We believe in the verbal, plenary, Divine inspiration of the original manuscripts of the Holy Bible as found in the Old and New testaments; that they were transmitted by God to man without error; that they were intended to be the supreme guide and standard in faith and practice. (Isaiah 40:8; Luke 24:13-27; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

2. THE TRUE GOD

We believe in one true God, eternally existing in three persons equal in every Divine attribute and one in essence, known to man as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that Each is coequal and coeternal; that Each has an individual and separate responsibility. (Genesis 1:1 26; Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28-19; John 1:1-4, 5:17-27, 10:30, 16:7-8; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:6-11)

3. THE FATHER

We believe that the Father orders and disposes of all things according to His own purposes; that He alone is sovereign; that in His sovereignty, He neither authors nor condones sin; that He has known form eternity past those who would accept His offer of salvation from sin; that He saves all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, adopting them as sons and becoming their Father. (Genesis 1:1-31, Habakkuk 1:13; John 1:12, 6:44, 8:38-47; Romans 8:15, 28-30, 11:36; I Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:4-6, 9-11, 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Hebrews 12:5-9)

4. JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, being true God and true man; that He lived a sinless life; that He died on the cross, shedding His blood as a substitutionary sacrifice to provide atonement for the sins of all mankind; that He arose bodily from the grave and ascended to Heaven; that He now resides at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes on behalf of believers. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38, 23:22-47; John 20:19-29, 21:5-15; Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 2:9, I Timothy 2:6, 3:16; Hebrews 4:15, 7:24-25, 9:11-15, 10:9-12, 12:2; I John 2:1)

5. THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit restrains evil, convicts of sin, and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel; that He is the agent of the New Birth, indwelling every believer once and for all at the moment of conversion, baptizing him into the Body of Christ; that He seals the believer and equips him for service with spiritual gifts; that He comforts and helps the believer as he lives out his faith. (Matthew 28:19; John 3:5, 7:38-39, 15:26, 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 6:19, 12:7-13; Ephesians 2:13-14, 4:30, 5:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; Titus 3:4-6)

6. CREATION AND MAN'S FALL

We believe that God created all things by direct act in six literal twenty-four hour days; that man was the special creation of God, made in His image to rule in His stead on earth; that man, in the person of Adam, was created in innocence but, by voluntary transgression, fell into sin; that the result of man's sin is physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God; that every person is born with a sinful nature and becomes a willful sinner through personal choice, and so is without excuse before God. (Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5, 58:3; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 1:20, 3:10-26, 5:10-21, 6:23)

7. SATAN

We believe that Satan is a real being, created by God as the Angel Lucifer; that Satan rebelled against God in an attempt to usurp God's sovereign position leading part of the angelic host into rebellion with him; that he currently leads this fallen host in the deception of mankind and rules as the unholy god of this age; that one day Satan and his followers will face eternal judgment in a literal place called Hell. Genesis 2:1-5; Job 1:6-7; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-21; Matthew 4:1-11, 25:41; John 8:44, 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:1-4, 13-15; I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:3-9, 20:1-3, 7-10)

8. SALVATION

We believe that escape from the condemnation of sin and restoration of fellowship between man and God is provided by God to man solely through the finished work of Christ upon the cross of Calvary and that no works, no matter how good, can make salvation more secure; that this justification is provided for all men on the grounds of grace; that salvation must be accepted individually by faith in response to conviction of sin and repentance toward God to become effective; that all who accept Jesus Christ as Savior are eternally secure. (John 3:14-18, 10:27-29; Acts 4:10-12, 16:30-32, 20:20-21; Romans 5:1, 9, 8:15, 38-39, 10:9-13; I Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; ! Timothy 4:10; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 10:4-14; I Peter 1:18-19, 2:24)

9. SANCTIFICATION

We believe in the sanctification of the believer as one set apart for the Master's use; that the believer is positionally sanctified at the moment of salvation; that the believer is progressively sanctified as the result of the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in the believer's life after salvation; that the believer will one day be perfectly sanctified when he sheds this earthly body with its inherent sin nature and receives his glorified eternal body. (John 16:12-14, 17:17; Acts 20:32; Rom 6:1-22; I Corinthians 1:2, 30, 6:11: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:16-17; Ephesians 5:26-27; Phillippians 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 4:3-5, 5:23; Hebrews 2:11, 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 3:18; I John 3:2)

10. THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION

We Believe that the church is a New Testament institution established by Jesus Christ to accomplish His work in this age; that the church's work for this age of making disciples is set forth in the Great Commission; that the church represents in this world the living, spiritual body of Jesus, Who is it's head, and His future bride in glory; that it is comprised universally of all believers from Pentecost until the rapture; that it is represented by local assemblies of immersed believers covenanted together and corporately meeting to worship, fellowship and serve together; that each local assembly has the absolute right to govern itself and is answerable only to Jesus Christ; that the local church is to be led by men serving in the biblical offices of pastor and deacons; that the church observes the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper until Christ returns; that baptism is by single immersion for believers; that the Lord's supper is a commemoration of the Lord's death, reserved for those who are saved and walking in obedience to the Lord. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:28-47, 8:30-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 1:2, 6:4-5, 7:17, 11:26-34, 12:27; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11-15, 5:23-32; Colossi 1:18; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 2:12, 3:1-15)

