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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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RESTATEMENT OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF DECLARATION We,
the members of Grace Bible Church of Gillette, Wyoming, here-in-after
referred to in this constitution and the by-laws as NAME The
name of this church organization shall be the “ PURPOSE The
purpose of this church organization shall be as follows: 1.
A GENERAL STATEMENT: "To see each individual believer
spiritually healthy and mature, with a commitment and concern for Christ, one
another, and the world." 2. A
DETAILED STATEMENT: a. To
proclaim the good news of salvation to the unsaved people of our community
and area, seeking to reach them for the Lord Jesus Christ. ( b. To
teach and preach the Word of God in such a manner as to build up and
establish the children of God in the faith. (Eph. 4:11-16.) c. To
maintain a missionary program in an effort to reach souls for Christ outside
our own community and area, even unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
(Matt. 28:18-20) d. To
provide a place and means of fellowship whereby God’s people might be a
blessing and encouragement to each other.
(Heb. 10:24,25). e. To
earnestly contend for the faith by proclaiming and defending the great
historic truths of God’s Word and exposing and opposing all that fits into
the category error and false teaching when necessary. (Jude 3) f. To
provide for the Christian education of the members through Sunday School
classes, church services, and any other classes deemed necessary to enhance
the knowledge of the church family. (I Peter 3:15). STATEMENT OF FAITH
(DOCTRINE) Section 1. ARTICLES
OF BIBLICAL FAITH (Part 1) In order to become or
remain a member of the A. The
Holy Scriptures We believe the Holy Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final
authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible
and God-breathed. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20,21). B. The
Godhead We believe in one Triune
God, eternally existing in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit--identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same
attributes and perfections. (Matt. 17:5; 28:19-20; John 1:1-4; II Cor. 13:14;
I John 5:6,7). C. The Person and Work of Christ 1. We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man
without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born
of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.
(Luke 1:35; John 1:1,2,14; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-18). 2. We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His
death on the cross as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice; and that
our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the
dead. (Rom. 3:24,25; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24). 3. We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at
the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of
Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
(Rom. 8:34; I Tim. 2:4-6; I John 2:1-2). D. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit 1. We
believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness,
and of judgment; that He is the supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing
all believers one time into the body of Christ, eternally dwelling and
sealing them unto the day of redemption at the point of acknowledging Christ
as Lord and Savior. (John 16:7-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13,14). 2. We
believe that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth;
that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the
Spirit. (John 14:17; 16:13; Eph 5:18;
I John 2:27). E. The Total Depravity of Man We believe that man was
created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race
fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man
is totally depraved, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost
condition. (Rom. 3:22,23; Rom. 5:12; I
Cor. 15:21,22). F. Salvation We believe that salvation
is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the
forgiveness of our sins. (John 3:16-18; Rom. 10:9,10; Eph 2:8-10). G. The Eternal Security and Assurance of
Believers 1. We
believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God's power and are
thus secure in Christ forever. (John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:38,39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I
Peter 1:5). 2. We
believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of
their salvation through the testimony of God's Word; which, however, clearly
forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom.
6:1,2; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11,12). H. The Two Natures of the
Believer We believe that every saved person
possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature over
the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and, that all
claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural.
(Rom. 7:18-23; Gal. 5:16-25). I. Separation
We believe that all the
saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior
and Lord; and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and
sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God. (II Cor. 6:14;
II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:14-17; II John 9-11). J. Missions We believe that it is the
obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy
Scripture and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. (Matt. 28:19-20;
Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). K. The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts 1. We
believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and that
the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the
perfecting of the saints today; and that speaking in tongues and the working
of sign miracles gradually ceased. As the New Testament Scriptures were
completed and their authority became established, these signs ended. (Rom. 15:18-19; I Cor. 12:4-11;
13:8-10; 14:33; II Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4). 2. We
believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His
own will, for the sick and afflicted. (Matt. 7:7-11; John 15:7; James
5:14-16; I John 3:22; 5:14). L. The Church 1. We
believe that the Church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ
is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present
age. (I Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 5:25-27). 2. We believe that the establishment and
continuance of local churches is clearly taught by example and defined in the
New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Tim. 3:1-15). 3. We
believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority
or control. (Acts 20:28; I Peter
5:1-4). 4. We
recognize the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural
means of testimony for the church of this age. (Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 2:41,42;
18:8; I Cor. 11:23-26). M The
Personality of Satan We believe that Satan is a
person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and
declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in
the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6,7;
Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Rev. 20:10) N. The Eternal State 1 We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved
to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt.
