The church is the community of believers who confess
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In continuity with the people of God in
Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together
for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration
of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide
proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ,
who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written
Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members
live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the bride for whom
Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph,
He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the
ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and
without blemish.
Support is found in these Bible passages:
