Introduction of the church
Tampereen Paikallisseurakunta
Tampereen Paikallisseurakunta is a local church and the church of God that gathers together in Tampere and its neighboring regions.
In addition to Tampere and its neighboring regions, we do the work of the kingdom of God in various ways, both more broadly in Pirkanmaa and elsewhere in Finland.
The head and the Lord of the church is Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 11:27, Col. 1:14-18).
Relationship with the Bible
The authority of the church is the Bible. We believe and understand that the Bible as a whole is the word of God and the declaration of the Lord. As a church, we desire to abide by the teachings of the Bible in all areas of life.
"Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Ps. 119:160).
The church does not have any emphases or special doctrines that are unfamiliar with the Bible. "...not to think of men above that which is written" (1. Cor. 4:6)
The local and independent church
As the local churches, of which are told in the Bible, the church is independent. The church does not belong and is not connected to the church groups or the revival movements.
Preaching and teaching
Read the article here.
Life in the church
According to the teachings of the Bible, the life in the church consists of many parts: the fellowship of the children of God, meetings and gatherings of the church, the work of the gospel, and also of many other things.
We also spend time together outside the weekly meetings and gatherings in various ways, and we serve the Lord and the kingdom of God and people.
We strive to have such a life in the church which is told of in the Bible. According to the teaching of the Bible and the example given in the Bible, the life of the church aims both for the growth of the church - the salvation of the souls (1. Pet. 1:9) - and the inner growth and the spiritual well-being of the church and its members.
"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied" (Acts 9:31).
As a church, we act openly, honestly, and responsibly in revere of the principles of the Bible in everything. Our atmosphere is good, inspiring, encouraging, and supportive. There is order in the church.
Meetings and events
We gather together in the fellowship of the children of God to pray and study the Bible actively and regularly, several times a week.
Further, we arrange revival meetings regularly. Revival meetings are evangelizing in nature. In the revival meetings, the basics of faith and the life in faith are also brought forth and taught.
In addition to the weekly meetings and gatherings, we also organize many other events during the year: camps, refreshment days, Bible courses, and various evangelizing events.
Read more about our meetings on, among other things, the pages "Revival meetings", "Meetings and Bible studies" and "Evenings together".
Members of the church
The church consists of people who have believed, have repented and been baptized, and are confessing Jesus as their Lord.
We all have met Jesus at some point in our lives and experienced becoming believers personally, that is, born again (John 3:1-21, Tit. 3:3-7, 1. Pet. 1:3-5, 1. Pet. 1:22-23) and repented (Acts 17:30-31). After believing and repenting, we have been baptized by immersing into water completely, as it is taught in the New Testament.
Today we are bound together by the desire to follow and serve the Lord in the truth, according to the teachings of the Bible, wholeheartedly and faithfully.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:38-42).
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1. Pet. 1:3-5)
Tasks
According to the teaching of the Bible, the church is led by the elders. The office of the elders is to tend and oversee the flock of the Lord. The elders are responsible for all the work of the church before God.
Mikko Ruotsalainen serves as a preacher of the church. In addition, there are also persons responsible for various forms of work according to the needs.
Each and every member of the church takes responsibility and is welcome to serve according to one's spiritual maturity in those tasks to which God calls and gives His grace. There are lots of tasks and needs.
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1. Pet. 4:10-11).
Values of the church
Truth, righteousness, holiness, pureness, honesty, sincerity, humbleness, faithfulness, goodness, love and respect for the neighbor, equality of everyone, mercy, gentleness, and friendliness. These and all other values in the Bible are important to us, values that we will not give up.
Apostolic and safe church
We desire to be building an apostolic church together, rejoicing and eagerly; the church which keeps the teachings of the Bible, the church which is winning souls unto the Lord, and the church where it is good and safe for every member to be.
Praying Church
We believe in the possibilities of prayer and the power of the Almighty God.
As a church, we pray for Tampere, its neighboring regions, and all the people in Finland.
