We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ. Governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges vested in them by his word, that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles Timothy and Titus.