How are Restoration Churches governed?
In each congregation, which has existed long enough to become fully organized, there is a plurality of elders who serve as the governing body. These men are selected by the local congregations on the basis of qualifications set down in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are deacons, teachers and ministers. The latter do not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The elders are shepherds or overseers who serve under the headship of Christ according to the New Testament. There is no earthly authority superior to the elders of the local church.
What do we believe about the Bible?
The original writers of the sixty-six books which make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the Scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the Scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.
Why do we only baptize by immersion?
The word baptize comes from the Greek word "baptizmo" and literally means, "to dip, to immerse, to plunge." In addition to the literal meaning of the word, immersion is practiced because it was the practice of the church in apostolic times. Still further, only immersion conforms to the description of baptisms as given by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a burial and resurrection.
Why do we take the Lord's Supper every Sunday?
It is expected that every member of the church will assemble for worship on each Lord's day. A central part of our worship is partaking of the Lord's supper; "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread." (Acts 20:7)
By what means does the Christian Church secure financial support?
On the first day of the week the members of the church, "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 Corinthians 16:2). The amount of any individual gift is generally known only to the one who gave it and to the Lord. This free-will offering is the only call which the church makes. NO assessments or other levies are made.
How does one become a Christian?
In the salvation of man's soul, there are 2 necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the Gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part is the big part, man's part is also necessary. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part is clearly set forth in the following steps:
* Hear the Gospel. "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14).
* Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him musts believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
* Repent of past sins. "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30).
* Confess Jesus as Lord. "...if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)
* Be Baptized. And 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 2:38).
* Live a Christian Life. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9).
