We are a Reformed Baptist Church. The history of Reformed Baptist go back to the seventeenth century. At that time, the Protestant Reformation had evolved into several traditions including the Anglican, Lutheran, Dutch Reformed, and Presbyterian Churches and Baptist Churches.
The early Baptists were marked by their belief in Baptism only for believers. Likewise, they had congregational churches. Soon, however, the Baptists came to include those who accepted many Calvinist/Reformed practices other than infant baptism. Looking back to the Protestant Reformation, we also hold to the Five Solas of Martin Luther. These include Sola scriptura, Sola fide, Sola gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria.
We also believe in the sufficiency of scripture. Indeed, we are a conservative evangelical church. In general, we have seen many churches today give into false gospels, pragmatism, homosexuality, women ordination, evolution, and ''woke'' beliefs. More and more, American Churches are turning away from orthodox belief and practice. In recent years, we have seen many young people leave the Christian faith, never to return to it. As a body of believers, we wish to return to the commitment of the early Christians. It is also expected that our leaders be faithful to the writings of the Word of God.
Being Reformed Baptist is important to our identity. However, Christianity is our faith.
Our Goals
As a church, our main desire is to be Christ-centered. Currently, we are a new, small church. We have, however, the desire to grow with all those that God sends in our path. We want to show the love of Christ to all people. Likewise, we are a great commission church. Indeed, we are supportive of open-air evangelism, and we endorse this ancient Biblical practice. Additionally, we also appreciate those who take the time to sit down and explain Christianity to others. Finally, we are a family-integrated church. What we mean by ''family integrated'' is that we encourage families to participate in worship together.
Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church
Membership Covenant and Statement of Faith
Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church Membership Covenant
is birthed out of our love for the church body and its individual members
whom we hope will experience the fullness of joy which is
found in the presence of the Lord. The primary purpose of
this covenant is to serve as a teaching document with three
functions:
• To clarify the biblical obligations and expectations for
both the elders of Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church and the individual
members of CTKRB body.
• To establish teaching and doctrinal parameters for
Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church body.
• To serve as a tool for reflection and growth toward
holiness.
Each of these functions is in accordance with the
document’s overall vision to provide an accessible
explanation of the Scriptures in hopes that Christ the
King Reformed Baptist would grow in the grace and truth
of Jesus Christ.
The Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church Membership
Covenant is comprised of a section on the Church, the nature
of covenants, the Statement of Faith, the obligations of
Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church elders to Christ the
King Reformed Baptist Church body and the obligations of
members to CTKRB body.
What Is the Church?
The church exists for the display of the glory of God because
all things exist for His glory. Those of us who trust in and
follow Jesus are caught up in something much bigger than
ourselves. We have graciously been invited into God’s
redemptive purposes in the world.
Since the beginning, God has been creating and calling
forth His people for the display of His glory in a grand
narrative of redemption and reconciliation. Though creation
now suffers the curse of Genesis 3, the gospel is the means
by which the world is being made right. The gospel also
carries with it the promise of ultimate renewal, a restoration
even more glorious than Eden, and thus believers eagerly
anticipate the return of Christ. The Church universal (i.e.,
all believers, everywhere) is the means by which God is
fulfilling His purposes in the world (2 Cor. 5:17–20). The
Church universal is being used to write God’s beautiful and
dramatic story of redemption and reconciliation. In light
of this reality, the opportunity to join a local church body
(i.e., a particular group of believers in a particular locale) is
much more than a commitment to consistent attendance or
active involvement in community. It is also a sacred call to
be involved in the redemptive work of our sovereign God to
push back the darkness of a fallen world through the power
of the Holy Spirit with the light of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The church is the gathering of the redeemed, the household
of God (Eph. 2:19), the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2, 9) and the
body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12–31). 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of
many members within the same body. Just as a human body
relies upon mutual dependence of individual members for
proper functioning, so the body of Christ requires sacrificial
and responsible service by its individual members. As the
Scriptures say, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no
need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of
you’” (1 Cor. 12:21). Likewise, a member of the church cannot
say to another member that he or she is unnecessary. We all
have gifts that differ according to the gracious provision of
the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:3–8). Contrary to the beliefs of our
culture, we need each other.
Membership at Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church is
participation in a family, a
part of the universal household of God. All members
are united to Christ and thus to each other. Unity within the
church is expressed in love for God and a love for others,
both those within the family and those who are not. Because
of the identification of Christ with His church, Christians are
expected to display His gospel in a manner which is worthy
of Him (Eph. 4:1).
What Is a Covenant?
