Our Leadership:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, and believe that the New Testament contains our example for the church today. We find scriptures directing us in everything concerning our lives today and how the church should opperate. When it comes to leadership in the church at Portal Way we follow the example found in the New Testament. Elders, (older men in the faith who are qualified according to scripture, 1 Timothy 3:1-7.) are to shepherd the local congregation, have the oversight of the church. Deacons, (younger men who are qualified according to scripture, 1 Timothy 3:8-13.) are to serve the local church in some appointed area of service. Evangelists, Preachers, or Ministers, (men who are young or older in the faith and who are qualified, 1 Timothy 4:6-16.) are to preach the gospel to the church and to the community as they have opportunity. This is the kind of scriptural leadership that God ordains for the church. And at Portal Way we are striving to do all things according to God's will.
Lord's Supper:
We partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of each week. This we do according to Acts 20:7, "And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight." We use pure grape juice, fruit of the vine, and unleavened bread. This is what Jesus taught in Matthew 26:26-29, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said take eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them saying, drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." We do this in remembrance of Jesus, and proclaim his death, and are to do so until his return. This is according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
Praying:
We offer prayers to our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ during our assemblies. These prayers are led by a faithful brother in the Lord, this is according to the apostle Paul, "I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing." 1 Timothy 2:8.
Giving:
As members of the Lord's church we lay by in store, we give as God has prospered us. This is according to scripture, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. We give to support the work of the church which God would have us to do.
Music:
When you attend any of our services at Portal Way, you will find us singing only, that is we do not use instruments of music in our worship assemblies. The reason we do not use them is found in Ephesians 5:19, "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." And in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God." And the example of our Lord and the apostles in Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives." It is this clear teaching that we follow when it comes to music we offer to God during worship services.
Membership In The Church:
All people are to become a member of the Lord's church in the same way, by faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But it is not by faith only, faith without works is dead being alone according to James 2:26. The works according to James is obedience to God's will for our lives. First we must believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, John 20:31. We must repent of our sins, Luke 13:3. We must confess our faith in Jesus, Romans 10:9-10. We must be immersed, baptized into Christ Jesus, Romans 6:1-7; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16. When we obey God in doing what he has asked us to do, Jesus adds us to his church, Acts 2:47. Then we are to walk in this new life, Romans 6:4.