1976-1977 Academic Catalog

Doctrine and Conduct 107 9. We believe that at any moment the rapture of the saved may occur, when "the Lord shall descend from Heaven" to catch up His people to meet Him in the air, and "so shall we ever be with the Lord." 10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead - the saved to a life of eternal glory and bliss in Heaven with God; the unsaved to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe in the lake of fire. 11. We believe in personal separation from all practices and influences which hinder a spirit-filled life. We believe in ecclesiastical separation from all forms of apostasy. This we believe necessary as the only Scriptural basis for a happy and useful Christian life. 12. We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to be a personal soul-winner and to do his utmost to give the Gospel of Christ to the whole world. 13. We believe that the true, universal Church includes all believers in Christ during this present dispensation and is the body and bride of Christ of which He is the Head. We believe that the local church is a congregation of immersed believ– ers associated by covenant, observing the ordinances of Christ, exercis– ing the gifts, privileges, and responsibilities given in the New Testament, and following a democratic and congregational type of government. 14. We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and our death to sin and resurrection of a new Iife, and that it is prerequisite to local church relation. The Lord's Supper is a memorial service commemorating His death until He comes and should be preced– ed by believer's baptism and solemn self-examination. STANDARD OF CONDUCT We believe that the Scriptures clearly delineate principles which govern Chris– tian conduct; that these principles are obligations which every believer must heed; and that the principles include deference toward weaker brethren. Our behavior should not hinder the faith of other believers, doing only those things which will glorify God and which will edify both the individual and the group. While having an appropriate testimony before unbelievers, we should avoid close liaisons with unbelievers. We believe that for the sake of Christian testimony and the achievement of college purposes, we must abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and the non-medical use of narcotic drugs; and not participate in dancing, the use of playing cards, employed in gambling, attendance at movie theaters, and mem– bership in secret societies. We also believe that Christians have an obligation to dress appropriately, to avoid wearing of extreme fashions and wearing of shorts in public (with the exception of participation in athletic contests), and to have sincere respect for the Lord's Day. We prayerfully seek to serve Christ in an atmosphere free from personal attitudes of distrust, dishonesty, selfishness, dam– aging criticism, disrespect, unethical conduct and irreverence.