, 5:1–4; Rev. 19:7–8)

Doctrinal Questions & Answers:

Below is space for you to jot down notes from the doctrinal “Q&A” during the class.

Specific Doctrinal Highlights:

In keeping with our submission to our only Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Word, we are committed to upholding His will as we carry out the requirements of our ordination as shepherds over His Church. Let it be known to all that we unwaveringly hold to the following positions and their respective doctrines as stated in Scripture:

Orthopraxy:

Marriage

We hold to the sanctity of marriage as part of God’s creative order (Gen. 1:26–28, 2:18–25). Marriage is to be a covenantal union between one man and one woman (Mal. 2:14b; Matt. 19:4–6). Marriage is ordained, established, and regulated by God to be a life–long commitment (1 Cor. 7:39) of two becoming “one flesh” united in companionship both physically and spiritually (Gen. 2:18–25). Their physical union is given by God for companionship (Gen. 2:18), and their physical union is given for procreation (Gen. 1: 28), for raising a godly heritage (Mal. 2:15), and for conjugal rights (1 Cor. 7:3). It is only within the covenant of marriage that the “marriage bed” is held in honor and undefiled by adultery (Heb. 13:4). Within the Christian community marriage should only be allowed between two Christians (2 Cor. 6:14–18) with no provision to dissolve it through divorce except by two biblical provisions given by God (outlined below under Divorce and Remarriage). Marriage follows God’s order of creation in that Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife—with each reflecting the love of Christ to each other (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22–33) and maintaining interdependence to God’s glory (I Cor. 11:3, 9–12). Marriage is a reflection of Christ and His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:31–32).

Divorce and Remarriage

We teach that all divorces are based on sin although not all divorces are sinful (Matt. 19:8–9). A divorce is not sinful when it is acquired on biblical grounds. There are two provisions that grant permission for (but do not require) divorce: Adultery (Matt. 19:3–9) or desertion by an unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7:13–15). Remarriage is permitted only when a divorce is established on biblical grounds (Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:15). God regulates all unbiblical divorces (1 Cor. 7:11) and makes no provision nor gives permission to remarry in such cases. Remarriage without biblical grounds to divorce results in adultery (Matt. 19:9). In the event that a divorce should occur between two professing Christians without Scriptural grounds, they are required by God to remain unmarried or be reconciled to each other (1 Cor. 7:10–11).

Preparation for Marriage

Each Pastor-Elder at HCF believes that it is both wise and prudent for couples seeking to be married to undergo premarital counseling and preparation for marriage with an HCF Pastor-Elder before being married. If you desire to be married by an HCF Pastor–Elder, please contact the HCF office or an HCF Pastor-Elder directly.

Gender and sexuality

The language of the Bible makes it abundantly clear that God created mankind as male and female, calling them to multiply through procreation, (Gen. 1:26–28). Sexuality is designed by God and to be experienced between one man and one woman within the context of marriage. The Bible makes no provision for a third gender or for the crossing over of genders. When mankind transgresses God’s Word through unbridled desires and or physical sexual intimacy they do so against God’s expressed design and will, resulting in abomination (Rom. 1:18–32). Any expression of sexual intimacy outside of marriage is fornication—whether heterosexual or homosexual—is forbidden and falls under the category of sexual immorality. We recognize no other rule of sexual conduct outside of God’s authoritative word (2 Tim. 3:16–17). God has created male and female distinctions purposefully. A husband and wife together, as sexual beings, are designed intentionally to procreate and produce offspring, each in their own role according to their gender (Gen. 1:27–28). God is sovereign in the assignment of gender—and for anyone to reject, seek to redefine, or act in a way clearly contrary to God’s good Providence in such assignment is to rebel against Him and reflect an idolatrous arrogance and contempt against His right as Creator to fashion His creatures as He wills (1 Cor. 6:9–11; Eph. 5:4–5; Gal. 5:19).

Sanctity of Life

We believe that life is sacred because of its origin and reflection. The Bible is the authoritative source of this declaration. Mankind was created by God and bears the image of the triune God, (Gen. 1:26–27). Because God is holy His creation is holy. God not only created man by fashioning him but also breathed life into the man that he should be a living being (Gen. 2:7). Mankind originated from God; therefore, humanity belongs to God and is accountable to Him for the life He has granted. God does not grant permission for anyone to act autonomously in the taking of a life through homicide or suicide, both being an act of murder. Abortion is murder (Ex. 20:13).

Membership

New members are received on a regular basis. Prospective members join HCF by verbal affirmation in the presence of the congregation after completing both this membership class and a successful interview with the elders—having given a credible profession of faith, heartily affirmed their submission to the authority of the Bible and acknowledged their alignment with the HCF Statement of Faith. New members are normally introduced to the congregation at our next communion service, so that existing members can receive them into biblical church fellowship. Several benefits follow:

• Members will be able to put a name with a face and know who is willfully committed to our church family. This will allow us to identify those whom we have a biblical responsibility to love, serve, and care for as members of our own church family—and to know from whom we can expect/receive the same.

• Pastor-Elders will know those for whom they must give an account to God for their souls (Heb 13:17). They will be able to identify those who have willfully committed to our fellowship as their own local church and submitted themselves, according to the Word, to their pastoral authority, so that they might serve them by leading, teaching, healing, and protecting them. Also, for such members to support, respect, help and pray for the Pastor-Elders.

