"We, the members of the THE SOVEREIGN GRACE BIBLE CHURCH OF CEBU, INC., a non-profit organization, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves."

ARTICLE 4:    COMMISSION

CONTENTS:  1  Institution  2  Membership  3  Leadership  4  Commission  5  Order  6  Congregational Meetings  7  Affiliation

SECTION 1.    GENERAL STATEMENT

       Paragraph A.  General Statement.

       The purpose of this church is to glorify the God of the Scriptures (Eph. 3:21) by promoting his worship (Cor. 3:16,17; 1Pet.2:5), evangelizing sinners (Acts 13 & 14; 1Cor. 14:24,25; 1Tim. 2:1:1-5 with 3:15), edifying saints (1Cor. 14:12,18,19,26; Eph. 4:11-16), spreading and strengthening the church (Acts 11:29,30; 15:3,36,41; 16:5), and showing benevolence to the needy (Rom. 15:26,27; Gal. 2:10). Therefore we are committed to the proclamation of God's perfect Law and the glorious Gospel of His grace through all the world (Lk. 24:47; Acts 20:20,21,27; Rom. 1:15-8:39), and to the defense of "the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

       The primary methods and means for the accomplishment of this purpose are prayer and the public and private ministry of the Word of God (Acts 6:24;20:20; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 1Tim 2:1-8 with 3:14-16; 2Tim.4:1,2). In addition, we may at times employ various other ministries and means to accomplish this purpose , such as the production, distribution and sale of audio materials; the distribution, sale and publication of Bibles; distribution, sale and publication of books and other literature; the training of men for the Christian ministry. We are not obligated to employ other supplemental means which we regard to be biblical. (1Cor. 10:23).

SECTION 2.    WORSHIP

       Although the only triune God, is to be worshipped daily in private and by families in the home, God has mandated that His people gather together for worship every first day of the week (Gen 2:1-3; Exo. 20:8-11; Col. 2:16,17; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10). The constituent elements of worship are set forth and limited by God in Scriptures of which nothing is to be added or neglected (Deut. 12:29-32) and which are the following: prayers (1Tim. 2:1f), the public reading of the Scriptures (1Tim. 4:13), the preaching, and hearing of the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:1-4, Lk. 8:18), teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs , singing praises with grace in the hearts to the Lord (Heb. 2: 11,12; Heb. 13:15; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19); the giving of our tithes and offerings to the Lord (1Cor. 16:1,2; Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:16); as also the administration of baptism (Mat. 28:19,20) and the Lord's Supper (1Cor. 11:26). All parts of the religious worship of God are to be performed in obedience to Him, with understanding , faith, and in the climate of joy and reverential awe (Heb. 12:28,29). Therefore it is necessary that worshippers come to worship God with due preparation of heart (Mal. 1; 1Cor. 11:28).

SECTION 3.    ADVOCACY OF THE WORD

       As pillar and ground of truth, the church has to advocate the Word. This involves the work of spreading the gospel, planting churches, defending the truth, the preservation and translation of the Scriptures, the support of gospel ministers, and the training of faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

       Since some of these specifics are beyong the ability for one ocal church to perform, then cooperation with other like-minded churches is to be sough whenever possible and appropriate ina way consistent with local church autonomy.

SECTION 4.    CORPORATE NURTURE

       Every disciple of Christ must be under his discipline (his instruction and correction), which is administered to each one both personally (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor. 11:30-32; 1Thess. 4:6; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 2:22,23) and through the church (1Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:11-15; Gal. 6:1; 1Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:12-14; 12:15). Mutual submission to one another and to the overseers whom the Lord has set over his church (Eph. 5:21; 1Pet. 5:5) will result in the sanctification of each member individually and of the whole body of the church collectively. There are occasions, however, when formative discipline alone is insufficient and corrective discipline becomes necessary.

Next