Constitution of Victory Baptist Church
Constitution of Victory Baptist Church,
Bridgeville, Delaware
PREAMBLE
We, the members of Victory Baptist Church, in orderly manner do hereby establish the following principles by which we mutually agree to be governed in the affairs of our church.
Article 1: Name
This church shall be known as the Victory Baptist Church of Bridgeville, Delaware.
Article II-. Purpose
This church shall have as its purpose the evangelism of the lost, the promotion of the historic Christian faith, the worship of God, the education of its members, friends, and their families, as well as such other purposes as are specified in the Holy Bible for a New Testament Church.
Article III: Statement of Faith
This church holds the following Statement of Faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God.
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men having been supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and finalrevelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union; and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
1 . By the "HOLY BIBLE" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.
2. By "INSPIRATION" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God: an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of the redemption.
III: THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father, and God the Son; and of the nature; that He was active in the creation, and His relation to the unbelieving world: He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer; that He is the imparter of Spiritual gifts, and equips each believer with at least one spiritual gift for use in the service of the church.
IV. OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors. But through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels, and that he is now the malignant prince of power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter; the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power of the present apostasy; the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
V. OF THE CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life were made directly, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."
VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, he fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice, and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and He is both the Son of God and God the Son.
VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT OF SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace. Through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person with tenderness and divine perfection. He is qualified in every way to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous, and not a process; that in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins, is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, so as to secure holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
XI. OF JUSTICATION
We believe that the great Gospel, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, not on principles of righteousness, which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, anger, and helplessness, and of the way of Salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
XIII: OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges, invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors (elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He commanded. We do not believe the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individual organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper; in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self examination.
XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THESAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguished them from superficial professors that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in the things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of our conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face value and full value. Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;' that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him to into heaven;" bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" "that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David:" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under His feet."
XIX OF MISSIONS
We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the churches.
XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches, and the support of the ministry, is by tithes and offerings of His people. That it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income, and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church.
Article IV: Covenant
As a bond of unity among us, Victory Baptist Church accepts for its members the following covenant:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We promise that we will watch over and counsel one another in the Spirit of brotherly love, that we will remember one another in our prayers, and that we will aid each other in sickness and distress.
We further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to see the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements; and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report, we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
Article V: Church Membership
The membership of this church shall consist of persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and have been baptized by immersion. New members will be accepted into the membership when requesting membership in any of the following ways: (1) by profession of faith and baptism, (2) by letter from a church of like-faith and order, (3) by statement of faith, having been scripturally baptized by another church of like-faith and order, or (4) by restoration. Membership can be terminated by (1) death, (2) transfer to a church of like-faith and order, (3) discipline.
Article VI: Church Officers
1. Pastor: The pastor is the under shepherd of Jesus Christ, the leader of the church, and is primarily responsible to Christ for the word of the church. He is the chief executive and administrative officer of the church in spiritual and physical matters. The Pastor is to be called to the church to serve indefinitely. The Pastor will sit as the chairman of all committees of the Church.
When the church becomes without a pastor the deacons and or trustees will serve as a pulpit committee to seek out a new pastor. They shall prayerfully search until agreed on one candidate to recommend to the church. The church will be given the opportunity to vote within one week on the recommendations to call the candidate as pastor. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is required to call a pastor.
The pastor may be removed from office at a special business meeting of the congregation, called by the deacons, where valid scriptural reasons for his removal shall be shared and witnessed to by at least two or more witnesses. He shall be allowed to answer the accusations before a vote for removal can be taken. The pastor shall be notified of the meeting and of the charges to be brought about against him, two weeks before notice of the meeting is given to the congregation. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership shall be required to remove the pastor. This step should be taken with careful and prayerful consideration.
2. Church Staff: The pastor may bring in such staff as he feels are necessary to assist him in providing for the church. They will be employed at a salary agreed to by the Leadership Team and work under the direct supervision of a staff member appointed by the pastor.
