A Bible church is a church that emphasizes teaching and preaching directly from the Bible. The Bible is viewed as the sole authority and standard for faith and practice in a Bible church.
Here are some key characteristics of Bible churches:
- Expository Preaching – Sermons go verse-by-verse through books of the Bible, explaining the original meaning and how it applies today.
- Biblical Literacy – There is a strong emphasis on getting people to read and study the Bible for themselves.
- Simple Structure – The church organization and programs are simple, with the focus on the Bible.
- Autonomy – Each Bible church is independent and self-governing.
- Evangelism – Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is a core mission.
Expository Preaching
Expository preaching is foundational to a Bible church. The pastor works through books of the Bible, preaching verse-by-verse and explaining the original meaning of the text. This provides a detailed understanding of what God says in His Word.
In expository preaching, the Bible sets the agenda for the sermon rather than the pastor’s own ideas or topics. The pastor serves as a “living commentary” on Scripture, providing illuminating context and application. Topics are determined by what the Bible says, not just what interests people.
Acts 20:27 describes this approach – “for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Expository preaching aims to cover the breadth of God’s Word over time, not just favorite or comfortable topics.
This form of preaching differs from topical sermons organized around a single theme. It also differs from textual preaching that uses a short Scripture passage as a springboard into a loosely connected message.
Expository preaching ties messages directly to the text so that God’s Word speaks for itself. This produces substantial, biblical sermons focused on explaining Scripture.
Biblical Literacy
A Bible church wants its people to know the Bible. There is an emphasis on personal Bible reading, study, memorization, and application.
Classes for all ages often use curriculum that studies whole books of the Bible sequentially. Small groups focus on Bible discussion and application. Resources that aid biblical understanding are readily available.
Biblical literacy is seen as a core component of spiritual growth. The Bible is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Developing a high degree of biblical literacy is a lifelong process. A Bible church seeks to foster interactive engagement with Scripture, not just passive listening during services. The Bible transforms lives when people read and absorb it for themselves.
Simple Structure
Bible churches have relatively simple organizational structures. With the Bible as the focus, complex religious programs and institutions are avoided. Layers of authority structures, committees, and regulations are seen as potential distractions.
There are two primary leadership roles – pastors and deacons. Pastors provide spiritual leadership through biblical teaching and preaching. Deacons serve the practical needs of the church body. Other ministry roles emerge according to spiritual gifting.
Beyond the foundational church gathering, additional programs are pragmatically added as needed for discipleship, evangelism, and community outreach. However, the main thrust is clear – equipping people through Scripture.
Autonomy
Bible churches are autonomous, self-governing congregations. There is no central denominational authority or hierarchy beyond the local church level.
Each church has its own independent leadership. They cooperate voluntarily with other like-minded Bible churches but are not subject to outside control or oversight.
This autonomy allows each congregation to follow biblical principles as they understand them. Fellowship is based on shared commitment to Scripture rather than institutional structures.
Of course, complete autonomy does not mean isolation. Healthy interdependence within the broader body of Christ is still encouraged. But the local church answers directly to the Lord as revealed in His Word.
Evangelism
Bible churches actively share the gospel and make disciples. The Great Commission given by Jesus Christ defines the church’s mission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
This manifests itself in evangelistic outreach, locally and abroad. There is constant effort to reach the lost, plant churches, and develop global partnerships for the spread of the gospel.
In addition, evangelism and discipleship are tightly linked. The church equips people with biblical truth and trains them for evangelistic ministry. Every member is called to be an ambassador for Christ.
Origins in the Church Movements
Bible churches emerged from various church movements seeking to restore New Testament style Christianity. These include:
- The Anabaptists – 16th century dissenters who upheld Scripture alone as authority and rejected state-church partnerships. They emphasized discipleship and holy living.
- The Puritans – 17th century reformers who purified the Church of England using Scripture as their standard. They promoted expository preaching and personal piety.
- The Baptists – Various Baptist groups coalesced around the primacy of the Bible starting in the 17th century. They insisted that churches should be based directly on biblical teaching.
- The Plymouth Brethren – Formed in the early 19th century to break away from denominations in order to follow the New Testament church pattern.
- The Restoration Movement – Mid 19th century attempt to restore NT Christianity without denominational divisions. They advocated calling the church back to the Bible.
These renewal movements kept pushing Christians back towards the Bible’s authority and sufficiency. They wanted to base every practice on biblical mandates.
Over time, some descendants of these groups adopted minimalist practices – preaching the Word, baptism by immersion, the Lord’s Supper, simple leadership – in order to approximate early church gatherings. The label “Bible church” identified this approach.
Beliefs and Practices
Bible churches exhibit diversity in specific doctrines and practices. Each congregation is independently governed, so uniformity is not imposed from outside.
However, a shared commitment to Scripture as the ultimate authority results in certain common beliefs and practices:
- The 66 books of the Old and New Testament as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.
- Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, based on the authority of Scripture alone.
- Baptism by immersion for believers only.
- Communion conducted regularly as a memorial of Christ’s death.
- Complementarian approach to gender roles based on biblical teaching.
- Cessationist view that miraculous spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy ceased in the early church.
- Premillennial eschatology anticipating Christ’s pre-millennial return.
However, these positions are not uniform, and Bible churches allow diversity on secondary issues. Clear biblical teaching takes precedence over specific denominational doctrines.
Church Government
Bible churches follow a congregational form of church government. Decision-making authority resides within the local congregation itself.
Leadership comes from within the church body, either raised up from the existing members or brought in by the church itself. There are no outside assignments or hierarchical appointments.
The congregation as a whole approves major decisions related to doctrine, membership, leadership, finances, and other substantive matters. Biblical prerequisites guide the selection of pastors and deacons.
This contrasts with episcopal church government headed by bishops or presbyterian government led by elders. In congregational polity, the members directly govern the affairs of their own local church.
Worship Style
Worship services at Bible churches tend to be simple, with the focus on preaching and teaching the Word. While practices vary, there are some common elements:
- Music led by a song leader rather than a choir. Simple arrangements of hymns and worship songs.
- No use of liturgy. Order of service may vary.
- Lord’s Supper weekly or monthly. Open to all believers.
- Baptisms conducted as needed. Baptistry or portable tank may be used.
- Minimal ceremony and ritual. More informal and spontaneous.
- Emphasis on preaching and teaching. Sermons directly exposit the Bible.
The motive is to eliminate distractions and keep the Word central. Simplicity allows the Bible to shape the gathering rather than accustomed religious trappings.
Discipleship
Strong discipleship processes build up believers in the faith. Teaching extends beyond the pulpit into Bible studies, small groups, and training classes.
These opportunities help believers grow into mature disciples who can rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Older mentors invest in training younger members for ministry.
Discipleship aims both at personal spiritual growth and developing people for evangelistic work. Some churches adopt formal discipleship structures like Navigator 2:7 groups or similar multiplying models.
The Bible is discipled into people so they can go disciple others. Assimilating and applying Scripture is the essence of discipleship.
Outreach and Missions
Outreach activities seek to spread the gospel and serve real needs. This includes local evangelism efforts, community service projects, and global mission trips.
Following Christ’s example means ministering to spiritual and physical needs. Some ways Bible churches live this out include:
- Door to door evangelism and invitations to church events.
- Community meals, food pantries, and assistance for the poor.
- Prison ministry, recovery programs, and counseling services.
- Youth and sports ministries that engage the community.
- Short-term mission trips and global church partnerships.
- Planting new churches locally and worldwide.
- Media outreach through TV, radio, websites, and social media.
Every member is called to evangelize in their own circles of influence – family, neighborhood, workplace, etc. Outreach is not just for the pastor.
Potential Pitfalls
With their strong biblical focus, Bible churches aim to recapture first century Christianity. However, there are potential pitfalls to avoid:
- Division – Nitpicking over secondary doctrines and practices can lead to schism.
- Isolation – Protecting the flock from false teaching can turn inward rather than engaging culture.
- Legalism – Strict rules beyond Scripture can emerge related to dress, entertainment, and associations.
- Anti-intellectualism – Exalting biblical simplicity can neglect deeper analysis and education.
- Elitism – Pride in correct doctrine can lead to judgmentalism towards other Christians.
The best Bible churches exhibit sound doctrine and holy living without becoming rigid, separatist, or superior in attitude. Biblical fidelity and grace should go hand-in-hand.
Notable Bible Churches
Many leading evangelical churches and pastors come from the Bible church tradition. Some prominent examples include:
- Shadow Mountain Community Church – San Diego, CA; David Jeremiah
- The Moody Church – Chicago, IL; Erwin Lutzer
- Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, CA; John MacArthur
- McLean Bible Church – Vienna, VA; David Platt
- Parkside Church – Chagrin Falls, OH; Alistair Begg
- The Village Church – Flower Mound, TX; Matt Chandler
- Calvary Chapel movement – Chuck Smith
- Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, CA; Rick Warren
These large churches maintain an emphasis on biblical exposition amidst wide-ranging ministry programs. They attract thousands to hear strong Bible teaching.
Finding a Bible Church
Seeking out a Bible church begins with looking for the key qualities that define them:
- Expository preaching through books of the Bible
- Emphasis on personal Bible reading and growth
- Simple structure focused on the Word more than programs
- Biblical ecclesiology and congregational government
- Outreach and missions efforts
The church’s website will often reveal these priorities. Visit several times to experience the preaching firsthand. Talk to leaders about how they approach ministry. Gather a sense of how Bible-centered they aim to be.
No church is perfect. Seek a healthy body that submits to Scripture, loves one another, and shares the gospel. A Bible church will ground believers in God’s Word to live out their faith in the world.
