Contents

Preface: The Need for Studying the Doctrine of the Church

An Informal Introduction: The Sufficiency of the Bible for the Local Church

Part 1

What Does the Bible Say?

1. The Nature of the Church

2. The Attributes of the Church: One, Holy, Universal, Apostolic

3. The Marks of the Church

4. The Membership of the Church

5. The Polity of the Church

6. The Discipline of the Church

7. The Purpose of the Church

8. The Hope of the Church

Part 2

What Has the Church Believed?

9. The History of the Idea of the Church

10. The History of the Ordinances of the Church

11. The History of the Organization of the Church

Part 3

How Does It All Fit Together?

12. A Protestant Church: Putting Together the Marks of the Church

13. A Gathered Church: Putting Together the Membership of the Church

14. A Congregational Church: Putting Together the Structure of the Church

15. A Baptist Church: Should We Have Baptist Churches Today?

Conclusion: Why Does This Matter?