3. Deacons: Deacons are to advise and assist the pastor in the spiritual interests of the church; seek out, visit, and minister to the physical, moral, and spiritual needs of the sick, aged, and necessities among the membership; review and update the church membership at least once a year by inquiring as to the regularity and faithfulness of the members in attendance and support of the church. After three attempts are made to restore members who are not living up to their covenant included herein, with the cooperation of the pastor, the Deacons shall notify such persons that they have broken the covenant, and therefore, are having their names removed from the church membership. This step shall be taken with much prayer and a day of fasting.
The deacons shall assist the pastor at communion and be zealous to guard and to promote a spirit of unity and peace within the church.
Deacons shall serve a three-year term, and can serve an additional three year term. After a one year recess a Deacon may serve again. A deacon may be removed from service upon the request of any member of the church in consultation with the pastor by following the same guidelines prescribed for the removal of the pastor in Article VI of this document.
Deacons are to meet the spiritual qualifications given in I Timothy 3:8-13, and Acts 6:1-6.
The first deacons will be recommended to the church by the pastor, thereafter, the deacons and pastor shall recommend to the church names of those to be added, after having carefully screened each person and prayerfully considered their qualifications with a day of prayer and fasting.
The church shall vote on each presented by casting either a yes or no vote.
4. Others: Other leaders not listed herein which may be needed in the future to serve the church or its related ministries, shall be called to the service of the church by the pastor. The Pastor shall recommend to the church names of those to be added, after having carefully screened each person and prayerfully considered their qualifications with a day of prayer and fasting.
5. Standards for Leaders: All officers, staff, and leaders of this church and/or its related ministries shall be saved, active members of the church in agreement with the doctrinal position of the church, tithers, soul-winners, loyal to the pastor's leadership, and living separated Christian lives.
Article Vll: Church Meetings
1. For worship and study. The church shall have regular services on Sundays and during the week, plus such meetings of organizations as they are needed. Special meetings will also be held from time to time as the pastor sees necessary.
2. For business. The church shall meet for an annual business meeting in January. This meeting will report to the church the activities of the previous year and the presentation to the church of any appropriate business items. In addition special meetings may be called by the pastor and/or the deacons. Meetings of any nature shall not be called without the knowledge of the pastor, unless the church is without a Pastor at the time of the meeting. The purpose of special meetings must be announced seven (7) days prior to the meeting date. A majority of those present and qualified to vote, may conduct the church business, except where otherwise qualified by this constitution. Vote by proxy shall not be honored at any meeting.
Article VIII: Church Government
Each member of the church will have an equal voice in its government exercised through a vote at regular or called business meetings.
The pastor shall serve as moderator of all business meetings. If the church is without a pastor, the chairman of the deacons will serve as moderator. The church shall vote on the pastor; deacons; establishment or modification of major policies; the buying, selling, or mortgaging of church properties; and the annual budget. Meetings of lesser importance will be handled by the pastor, staff, deacons, and administrators within their prescribed responsibilities. Meetings are to be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
Article IX: Relation to other Churches
This church shall be fully autonomous in the government of its own affairs exercising and retaining sole and complete control of all property which shall be held in its name by its administrators. Fellowship and cooperation will be sought with all true believers and congregations, but control of this church and/or its property will never be surrendered.
Article X: Church Finances
The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
The members shall be expected to give their tithes and offerings through this church. The administrator shall keep proper records, including a record of individual contributions of cash if requested. A budget shall be prepared by the pastor and Leadership Team, and approved by the church. Special offerings may be taken up with the approval of the pastor and/or Leadership Team.
Article XI: Dissolution
No part of the property or other buildings of this church shall ever benefit of any donor, member, officer of the church, or any individual. If for any reason the church is dissolved, all assets shall be distributed equally to organizations selected by the church and recognized as religious and charitable in nature.
Bridgeville, Delaware
PREAMBLE
We, the members of Victory Baptist Church, in orderly manner do hereby establish the following principles by which we mutually agree to be governed in the affairs of our church.
Article 1: Name
This church shall be known as the Victory Baptist Church of Bridgeville, Delaware.
Article II-. Purpose
This church shall have as its purpose the evangelism of the lost, the promotion of the historic Christian faith, the worship of God, the education of its members, friends, and their families, as well as such other purposes as are specified in the Holy Bible for a New Testament Church.
