The Church

The Church
(A Regenerate Community)

The body of Christ, called out from the world, gathered under His lordship, composed only of regenerate believers.

📜 "And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." — Acts 2:47 (ESV)

📜 "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." — Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)

What We Believe

At Teaching Bridge Fellowship, we believe that the church is the body of Christ—a spiritual, covenantal community of believers united to Jesus by faith and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The church is not a building, a denomination, or a social club. It is the gathered assembly of the redeemed, called out from the world to worship God, proclaim the gospel, and live under the lordship of Christ.

We believe the local church is composed only of regenerate believers—those who have been born again by the Spirit, justified by faith, and united to Christ. The church is not a mixed assembly of believers and unbelievers, nor is it an outreach organization for the unconverted. It is the covenant community of those who belong to Christ, marked by believer's baptism and gathered for worship, fellowship, discipline, and mission.

The Nature of the Church

The Church Is Spiritual, Not Physical

The true church is not defined by buildings, traditions, or national identity. It is a spiritual reality—the people of God united to Christ by faith. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). The presence of Christ, not the presence of a structure, makes a gathering the church.

The Church Is Local and Visible

While the universal church consists of all believers everywhere across all time, the New Testament emphasizes the local church—a particular, visible assembly of believers in a specific place (e.g., "the church in Corinth," "the church in Ephesus"). The local church is where covenant life happens: worship, teaching, ordinances, discipline, fellowship, and mission.

The Church Is Regenerate

Unlike the Old Covenant community of Israel (which included believers and unbelievers by birth), the New Covenant church is composed only of those who are born again. Baptism is for believers only, not infants. Church membership is for the regenerate only, not the unconverted. This is the consistent pattern of the New Testament (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

This doesn't mean the church is perfect—we still struggle with sin. But it does mean the church is a community of those who profess faith in Christ and give credible evidence of regeneration.

The Marks of a True Church

How do you identify a true church? Historically, Reformed Christians have pointed to three essential marks:

1. The Faithful Preaching of the Word

The Word of God must be rightly preached and taught (2 Timothy 4:2). A church that abandons Scripture, distorts the gospel, or replaces biblical preaching with entertainment is not a true church—no matter how large, popular, or well-intentioned it may be.

2. The Right Administration of the Ordinances

The church must observe the two ordinances Christ instituted: baptism (by immersion, for believers only) and the Lord's Supper (as a memorial of Christ's death and a means of grace). These are not optional add-ons—they are commanded by Christ and essential to the life of the church (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

3. The Faithful Exercise of Church Discipline

The church must practice discipline—correcting sin, restoring the wayward, and, when necessary, removing unrepentant members from fellowship (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13). A church that tolerates persistent, unrepentant sin without correction is not faithful to Christ.

Where these three marks are present, you have a true church. Where they are absent or compromised, you have something other than what Christ instituted.

Believer's Baptism by Immersion

We believe that baptism is for believers only, administered by immersion (full submersion in water) as a sign and seal of union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is not:

• A means of regeneration (it doesn't save you)

• For infants (who cannot repent and believe)

• A family or cultural tradition

Baptism is:

• A public profession of faith in Jesus Christ

• A sign of the New Covenant (like circumcision was a sign of the Old Covenant)

• A visible picture of what happened spiritually when you were united to Christ—you died to sin, were buried with Him, and were raised to new life

The mode matters. Immersion pictures death, burial, and resurrection. Sprinkling or pouring does not. The subjects matter. Only those who have repented and believed should be baptized—not infants, not unbelievers, but disciples (Matthew 28:19).

The Lord's Supper

We believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial meal instituted by Christ to proclaim His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is not a re-sacrifice of Christ (as in Roman Catholic Mass), nor is Christ's physical body and blood literally present in the elements (as in Lutheran consubstantiation). The bread and the cup are signs—they represent and point to Christ's broken body and shed blood.

The Lord's Supper is a means of grace—a way God strengthens and nourishes His people through faith as they remember and feed upon Christ spiritually. It is a covenantal meal, celebrating the New Covenant ratified by Christ's blood. And it is a church ordinance—it is to be observed by the gathered local church, not privately or individually.

We practice fenced communion—meaning the Lord's Supper is for baptized believers in good standing with a local church. This protects the integrity of the ordinance and guards participants from taking it in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Church Government: Elder-Led, Congregationally Affirmed

We believe the New Testament teaches elder-led, congregationally-affirmed church government. The church is led by a plurality of elders (also called pastors, overseers, or bishops) who are qualified, called, and set apart to shepherd, teach, and govern the church (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

Elders are not dictators—they lead with humility, accountability, and servant-heartedness. But they do lead. They teach the Word, guard doctrine, oversee discipline, and shepherd the flock under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

The congregation affirms the elders' leadership by recognizing their gifting, supporting their ministry, and submitting to their oversight (Hebrews 13:17). The congregation also has a role in affirming membership, practicing discipline, and making major decisions (Matthew 18:17; 2 Corinthians 2:6).

Deacons serve the church by caring for practical needs, administering mercy, and supporting the ministry of the Word so elders can focus on prayer and teaching (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

Church Discipline: Love That Protects

We believe the church has a responsibility to practice church discipline—correcting sin, restoring the wayward, and protecting the purity of the body (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1).

