We believe the local church is Jesus’ institution for advancing His gospel and doing His work in the world. The church is made up of those who have been saved and biblically baptized—uniting and faithfully gathering together for the purposes of Bible teaching, worship, prayer, fellowship, service, and observance of baptism and communion. (Matthew 16:16–18; Acts 1:15, 2:41–43, 11:15, 20:28; 1 Corinthians 15: 51–58; Ephesians 1:12–14, 5:25–30; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Timothy 3:4–15)