What does the Bible say about the doctrine of the Church?

The doctrine of the Church emphasizes the biblical principle that it is an assembly or congregation of believers who have been called out from the world. This aligns with the Greek term 'ecclesia,' which means a gathering. Strict Baptists uphold the importance of local congregations as representations of the true Church, acknowledging that Christ is the head and foundation of the Church. In Acts 2:41-42, we see that those who received the message were baptized and added to the Church, demonstrating the vital relationship between faith and membership in the body of Christ. Additionally, Christ, depicted as the cornerstone, establishes the Church's identity and purpose within the plan of salvation and ecclesiastical governance.