Church discipline is not punitive or vindictive—it is redemptive and protective. The goal is always restoration, repentance, and reconciliation. But when a member persists in unrepentant sin, the church must act:

1. Private confrontation (Matthew 18:15)

2. Confrontation with witnesses (Matthew 18:16)

3. Bringing the matter to the church (Matthew 18:17)

4. Removal from membership if necessary (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

This is not cruel—it is loving. It protects the testimony of the church, guards other members from being influenced by sin, and lovingly confronts the sinning member in hopes of repentance.

The Mission of the Church

The church exists to glorify God by:

1. Worshiping Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)

2. Proclaiming the gospel to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20)

3. Discipling believers in sound doctrine and godly living (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2)

4. Loving one another in genuine fellowship (John 13:34-35)

5. Serving through acts of mercy and compassion (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27)

The church is not a social club, a political action group, or an entertainment venue. It is the covenant community of Christ, called to display His glory, proclaim His gospel, and live as a foretaste of the coming kingdom.

Why It Matters

The church is Christ's bride, purchased by His blood, indwelt by His Spirit, and destined for glory. How we think about the church matters because how we think about the church reflects how we think about Christ Himself.

If the church is composed of believers and unbelievers alike, then regeneration doesn't matter. If baptism is for infants, then faith and repentance are optional. If discipline is never practiced, then sin is tolerated and holiness is compromised. If elders don't lead, then the church drifts into chaos or tyranny.

But when the church is what Christ designed it to be—regenerate, baptized, disciplined, led by godly elders, gathered for worship, devoted to the Word, proclaiming the gospel—then the world sees a picture of the kingdom of God, and Christ is glorified.

The church is not optional. It is not a loose network of isolated believers doing their own thing. It is the body of Christ, and every member has a vital role to play (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). To neglect the church is to neglect Christ. To love Christ is to love His church.

What Scripture Says

Matthew 16:18

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Jesus builds His church. It is His work, His design, His bride. And nothing—not Satan, not persecution, not false teaching—will destroy it.

Acts 2:41-42, 47

"So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

The early church was composed of baptized believers who devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, the ordinances, and prayer. The Lord added to their number—not by human effort alone, but by His sovereign work.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

The church is the body of Christ, united by the Spirit, diverse in gifts but unified in purpose. Every member is essential. Every member has a role.

Ephesians 4:11-16

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Christ gave leaders (pastors/elders) to the church to equip believers for ministry, build up the body, and lead the church toward maturity in Christ.

Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Regular, committed church membership and attendance are not optional. We need each other. We're called to stir up one another, encourage one another, and gather together faithfully.

Historical & Confessional Grounding

The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith provides a comprehensive theology of the church in Chapter 26:

"The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (1689 LBCF 26.1)

"All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted." (1689 LBCF 26.2)

The 1689 affirms that the visible church should consist of professing believers who give evidence of regeneration. It upholds believer's baptism (Chapter 29), elder-led governance (Chapter 26), and the faithful practice of church discipline (Chapter 26).

Common Misunderstandings

"Isn't the church just a group of people who love Jesus? Why all the structure and rules?"

The church is not a casual gathering—it's a covenantal community with God-given structure, leadership, ordinances, and discipline. Jesus gave the church its structure (Matthew 18; Ephesians 4). Ignoring that structure is not freedom—it's disobedience.

"Can't I be a Christian without joining a church?"

Technically, yes—you can be regenerated and not be part of a local church. But you'd be living in disobedience. The New Testament assumes that believers are part of local churches (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). To say "I love Jesus but not His church" is like saying "I love the Groom but not His bride."

"Doesn't infant baptism show God's covenant faithfulness to families?"

Infant baptism is based on a misunderstanding of the New Covenant. The New Covenant is not like the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:8-13). In the Old Covenant, physical birth into Israel brought covenant inclusion. In the New Covenant, spiritual birth (regeneration) brings covenant inclusion. Baptism is the sign of that regeneration, so it should only be given to those who profess faith.

"Isn't church discipline judgmental and harsh?"

Church discipline is an act of love, not harshness. It protects the body, guards the gospel, and pursues the restoration of the sinning member. Jesus commanded it (Matthew 18:15-17), Paul commanded it (1 Corinthians 5), and a church that refuses to practice it is not faithful to Christ.

A Word of Application

If you're a believer in Christ, you need to be part of a local church. Not just attending occasionally—committed, covenanted, engaged. Find a church that faithfully preaches the Word, rightly administers the ordinances, and practices discipline. Submit to godly elders. Serve your brothers and sisters. Use your gifts. Be present. Be faithful.

And if you're a member of a local church, love it. Pray for it. Support it. Don't be a consumer—be a contributor. The church is Christ's bride, and He loves her. So should you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your church—the bride You purchased with Your blood. Thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light, and for uniting us to Yourself and to one another by Your Spirit. Help us to love Your church as You do, to serve faithfully, to submit humbly to godly leadership, and to live as a foretaste of Your coming kingdom. Build Your church, and let the gates of hell not prevail against it. In Your name, amen. 🙏

Related Resources:

📖 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 26 – "Of the Church"
📖 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 29 – "Of Baptism"
📖 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 30 – "Of the Lord's Supper"
📘 Covenant Theology (1689 Federalism) (TBF Page 7)
🎙️ Recommended Sermon: Mark Dever – "What Is a Healthy Church?"
🎙️ Recommended Playlist: "9 Marks of a Healthy Church Conference"
📚 Recommended Book: The Church by Edmund Clowney

Next: The Last Things (Amillennialism) →

In Sum:

TBF believes the church is a regenerate community of believers united to Christ—marked by baptism, the Lord's Supper, and faithful discipline. Learn what we believe about the church.