The Church
We believe that all who are united to Christ by the new birth are members of the true church which is the body and bride of Christ. (Eph 1:20-23; 5:25 , 31-32) This Church began at Pentecost and will be complete at the first resurrection when it will be called up to be with the Lord. The use of Church in the Bible is restricted to the Local Church. Therefore, we reject theories of "The Universal Church" or "The Worldwide Invisible Church."
- Officers
- Pastor : We believe that God’s dealings are through His Local Church under the leadership of the Pastor who is the husband of one wife. (Heb 13:7, 17, 24; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7)
The licensed minister is one who is generally examined in doctrine, moral purity, faithfulness, and training by the Pastor, deacons, and congregation and approved to be a minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church . This license must be renewed annually. By it, a minister may preach, be an associate or assistant pastor, lead, serve in the church, perform weddings and funerals, administer communion, etc.
The ordained minister is one who is specifically examined in detail in doctrine, moral purity, faithfulness, and training by the Pastor, deacons, and congregation and approved to be a minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church or anywhere. This license is for life or until that minister changes in doctrine or moral purity. By it, a minister may preach, lead, serve in any capacity in the church including as Senior Pastor, perform weddings and funerals, administer communion, etc. or be sent out to other churches to pastor. - Deacons : The only other office of the church is the deacon which exists to “free” the Pastor for prayer and the ministry of the Word. The deacons are spiritual men who provide service to the church and counsel to the Pastor. They are given no authority in Scripture. (Acts 6:1-7 ; 1 Tim 3:8-13; Phil 1:1)
- Pastor : We believe that God’s dealings are through His Local Church under the leadership of the Pastor who is the husband of one wife. (Heb 13:7, 17, 24; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7)
- Ordinances
- The Lord’s Supper : We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by our Lord as a memorial of His death and is to be observed only by believers. This ordinance should be practiced until He comes for us. (1 Cor 11:23-32; Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20) We believe that the unfermented grape juice and the unleavened bread are symbols of Christ’s blood and body. We reject the teaching that the symbols actually become His blood and body as we partake (a heresy called Transubstantiation).
- Water Baptism : We believe that baptism is an outward testimony of an inward work already accomplished by God. Water Baptism is not necessary for salvation (a heresy called Baptismal Regeneration). However, it should, by an act of obedience, be observed by every believer as soon after conversion as possible. We reject Infant Baptism since the candidate for baptism must already be a professed believer in Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly teaches baptism by immersion as the only mode that maintains the symbolism of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We reject baptism by pouring or sprinkling. (Acts 8:36; 10:47-48; Rom 6:3-5; Matt 3:13-17; Eph 4:5)
- The Lord’s Supper : We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by our Lord as a memorial of His death and is to be observed only by believers. This ordinance should be practiced until He comes for us. (1 Cor 11:23-32; Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20) We believe that the unfermented grape juice and the unleavened bread are symbols of Christ’s blood and body. We reject the teaching that the symbols actually become His blood and body as we partake (a heresy called Transubstantiation).