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Written by: The Orchard
When searching for a new church to join, one of the most important factors to consider is whether the church is Bible-based. Sadly, a church that doesn’t consider scriptures accurate or relevant is nothing more than a social club. Therefore, ensuring that any congregation you might consider joining is Biblically based is of utmost importance to everyone from the growing Christian to the person just getting into the idea of faith or maybe just wanting to learn more.
What are the Foundations of a Bible-Based Church?
The foundation of a church based firmly on Biblical teachings will include a church that does not stray from what the word of God states. This church will also believe in Jesus as the Son of God and preach the underlying gospel of the scriptures. While churches may vary in terms of their style, type of music, or even what the members wear, the one main foundation for a healthy church— that is truly of God— is Biblical truth first and foremost.
At The Orchard, we are a community united by our passion for following Jesus and spreading His love. Our vision is to witness lives being transformed through the profound impact of the Gospel. We firmly believe that God has called us to play a vital role in this transformative journey. Our aim is to create a welcoming space where individuals can share authentically and encounter Jesus.
What are the Characteristics of a Bible-Based Church?
The Bible itself tells us what to look for in terms of the characteristics of a Bible-based church. This is found in Acts 2:42-47. It includes characteristics like being devoted to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship with one another. It also mentions that a Bible-based church will take care of one another, providing for needs, praising God together, and more. This scripture paints a picture of a place where believers can go to fellowship, to worship, and to share their burdens with other believers. Therefore, any church that considers itself Biblically based should exhibit these characteristics. Of course, a church can offer more than these characteristics but they should always include these factors within their foundation.
How to Know a Church is a Bible-Based Church
No matter if you are a new believer, someone who is just curious about God in general or someone who has known the Lord for some time, knowing how to identify a Bible-based church is important. Thankfully, by taking the factors already mentioned into consideration, you can look for some specific indicators that a church is Bible-based by searching for the following evidence:
The Bible is Preached Week to Week
In our Bible-based community, the pulpit is our guide. Beyond worship, we gather weekly for a thoughtful discussion, exploring the truths found in the Bible. As it says in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” This is the most important aspect of any church, as a church is not a location to go to for entertainment or a concert, but rather one that should encourage growth in a spiritual journey. Consequently, Biblically-based teaching through regular and consistent preaching is necessary.
Jesus is at the Center of Everything
The foundation of the Christian faith is who Jesus is, what He did, and how that changes our day-to-day lives. For any church to be based on the Bible, means they also have to be focused on Jesus and have Him as the center of everything done as part of the congregational activities or services. Any church that doesn’t center everything on Jesus cannot possibly be Biblically based.
Scripture proves this truth. For example, John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The scripture goes on to say in John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In essence, this is saying Jesus is the Word, and He is the truth, so He must be glorified, preached, honored, and valued in any Bible-based church.
Makes Disciples of All Nations
The next sign that a church is Biblically based will be an emphasis on making disciples by teaching and promoting the Great Commission. This is found in Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
What Does The Orchard Believe?
Thankfully, if you are considering The Orchard, you will be happy to learn that this congregation upholds all the principles and has all the characteristics outlined above. Our multi-site church is a gospel-centered congregation that helps people find and follow Jesus. The Orchard believes in God as the creator of all things and believes God is infinitely perfect and eternally existing within three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Orchard also believes in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, and believes that it is the ultimate authority.
They believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, and they believe in the Work of Christ as a representative for believers and as a substitute through His shed blood on the cross. The Orchard wants to be a place that helps people take the
“next step” in their spiritual journey. Due to this, they place a great deal of emphasis on creating environments designed for people to connect with God and others, where they can learn from the Bible, and where they can serve their community and the world. This church wants to be known for its love, its generosity, and its commitment to serving others. If you would like to know about this faith-first, bible-based church,
contact us to learn more. We are excited to
hear from you!
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