Our Commitment
2 Timothy 2:2
"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"
Commitment is an important matter in the New Testament. Paul was entrusted with the Gospel to the Gentiles, just like Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews (Gal 2:7). Furthermore, Paul gave a charge to Timothy to entrust the things that he had heard and received from Paul himself to faithful men who would be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:2).
In a similar way, we in the Christian Church in Raleigh have heard and received much help from the spiritual riches of men and women throughout the past number of centuries. Their riches have opened up matters of God's New Covenant way to us, and we feel the responsibility to share with all people the beauty of God's manifold wisdom. This page is intended to share in a simple way what are some of the most important items of our commitment, so that we may give to others that which has been entrusted to us.
Church is a lampstand in the city
We aim to follow the pattern of the church in the Bible
The church must stand on the ground of what she is in the city, not on the ground of a name, a doctrine, or a ministry. The church is a container to hold the riches of Christ, and is made up of all the members of the body of Christ. The church is the testimony of Christ, and who Christ is should be found in the church. Our commitment is to make this testimony as strong and full as possible, according to the grace given to us.
Raise up disciples
We aim to develop and raise up believers to be pillars in the church and overcomers in the midst of this present evil age
In the book of Revelation the Bride of Christ, which is the Church, makes herself ready (Rev. 19:7) for the second coming of the Lord. We see the importance of Christians having an active walk with the Lord that is worthy of our calling. Our commitment to those who are under our care is to raise them up to overcome all the trappings of the world, sin, self, and religion and be ready to receive the Lord at His coming.
God's eternal purpose
We aim to identify, lay hold of, and grow in our understanding of God's purpose together
God's eternal purpose spans from eternity past to eternity future, and it is intensely related to what He desires to see would be produced on earth. Christ is everything to God's purpose, and the focus of His energies is the producing and perfecting of the church. As we enjoy Christ together with one another, we participate in God's eternal purpose. Our commitment is to enjoy and participate in God's eternal purpose and bring others into the participation of it, that it would give shape to both our individual lives as well as the corporate church life.
We aim to make the elements of our church life as healthy as possible
Our commitment is to see the following elements of our church-life be well attended to:
1) Christ, who is preeminent and exalted, is worthy of all pursuit
2) Everyone can have genuine subjective experiences of the Holy Spirit in their human spirit
3) By the Spirit of oneness, we strive to be inclusive towards all born-again believers
4) Everyone can function according to the grace that was given to each one
5) The Gospel is preached to sinners to save the lost and bring increase to the church
6) Eternal life is enjoyed as the foundation for all spiritual endeavors and experiences
7) The Bible is maintained as the standard, infallible, divinely inspired Word of God
8) Practical matters of holy living are emphasized
9) Truth is upheld and cleanly divided
10) Christ is fully-formed in the saints