A covenant is generally defined as “a written agreement or
promise usually under seal between two or more parties
especially for the performance of some action.” Within the
Scriptures, we find a number of examples of covenants, some
between God and man (Gen. 6, 9, 15; Ezek. 20; Hos. 2; Jer. 31;
Matt. 26), while others are solely between men (1 Sam. 18; 2
Sam. 5). In some covenants, one party binds his or herself
to fulfill the obligations of both sides of the agreement. In
others, the parties are reciprocally bound to adhere to the
obligations. While God’s covenant with the Church universal
is an example of the former, the local church covenant
represents the latter. If at any time one of the parties of this
church covenant continues in a state of unfaithfulness to its
provisions, the other is released from certain obligations.
The covenant of Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church contains many
conditions that are merely general Christian obligations.
For example, all Christians, whether members of Christ the
King Reformed Baptist Church or elsewhere, are required to
submit to the Scriptures, pursue holiness, steward resources, etc. Such
requirements are universal obligations for the Christ follower
regardless of any failure on the part of the local
church to live up to her covenant obligations.
If at any time an individual member feels as though the
corporate church body is not remaining faithful to the
requirements of the covenant, it is the responsibility of the
individual member to lovingly and humbly express concerns
to the leadership of the church. If the church elders are
unwilling to change and pursue covenant faithfulness, then
the member is freed from his or her membership obligations
and encouraged to seek membership elsewhere given the
church’s disobedience. In addition, certain circumstances
may provide sufficient and righteous grounds to transfer
membership elsewhere.
While focusing primarily in language on the responsibilities
between the individual parties, the corporate church body,
her elders and her individual members, the covenant is
first and foremost an acknowledgment of general Christian
obligations and an agreement to enter into those duties for
God’s glory and the good of the body and bride of His Son.
Christ The King Reformed Baptist Church Statement of Faith
CTKRB Church is a church under the lordship of Jesus
Christ. Therefore, we are committed to contending for the
faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
In unity with the historic Christian church, we believe and
confess the 1689 2nd London Baptist Confession as
accurate representations of Scripture’s teaching. In addition
to these historic formulations, we are situated within the
evangelical, Reformed and Baptist traditions.
The basic doctrines within CTKRB Church Statement
of Faith represent what we believe to be core elements of
biblical teaching. We expect all members of CTKRB
Church to affirm these doctrines.
The theological distinctives within The CTKRB Church
Statement of Faith reflect what distinguishes CTKRB
Church from other churches who would affirm the basic
doctrines. These distinctives shape the way that
CTKRB Church is led and the direction the church is
headed. We do not expect all members to embrace all aspects
of these distinctives, but members should expect that the
distinctives will be maintained in all ministry environments
at CTKRB Church, and members may not teach contrary
to them.
Doctrine of God
We believe in one God eternally existing as one essence and three
distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit, each of whom is fully God, yet there is one God.
We believe in one God eternally existing as one essence and
three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God
the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully, equally and eternally
God, yet there is one God. Each person has precisely the
same nature and attributes and is worthy of precisely the
same worship, honor and praise. The entire Christian faith
is bound together with the confession of God’s Trinitarian
nature (Matt. 28:18–20).
We believe in God the Father, the Creator of heaven and
earth. We believe in the Son, God from God, eternally
begotten but not made, who in history assumed to Himself
a human nature for the sake of our salvation (John 1:14;
Heb. 1:3). He is fully God and fully man. Through Him, all
things came into being and were created. He was before
all things, and in Him, all things hold together by the word
of His power (Col.1:15–20). He suffered, died, was buried,
resurrected, ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father
until He returns for the final judgment and consummation
of the Kingdom. We believe in the Holy Spirit who eternally
proceeds from the Father and the Son and is sent by the
Father and Son to give new life (John 15:26–27). The Holy
Spirit unites believers to Jesus Christ in faith, brings about
the new birth and dwells within the regenerate (Eph.
1:13–14). The Holy Spirit has come to glorify the Son who,
in turn, came to glorify the Father. He will lead the Church
into a right understanding and rich application of the
truth of God’s Word. He is to be respected, honored and
worshiped as God, the third person of the Trinity.
The triune God, Father, Son and Spirit, is the Creator of all
things, visible and invisible. As the immortal and eternal
Creator, He sovereignly rules over all of His creation (Ps.
24:1).
Doctrine of Revelation
God has made Himself known to the world in Jesus Christ, the
Scriptures and creation.
We believe that God has made Himself known to His
creation. He has revealed Himself to us in His Son, the
incarnate Word (Heb. 1:1–2), in Scripture, the inspired Word
(2 Tim. 3:16), and in creation (Ps. 8; Rom. 1:20)
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the perfect
revelation of who God is. Jesus Christ is the “image of the
invisible God” (Col. 1:15), “the exact imprint of his nature”
(Heb. 1:3) and a perfect reflection of God the Father (John
5:19).