Article III: Statement of Faith
This church holds the following Statement of Faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God.
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men having been supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and finalrevelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union; and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
1 . By the "HOLY BIBLE" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.
2. By "INSPIRATION" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God: an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of the redemption.
III: THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father, and God the Son; and of the nature; that He was active in the creation, and His relation to the unbelieving world: He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer; that He is the imparter of Spiritual gifts, and equips each believer with at least one spiritual gift for use in the service of the church.
IV. OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors. But through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels, and that he is now the malignant prince of power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter; the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power of the present apostasy; the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
V. OF THE CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life were made directly, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."
VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, he fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice, and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and He is both the Son of God and God the Son.
VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT OF SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace. Through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person with tenderness and divine perfection. He is qualified in every way to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous, and not a process; that in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins, is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, so as to secure holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
XI. OF JUSTICATION
We believe that the great Gospel, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, not on principles of righteousness, which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, anger, and helplessness, and of the way of Salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
XIII: OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges, invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors (elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He commanded. We do not believe the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individual organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper; in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self examination.
XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THESAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguished them from superficial professors that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in the things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of our conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face value and full value. Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;' that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him to into heaven;" bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" "that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David:" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under His feet."
XIX OF MISSIONS
We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the churches.
XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches, and the support of the ministry, is by tithes and offerings of His people. That it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income, and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church.
Article IV: Covenant
As a bond of unity among us, Victory Baptist Church accepts for its members the following covenant:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We promise that we will watch over and counsel one another in the Spirit of brotherly love, that we will remember one another in our prayers, and that we will aid each other in sickness and distress.
We further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to see the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements; and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report, we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
Article V: Church Membership
The membership of this church shall consist of persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and have been baptized by immersion. New members will be accepted into the membership when requesting membership in any of the following ways: (1) by profession of faith and baptism, (2) by letter from a church of like-faith and order, (3) by statement of faith, having been scripturally baptized by another church of like-faith and order, or (4) by restoration. Membership can be terminated by (1) death, (2) transfer to a church of like-faith and order, (3) discipline.
Article VI: Church Officers
1. Pastor: The pastor is the under shepherd of Jesus Christ, the leader of the church, and is primarily responsible to Christ for the word of the church. He is the chief executive and administrative officer of the church in spiritual and physical matters. The Pastor is to be called to the church to serve indefinitely. The Pastor will sit as the chairman of all committees of the Church.
When the church becomes without a pastor the deacons and or trustees will serve as a pulpit committee to seek out a new pastor. They shall prayerfully search until agreed on one candidate to recommend to the church. The church will be given the opportunity to vote within one week on the recommendations to call the candidate as pastor. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is required to call a pastor.
The pastor may be removed from office at a special business meeting of the congregation, called by the deacons, where valid scriptural reasons for his removal shall be shared and witnessed to by at least two or more witnesses. He shall be allowed to answer the accusations before a vote for removal can be taken. The pastor shall be notified of the meeting and of the charges to be brought about against him, two weeks before notice of the meeting is given to the congregation. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership shall be required to remove the pastor. This step should be taken with careful and prayerful consideration.
2. Church Staff: The pastor may bring in such staff as he feels are necessary to assist him in providing for the church. They will be employed at a salary agreed to by the Leadership Team and work under the direct supervision of a staff member appointed by the pastor.
3. Deacons: Deacons are to advise and assist the pastor in the spiritual interests of the church; seek out, visit, and minister to the physical, moral, and spiritual needs of the sick, aged, and necessities among the membership; review and update the church membership at least once a year by inquiring as to the regularity and faithfulness of the members in attendance and support of the church. After three attempts are made to restore members who are not living up to their covenant included herein, with the cooperation of the pastor, the Deacons shall notify such persons that they have broken the covenant, and therefore, are having their names removed from the church membership. This step shall be taken with much prayer and a day of fasting.
The deacons shall assist the pastor at communion and be zealous to guard and to promote a spirit of unity and peace within the church.