11. SEPARATION

We believe that God's children are called to be separate from wickedness, living lives of holiness as unto God; that separation applies to the individual as well as the church body; that separation entails avoidance of worldly practices in obedience to the direct commands of Scripture and in subjection to the conscientious application of biblical principles and requires the believer to refrain from alliances or fellowship with groups or individuals which deny basic fundamentals of the faith or choose to walk in open defiance of clear commands of Scripture. (Amos 3:3; Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 12:51; Romans 12:1-2, 14:5-6, 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11-12; Colossians 3:1-17; I Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-18; I Timothy 1:19-20, 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11; I Peter 1:13-16; I John 2:15-17; 2 John 10-11)

12. THINGS TO COME

We believe in the personal, imminent, bodily, pretribulational and premillennial return of Christ in the air to call away the church; that the dead in Christ shall rise first followed by the living saints; that the judgment seat of Christ and the seven year tribulation will follow the rapture; that Christ will return with His church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and establish His millennial kingdom on earth; that the unrighteous dead shall be raised at the close of the millennial kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to be condemned to eternal punishment in a literal place called Hell along with Satan; that Christ will reign eternally as King of kings and Lord of lords with the righteous in a literal place called Heaven. Matthew 24:44, 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:1-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Corinthians 15:50-54; 2 Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, 2:1-17; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10, 7:9-17, 19:11-21:8, 21:21-27)

ARTICLE IV: PURPOSE

The purpose of this church shall be to glorify God in a manner consistent with the teachings of Scripture. This work shall include:

1.Evangelizing the lost through personal soul-winning, church outreach , and the preaching of the Word of God.

2. Edifying believers through the systematic teaching and preaching of the Word of God.

3. Establishing Bible believing and teaching churches around the world.

4. Carrying out the Scriptural responsibilities of a New Testament church in accordance with the principles of God's Word.

5. Establishing and maintaining any institution, educational or otherwise, deemed necessary for the education of children, training of Christian servants, preparing of Christian laymen, assistance of missionaries, or to meet any other need necessary for the advancement of the Gospel throughout the world.

ARTICLE V: LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

No person who is now, or who later becomes, a contributor of money, time or talent to the corporation shall be held personally liable in financial or other legal actions concerning the corporation.

ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: Qualifications

The membership of this church shall be comprised of persons who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and have given evidence of their regeneration. They must have been baptized by immersion after salvation. They must accept and agree to abide by the constitution and doctrinal statement of this church.

Anyone desiring to unite with this church shall appear before the pastor and deacons to determine qualification for membership and receive advice and instruction before being presented to the church for membership. Candidates will then be given an opportunity to give their testimony of faith in Christ and baptism before the church at a regular church meeting. Admittance to membership will be by majority vote of those eligible members present to hear the individual's testimony.

SECTIONS 3: Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership

1. Privileges

a. To vote in business meetings (18 years and older).

b. To be fed in the Word by the Pastor and other leaders of the church.

c. To be edified by regular fellowship with other believers.

c. To be supported in time of need.

2. Responsibilities

a. To commit to continual growth in Christ

b. To pursue biblical direction and standards in life.

c. To preserve the unity of the church.

d. To be separated from the world.

e. To be supportive of the ministry of the church through faithful attendance, prayer, financial support of tithes and offerings, and participate in the ministry opportunities provided.

f. To provide for and receive from leaders and fellow members loving, biblical admonishment.

g. To love every other member of the church as part of the household of faith and a brother or sister in Christ.

 

1. Church discipline is a necessary act commanded in Scripture to preserve the unity and purity of the local body of believers (I Corinthians 5:7-11), to restrain others from committing sin (I Timothy 5:20 ), and ultimately to restore an erring member to fellowship with the Lord and the church (Galatians 6:1).

2. Church discipline may only be enacted in response to proven flagrant, divisive, sinful behavior.

3. If a member of Berean Baptist Church is proven to have participated in flagrant, divisive, sinful behavior, the pastor will approach the individual and ask for repentance. After a period of prayer and reflection, if there is no repentance, the pastor will ask one or more deacons to accompany him to further discuss the matter with the individual and seek repentance. After a period of prayer and reflection, if there is still no repentance, the pastor will present the matter to the Deacon’s Board to receive counsel. After a period and prayer and reflection, if there is still no repentance, the pastor and deacons will bring this matter before the church as a recommendation to administer church discipline. A two-thirds vote of eligible members present at a regular church meeting is required before administering church discipline. I at any time during this process there is a judged to be genuine repentance on the part of the individual, the matter shall be immediately terminated.

4. Administration of church discipline will result in the issuance of a letter of dismissal and removal of the individual from the registry of membership.

