The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message

• Preamble to the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message
• I. The Scriptures
• II. God
• III. Man
• IV. Salvation
• V. God's Purpose of Grace
• VI. The Church
• VII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
• VIII. The Lord's Day
• IX. The Kingdom
• X. Last Things
• XI. Evangelism and Missions
• XII. Education
• XIII. Stewardship
• XIV. Co-Operation
• XV. The Christian and the Social Order
• XVI. Peace and War
• XVII. Religious Liberty
• XVIII. The Family

VI. The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation, members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.

Matt. 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephes. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev. 2-3; 21:2-3.