Jesus left His disciples an epic mission: to speak to the world about His love and promise to return, to care for people just as He cared for them. Entrusting His message to humanity was a bold and risky move, but even though God knew that men would forsake it, even distort its truth, He truly desired to collaborate with us.

The risk was worth it. As disciples of Jesus, the Church is called and inspired to act like Him: to serve others rather than our own interests, to rely on God to be stronger, to be penetrated by the Word of God, and to speak about God’s love to the whole world. All are equal in Jesus: men and women, rich and poor, regardless of our origins or ethnic backgrounds.

Church members support and encourage each other through times of praise and Bible study. Christians celebrate their covenant with Jesus through the ceremony of the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’s example of service and sacrifice. The Church celebrates the salvation of each member through the ritual of baptism by immersion. The Church is the hands and feet of the “body of Christ.”

Jesus promised that everything He did on earth, He will also accomplish through His Church. Yes, we are a pale reflection of the perfection of our Savior, but Jesus is still at the head of His Church. Despite our imperfections, by His grace and the power of His redeeming sacrifice, we will be transformed into a new, dazzling creature.

As we live in the last days of our world, as much of God’s message has been neglected and discarded, God calls us to remember the characteristics of His truth. The book of Revelation speaks of three angels sent to earth with a final message of hope and warning. Their story symbolizes God’s mission for His people in the end times.

The Holy Spirit equips each of us with specific spiritual gifts, skills that help us share God’s love and make others stronger. From teaching and preaching to encouragement and prophecy, the Spirit has equipped the Church with all the gifts necessary to accomplish His work.

12. THE CHURCH

The Church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Like the people of God in the old covenant, we are called to come out of the world; we assemble to worship, to fellowship, to be instructed in the Word of God, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, to help our fellow beings, and to proclaim the Gospel to the entire world. The authority of the Church emanates from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Bible, which is the written Word. The Church is the family of God; adopted by the Lord as His children, its members live according to the statutes of the new covenant. The Church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which He himself is the head. The Church is the bride for whom Christ died to sanctify and cleanse her. At His triumphant return, He will present her before Him as a glorious Church, faithful through the ages, redeemed by His blood, without spot or wrinkle, but holy and blameless.

Genesis 12:3; Acts 7:38; Ephesians 4:11-15; 3:8-11; 1:22,23; 2:19-22 and 5:23-27; Matthew 16:13-20; 18:18 and 28:19,20; Colossians 1:17,18

13. THE REMNANT AND ITS MISSION

The universal Church encompasses all those who truly believe in Christ. But, in the last days, in a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been raised up to keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus. This remnant proclaims that the hour of judgment has come, preaches salvation through Christ, and announces the nearness of His second coming. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of repentance and reformation on earth. Every believer is called to personally participate in this worldwide testimony.

Revelation 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4 and 21:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 3,14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14

14. THE UNITY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

The Church is one body composed of many members, from every nation, ethnicity, language, and people. In Christ, we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, education, nationality, social status, or gender should not be a cause of division among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by His Spirit has brought us together in communion with Him and with each other; therefore, we must serve and be served without prejudice or ulterior motive. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures, we share the same faith and hope in order to give a unanimous testimony before all men. This unity is rooted in the unity of the triune God who has adopted us as His children.

Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Matthew 28:19,20; Psalms 133:1; 2 Corinthians 5:16,17; Acts 17:26,27; Galatians 3:27,29; Colossians 3:10-15; Ephesians 4:1-6,14-16; John 17:20-23

15. BAPTISM

Through baptism, we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we testify to our death to sin and our decision to live a new life. Thus, recognizing Christ as Lord and Savior, we become His people and are received as members by His Church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, of the forgiveness of our sins, and of the reception of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated by immersion in water and involves a profession of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance. It is preceded by instruction based on holy Scripture and by an acceptance of the teachings it contains.

Romans 6:1-6; Colossians 2:12,13; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33 and 22:16; Matthew 28:19,20

16. THE LORD’S SUPPER

The Lord’s Supper is the participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus; it expresses our faith in Him, our Lord and Savior. During this communion experience, Christ is present to meet His people and strengthen them. By joyfully participating, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Preparation for the communion service involves self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master prescribed foot washing to symbolize renewed purification, express a disposition to mutual service in humility like Christ’s, and unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all Christians.

1 Corinthians 10:16,17 and 11:23-30; Matthew 26:17-30; Revelation 3:20; John 6:48-63