• Deacons will know those who have willfully committed to our fellowship as their own local church and submitted themselves, according to the Word, to their diaconal authority, so that they might serve them by meeting the practical needs of HCF. Also, for such members to support, respect, help and pray for the Deacons. -

• To establish a list of active members who are approved to serve in official ministry positions.

• To establish an accurate membership roll for the purposes of establishing a quorum for the congregational vote related to the purchase or sale of properties owned by HCF.

• To provide official communications about a member’s standing and history at HCF if they should need or desire to leave and be recommended to another church fellowship.

· For those in good standing, requests to be removed from the membership roll will be honored at the time of their request. For those under church discipline, each request will be taken under review. No resignation will be accepted for the purpose of avoiding the biblical discipline/restoration process.

We believe it is an issue of utmost importance and self–evident that those who consider HCF to be their own local church should publicly identify as such, for the purposes stated above.

Church Discipline/Restoration

We here at Heritage Christian Fellowship, in obedience to the rule of Jesus Christ, are committed to practicing church discipline. Jesus Christ commanded that all members of a local church body cooperate in the privilege and responsibility of participating in or receiving church discipline if they or another church member are found to be in unrepentant sin. It is our firm commitment to honor Jesus Christ in seeking to win our brothers and sisters caught in unrepentant sin and to restore them to obedience to Christ and proper fellowship within the body of Christ. If the sinning member refuses to listen to individual admonitions, we will seek to admonish them in the presence of two or three witnesses. If there is continued refusal to repent, we will seek to include the entire membership in the process of calling them to repentance. With continued refusal, we are committed to the final step of removing a person from fellowship—to be treated as an unbeliever in hopes that they will be caused to repent and be restored to fellowship.

We are also committed to publicly dealing with public sins and to avoiding divisive individuals who factiousness harms the local body of Christ. (Matt. 18:15–18; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 2:6–14; 1 Tim. 5:19–22; Titus 3:10)

Mutual Commitments

At Heritage Christian Fellowship we respect that people hold a variety of doctrinal positions. It is not our desire to discourage those who love God and love His Word to abandon or deny their beliefs if they are different from our own. However, we desire there to be a spirit of unity and a humble willingness to yield and defer to the elders without causing dissension. We are convinced that over time, submitting to Scripture and being willing to dialogue humbly about these matters, believers will grow more and more toward doctrinal unity.

What do we believe that humble submission and dialogue regarding differences should look like from the perspective of both church leaders and church members?

We believe the elders have a general responsibility to guard the truth (1 Tim. 6:20), while being able to gently instruct and care for the flock.

2 Timothy 2:24–25a — And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

We believe members also have some general responsibilities to appreciate their leaders, and to be teachable and willing to yield to them.

Hebrews 13:17 — Obey [be persuadable] your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 — We ask you, brothers, to respect [know, appreciate] those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish [instruct] you.

Keeping these admonitions in mind, what kinds of specific commitments do we believe the shepherds and the flock are making when they join hands in ministry through membership?

Commitments of the Elders

1. We will strive to hold and teach our convictions with humility, and not be personally critical or condescending toward those who differ; instead, we will do our best to appreciate every member and the diversity they bring to the body.

2. We will strive for a unity of spirit centered around Christ and the Gospel that will cultivate an atmosphere of openness and mutual appreciation.

3. We will provide spiritual instruction and resources to help members understand any matters of doctrine they desire to grasp more fully or deeply.

4. We will commit to respecting your personal convictions and beliefs, and properly grant you liberty of conscience in matters of doctrine and beliefs.

5. We will not hinder a member’s service in the church in any way, providing that they are not living in any serious or life dominating sin and also providing they are holding their convictions humbly, and not teaching or promoting doctrines contrary to those held and taught by the elders.

Commitments of the Members

1. The member must strive to hold his or her convictions with humility, and not be personally critical or condescending toward the elders, or others in the body with whom they disagree.

2. The member will strive for a unity of spirit centered around Christ and the Gospel that will cultivate an atmosphere of openness and mutual appreciation.

3. The member acknowledges that Holy Scripture is our only authority for faith and practice. The member, along with the elders, submits to the mutual accountability that the Scripture instructs us, and commits to obey the Scripture as our only guide for Christian worship and living.

4. The member will strive to love, pray for, and appreciate those in authority over them in the church.

5. The member, in keeping with Hebrews 13:17, will strive to maintain a teachable spirit, avoid stubbornness, cultivate a willingness to be persuaded, and have a heart willing to yield even when the differences in doctrine remain.

6. The member commits to not teaching or promoting doctrines contrary to those taught and held by the elders, and to be respectful in any and every conversation where those doctrinal differences might arise.

Conclusion

The desire of your shepherds is to care for your spiritual health and to see you walking in the truth. In fact, like the Apostle John, we would be able to say…

3 John 4 — I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

We believe this kind of care—being fed well spiritually and cared for practically—can happen effectively in a context where doctrinal differences exist. The prerequisite for that to happen is humility, genuine affection, abundant grace, and mutual respect in every heart. That is our prayer and desire, from our hearts and from yours.