Transform in Community

A disciple abides in Jesus and seeks to love and live like him while shepherding others to do the same.  Our desire at Cypress Bible Church is to transform people into disciples that glorify God.  In studying the Scriptures, the elders of Cypress Bible Church believe that disciples look to demonstrate the following attributes in their daily lives: one who abides, one who obeys, one who sacrifices, one who loves others, and one who multiplies.  These attributes are not a list of behaviors that define a good or bad disciple.  These attributes are not to be a work of labor while living in fear to please God.  Instead, these attributes confirm that the righteousness of Jesus, which is supplied by faith through grace, is demonstrated in the life of a disciple as he is fully satisfied by the person of Jesus Christ.

Transform by Abiding in Christ

To abide means “to live, continue, or remain”; therefore, to abide in Christ means to live and remain in him.  A disciple draws his life from the vine (John 15:4-7) through an intimate and close relationship with Jesus.  A disciple understands that he is unable to bear fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) unless he is attached fully to the vine (John 15:8).  The branch’s connection to the vine is strengthened through delighting in God with a deep prayer life (Ps. 145:18; Matt. 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14-15) and studying the Word (Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Transform by Obeying God’s Commands

To obey means “a dutiful or submissive compliance to the commands of one in authority.”  A disciple looks to model the person of Jesus Christ in obedience (Phil. 2:8).  A disciple must submit his will to the will of God as given in the Scriptures (Rom. 12:1-2), but duty is not the sole reason for obedience.  A disciple also obeys because of his delight for God (John 14:23) and His commands (Ps. 119; John 8:31-32) which allows him to grow in his sanctification (1 Cor. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:22; Jas. 1:22).  Obedience is evidence of our love for God (John 14:15) which makes us salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).

Transform by Sacrificing for Others

To sacrifice means “giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important.”  A disciple is willing to die to themselves daily and their desire to fully follow Christ (Luke 9:23; Rom. 6:6-7; Gal. 2:20; 5:24).  A disciple does this in his walk with Jesus (Rom. 12:1-2) and his communal walk with Jesus alongside his church (Rom. 12:3-8, Eph. 4:1-13; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).  A disciple chooses to serve others (Matt. 20:26-28; Gal. 5:13-14) by following the example of Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45).

Transform by Loving Others

To love others means “to love (agape) others with a love that is of God and from God (1 John 4:8)” and was displayed perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:16).  A disciple demonstrates this in the way he loves those inside (John 13:34; 1 Cor. 13) and outside (Matt. 5:43-47; 9:35-38) the body of Christ.  A disciple loves those in the local church by striving for unity (1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 3:8) through walking in love (Eph. 5:1-2) with one another, forgiving (Col. 3:12-15) one another, and confessing (Eph. 4:32) to one another.  Biblical community is vital because of the mutual benefit that is received between each other by: welcoming (Rom. 15:7), honoring (Rom. 12:10), instructing (Rom. 15:14), encouraging (1 Thess. 5:11), building up (1 Thess. 5:11), exhorting (Heb. 3:13), serving (Gal. 5:13), showing hospitality (1 Pet. 4:9), speaking truth (Eph. 4:25), stirring up (1 Cor. 11:33), comforting (1 Cor. 13:11), caring (1 Cor. 12:25), doing good (1 Thess. 5:15), and loving (1 Pet. 4:8) one another.

A Transform by Multiplying Disciples

To multiply means “to make disciples” (Matt. 28:18-20).  A disciple actively engages the lost (Mark 1:17) and helps other followers of Jesus grow into maturity (2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 6:1).  A disciple helps others learn to abide, obey, sacrifice, love others, and multiply.

Discipleship

Growing into a disciple of Christ is a lifelong process.  Four pillars of discipleship support our spiritual growth at CBC.

Worship
in Services

We grow when we sing, listen to God’s Word, pray  and celebrate the ordinances corporately.

Transform in
Community

Our two main growth vehicles are life groups (relational) and CBC University (learning). 

Serve
on Teams

The body of Christ can never be healthy until every member is using their gifts.  Our structure helps encourage this.

Proclaim
to the Nations

The gospel is for the nations!  Local and global missions are woven through everything we do.

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Name

We exist to glorify God by pointing the affections of all peoples to the all-satisfying person of Jesus Christ.

11711 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

Services Times:

9:30 am & 11:00 am.

(281)  469 – 6063

info@cypressbible.org

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Philosophy of Ordinances

Purpose

The purpose of communion is to obey the command of Jesus, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26 ESV)

Methodology

CBC will strive to administer communion every other week.   Creativity in the teaching setup and forms is important to keep the ordinance meaningful and to not stray into rote patterns where the significance is lost.   Married couples or singles can assist in serving communion.  

Communion logically follows baptism.  There are many understandable reasons why this order may get reversed; nevertheless, we will teach and encourage the biblical sequence.

Presence

Affirmation:    We affirm that in the act of communion, Christ is spiritually present with the believers in a unique and profound way. This presence is not physical but is real and vital to our growth in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Denial: We deny the doctrine of transubstantiation, which claims that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Such a view misinterprets the sacrament’s nature and confuses the elements’ symbolic and spiritual significance (Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:63).

Symbolism

Affirmation: We affirm that the bread and the cup are symbols representing the body and blood of Christ, given as a sacrifice for our sins. These elements are outward signs of an inward grace (Luke 22:19-20) of the believer.  

Denial:  We deny communion has inherent power to confer grace or salvation. Communion is a means of grace as it strengthens faith and encourages spiritual growth, but it is not efficacious in and of itself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Availability

Affirmation: We affirm that communion is a memorial act commanded by Christ and is open to all followers of Christ. Through it, we remember His death, celebrate His resurrection, and anticipate His return (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).  The elders are responsible for withholding communion from those under active church discipline.  

Denial:  We deny the practice of restricting communion to a particular denomination or group of believers. While local church membership and doctrinal alignment are important, the table is open to all who have confessed faith in Christ and are in right standing with Him (Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28).   

Community

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion signifies our unity as the body of Christ. It is an act of fellowship and mutual edification, reinforcing our commitment to one another in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Denial: We deny any approach to communion that treats it as an individual act. Such a view undermines the privilege of the ordinance and the common unity we have in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Personal Examination

Affirmation:  We affirm the importance of self-examination before participating in communion. Believers are called to reflect on their relationship with God and others, confessing sin and seeking reconciliation where necessary (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).  Heads of households are responsible for determining when it is appropriate for their children to be baptized and take communion.  We encourage parents to teach their children the link between salvation, baptism, and communion. 

Denial:  We deny the appropriateness of partaking in communion without personal reflection and repentance. Communion is not for unbelievers or children who have not yet come to trust Christ as Lord.  Participation in an unworthy manner can lead to spiritual (or physical) harm and dishonors the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

Assembled Church and Elder Oversight:

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion should be celebrated in the context of the assembled church as a visible symbol of our corporate unity and overseen by elders who ensure that it is conducted in a manner consistent with biblical teaching and church order (1 Corinthians 11:18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Denial:  We deny that communion should be taken individually, or outside the church gathering overseen by the church elders.  Taking communion in the full gathered context values the leadership role of the elders, strengthens the local community, and ensures the doctrinal integrity of the ordinance (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 14:23). 

By affirming these truths and denying contrary errors, we seek to uphold a biblically faithful understanding and practice of communion at Cypress Bible Church.