We believe the Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New
Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and are therefore
without error in their original writings. These writings
alone constitute the verbally inspired Word of God, which
is utterly authoritative and free from error. The Scripture
is sufficient for all that God requires for us to believe and
do and is therefore to be believed, as God’s instruction,
in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all
that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it
promises (Is. 40:6–8). As God’s people hear, believe and
obey the Word, they are equipped as disciples of Christ and
witnesses to the gospel (Rom. 10:14–17).
Doctrine of Creation and Providence
We believe that God created the world from nothing and governs all
things at all times in all places.
God created the whole world from nothing (Gen. 1:1–2; Ps.
24:1). God’s creative work is the overflow of the love present
within the Trinitarian fellowship. Creation, according to the
design of God, was good (Gen. 1:3–31).
God doesn’t let the world exist, He makes the world exist. He
upholds the universe by the word of His power, and He holds
the world together in Himself (Col. 1:17).
Doctrine of Humanity
We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God and
possess intrinsic dignity and worth.
God made humanity—male and female—in His own image
(Gen. 1:27–30). Set apart as His image bearers, every human
being is sacred. All men and all women, bearing the image
of God, are meant to represent God in His creation (1 Cor.
10:31). God declares the created order to be very good,
distinguishing men and women as His agents to care for,
manage and govern over it. They enjoy equal access to God
by faith in Christ Jesus and are both called to move beyond
passive self-indulgence to significant private and public
engagement in family, church and civic life. Adam and Eve
were made to complement each other in a one-flesh union
in the covenant of marriage that establishes the only God
ordained pattern of sexual relations for men and women.
In God’s wise purposes, men and women are not simply
interchangeable, but rather they complement each other in
mutually enriching ways.
Distinctive || Complementarianism
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity
and value but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good, created order, men and women are to have different yet
complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and
church. As it relates to the church, men are
expected to lead as the office of elder is reserved for
qualified men (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1).
Doctrine of Sin
We believe that sin has fractured all things, leaving the world in
desperate need for salvation.
Through the temptation of Satan, humanity transgressed
the command of God and fell from their original holiness
and righteousness (Gen. 3). Now the entire human race
inherits a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and
His law (Rom. 3:9–20). Therefore, all humans are under
condemnation. This depravity is radical and pervasive.
It extends to the mind, will, body and affections.
Unregenerate humanity lives under the dominion of sin
and Satan (Eph. 2:1–3). He is at enmity with God, hostile
toward and hateful of God.
Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in
Christ alone.
We believe that, due to universal death through sin, no
one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again (John
3:5–8); that salvation is only by grace through faith in the
shed blood of Jesus Christ; and that all who receive the Lord
Jesus Christ through faith are declared righteous by God
and become children of God (Heb. 10:19–25).
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the
new birth, is that act of God by which the Holy Spirit
imparts a new nature and a new spiritual life, not before
possessed, and the person becomes a new creation in Christ
Jesus (Gal. 2:20). The mind is given a holy disposition and a
new desire to serve God, the dominion of sin is broken, and
the heart is transformed from a love of sin and self to a love
of holiness and God.
Distinctive || Sovereignty of God in Salvation
The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of
God. Before the foundation of the world, God elected His
people, setting His affection and grace upon them (Rom.
8:29–30). In love God predestined His people for adoption
(Eph. 1:4–6). Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the
mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast. Apart
from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of
his own accord to worship God and pursue righteousness
(Rom. 3; Eph. 2:1–3). God’s sovereignty in salvation is
comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work
of God. Doctrine of the Church
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ sent into the world
to shine forth the glory of God.
God, by His Word and Spirit, creates the Church, calling
sinful humanity into the fellowship of Christ’s body (1
Cor. 12:12–31). By the same Word and Spirit, He guides and
preserves that newly redeemed humanity. The Church is
made up of those who have become genuine followers of
Jesus Christ and have personally appropriated the gospel.
The Church exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Church is an extension
of the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Spirit.
The ultimate mission of the Church is to bring glory to
God by making disciples (Matt. 28:18–20). The Church is
called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching
of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, the
exercise of our gifts and talents, and the proclamation of
the gospel both in our community and throughout the
world.
We believe there are two ordinances of the Church. One is
that of believer’s baptism in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, and the other is the Lord’s Supper.
Water baptism is only intended for those who have received
the saving benefits of Christ through the new birth of
the Holy Spirit. In obedience to Christ’s command and as
a testimony to God, the Church, oneself and the world,
believers are baptized by water in the name of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Water baptism is a visual and symbolic
demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the
likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that a
former way of life has been put to death and vividly depicts
the release from the mastery of Satan, sin and death.