25:46; John 5:28,29; 11:25,26; Rev. 20:5,6,12,13). 2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death,
absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they
await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and body are reunited to be
glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; I Thess.
4:16,17; Rev. 20:4-6). 3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death,
in a conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body
reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be
cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting
conscious punishment. (Mt. 25:41-46; Mk 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Th. 1:7-9;
Rev. 20:11-15). Section 2. ARTICLES OF BIBLICAL FAITH (Part 2) We at Grace Bible Church
recognize that in matters of eschatology (doctrine pertaining to the last
days), many Bible scholars who undoubtedly are sincere believers in the Lord Jesus
Christ have honest disagreements. It is the position of Grace Bible Church
that the following articles of faith will be taught at Grace Bible Church. An
applicant for membership into the fellowship of Grace Bible Church may write
upon his/her application form itemized explanations in regard to those
articles of faith with which he/she may have honest disagreement.
Disagreement with these articles will not automatically preclude an
individual from becoming a member of Grace Bible Church, but rather upon
interviewing with the pastor and/or the Board of Elders on an individual
basis, recommendation may still be made to the congregation for a favorable
acceptance of the applicant into membership. A. Dispensationalism We believe that the
Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal senses reveal divinely
determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's responsibilities
in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather
divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His
purpose. Three of these--the Age of Law, the Age of Grace, also known as the
Church Age and the Age of the Millennial Kingdom-- are the subjects of
detailed revelation in Scripture. (John 1:17; II Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25;
Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24,25; Heb. 7:19;
Rev. 20:2-6). B. The
Second Advent of Christ We believe in that
"Blessed Hope", the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and
premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His
subsequent return to Earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial
Kingdom. (Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; Rev.
19:11-16; 20:1-6). Section 3. MOVEMENTS CONTRARY TO THE FAITH A. Ecumenism : Ecumenism is that movement which seeks the
organizational unity of all Christianity, and ultimately of all religions.
Its principal advocates are the World Council of Churches and the National
Council of Churches of Christ in the United Stated of America. B. Ecumenical Evangelism
: Ecumenical evangelism is that effort
to promote the Gospel by bringing fundamentalists into an unequal yoke with
theological liberals and/or Roman Catholics and other divergent groups. C. Neo-Orthodoxy : Neo-orthodoxy is that theological movement which
affirms: the transcendence of God, the finiteness and sinfulness of man, and
the necessity of supernatural divine revelation of truth; but, while using
evangelical terminology, seriously departs from criticism, in denying the
inerrancy of the Bible as historic revelation, in accepting religious
experience as the criterion for truth, and in abandoning important
fundamentals of the Christian faith. D. New Evangelicalism
(Neo-Evangelicalism, New Conservatism) : These terms refer to that movement
within evangelicalism characterized by a toleration of and a dialogue with
theological liberalism. Its essence is seen in an emphasis upon the social
application of the Gospel and weak or unclear doctrines of: the inspiration
of Scripture, Biblical creationism, eschatology, dispensationalism, and
separation. It is further characterized by an attempt to accommodate Biblical
Christianity and make it acceptable to the modern mind. E. Charismatic Movement : Due to problems and confusion which have
existed in churches where tongues and signs such as healings have become an
issue, we request that all members refrain from the use of these
"gifts" within the church. We will not tolerate the use of these
"gifts" among our members outside the church. Section 4. COVENANTS CHURCH MEMBER'S COVENANT: I have trusted Jesus Christ
as my personal Savior, and desire to enter into the fellowship of the Grace
Bible Church, and to engage with its members in efforts to achieve the
purposes set forth in its Statements of Faith. I have read and studied
prayerfully the doctrinal statements, and believe them to be doctrines set
forth in the Word of God. I have thoughtfully and prayerfully read the
constitution of the church, and am willing to abide by all of its provisions.
