Beliefs Christ is its founder: He is the law-giver; the church is only the executive. (Matthew 16:18; Col. 1:18) The Bible is its only rule of faith and practice: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right able righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (Timothy 3:15-17) Church is its name. "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 22:16) Congregational is its polity: "All members are equal. But Jesus called them unto Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister." (Matthew 20:24-28; 23:5-12) Only people saved are its members: "In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:21) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5) Baptism, the Lord's Supper and the washing of the saints' feet are its ordinances: Immersion by the proper administrator, eating the Lord's Supper and washing the saints' feet immediately after the Lord's Supper are to be adhered to religiously (Matthew 28:19-20; John 13:1-17) The pastor and the deacon are its scriptural officers: A Baptist then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. (I Timothy 3:1-6) Getting people saved, baptizing them and teaching Christ's principles is its work: Lifting Christ up so people can see Him, people are to repent, believe and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They are to be taught to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded us. (Matthew 28:16-20) Tithes and offerings are its financial plan: "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:14) "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth the cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:7) Spiritual, not carnal, are its weapons of warfare: "Not by might, nor by power, but by the spirit of God we shall overcome." (II Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-12) Separation of church and state is its independence: "No body or no person on earth shall

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