 |
|
|
|
“A
church which endeavors in their meetings, order, and testimony to make
the Scriptures their guide and to act upon them as the word of God,
counting them as sufficient for all their needs in all their
circumstances.” We
Believe: 1.
The teachings given by the apostles to the first Christians
contained principles of permanent validity. 2.
The actual history of the first churches in the time of the
apostles is recorded in such a way as to provide a permanent pattern
for the churches, as in the book of Acts. 3.
Departure from this pattern has had disastrous consequences. 4.
All revival and restoration have been due to the desire to return
to this pattern and principles in the New Testament. We
Know: 1.
There has never been a generation without simple local
congregations of believers existing who succeeded in maintaining these
principles and pattern. 2.
The pattern is so clearly delineated in the Scriptures that
churches of this character spring up in fresh places among believers who
do not know that disciples before them had taken the same path, or that
there were similar churches in their own time in other parts of the
world. 3.
Characteristically, these churches are free enough from ritual,
historic developments and human organization that they are not drawn
away from the scriptural pattern. 4.
Their simplicity makes them adaptable to all men in all places. 5.
Because they do not rely upon the typical human methods of
promotion, they may be little known in the religious world, but their
work has a quiet effectiveness. We
Relate: 1.
To the first century church. 2.
To the “pilgrim
churches” who were never among the “reformed,” or “reformers” never
having degenerated from the New Testament pattern.
They were protected and strong enough to not be influenced by
existing Church and State relationships.
They did not make it their business to reform existing
groups, but to live as examples.
|