United in a Distinct Community Christians enjoy fellowship with God and other believers. At baptism believers are joined to the local church, commit themselves to build up the body of Christ and witness to the good news of the Christian hope. In community members grow in maturity as they demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, use their spiritual gifts and practice mutual accountability in the disciplines of the Christian life. Christians confess sin, repent and experience God's grace in the life of the Christian community. Demonstrating True Faith Jesus teaches that discipleship is the way of self-denial and promises blessing for those who suffer for righteousness.
Disciples are to resist worldly values and systems, the sinful nature and the devil.
Disciples give generously and reject materialism which makes a god out of wealth. Disciples treat others with compassion and gentleness and reject violence as a response to injustice. Disciples maintain sexual purity and marital faithfulness and reject immoral premarital and extramarital relationships and all homosexual practices. To be a disciple means to be true to Jesus in everyday life. Next Written by General Conference Board of Faith and Life on July 10, 1999.