Chapter V: CONCERNING THE CHURCH

CONCERNING THE CHURCH

We believe one holy, Christian Church, the fellowship of the saints, the spiritual assembly of believers which is holy and the one bride of Christ, and in which all are citizens who truly confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and who also confirm such faith by works of love. In this Church one and the same sacrament is used, namely, Baptism upon entering the Church, and in due time in later life the Lord's Supper, as a testimony to faith and brotherly love as was promised in Baptism. This Christian Church endeavors to keep the bonds of peace and love in unity, and therefore it has no fellowship with sects and the rules of religious orders which are determined to distinguish between days, food, clothing, and ecclesiastical pageantry.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:25; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 12:22; John 1:29; Galatians 5:6 · Matthew 3:11; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:26; Matthew 14:22; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23 · Romans 12:9; John 15:12; John 15:17; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:20