What We Believe
Our Purpose
The Body at Charity Baptist Church is bound by a three-fold purpose:
First, the primary purpose of this Body is to glorify God. Just as Jesus Christ bestowed every spiritual blessing upon the church for the purpose of glorifying God, so should the church conduct all its activities with this same goal in mind (Ephesians 1:3, 6, 12, 14). Whether gathered together or scattered throughout the week, the chief purpose of the Body of Charity is to bring glory to God (I Cor 6:20, 10:31; Col 3:17; Rom 12:1-2).
Second, the purpose of this body is to edify the saints. Edification is the building up of one another in love, unity, spiritual maturity, and the knowledge of Christ (Eph 4:12-16). This purpose is primarily achieved when the church is gathered together; therefore, each activity—worship services, Sunday School classes, revivals, conferences, dissemination of literature and other God-glorifying activities—should serve to edify the saints present at the gatherings.
A critical aspect of edification is equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. The pastor and elders are tasked with equipping the church body so that they can effectively serve one another and minister to the lost (Eph 4:11-12; I Pet 5:1-3).
Third, the purpose of this body is to evangelize the lost. Evangelism is primarily carried out as the church scatters, rather than when the saints are gathered. The church is to go and make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things commanded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Mt 28:18-20).
When gathered, the Body of Charity shall carry out its purpose in the following ways—preaching and teaching (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2), praying (2 Tim 2:1-3), singing (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16) partaking in the Lord’s Supper (I Cor 11:33-34), administering discipline when necessary (Mt 18:15-20; I Cor 5:1-13), and giving financially to the Lord (I Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 9:7). There is some flexibility in the execution of these elements under the guidance of the pastor and elders.