If at any time I find that I am out of sympathy with the doctrinal positions
of the church, I shall quietly withdraw from the fellowship without
attempting to cause trouble in any way, and hereby authorize the Board of
Elders, in such event, to erase my name from its membership records. ELDER BOARD COVENANT: I covenant myself to defend
the Word of God, and our constitution, and willingly submit to the Scriptural
standard for a church officer as is given in I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9;
knowing that I will be looked up to by the young and old alike as a spiritual
leader. If at any time I find I am out of harmony with the declarations of
this constitution I will quietly resign, seeking to cause no harm to the
testimony of this church in the community. DEACON BOARD COVENANT: I covenant myself to defend
the Word of God, and our constitution, and willingly submit to the Scriptural
standard for a church officer as is given in I Tim. 3:8-13 knowing that I
will be looked up to by the young and old alike as a spiritual leader. If at
any time I find I am out of harmony with the declarations of this
constitution I will quietly resign, seeking to cause no harm to the testimony
of this church in the community. TEACHER'S COVENANT: I am conscious of the great
responsibility laid upon me as a teacher. I will refrain from teaching
anything which might be contrary to the doctrines of this church, contained
in Section 1 of the Articles of Biblical Faith. In the event that I may have
opportunity to express my personal understanding of the Scriptures in regard
to eschatological doctrines, as contained in section 2 of the Articles of
Biblical Faith, I will do so with a spirit of humble graciousness and will in
no manner disrespectfully belittle or demean the official stance which Grace
Bible Church holds in regard to these doctrines . If at any time I find that
my views are in conflict with the doctrines contained in Section 1 of the
Articles of Biblical Faith and/or the policies of the church, I will quietly
give up my teaching position without attempting to cause trouble in any way.
I will be faithful in my support of the church in regard to each part of its
ministry so that I might set an example before those whom I teach. In my
teaching I shall earnestly seek to exalt the Person of Jesus Christ and do my
part to help accomplish the purpose set forth in this constitution. PASTOR'S COVENANT: As pastor of the Grace
Bible Church, I shall strive to exercise the duties of my office in such a
way as to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man. God helping
me, I shall strive to see that the flock of God will enjoy a balanced
ministry in shepherding, teaching and evangelizing. Furthermore, I shall seek
above all things to promote unity of the Spirit, being ready always for
suggestions when given for the glory of God, and the furtherance of His work. If at any time I am out of
harmony with the constitution, I will appreciate the Board of Elders calling
it to my attention. I shall seek to be sensitive to God's leading to know when
my services are done, and upon sixty (60) per cent majority vote of the
church members, and at the recommendation of the Board of Elders, I shall
quietly leave the position, causing no trouble which would hurt the church. CHURCH COVENANT: Having been led, as we
believe, by the Spirit of God, we, the members of this church, do most
solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in
Christ. God helping us, we covenant
together that as we have opportunity we will do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith, (Gal. 6:10); that as strangers
and pilgrims we will abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
(I Peter 2:11). As long as we continue in the membership of this church we
will gladly co-operate, making its testimony far reaching in effect. By
co-operating we specifically mean to pray for one another, and to assist
those who have rule over us, who preach the Word of God (Heb. 13:7); refusing
to gossip or listen to gossip in any form against them or any fellow members,
(James 3:5-18). Furthermore, in co-operating we shall give as God prospers,
not grudgingly or of necessity, to the work of our church (II Cor. 9:7);
realizing its needs first and the needs of other Christian works subsequently;
that this fellowship, into which we have been led of God, will not be
hindered because of any shortcomings on our part. RESTATEMENT OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH Amended, Retyped, Reformatted by GBC/CAS, February
1999 |
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