"A Walk of Faith" is a statement that we have chosen to describe the desired direction for the believers in our church family.   Our faith is based on the authority and sufficiency of God's Word to set the direction for every aspect of life. It is our desire that the members of the Village Chapel Baptist Church would seek to allow the Word of God to regulate every facet of this walk of faith. We are thankful that Scripture provides instruction for our corporate church life. “Walk” is defined as advancing on foot at a moderate pace; to proceed by steps.   As we consider “A Walk of Faith,” are we advancing?  Are we taking steps in this endeavor or would we be considered to be simply standing still?   What are the steps necessary?  Are we willing to take them?

In Acts 2:41-47, the Lord gives us a specific illustration as to what a church governed by God's Word would look like.   A church that is seeking to have  “A Walk of Faith” will be described in the following terms:

• Believing & Obeying (v.41)
• Listening & Learning (v.42)
• Fellowship & Service (v. 42, 44-45)
• Prayer & Praise (v42, 46-47)
• Witness & Example (v. 47)

Believing and Obeying
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
(Acts 2:36-40; Romans 10:13-17; Ephesians 2:1-10; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:3-4)

The very first, and we believe, most important step necessary for a walk of faith is that of believing and obeying the Word of God.   Believing and obeying the gospel is the first imperative for the transformation of a life.  The continued walk of faith, the sanctification process, depends on this foundational step of belief and obedience.   Nothing that a man can do will ever be adequate to pay the price for his salvation.  (Ephesians 2:8, 9,  Titus 3:5)  Then, as we study the Word of God, our walk of faith will require a continued obedience to the instructions that His Word gives to us.

Listening and Learning
Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
(Acts 20:28-32; Ephesians 4:11-16; II Timothy 2:14-15, 23-26; 3:14-16; 4:2-5; James 1:22-27)

We are thankful that God has given us His Word to govern our lives.  We are confident in its thoroughness and sufficiency to give to us all the instructions for salvation and a life of godliness.  Believing that God’s Word is divinely inspired and without error, we seek to present His Word accurately, in its proper context, and in harmony with the whole of Scripture.  The responsibility of the believer, then, is to listen to the Word, hearing what God is saying to us and then to respond appropriately.  It is not enough to simply hear God’s Word.  It must be applied to our lives and learn from the timeless truths presented.   Application of these truths will affect our actions, attitudes, and daily walk of faith.

Fellowship and Service
Acts 2:42  “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:44-45  “And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
 (Leviticus 19:9-18; Matthew 18:15-20; John 13:35; 17:20-21; Acts 4:32-35; Romans 12:3-13; I Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13-15;  6:1-10; Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16, 29-32; 5:1-2; Philippians 2:1-11; II Thessalonians 3:6-15; I Peter 1:22)

As this Walk of Faith continues and progresses, our obedience to the Word will result in our church body becoming more and more unified as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.   As we submit to the work of the Holy Spirit, our Walk of Faith will affect every area of our lives that will then produce a spiritual unity and fellowship.   We understand that this unified fellowship may require loving, Biblical confrontation, confession, and/or correction.   Seeking to have the mind of Christ will knit our hearts together in a love that will reflect a Christ-like humility and a desire to serve.  We will seek to utilize loving accountability to encourage each other as well as to edify our fellow believers.  Using our God-given talents in this ministry will further strengthen the body and demonstrate the changed life that will, in turn, point others to our Savior.

Prayer and Praise
Acts 2:42  “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:46-47  “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
(II Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 66:16-20; 106:1; 111:1; 113:1; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 5:18, 19; 6:18;    Colossians 3:16, 17; John 4:21-24; Romans 12:1; James 4:2, 3; Revelations 5:6-14)

In many churches today, praising God is often relegated to familiar songs that have been sung by many believers for many years.  Prayer tends to be infrequent, mechanical, and, sometimes, overlooked in importance.   In our Walk of Faith, our goal is to provide avenues for expressions of praise to the Lord that will be genuine, heart-felt, and encouraging to others.  Our obedience to the mandates to praise should be a natural out-flow of the happenings of our hearts.  In our biblical praise, prayer will also be a natural phenomenon that springs from a heart desiring to commune with our Lord.  Loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) will result in expressions of praise and times of diligent prayer.   It is our desire, as a church body, to join our voices in prayer and praise, worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth.  These times of worship should take place in our services as well as in times of personal fellowship with the Lord.

Witness and Example
Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
(Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 15:12, 13; 20:21;  Acts 1:8: Acts 8:4-8; 26-39; I Corinthians 4:2, 16; Philippians 3:17; 4:9; I Timothy 4:12; II Timothy 2:2; James 3:13; I Peter 1:15)

As we seek to follow the example given in Acts 2, we desire that every believer in our church body understand and embrace their responsibility in reaching the lost for Christ.   Our Walk of Faith should naturally demonstrate the spirit-controlled life that will serve as a light to a sin-darkened world.  Evangelism and witnessing should be a daily part of the life of a believer.  The contacts that we have at home, in the work place, or in general daily life should serve as opportunities to point the lost to Christ by our lifestyle as well as through words spoken in witness to  the work that Christ has done in our hearts.