We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only scriptural officers are elders or pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor. 1:1-3; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; 1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Cor. 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor.11:23-24; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1