CHURCH

We believe that the church is a community of believers—all those who have placed repentant faith in the Lord Jesus and are redeemed from the bondage of sin by the blood of Christ. The church is not a building or a property; the church is God’s beloved people, called in the Scriptures the Body of Christ, the Temple of God and the Household of God. (1 Cor. 12:27; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22)

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LOCAL CHURCH

We believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phi. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1) Although there is the universal church, we believe that every believer ought to be a member of a particular local church and grow with others in the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:15-16)

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We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom under the headship of Christ (Tit. 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28). However, churches cooperate with each other for one another’s edification and propagation of the gospel. (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:19-20)

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BAPTISM

We believe in believer’s baptism, i.e., baptism is an immediate act only after born-again experience in Christ. (Acts 2:37-41; 8:12; 8:36-38; 9:17-18; 10:45-48; 16:31-34; 19:5) Although baptism is not a requirement for salvation, a saved person should not neglect taking baptism, for it is the command of Christ to those who put their faith in Him (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:38-42; 1 Cor. 12-12-13).

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THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of Christ's death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:28-32). The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the church’s vertical relationship with the Lord, i.e. remembering Christ’s atonement and victory on the cross, and also of its horizontal relationship with one another, i.e. mutual fellowship and unity. (Acts 2:46; Luke 22:15-18,30; 1 Cor.11:26; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor.10:16) We observe the Lord’s Supper in the regular gathering of the church as one of the chief purposes of its meeting. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.11:18-20,33)

LEADERSHIP

We believe that a church has to be led by a plurality of elders/shepherds. (Acts 14:23; 20:28; Phil.1:1; 1 Tim.4:17; Heb.13:17; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet.5:1-2). Biblically designated leaders serving under Christ and over the assembly are also called elders, bishops, pastors, shepherds and overseers (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11), with deacons assisting them, both of whom must meet and live by biblical qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).

EVERY-MEMBER MINISTRY

We believe that every believer should be an active, functioning and participating member of a local church, not a mere spectator, attendee and passive member. (1 Cor. 12:14-27; 1 Pet. 4:10) We believe that every member is called to ministry and that each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10) This does not mean every member is called to leadership but to some definite ministry of the church. This also does not mean every member has to do some role in the forefront, but whether on the forefront or behind the scenes, a believer has to employ his/her gift for the church’s edification and God' glory. (1 Pet. 4:11)

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COMPLEMENTARIANISM

We believe that both men and women are together created in the image of God and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value, and have equal access to God through faith in Christ. (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18; Gal. 3:28) We also believe that God has ordained the principle of male headship in both the home and in the local church and that certain governing and teaching roles are restricted to men. (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 11:2-16; 1 Tim. 2:11-15; 3:1-7) 

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THE GREAT COMMISSION 

We believe that the mission of the church is to fulfil the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20). The Great Commission is to plant churches and disciple believers in the local church context. The church ought to be mission-oriented, training and sending church planters to plant more churches.
 

CHURCH COVENANT

We consider only those who have born-again experience with an appropriate understanding of the gospel of Christ and are baptized in obedience to Christ's commandment and have committed themselves to our church covenant as members of Ekklesia Evangelical Fellowship.

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Soli Deo Gloria