The corollary of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of His body, the church. There is one true church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and communion as the sacramentarian ordinances established by Jesus Christ, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world.
Whenever God's people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watchful care of pastors and the supportive leadership of shepherds, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
(Matthew 16:18, 28:19, 20; John 13:1-17; Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 11:17-34, 12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18)