MBC Distinctives
17 WORDS – 17 MBC DISTINCTIVES
1.
Grace
We strive to be Christ - centered and grace orientated in all our being and doing. We emphasize the Gospel, the good news of Our Lord Jesus Christ and our need for personal faith in Him (Jn. 1:12, 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9), and a growing relationship with Him (Jn. 15:14; Phil 3:10-11). We recognize that the same grace that saves us (Eph. 2:8-9) is available to us for Godly living in this present age (Tit. 2:9-11).
2.
Bible
We believe in the authority of the Holy Scriptures and the importance of being rooted and grounded in the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We take seriously our call to: (1) “Preach the Word…” (2 Tim 4:2), and (2) “Teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1). As such, we seek to be “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), by being careful to “… give attention to reading (Scripture), to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim 4:13). We endeavor to hold fast to “the pattern of sound teaching’ (2 Tim. 1:13) and to “declare the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
3.
Sovereignty
We acknowledge the sovereignty of God in and over all things, including, salvation, sanctification and glorification. We teach the Biblical Doctrines of Grace, including: Salvation by Grace through Faith, Divine election, Absolute Inability (depravity), the Preservation of the Saints, Christ’s Substitutionary Sacrifice, Particular Redemption, the Effectual Call, Sanctification, Final Judgement and Hell, and the Ultimate Glorification of all believers.
4.
Truth
We are committed to discovering, living out and sharing Truth (1 Tim. 3:15). We are convinced that truth is not relative, but rather, absolute, consistent, eternal, knowable and liberating (Jn 8:32). Truth is found in Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6), revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 5:6), and recorded reliably in God’s Word (Ps. 119:142, 160; Col. 1:5). It is meant to be loved (Ps. 1:2; 2 Th. 2:10), understood (2 Tim 2:25, 3:7; 2 Pt 1:12), and obeyed (Jn. 15:21, 23; 2 Pet. 2:2; 1 Jn. 3:19; 3 Jn. 3).
5.
Spirit-Filled
We are called to 'live by the Spirit' (Gal. 5:16, 25). Believers ‘work out our salvation’ (Phil. 2:12) by co-operating with the indwelling Holy Spirit in His work of sanctification in our lives (Tit. 4:5-6; 2 Cor. 3:18). As such, we pursue holiness and righteousness, recognizing that the fruit of the Spirit and Christ-like character are the main evidences of Christian maturity and being filled with the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:17-21). We serve Christ and His Church faithfully and joyfully with the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:3-8; 1Cor. 12-14; Eph. 4:11-16).
6.
Love
We live to love our Lord God with all our heart and mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39; Eph. 5:1-2). We want to be recognized as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ because of our love one for another in the church body (Jn. 13:34-35; Col. 3:12-17, 1 John 2:9-11; 3:11; 4:20-21). Our love, flowing as it does from the Holy Spirit within (Rom. 3:5; Gal. 5:22-23), is made manifest through our obedience to Christ’s commands, and is thus the fulfilment of all the law (Rom. 13:8-10; Lev. 19:18; Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:26-27).
7.
Community
We are a community of faith, a unified (Eph. 4:3) local group of born again or regenerated believers, who live to serve Jesus Christ and His Kingdom by loving and serving one another, and enjoying the privilege of genuine fellowship. Nevertheless, we welcome anyone who desires to join us in worship and in the work of the gospel. We keep an open door to those around us, who seek to find new-life, forgiveness, hope and peace in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42-47). We are physically located in the area of Muizenberg.
8.
Evangelism
We are passionate about proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and seeing the lost come to faith in Him. Practically, this involves praying for the lost and seeking to preach Christ (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15) and live out our faith (Col. 4:5-6). In so doing, we hold out “the word of life” (Phil. 2:16), and bring praise to our heavenly Father (Matt. 5:14-16, Phil. 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 2:10-11). We also fulfil our role in bringing in His elect as the Holy Spirit draws, convicts and regenerates.
9.
