Distinctive Characteristics of Hometown Baptist Church
(1) Verse by verse expository preaching and teaching.
a. II Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
b. II Timothy 3:14-15 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
c. II Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
d. II Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
e. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
f. Ephesians 6:17 - Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
g. Matthew 22:29 - Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
h. Jesus said, “It is written…”, 30 times in the gospels, holding believers accountable to learning the Scriptures.
(2) The Bible is the central authority and direction of the sermons.
a. Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
b. Galatians 1:10-12 - Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
(3) Important not just to know God’s word, but to understand God’s word.
a. Acts 8:30-31 - Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
b. Romans 10:14 - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
(4) Context and background of Bible verses.
a. Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
(5) Application of Bible verses.
a. I John 1:6-7 - If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
(6) Perspective, and understanding the BIG PICTURE, along with the small details.
(7) Highlighting Jesus!
(8) Importance of theology, leading to application.
(9) Multi-media sermon presentation.
(10) GOD being the center, not man.
(11) Greater understanding of God, and His character and nature.
(12) God-centered worship music.
(13) Emphasis on the lyrics of the song, more than the singers and the band.
(14) Elder-board
(15) Plurality of elders (elder led) (not pastor or congregational led)
(16) Deacons
(17) Emphasis on the “body of Christ” (church), the gifts, talents, and abilities of ALL of the members. Not just depending on the pastors, elders, or deacons, but allowing the gifts of the church to be put to work.
(18) The worship services will be designed for the Christian believers (NOT the seeker-sensitive model).
(19) Video record testimonies before baptisms.
(20) Video record testimonies of salvations.