Deacons shall serve a three-year term, and can serve an additional three year term. After a one year recess a Deacon may serve again. A deacon may be removed from service upon the request of any member of the church in consultation with the pastor by following the same guidelines prescribed for the removal of the pastor in Article VI of this document.
Deacons are to meet the spiritual qualifications given in I Timothy 3:8-13, and Acts 6:1-6.
The first deacons will be recommended to the church by the pastor, thereafter, the deacons and pastor shall recommend to the church names of those to be added, after having carefully screened each person and prayerfully considered their qualifications with a day of prayer and fasting.
The church shall vote on each presented by casting either a yes or no vote.
4. Others: Other leaders not listed herein which may be needed in the future to serve the church or its related ministries, shall be called to the service of the church by the pastor. The Pastor shall recommend to the church names of those to be added, after having carefully screened each person and prayerfully considered their qualifications with a day of prayer and fasting.
5. Standards for Leaders: All officers, staff, and leaders of this church and/or its related ministries shall be saved, active members of the church in agreement with the doctrinal position of the church, tithers, soul-winners, loyal to the pastor's leadership, and living separated Christian lives.
Article Vll: Church Meetings
1. For worship and study. The church shall have regular services on Sundays and during the week, plus such meetings of organizations as they are needed. Special meetings will also be held from time to time as the pastor sees necessary.
2. For business. The church shall meet for an annual business meeting in January. This meeting will report to the church the activities of the previous year and the presentation to the church of any appropriate business items. In addition special meetings may be called by the pastor and/or the deacons. Meetings of any nature shall not be called without the knowledge of the pastor, unless the church is without a Pastor at the time of the meeting. The purpose of special meetings must be announced seven (7) days prior to the meeting date. A majority of those present and qualified to vote, may conduct the church business, except where otherwise qualified by this constitution. Vote by proxy shall not be honored at any meeting.
Article VIII: Church Government
Each member of the church will have an equal voice in its government exercised through a vote at regular or called business meetings.
The pastor shall serve as moderator of all business meetings. If the church is without a pastor, the chairman of the deacons will serve as moderator. The church shall vote on the pastor; deacons; establishment or modification of major policies; the buying, selling, or mortgaging of church properties; and the annual budget. Meetings of lesser importance will be handled by the pastor, staff, deacons, and administrators within their prescribed responsibilities. Meetings are to be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
Article IX: Relation to other Churches
This church shall be fully autonomous in the government of its own affairs exercising and retaining sole and complete control of all property which shall be held in its name by its administrators. Fellowship and cooperation will be sought with all true believers and congregations, but control of this church and/or its property will never be surrendered.
Article X: Church Finances
The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
The members shall be expected to give their tithes and offerings through this church. The administrator shall keep proper records, including a record of individual contributions of cash if requested. A budget shall be prepared by the pastor and Leadership Team, and approved by the church. Special offerings may be taken up with the approval of the pastor and/or Leadership Team.
Article XI: Dissolution
No part of the property or other buildings of this church shall ever benefit of any donor, member, officer of the church, or any individual. If for any reason the church is dissolved, all assets shall be distributed equally to organizations selected by the church and recognized as religious and charitable in nature.
Addendum to Church Constitution voted on and adopted July 26th 2015
Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (I Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt. 15:18-20; I Cor. 6:9-10).
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Victory Baptist Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Victory Baptist Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Victory Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; I Cor. 6:9-11).
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Victory Baptist Church.
Being known that Victory Baptist Church does not and will not give or allow access to church facilities to anyone outside of the church. However the members of Victory Baptist may use the church facilities, with the intent of obeying the Bible. The said member should remember that this is God’s House and should not bring reproach on God or this church. It should be noted that the Pastor or the Leaders of the church has the discretion for the use of church facilities.
Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (I Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt. 15:18-20; I Cor. 6:9-10).
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Victory Baptist Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Victory Baptist Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Victory Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; I Cor. 6:9-11).
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Victory Baptist Church.
Being known that Victory Baptist Church does not and will not give or allow access to church facilities to anyone outside of the church. However the members of Victory Baptist may use the church facilities, with the intent of obeying the Bible. The said member should remember that this is God’s House and should not bring reproach on God or this church. It should be noted that the Pastor or the Leaders of the church has the discretion for the use of church facilities.