Mission
We have a heart for local and international missions and carrying out Gospel proclamation locally and in the wider world, through: (a) the work of prayer (Mt 6:10; Col. 4:2-4), (b) practical helps for the needy, in both church and wider community (Matt. 25:34-46; Gal. 6:9-10), (c) teaching and training local pastors through the Beracah Bible Training School, (d) supporting Malawian pastors, and (4) sending and supporting missionaries (Matt. 28:18-20; Phil. 4:10, 14-19).
10.
Prayer
We are convinced that prayer matters. We are committed to praying continually, with thanksgiving (1 Thes. 5:17), always bringing all our needs and petitions before the Lord (Phil. 4:4-7). We are devoted to praying individually and corporately (Matt. 6:5-13), for the saints and for the lost (Eph. 6:19-20; Jms. 5:16; Col. 4:2-4).
11.
Baptism
We contend that the Bible teaches ‘believer’s baptism’ (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-13; 22:12-16) as an important outward, public and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace already experienced, representing: the believer’s union with Christ and their identification with Him in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-14; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Baptism represents the death and burial of sin and self, as well as forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal, whereby, ‘in Christ’, we have become new creations, raised to new Spirit- filled life (Col. 2:12; Gal. 2:27).
12.
Family
We recognize the family as the foundation of society and of the church. The marriage covenant between a man and a woman (before God) is the foundation of the family (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:21-32; Heb. 13:4). Parents are to raise their children in the ways and instruction (‘nurture and admonition’) of the Lord as set forth in the Scriptures, and our church is intentional about supporting them in this calling (Deut. 6:6-7; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-20; 1 Tim. 3:4-5; Tit. 2:5).
13.
Complementarian
We understand that men and women are created equal and are thus spiritually equal before God, in Christ (Gen.1:27; Gal.3:26-28). However, He has ordained different roles for us in the home (marriage and family) and in the church context (Eph. 5:22-32; 1 Tim. 2:9-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-7). The Bible mandates male eldership and teaches that only men are permitted to preach and teach in the gathered or assembled church (1 Tim. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:34-35).
14.
Elders
We are led and governed by a plurality of elders who serve God by shepherding and governing: providing Biblical teaching, protection, prayer, oversight, wise counsel, spiritual direction, discipline, and a Godly example to the flock (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). All this is to be carried out in a spirit of willingness, eagerness, and humility, considering the spiritual wellbeing of the flock, and guiding and involving members in decision making processes as and when appropriate (Mt. 18:15-17; Acts 6:1-7; 15:1-29; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:3-11).
15.
Worship
We consistently gather to worship the Lord, read the Scriptures, expound the Word, pray corporately, sing His praises, give thanks to God, affirm our faith, practice the sacraments and experience fellowship (Ps. 100; Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Tim. 4:13-14; 2 Tim. 4:2). We embrace a contemporary style of music which facilitates ‘Godward’ worship, seeking always to glorify God, exalt Christ, and honor the Holy Spirit. This includes a blend of modern choruses and traditional hymns.
16.
Joy
We are a community characterized by the joy of the Lord (Neh. 8:10; Jn. 15:11; 16:24). We received, live and proclaim the Gospel message of salvation with great joy (Lk. 15:7, 10, 31; 1 Th. 1:6). We rejoice exuberantly (Isa 35:10, 61:10; Ps 100:1-2, 4), experiencing God’s joy in us (Jn. 15:11; 17:13). We rejoice always (Phil 4:4; 1 Th 5:16), despite, and especially when, we face trials of many kinds (Hab. 3:17-19; Jms. 1:3) and persecution (Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 1:6-9). And if we sin and lose our joy, we believe that God can and will restore the joy of our salvation, if and when we repent and confess our sins before Him (Ps. 51:12; 1 Jn. 1:9).
17.
Fruit
We are a community characterized by fruitfulness. We believe that the LORD makes us fruitful (mature and effective) as we faithfully preach and teach His Word, and live holy lives in obedience to His commands (Jn. 14:15; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 1:10, 3:12-14; 1 Thes. 4:3-8). We also trust that the Lord will regularly add to our number those who are being saved (Acts 2:47).