PREAMBLE
The Bible, not this constitution, is our final authority for matters of faith and practice. Furthermore, we affirm that only by the indwelling Holy Spirit, not this constitution, can we fulfill the will of God for this church and for our community. With this in mind, the purpose of this constitution is merely to provide a framework to facilitate the ministry of this church; for the Bible admonished us to do all things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). To this end, we the membership of First Baptist Church of Manistee, willingly and cheerfully agree to be governed by this document, the by-laws and the accompanying policies.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE WORD OF GOD We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and with out error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
THE TRINITY We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. 2 Corinthians 13:14
GOD THE FATHER We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from the penalty of sin all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5
JESUS CHRIST We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, perpetual incision for His people, and personal, visible return to earth. John 3:16
THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement and regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. John 16:7-14
REGENERATION We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice, and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. 1 Peter 1:3-5
THE CHURCH We believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Ephesians 5:25-27
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. Romans 12:1,2
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God for the happiness of mankind and the propagation of the race. It is the spiritual and physical union of one man and one woman and, according to the scriptural ideal, is to be broken only by death.
THE ORDINANCES We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the Name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-39
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY We believe that every human being has the direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. Romans 14:12
CHURCH COOPERATION We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a fellowship of churches of like faith and practice. Such an organization, whether a national or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis.
THE LAST THINGS We believe in the personal and imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth for His Church and establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal bliss of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-27