General Principles

Jesus has one universal church. It is comprised of all true believers – invisible and visible.

Jesus has one catholic church. On earth, he has one visible, universal, and connected family. Not all within this body are truly connected to him.

Jesus has many local and connected churches. Localized families, under elders, are his idea.

Jesus is the head of his church. He alone directs us in how we should worship, disciple, fellowship, and evangelize. In areas where he regulates, believers have the opportunity to practice obedience. In other areas, believers are free from the legislations and opinions of others.

Jesus would have his local churches be led by a plurality of elders – chosen men who shepherd, give oversight, equip, and protect. This is what is meant by the term Presbyterian.

Additionally, a plurality of deacons are also to be chosen. They are to focus on service, administration, and organization.

All these servant-leaders are to be Gospel-oriented men growing in character, credibility, content, capability, community, calling, and commitment.

Jesus would have his church gather on any day of the week. He would have his family make much of the Lord’s Day. Christians should keep the Fourth Commandment and prioritize this holiday and gathering. They are under no obligation to apply the Ceremonial Sabbatical rules to their Lord’s Day festivities.

Jesus would not have men overvalue externals — worship place, hour, liturgy, furniture, etc …. Public worship can happen in catacombs, homes, marketplaces, fields, or religious buildings; it can happen anywhere. The building and its equipment can be of great aid, but they carry no spiritual weight. Traditions are fine, but they are never to be confused with God’s binding precepts.

Jesus, in his worship, would have his family be both horizontally and vertically focused. His glory is to be first and foremost on their hearts and heads. They are never to worship angels, saints, or any other creature. They are to worship God alone, reverently, joyfully, orderly, fervently in spirit, and in truth. And, Christ would also have his family love their neighbors, greet one another with a holy kiss, give to one another the right hand of fellowship, wait for one another at the table, share spiritual gifts, mutually edify, and meet one another’s needs. It is not an either-or situation. Worship is to be both a horizontal and vertical activity.

Jesus would have his family consistently focus on:

• Prayer
• Word
• Offerings
• Baptism
• Fellowship
• Lord’s Supper

Regarding the Sacraments

Both baptism and the Lord’s Supper preach God’s Covenant of Grace. They primarily preach what God does on behalf of his people. They primarily point to what God does and not what man has done.

Both of these sacraments are best practiced in conjunction with the taught or preached Word of God. It is God’s Word that best explains his sacraments.

Neither of these sacraments contain power in and of themselves. However, they are more than traditional memorials. God seems pleased to use them – as he does the preached Word – to grace his children who have faith. Neither of these sacraments are required for salvation.

Regarding Baptism

Gospel baptism has much in common with Old Testament ceremonial washings. Through Old Testament Ceremonial washings …

• One proclaimed human uncleanliness.
• One proclaimed the need for God to internally wash. (Pouring, sprinkling, immersing)
• One proclaimed his own identification with the community of faith. (Adult)
• One proclaimed the inclusion of his not-yet-believing household members in God’s family.
• Many proclaimed something externally that was not true spiritually.

Gospel baptism has much in common with Old Testament ceremonial circumcisions. Through Old Testament Ceremonial cuttings …

• One proclaimed human uncleanliness.
• One proclaimed the need for God to internally cut.
• One proclaimed his own identification with the community of faith. (Adult)
• One proclaimed the inclusion of his not-yet-believing household members in God’s family.
• Many proclaimed something externally that was not true spiritually.

In the New Covenant, circumcision has no sacramental value.

In the New Covenant, baptism is to be administered in accordance with Christ’s command.

In the New Covenant, there is no restriction of baptism to believers only.

In the New Covenant, there are examples of household baptisms.

In the New Covenant, there are examples of baptisms taking place in houses and in rivers. The specific mode is not prescribed.

God commanded circumcision to be a sign, given to those of faith. He also required this covenantal sign to be given to Abraham’s children. Through circumcision, God …

Regarding the Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper has much in common with the Old Testament Passover. Through this feast, Israel remembered and celebrated God’s gracious favor towards them by means of sacrificial blood.

The Lord’s Supper was instituted on the night when Jesus consecrated the elements, broke the bread, took the cup, and distributed it these to those present. It is to be practiced until his return and the end of the world.

The Lord’s Supper brings to remembrance the sacrifice of our Lord – his body and blood. It does not become his body and blood.

The Lord’s Supper reminds believers of all their benefits – today and in paradise.

The Lord’s Supper is used by the Holy Spirit to spiritually feed or grace believers.

The Lord’s Supper preaches our communion with Christ and one another.

The Lord’s Supper is not to be taken by those without faith.

Regarding Church Discipline

Excommunication and removal from the Lord’s Table is to be tenderly and graciously practiced as a means of honoring Christ, reclaiming a brother, and protecting the flock.