As with water baptism, the Lord’s Supper is to be observed
only by those who have become genuine followers of
Christ. This ordinance symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s
body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf and is to
be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a
sign of continued participation in the atoning benefits of
Christ’s death. As we come to the table with an attitude of
faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the
death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls
and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body.
Distinctive || Baptism by Immersion
The precedent we find in the New Testament is baptism
following conversion by immersion into water. Baptism by
immersion is meant to symbolically depict the believer’s
real union to Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom.
6:1–14).
Doctrine of Resurrection and Consummation of the
Kingdom of God
We believe that Jesus Christ is returning to the world in the future
to judge the living and the dead.
The consummation of all things includes the future,
physical, visible, personal and glorious return of Jesus
Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the glorification
of those alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and the
unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ’s kingdom in the
new heavens and the new earth. In the consummation,
Satan, with his hosts and all those outside Christ, is finally
separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring
eternal punishment (Rev. 20:7–15), but the righteous, in
glorious bodies, will live and reign with Him forever,
serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory.
Then the eager expectation of creation will be fulfilled, and
the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God, who makes
all things new (Rev. 21:1–5).
Biblical Obligations of Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church
Elders OF The Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church Body
As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are
entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping and caring
for the corporate church body and her individual members.
The following is a rather extensive overview of the
requirements for elders as spelled out within the Scriptures.
The elders covenant…
to appoint elders and deacons (including staff
members who serve in these offices) according to
the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (1
Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Pet. 5:1–4).
to prayerfully seek God’s will for our church
community and steward her resources to the best
of our ability based on our study of the Scriptures
and following of the Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1–4).
to care for the church and seek her growth in grace,
truth and love (Matt. 28:16–20; Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 1:28;
James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1–4).
to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of
Scripture (Acts 20:27–28; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:1–5; Titus
2:1).
to equip the members of the church for the work of
ministry (Eph. 4:11–16).
to be on guard against false teachers and teachings
(Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28–31; 1 Tim. 1:3–7; 1 John 4:1).
to lovingly exercise discipline when necessary, for
the glory of God, the good of the one disciplined
and the health of the church as a whole (Matt.
18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1; James 5:19–20).
to set an example and join members in fulfilling
the obligations of church membership stated
below (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7–8; 1 Pet. 5:3).
Members to Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church Body As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of certain attitudes and actions and the rejection of others. The Scriptures refer to this reality as “living by the Spirit” (Rom. 8). The requirements of this membership covenant are in
no way intended as an addition to the biblical obligations
of a believer. Rather, this document functions primarily as
an accessible yet non-exhaustive explanation of what the
Scriptures teach about the obedience that faith produces.
I covenant…
to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the
final arbiter on all issues (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:14–17; 2 Pet.
1:19–21).
to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular
Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of
spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 9:24–
27; Eph. 5:1–21; 1 Thess. 5:12–22).
to follow the command and example of Jesus by
participating in the ordinances prescribed to His
Church:
• by being baptized after my conversion.
• by regularly remembering and celebrating the
person and work of Christ through communion.
to regularly participate in the life of Christ the King Reformed
Baptist Church by attending weekly services, engaging
in gospel-centered community and serving those
within and outside of this church (Acts 2:42–47; Heb.
10:23–25; Titus 3:14).
to steward the resources God has given me,
including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances.
This includes regular financial giving, service and
participation in community that is sacrificial,
cheerful and voluntary (Matt. 25:14–30; Rom. 12:1–2; 2
Cor. 8–9; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).
by God’s grace through the power of the Holy
Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an
act of worship to Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13–16, 4:1–3).
Believers should strive to put certain attitudes and
actions to death while stirring and stimulating love
and good deeds through the Spirit.
to refrain from such activities that the Scriptures
would deem foolish (Rom. 14:14–23).
to take seriously the responsibility of Christian
freedom, especially actions or situations that could
present a stumbling block to another (1 Cor. 8:1–13).
to submit to the discipline of God through His
Holy Spirit by:
• following the biblical procedures for church
discipline where sin is evident in another—the
hope of such discipline being repentance and
restoration.
• receiving righteous and loving discipline when
approached biblically by fellow believers (Ps. 141:5;
Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5:9–13; Heb. 12:5–11).
to do the following when I sin:
• confess my sin to God and to fellow believers.
• repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom.
8:13; Col. 3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6–10).
to submit to the elders and other appointed leaders
of the church and diligently strive for unity and
peace within the church (Eph. 4:1–3; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet.
5:5).
to do the following should I leave the church for
righteous reasons:
• to notify the pastor
• to seek another church with which I can carry out
my biblical responsibilities as a believer.
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