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Elder Statements
Elder statements are doctrines or church practices affirmed by any elder, deacon, or staff member serving at Doxa Church. Generally, they are important topics that have methodological and staff culture implications where difference of opinion could create division.
The elders at Doxa affirm that the practice of baptism is an act of obedience. Baptism is not an act that secures salvation for the Christian, but it is an act of obedience that is practiced in the New Testament church and is considered a sacrament of the Christian church. Those who desire to be Covenant Members with Doxa do affirm that they were baptized after professing faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The elders also affirm that the mode of baptism that is most consistent with the
Scriptures is water baptism by immersion for the Christian. As noted in the doctrinal
statement, “Therefore, in obedience to Christ’s command and as a testimony to God,
the church, oneself, and the world, a believer should be immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” This will be the practice of Doxa.
Baptism of children of Christian families is a difficult issue that has a variety of practices in the church including: baptizing infants, baptizing very young children as they profess faith (usually 4-5 years old and common in many churches), and delaying baptism until children are older.
We favor the third option of delaying baptism even for children that appear to believe
in Jesus so that their baptism will be helpful to them as adults. Our guideline at Doxa is 12 years old. Some children younger than this may be mature enough in terms of
grasping the gospel and having a relationship with Jesus that they are ready to be
baptized. In this case our standard is that any baptism candidate will need to be able
to adequately participate in a baptism interview. If in the judgment of the parents and Doxa pastors the child is ready for baptism, then we will go forward with the baptism just like we would for an adult.
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value but are distinct by
divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to the church, men and women are both expected to lead; however, the office
of elder is reserved for qualified men (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1). For more on this distinctive, read our Women in Ministry Statement.
The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God. Before the foundation of
the world, God elected His people, setting His affection and grace upon them (Rom.
8:29-30). In love God predestined His people for adoption (Eph. 1:4-6). Faith is a gift of
grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast. Apart
from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of his own accord to worship
God and pursue righteousness (Rom. 3; Eph. 2:1-3). God’s sovereignty in salvation is
comprehensive: from first to last, all of salvation is the work of God.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church. These gifts did not end with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle (1 Cor. 12:1-11).