Christians are to associate themselves into particular churches, according to Christ’s commandment; that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, bound together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, and exercising the various gifts given them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church; that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word, the right administration of Christ’s ordinances, and the faithful exercise of discipline over its members; and that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons.