The Church is the community of believers who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Like the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out of the world, we come together for worship, for fellowship, for the study of the Word of God, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the proclamation of the Good News throughout the world. The Church has received its spiritual authority directly from Christ, who is the incarnate Word revealed in Scripture. The Church is the family of God, and its members, adopted by God, live on the basis of the new covenant concluded with Him. The Church is the body of Christ, a society of people united by faith, and the head of this body is Christ Himself. The Church is the bride for whom Christ died to sanctify and cleanse her. At His solemn return, it will appear before Him as a glorious Church, faithful throughout the ages, redeemed by His blood, and without spot or blemish—holy and blameless.
Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18; 1 Pet. 2:9
