CORE Class Week 1-09242017

 The Identity of Midway Baptist Church CORE Class | Week One PHILIPPIANS 1:27 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Introduction:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A Brief History May 11, 2003 Midway Baptist Church had its first service across the street in Unionville’s old Midway store. August 24, 2003 Midway Baptist members signed the church’s charter, recognizing that the church has been placed in this community by God to do his work here. 2006 The church called its first full-time pastor, Rob Fleshman, a product of Unionville. Pastor Fleshman would continue here until January of 2015. 2009 The church outgrew the property across the highway, and 10 acres of land was graciously deeded to the church by George and Loretta Brundage, so that a new building could be built. 2010 The current 9,000 square-foot church building was completed, and worship services began in the new facility. A highlight of the building is the full-court gymnasium, which also serves as our fellowship hall and kids’ group time area on Wednesday nights. April 3, 2016 Brian Allison, with his wife Heather and daughter Victoria, moved to Unionville, As Brian became the third pastor of Midway and its second full-time pastor. May 11, 2018 Midway celebrated 15 years of ministry in the northeast Missouri and southeast Iowa region • Midway’s identity includes outreach and community concern, which may be what brought you to become an attender or member. We are thankful that God has allowed you to be here, and we hope that we can add you to the legacy of our church’s impact here in Northeast Missouri and Southeast Iowa. Our Foundational Principles 1. Bible Preaching We determined to be a church that would gather around sound Bible preaching and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1–4 2. Personal Evangelism We determined to be a church that would seek to share the Gospel with every member of its community. Matthew 28:19–20 3. Personal Discipleship We determined to be a church that would follow up with new believers, and disciple them in their faith. 2 Timothy 2:2 4. Biblical Worship We determined to be a church that would make the Bible, God’s Word, central in the style and substance of our worship services. 1 Thessalonians 2:3–6 5. Devotional Walk We determined to be a church whose members would cultivate the disciplines of personal prayer and Bible study. Acts 17:11; Philippians 4:6 6. Family Oriented We determined to be a church where families could receive teaching and ministry for each member of the home. Titus 2:3–7 7. Missions Minded We determined to be a church that would seek to send missionaries and plant churches in other areas and on foreign fields. Acts 1:8 8. Care for Others We determined to be a church that would minister to widows, children, those grieving, those with illness, and the underprivileged. James 1:27 9. Building Relationships We determined to be a church where the leaders and members would develop solid relationships and bear one another’s burdens. 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 10. Ministry Involvement We determined to be a church where each member would participate in the overall work that God has called us to fulfill. Romans 12:4–8 11. Personal Holiness We determined to be a church that viewed the Christian life as one that involved a distinctive lifestyle, set apart from the culture of the day. Titus 2:11–12 What Does Midway Believe? As a fundamental church, we believe in the basic, traditional doctrines of the Christian faith, including a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. We seek to remain separate from religious groups that deny these doctrines (2 Corinthians 6:14–18, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Jude 3). A. The Inspiration of the Scriptures The Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God. We take a literal approach to our interpretation of the Scriptures. 2 PETER 1:20–21 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. also Psalm 12:6–7, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16–17 B. The Godhead God is a Person, eternally existing, as a Trinity in unity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three Persons and yet one God. DEUTERONOMY 6:4 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: also Matthew 3:16–17; 28:19, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7 C. The Deity of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, eternally existing, is the only begotten Son of God who became a sinless man to redeem us. He was born of a virgin and is true God and true man. JOHN 1:1–3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. also Luke 1:30–55, Philippians 2:5–8, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:1–8 D. The Person of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit of God is a Person who has personality and all the attributes of Deity. The Holy Spirit was sent to regenerate, sanctify, seal, and fill all who have placed their faith in Christ. JOHN 14:16–17 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. also John 3:5–6; 14–16, Acts 1:5; 5:3–4, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19–20; 12:13, Ephesians 4:30 E. The Sin Nature of Man Man was created in the image of God but fell through sin, bringing not only physical death, but also spiritual death or eternal separation from God. Now all of mankind exists as a fallen race with an inherited sinful nature. ROMANS 5:12 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: also Genesis 1:26–27; 2:16; 3:16–19, 2 Chronicles 6:36, Romans 3:10–23; 6:23 F. The Sacrifice and Resurrection of Christ The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died as a substitutionary payment for the sins of the whole world. He physically arose from the dead and then ascended into Heaven. 1 PETER 3:18 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: also Luke 24, John 14:6, Acts 1:9–11; 4:12, Romans 5:8–10, 2 Corinthians 5:21 G. Salvation by Grace Salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works. Only by turning to Christ and trusting His sacrifice on the cross can a man be saved. Once saved, our relationship with God is eternally secure. EPHESIANS 2:8–9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. also John 10:27–30, Acts 16:31, Romans 3:24–26; 10:9–13, Titus 3:5–6, 1 Peter 1:3–5 H. The Reality of Heaven and Hell For the Christian, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord Jesus Christ in a literal place called Heaven. Hell is also a real place, where those without Christ suffer separation from God. Hell is a place of literal fire and torment. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:8 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. REVELATION 20:14–15 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. also Matthew 25:41–46, Luke 16:19–26; 23:43, John 14:1–6, 1 Corinthians 15:35–38, Philippians 1:23; 3:21, 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9, Revelation 20:4–6; 21:8 I. The Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ Christ Himself will soon come again in the air to catch up His Church. The unbelievers left behind will go through a period called the Tribulation, after which Christ will return to set up His Kingdom of one thousand years. After this, unbelievers will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the lake of fire, while believers spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16–17 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. also Matthew 24:29–42, John 14:1–6, Titus 2:13, Revelation 19:11–20:13 What Is a Baptist? As a Baptist church, we identify with specific New Testament doctrine, consistent with similar groups of believers who have gone before us, since the time of Christ (1 Timothy 3:15; 4:13, 16; Titus 1:9). BIBLE Authority in all manners of faith and practice. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: also John 17:17, Acts 17:11, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:20–21 AUTONOMY or self-governing power of the local church. Being independent means that our church stands free from any denominational structure of hierarchy. We are a self-supporting and self-governing church, under the headship of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28, Acts 13–14). COLOSSIANS 1:18 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. also Acts 20:19–30, Ephesians 1:22–23 PRIESTHOOD of Believers. Every believer has equal and instant access to God. HEBREWS 4:14–16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. also 1 Timothy 2:5–6, 1 Peter 2:5–10 TWO Officers within the church: Pastor and Deacons. PHILIPPIANS 1:1 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: also Acts 6:1–7, 1 Timothy 3:1–13, Titus 1:6–9, 1 Peter 5:1–4 INDIVIDUAL Soul Liberty. Every man and woman must choose personally to come to Christ for salvation. ROMANS 14:12 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. also John 3:7, 16, 38, Romans 10:9–17; 14:1–23 SAVED Church Membership. Our church is composed of members who have been saved and baptized, uniting for the purposes of worship, fellowship and service. ACTS 2:41–42 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. also Galatians 4:5–6, Ephesians 2:19–22, 1 Timothy 3:14–15 TWO Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Table. These ordinances have no part in salvation and only serve as pictures of what Christ did for us. MATTHEW 28:19 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: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23–26 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. also Acts 2:38–43; 8:36–38, Romans 6:1–6 SEPARATION of Church and State. The state should have no power to intervene in the free expression of religious liberty. MATTHEW 22:21 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. also Acts 5:29–31, Romans 13:1–4