5. If the disciplined individual shall show evidence of sustained repentance, then the pastor and the counsel of Deacon's Board may recommend the individual to the church for reinstatement of membership. The reinstatement process shall follow the normal membership procedures.

1. Members who unite with other churches shall be removed from membership.

2. Members who die shall be removed from membership.

3. Unless providentially hindered (i.e. sickness, conditions of employment, etc.), members who do not attend regular meetings of the church for six months shall be removed from membership.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

SECTION 1: General Information

1. The elected officers of the church shall be pastor, deacons, and clerk.

2. No deacon shall be elected to office who has not been a member of this church for at least six months at the time he is to assume duties.

3. Officers shall be spiritually mature, loyal to the Word of God, faithful in attendance, and supportive of the church. Their moral conduct shall be free from reproach and carnal indulgences (i.e. intoxicating beverages, tobacco, narcotic drugs, or other worldly practices).

4. Officers of the church will be dismissed as a result of official church discipline. Failure to properly attend to duties may also result in dismissal from office by three-fourths vote of the church at a regular meeting.

5. Other leadership positions shall be created, supplied, or terminated at the pastor's discretion. All leaders within the church are responsible to the pastor.

SECTION 2: Pastor

1. The pastor shall meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

2. The pastor shall be a man who has never been divorced.

3. The pastor shall be licensed or ordained by a church of like precious faith.

4. The pastor shall be spiritually mature, evidencing a concern for lost souls and the children of God, and shall be in agreement with the constitution and doctrinal statement of faith of this church.

5. The pastor shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the congregation and the administrative oversight of the church and shall be considered president of the corporation for all legal purposes. He shall be an ex officio member of all boards and committees. He shall have authority to acquire and dispose of church property up to the value of one thousand dollars. All transactions exceeding that amount shall first be approved by vote of the church, except routine budget matters.

6. Pastoral vacancies shall be filled by a call from the church. Such a call shall be extended by a church vote of three-fourths majority at a meeting called for this purpose and announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the vote. The candidate is free to accept or reject the call. Upon acceptance of the call, the pastor, his wife, and his saved and baptized children shall be accepted into membership of the church.

7. The pastor shall serve in his office until he resigns or is removed from office by the church.

SECTION 3: Deacons

1. Deacons shall meet the qualifications of acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

2. Deacons shall be men who have never been divorced.

3. Deacons shall serve terms of three years arranged in such a way that terms will end in staggered years. They shall be nominated by the pastor and elected by a majority church vote at the annual business meeting upon the recommendation of the pastor.

4. Deacons shall serve as trustees of the church for legal purposes.

5. In the case of pastoral vacancy, the Deacon's Board shall assume the position of temporary leadership in the church providing for the filling of the pulpit by qualified speakers and leading the search for a permanent pastor.

6. The deacons shall choose from among themselves annually the following officers of the Deacon's Board: chairmen, secretary, and treasurer. The treasurer may perform his duties personally or oversee his duties as they are performed by someone the treasurer designates with the pastor's approval.

7. In the event of death, resignation or removal, the pastor will appoint a qualified replacement to fulfill the term of the vacated office.

8. Deacons shall assist the pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, helping to care for the needy and sick, examining candidates for membership and administering the Lord's Supper, maintaining the church property, and other spiritual and temporal duties as needed.

SECTION 4: Clerk

1. The clerk may be a man or woman who shall serve a term of one year. They shall be nominated by the pastor and elected by majority church vote at the annual business meeting.

2. The clerk shall keep minutes of all church business meetings and a complete record of church membership. The clerk shall also serve as historian of the church.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

SECTION 1: Calling a meeting

1. Weekly meetings are held regularly on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening for worship and instruction in the Word of God.

2. The annual business meeting will be scheduled in the month of January on a day set aside by the pastor and shall be announced at least two weeks in advance from the pulpit.

3. Special business meetings may be called at any time by the pastor, the chairman of the Deacon's Board, or a majority vote of the eligible voters of the church.

4. The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

SECTION 2: Procedures for Business Meetings

1. All items for church consideration shall be submitted in writing to the pastor or deacons for consideration and inclusion in the agenda. Only procedural motions may be made from the floor during a business meeting.

2. The pastor shall moderate all business meetings.

3. All business meetings shall take place during or after regular church meetings (Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening, Wednesday Evening service). The members present at such a meeting shall represent a quorum.

4. All elections and matters of business shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise stated in this constitution.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended, altered, or revised by a three-fourths vote of the eligible members at a business meeting. The proposed amendments shall be made available in writing to the church two weeks prior to the business meeting.

ARTICLE X: PROPERTY

SECTION 1: Procurement

This church shall have the right to own, buy or sell tangible properties, both real and personal, in its own name and through properly elected officials, when authorized by the vote of the church.

SECTION 2: Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of Berean Baptist Church, all of its debts shall be paid in full. None of it's remaining assets or holdings shall be divided among its members, but shall be irrevocably transferred by corporate vote to a ministry of like precious faith which is in agreement with the doctrinal statement of this church.

 

 

 

 

Revised and accepted by vote of the church August 29, 2004