BIBLICAL EIGHTS

Furthermore, we accept the Eight Pillars of B.i.b.l.i.c.a.l Distinctives that the majority of the Body of Christ, His Church universally believes.

THE EIGHT B.-I.-B.-L.-I.-C.-A.-L. DISTINCTIVES

      (1), B  - IBLICAL  “Biblical  Authority" - the Bible is the final authority in all matters pertaining to the faith and practices within  the Body of Christ, His Church (2 Tim 3:15,1Thes. 2:13,2 Pet 1:20),

      (2),  I   - NDEPENDENCE - “Autonomy of the Local Assembly" - the local Assembly is an independent and interdependent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Head of the Church and it's Administrator, the Holy Spirit, as it's gifts of grace Administrator, and the Father God as operations Administrator.(Col. 1:18,2Cor. 8:1,1Cor 12:4-6                       

      (3),  B  - ELIEVERS PRIESTHOOD - “The Priesthood of All Believers" - All believers have equal access to God through the One Mediator, Jesus Christ, and are responsible to offer themselves in grateful service to God and their neighbors thus rejecting agencies(churches, convents, closets) or agents(priests, pastors, or church leaders)as necessary in approaching "the throne of grace in time of need", though surely both the agency(the church body) and the agents(pastor, elders) are encouraged to pray and administer one to another.(He 4:16,1 Pet 2:5,9, 2 Tim 2:5),

      (4),  L  -  ORD’S SUPPER - “The One Ordinance" - Ordinance is defined as a physical observance representing a spiritual reality, namely the Lord's Supper. The only Baptism for the Body of Christ is the Holy Spirit Baptism  that takes place the instant one receives the Grace of God through faith, that is, regeneration. Holy Spirit Baptism identifies the "togetherness" of believers with the "death, burial, resurrection and ascension with Christ. The Lord's Supper is a memorial observance depicting the sacrifice of Christ's death on the cross as the believer's substitute and God's satisfaction for sin and its penalty. The Lord's Supper also looks for the ultimate end of sin's effects upon believers when Christ comes (the Rapture or the Secret Resurrection) for the Body of Christ, His Church. Two great truths are represented in this one ordinance - The Union of the Believer in Christ (Christ in you) and the Communion of the Believer with Christ (You in Christ). The prerequisite for this ordinance is one must be a believer prior to participation.

      (5),  I - NDIVIDUALISM -  “Individual Soul Liberty" - Every individual, whether a believer or not, has the liberty to choose what he/she believes is right in the religious realm. No individual, judicial or religious body has the divine right to force to assent to any belief against one's will. The mandate of the Scriptures opposes religious persecution while this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to God or the written Word of God.(Rom 14:5,12, 2Cor 4:2, Titus 1:9, 1Cor 8),

      (6),  C- HURCH -  "The Local Church and it's Membership" - In order for a local church to exist it must proclaim and believe the Gospel as defined in 1 Cor.15:1-4 and properly recognize and administer the memorial observance of the Lord's Supper.  "Salvation (spiritual regeneration) and Baptism (Baptism by the Holy Spirit) are necessary for "membership" into the Body of Christ.  Note that "baptized in Christ"(regeneration) and "baptized into the Body of Christ"(Holy Spirit Baptism) occur at the same time and places one into the New Creation or the New Species.(1Cor 12:12, 2Cor 6:14,Eph 4:3,),

      (7).  A  - UTONOMY - "Separation of Religious Bodies and Governments (state or national)" - God established both Church and Civil Governments, and gave to each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church's in found in 2Cor 5:14-21. Neither should control the other, nor there is to be an alliance between the two. Christians may seek to influence the government in a free society as citizens towards righteous principles, which is not the same as a "denomination or church ecclesiastical body" controlling the government.

      (8), L  -  EADERSHIP - "Two Offices" - Two offices that serve primarily within  the local Assembly are Elders (Bishops) and the Deaconate. The Elders have spiritual oversight of the local Assembly as Pastor-Teacher while the Deaconate's position is one of serving the Assembly in meeting physical needs. The Office of Deacon is mainly a physical ministry rather than spiritual. Professor B. H. Carroll said Deacons serve three tables - “ Lord’s Table, Pastor’s Table, and the Table of the Poor/Needy". The Body of Christ has five recognized gifted individuals or offices. Pastors and Deacons comprise the two offices that  should serve in  the local . The three remaining offices should serve  through   the local assembly are Apostles (church planters / missionaries), Prophets (proclaimers of the Word / Teachers) and Evangelists (church builders) the local Assembly. Note: The Office of the Twelve Apostles belonged to the Jewish Kingdom Church and is not the same as the Apostle Paul and His Apostles that served the Body of Christ, His Church. (1 Tim 3:15,Ac 20:17, Phil 1:1, Eph 4:11-16), I would add one more distinctive of the Lord's Assembly.

      (9), S  - ECURITY -  “The Eternal Security of the Believer through God's Perseverance alone" - Salvation is by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone through Scripture alone to the Glory of God alone ".     

   This local Assembly is firmly believes that "in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Gentile, neither bond or free" and therefore is multicultural and multiracial in  outreach. We are inclusive in our worship language when addressing persons (we refer to all three members of the Trinity in masculine terms) and both women and men share in the full ministry (we do not ordain or recognize women as Senior Pastors) . We welcome all to celebrate eternal life and the abundant life with us. We Exalt the Savior, Edify the Saint, Equip the Soldier and Evangelize the Sinner.

   Our Assembly is seeking saints with Christ-filled Hearts to worship God with us and through Spirit-filled Hands to serve God and His saints with us .   If you are interested in learning about the MESSAGE of Gospel of Christ, the MISSION of the Church and the MINISTRY of this Church Body and how you may be a part of this Ministry of Reconciliation, please contact either Elder/Teacher Eduarod Lopez, Sr. or Elder/Teacher David Carden at 713-453-0019 or email us at freegrace3@houston.rr.com. or you may fellowship with  us at any and all of our services and Bible Study meetings.

   We are a small Assembly with a big heart. Here you will be welcomed, loved and accepted. We also have lots of ministry opportunities for those wanting a place to serve God under the auspices of the local church's eldership.

Why not check God out this Sunday here at the Church of the Resurrection located at 1605 Holland Avenue, Galena Park, Texas. Our Sunday Bible Study starts at 9:30am and the Worship/Teaching Assembly begins at 10:30am.