1983-1984 Academic Catalog

believer to be a personal soul winner and to do his utmost to give the Gospel of Christ to the whole world. Mark 16: 15; Acts 1:8; John 17:18; 20:21; II Cor. 5:20. 13. We believe that the true, universal Church includes all be– lievers in Christ during this present dispensation and is the body and bride of Christ of which He is the Head. Matt. 16: 18; Acts 2:1-13; 14:27; 15:14; I Cor. 12:12-28; Eph. 1:22,23; 2: 15, 16; 5:24-32. We believe that the local church is a con– gregation of immersed believers associated by covenant, observing the ordinances of Christ, exercising the gifts, privileges, and responsibilities given in the New Testa– ment, and following a democratic and congregational type of government. Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 1:2; 7:17; 11:16; I Tim. 3:1-15. 14. We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a be– liever 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 to a new life, 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 preceded by believer's baptism and solemn self-examination.Matt. 28: 19,20; Acts 8:36-39; 18:8; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; I Cor. 11:23-32. We believe that the Scriptures clearly delineate principles which govern Christian conduct; that these principles include de– ference 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 unbeliev– ers, we should avoid close liaisons with the 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 nonmedical use of narcotic drugs; and not participate in dancing, the use of playing cards em– ployed in gambling, attendance at movie theaters, and member– ship 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 atmos– phere free from personal attitudes of distrust, dishonesty, selfish– ness, damaging criticism, disrespect, unethical conduct, and ir– reverence.