Our Desire
Before He ascended back to the Father, Jesus gives the Church the following charge, found in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15: “Go ye therefore, and teach [make disciples of] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching [instructing] them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” “And he said unto them, Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
It is our desire here at Elkmont Baptist Church – using the method set forth by the early church in Acts 2:42 – to share the gospel and make disciples by teaching the Word of God in an expository manner. Our goal is to share the gospel (good news) of the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to equip His followers to share the gospel with others by helping them become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in every area of their lives.
The example our Lord has set before us is the Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) because although they were small in number and strength, they did not deny the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and did not deny His Word – the only source of truth and salvation for sinful man. To that end, we exalt the name of Jesus as we teach a literal interpretation of the Holy Scriptures in the Bible, with an emphasis on the Apostles’ Doctrine.
What can you learn at EBC?
- Salvation by grace and faith in Christ alone
- How to study the Bible through the whole counsel of God
- How to practically apply God’s Word in daily living
- How to instill the Word of God into His saints
- Principles for biblical financial freedom
You can also engage in:
- Special studies concerning family needs and Christian topics
- True worship of the Lord Jesus Christ
- The mutual benefits of fellowship with His saints
Fellowship
A focus area for EBC is our fellowship with one another. Fellowship in the Scripture is koinônia which mean fellowship, communion, joint participation, intercourse, intimacy (drawn from Thayer, G2842).
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
“Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4).
Our emphasis is to “bind” our hearts together into a unified body. We desire to build each other up in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and to be involved in life together on a regular, frequent basis through activities and service, both inside and outside the church building.
Prayer
We believe that a major work of the Church is intercessory prayer. We participate together in regularly scheduled times for prayer, and urge the saints to have a set times for private and family prayer. We encourage journals and testimonies. We teach the saints to strive fervently with God on behalf of themselves and others.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication to the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18).
The Apostles’ Doctrine
The task of teaching the saints is so important – especially in our day when so many voices claim to know the mind of God. The Bible warns us in several places about false teachers and false doctrine. How important is the teaching of God’s Word? Consider these verses:
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:27-28).
“These things command and teach” (1 Timothy 4:11).
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).
So what do we emphasize? The whole counsel of God, which includes a balanced mix of Old and New Testament, with the teachings of Christ pulling it all together.
References
Thayer, J. Thayer’s Greek Definitions. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation.