Constitution of Bethany Community Church. of Tazewell County Illinois

Constitution of Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County Illinois Adopted May 1, 2010 1

ARTICLE I: DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF THIS CONSTITUTION We believe that God has called together the members, leaders and staff of Bethany Community Church of Washington, Illinois to glorify God as we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and prepare His people to worship Him forever. This document is intended to be a statement of how we believe we have been led of God, by the Holy Scripture and by the Spirit, to organize our effort to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and to prepare His people to worship Him forever. It neither supersedes nor stands equal to the Holy Scriptures as a rule of authority. It also does not supersede that authority that God has delivered to the Body of Believers that make up the local assembly referred to as Bethany Community Church of Washington, Illinois. As the Lord may lead, or as our growth in knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures and the Will of God increases, it is expected that this Constitution may require amendment to reflect that increase in knowledge and understanding. Amendment shall occur as described in Article V of this document. ARTICLE II: NAME The name of this local church shall be Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County, Washington, Illinois. ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND VALUES OF MINISTRY Bethany Community Church exists to glorify God as we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and prepare His people to worship Him forever. We are committed to The Worship of the Living God. We believe that worship is the heart of the life of the church (1 Corinthians 10:31; John 4:23-24; Matthew 22:34-40; Philippians 2:1-4). 2

The Authority of the Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is sufficient and authoritative as God s inerrant Word to depend upon to do the work of the ministry (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21). The Proclamation of the Gospel. We believe that the unsaved are important to God and that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Matthew 9:36-38; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 1:16). The Teaching of the Disciples. We believe that the church has been given the incredible task of teaching the believers the faith once for all delivered to the Saints (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; Jude 3). The Unity of the Body. We believe that every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit with spiritual gifts that they are to use to bring the church to greater maturity (Ephesians 2:10; 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10). The Prayers of the Saints. We believe that prayer is the foundation of dependence necessary to all of God s work (1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 9:36-38). ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, STAFF, OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP The organizational structure of Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County, Washington, Illinois, the makeup of its staff and officers, the requirements and responsibilities of staff and officers, the requirements for membership and means of handling disputes and discipline within Bethany Community Church and the rules and regulations for finances in Bethany Community Church shall be as defined in the Bylaws of Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County, Washington, Illinois and the Policies and Procedures Manual of Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County, Washington, Illinois. 3

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended or replaced when the need for change is recognized by the elders and the members of the church body. At the time such need is believed to be present, the elders, after consultation with the body, shall make provisional modification in light of Scripture and all other essential information on this matter. This proposed amendment shall be communicated to the congregation in written form, providing adequate time for study and response. A date will be proposed for acceptance of the revisions at a congregational meeting. The congregation will then vote to see if there is a unity of acceptance and understanding of the amendments. For the purposes of amendment, a quorum of the Church body shall be present. This quorum shall be determined as being forty (40) voting members. Sufficient unity of purpose shall be declared to be present when the amendment receives a three quarters vote of the quorum present. 4

By-laws of Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County Illinois 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I Name 7 Article II Purpose 7 Article III Affiliation 8 Article IV Statement of Faith 8 Article V Teaching Statement 8 Article VI Membership 9 Article VII Discipline 11 Article VIII Officers 12 Article IX Duties of Officers 16 Article X Meetings 18 Article XI Finances 20 Article XII Organizations 20 Article XIII Amendments 21 Statement of Faith Addendum 23 Teaching Statement Addendum 27 6

ARTICLE I NAME BYLAWS of BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH Tazewell County, Illinois This Church shall be known as Bethany Community Church of Tazewell County, Illinois. ARTICLE II PURPOSE Bethany Community Church exists to glorify God as we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and prepare His people to worship Him forever. We are committed to The Worship of the Living God. We believe that worship is the heart of the life of the church (1 Corinthians 10:31; John 4:23-24; Matthew 22:34-40; Philippians 2:1-4). The Authority of the Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is sufficient and authoritative as God s inerrant Word to depend upon to do the work of the ministry (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21). The Proclamation of the Gospel. We believe that the unsaved are important to God and that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Matthew 9:36-38; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 1:16). The Teaching of the Disciples. We believe that the church has been given the incredible task of teaching the believers the faith once for all delivered to the Saints (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; Jude 3). The Unity of the Body. We believe that every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit with spiritual gifts that they are to use to bring the church to greater maturity (Ephesians 2:10; 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10). The Prayers of the Saints. We believe that prayer is the foundation of dependence necessary to all of God s work (1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 9:36-38). 7

ARTICLE III AFFILIATION This Church shall be affiliated with The Conservative Baptist Association of America (also known as CBAmerica or CBA), headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois. ARTICLE IV - STATEMENT OF FAITH See Addendum The Statement of Faith shall only be amended by a recommendation of the Board of Elders to the church. For the purposes of amendment, a quorum of the Church body shall be present. This quorum shall be determined as being forty (40) voting members. Sufficient unity of purpose shall be declared to be present when the amendment receives a three quarters vote of the quorum present. ARTICLE V TEACHING STATEMENT See Addendum The aim of the Teaching Statement is to preserve the unity of the church and to maintain a commitment to biblical sound doctrine. Elders and anyone who teaches at Bethany Community Church are to know and teach in accordance with the elements of the teaching statement. If an element violates the teacher s conscience, it should be discussed with the elders. The Teaching Statement shall only be amended by a recommendation of the Board of Elders to the church. For the purposes of amendment, a quorum of the Church body shall be present. This quorum shall be determined as being forty (40) voting members. Sufficient unity of purpose shall be declared to be present when the amendment receives a three quarters vote of the quorum present. 8

ARTICLE VI MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Only believers baptized after conversion shall be eligible for membership. Each candidate for membership shall be required to attend the membership instruction class(es). There is no age restriction on church membership, but voting privileges are limited to those 18 years of age and older. Each candidate for membership shall be interviewed by two Elders and must agree to the Statement of Faith and to abide by the Bylaws of the Church. Candidates recommended by the Board of Elders may be presented at any regular stated meeting of the Church. After unanimous vote of the members present, they shall be granted membership and given the right hand of fellowship at any public service. If a candidate fails to receive a unanimous vote, the member(s) voting in opposition must appear before the Board of Elders and present biblical reasons why membership should not be granted. After prayerful consideration, should the Board of Elders deem the reason given to be insufficient grounds for denying membership, they shall so inform the member ship, and the opposing member(s) shall thereby be overruled. SECTION 2: Membership shall be terminated by death, a letter of membership termination, by joining another church or by exclusion (see Article VII). SECTION 3: A letter of membership termination may be granted to a member at his request by vote of the Board of Elders. Membership shall cease when the letter is granted. 9

SECTION 4: (a) The Elders have the authority to review the membership periodically and to place members on the Inactive Roll when the member fails to attend church services for an extended period of time, save for illness or temporary absence from the community. The Elders will seek to contact the member before making any recommendation. The Elders may elect to pursue church discipline or to recommend that the church terminate the person s membership. If possible, the member shall be notified of this action in writing by the Chairman of the Board of Elders. (b) (c) (d) Inactive members are ineligible to vote at any Church business meeting. Inactive members can be reinstated to the active roll by request to and approval of the Elders. The membership of inactive members may be terminated by Church vote at any regular business meeting upon recommendation of the Board of Elders. SECTION 5: Dual Membership Provisional membership is a means of allowing people who are temporarily removed from a locale to participate in fellowship with a church in their new location while maintaining their membership at their home church. For example, a student or professional may temporarily leave the area and wish to join in membership at another church. Or, a student or professional may attend Bethany Community while living temporarily in the area and wish to become a member here while maintaining their membership at their home church. Provision is hereby made that, with the approval of the Board of Elders, such persons as indicated in the above examples or in similar circumstances, may become provisional members on the following terms: Provisional members at Bethany Community Church must meet the requirements for membership as enumerated in the bylaws. 10

Provisional members will not have voting privileges, nor may they hold office at Bethany Community Church in any position where election to such office is voted upon by church membership. Upon return to the local area and application in writing to the Board of Elders, full membership may be restored. The provisional member roll shall be reviewed periodically by the Elder Board to insure that those whose names are listed still wish to remain as associate members. Provisional members may be dropped from the roll if all efforts to make contact with them are unsuccessful. ARTICLE VII DISCIPLINE There are several purposes of church discipline, such as protecting the flock from sin, protecting the purity, doctrine, and unity of the church, glorifying the name of Christ, and demonstrating love to those who have been deceived by sin. In those circumstances where discipline has to be enacted, the hope is always for the full repentance and restoration of the individual. SECTION 1: Administration of Discipline The Senior Pastor, or a designated member of the Pastoral Staff, and Board of Elders shall handle all disciplinary matters following the instruction given by God in Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1-2 and I Corinthians 5:9-13. SECTION 2: Denial of the Statement of Faith Following the recommendation of the elders, membership of a member may also be terminated for denying any of the Statement of Faith. 11

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS The officers of this Church shall be: Senior Pastor; Associate Pastor(s); Elders; Associate Minister(s); Church Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer; Deacons; Financial Secretary. SECTION 1: ELDERS The Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, and lay Elders all comprise the Elder board, but for purposes of clarity, the term elder will generally refer to lay elders in the remainder of this document. (a) Senior Pastor: Upon the recommendation of the board of elders, the Senior Pastor shall be approved and called at any duly called business meeting of the Church by a three fourths majority (75%) of the ballots cast. The engagement between Pastor and Church shall be for an indefi nite period. The Pastor must be an ordained minister. He must subscribe to the Bylaws of the Church and the Statement of Faith and agree to support the Teaching Statement. The Pastor shall be expected to unite with the Church by the first quarterly business meeting following his ar rival. The Board of Elders shall vote, if necessary, on the advisability of a vote of confidence in the Pastor. If they should feel such a vote of confi dence is needed, they shall recommend such action to the Church. Retention of the Pastor shall require a three-fourths majority (75%) of the ballots cast. Should the Church desire to dissolve the relationship with the Pastor, it may do so by giving a two (2) month notice at any duly called business meeting. Should the Pastor desire to leave, he may do so by giving a two (2) month s written notice. This provision may be waived if agreed upon by both parties. 12

(b) (c) Associate Pastor(s): Upon the recommendation of the board of elders, the Associate Pastor(s) shall be approved and called at any duly called business meeting of the Church by a three-fourths majority (75%) of the ballots cast. The engagement between Associate Pastor(s) and Church shall be for an indefinite period. The Associate Pastor(s) shall be expected to unite with the Church by the first quarterly business meeting after his arrival. The Board of Elders shall vote, if necessary, on the advisability of a vote of confidence in the Associate Pastor(s). If they feel such a vote of confidence is needed, they shall recommend such action to the Church. Retention of the Associate Pastor(s) shall require a three-fourths majority (75%) of the ballots cast. Should the Church desire to dissolve the re lationship with the Associate Pastor(s), it may do so by giving a one (1) month notice at any duly called business meeting. Should the Associate Pastor(s) desire to leave, he may do so by giving a two (2) month s written notice. This provision may be waived if agreed upon by both parties. Lay Elders i. Number of Elders There shall be at least one more lay elder than there are staff elders. In the event that an elder s resignation or removal from office brings the to tal number of lay elders below the required minimum, the elder board will have one year to fill any vacancy. There will be no maximum number of elders. ii. Qualifications of Elders In order to be considered for the office of an elder, a man must be an active member of the church for at least two years prior to selection, then meet Biblical qualifications for office (e.g. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4), and be actively involved in shepherding. 13

iii. Process of Becoming an Elder A prospective elder candidate, who may be brought to the attention of the elder board by another elder, a member of the congregation, or the prospective candidate himself, is asked to fill out a lay-elder application. If the elder board determines he meets the required qualifications, they will ask the candidate to begin meeting regularly with an elder mentor as they prayerfully consider his calling to elder ministry. The candidate will be given the opportunity to teach and other elders will have the opportunity to assess his teaching abilities. The Elder board will then interview the candidate to discern his competency for the ministry of elder. If the elder board determines to recommend him, the congregation will be informed and a thirty day testing period will take place. Included in this testing period is the opportunity to meet the elder and ask him questions. Any concerns regarding the candidate may be expressed to the elders. A congregational vote will be held at the next quarterly meeting, with a three-fourths majority is required to affirm the calling to serve as an elder. iv. Process of Seeking an Additional Term as an Elder Following the completion of his term, if an elder continues to feel called by God to serve as an elder, he will indicate that desire to the elder board. If the elders concur, the congregation will have the opportunity to affirm his calling at a duly scheduled congregational meeting. If an elder who is currently on the board receives less than 75% on a vote of affirmation, the congregation will be informed and there will be a period of 30 days in which anyone may submit to the elder board biblical reasons for the elder not be considered for an additional term. If reasons are submitted, the elders will investigate them and report their findings to the congregation. The congregation will then have a second opportunity to participate in a vote of affirmation. If the elder still receives less than 75% votes of affirmation, he will not be reinstated for an additional term v. Tenure of an Elder Elders will serve terms of 4 years. There is no constitutionally mandated limit to the number of consecutive terms an elder may serve. 14

SECTION 2: ASSOCIATE MINISTERS Upon the recommendation of the board of elders, the Associate Minister(s) shall be approved and called at any duly called business meeting of the Church by a three-fourths majority (75%) of the ballots cast. SECTION 3: OTHER OFFICERS Terms of office shall begin on May 1st of each year. Officers shall be at least 21 years of age and shall be active members of the Church for at least one year prior to selection, and shall continue to be active during their term of office. No person shall hold more than one office unless an exception is made because of extenuating circumstances. Vacancies occurring during the year may be filled at any business meeting called upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders: a. A Treasurer for a term of one (1) year. b. An Assistant Treasurer for a term of one (1) year. c. Deacons for a term of three years. d. A Financial Secretary for a term of one (1) year. SECTION 4: Trustees The Elders shall appoint from amongst the lay elders a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of the Board of Elders who will be designated as Trustees and in addition to their regular duties shall act as required under laws of the State of Illinois. These Trustees shall hold legal title to all Church property. 15

ARTICLE IX- DUTIES OF OFFICERS SECTION 1: SENIOR PASTOR It shall be his duty to preach and administer the ordinances of the Church and perform such other duties as are incumbent upon his office. The Senior Pastor shall be member of the elder board and member ex-officio of all committees of the Church. He may delegate some of these responsibilities to the Associate Staff. Details affecting his personal schedule shall be determined by consultation with, and action by, the Board of Elders. All salaried employees shall be under the supervision of the Pastor. SECTION 2: ASSOCIATE PASTOR(S) The duties of the Associate Pastor(s) shall be those agreed upon by the Pastor and Board of Elders. Associate pastors shall be member of the elder board and participate in the process of reaching consensus, except on those issues related to staff benefits or where other conflicts of interest may arise. SECTION 3: ELDERS Elders serve as leaders of the church. They are to lead with gentleness (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:2-5), protect (Acts 20:28), teach (Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:2), pray (Acts 6:4), and provide oversight for the finances of the church (Acts 11:29-30). Men who would be elders must meet qualifications that address both their character and abilities (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). These qualifications, as well as passages such as 1 Timothy 2:9-15 and 1 Corinthians 11:3-15 precluding women from teaching ministries, limit the office of elder to men. In addition to the duties described elsewhere in the bylaws, elders shall be 16

authorized to spend monies to the extent of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per incident without vote of the church. They shall prepare for approval a church budget for the ensuing year in the month preceding the annual meeting. The Chairman of the Board of Elders shall serve as Moderator of official church business meetings. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of the Board of Elders will be elected among the lay elders annually at the first business meeting of the elders. SECTION 4: ASSOCIATE MINISTERS The duties of the Associate Minister(s) shall be those agreed upon by the Pastor and Board of Elders. SECTION 5: DEACONS The Deacons exist to free the Elders of the church for the ministries of the Word and of prayer by equipping the body to care for the church s physcal needs (Acts 6:1-6). The Deacons shall serve in submission to the Elders. Deacons will meet regularly for strategy and accountability, and will regularly provide a copy of the deacon minutes to the Elders. The Elders will be responsible to accord the Deacons suchpowers and authority as may be required to perform these various tasks and duties. Funds will be budgeted by the Elders to perform these tasks and duties. Deacons will be authorized to utilize these funds, as budgeted. Any expenditure of over $10,000 (Ten Thousand Dollars) that has not been specifically budgeted must be presented to the Elders and approved by the Church. 17

SECTION 6: TREASURER The Treasurer shall make disbursement of funds as authorized. He shall make a report monthly and annually to the Board of Elders and quarterly to the Church membership. At the expiration of his term, he shall transfer to his successor all funds, records and property under his control. SECTION 7: FINANCIAL SECRETARY (a) (b) (c) The Financial Secretary shall receive all income of the Church and shall deposit such funds in depositories authorized by the Trustees. Funds shall be properly safeguarded and deposits made promptly. The Financial Secretary shall keep a record of the income of the Church, including a record of giving through the envelope system, and shall be prepared to furnish receipts to contributors for tax purposes as needed. All monies shall be counted by the Financial Secretary or any officers with the assistance of at least one other person authorized by the Elders. SECTION 8: SELECTING ASSISTANTS Any officers shall have the right to appoint such assistants as they may need, subject to the approval of the Board of Elders. ARTICLE X MEETINGS SECTION 1: WORSHIP 18 The church will gather weekly on Sunday morning for the purpose of corporate worship, teaching, fellowship, and the collection of offerings. Additional meetings for worship, instruction, or fellowship may be designated by the Board of Elders. The ordinance of the Lord s Supper shall be observed regularly on approximately a monthly basis.

SECTION 2: BUSINESS (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Church business meetings shall be held quarterly, unless rescheduled by the Board of Elders. Special meetings may be called by the Board of Elders. Said meeting and its purpose must be announced from the pulpit at the services on at least one (1) Sunday immedi ately preceding the called meeting. Only announced business shall be considered at any special meeting. All members 18 years of age or over shall have the right to vote on all regular business and matters of a corporate nature as set by State law. A three-quarters majority(75%) vote shall decide all matters of business unless otherwise specified. The fiscal year of the Church shall begin on May 1st and end on April 30th. All organizations of the Church shall cause their fiscal year to correspond to that of the Church. The quarterly meeting in April will include the adoption of budgets and the approval of officers. The Annual Business Meeting of the Church shall be held within two months after the close of the fiscal year and shall include written reports as directed by the Board of Elders, and any other business that may properly be entertained. Times and dates of all Church Business Meetings shall be an nounced at least one (1) Sunday immediately preceding the meeting and on the Sunday of the business meeting. 19

SECTION 3: ADMINISTRATION The administration of the Church and the duties of all officers shall be in accord with Biblical principles and with these Bylaws. ARTICLE XI FINANCES All Church funds shall be raised only by direct freewill offerings. It shall be the duty of every member either to use the envelope system or to give in some other systematic manner. Ministries within the Church may raise funds by other means only when approved by the Board of Elders. At the request of the Board of Elders, an external firm or licensed CPA from the church membership shall be hired to review the financial records of the Church not less than once in every five years. ARTICLE XII ORGANIZATIONS SECTION 1: No organization, the membership of which shall be constituted wholly or in part of members of the Church, shall use the name of the Church in any manner designed to further their objective without first having secured approval of the Board of Elders. The Bylaws of such organizations, as they exist or as amended from time to time, shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Elders, and copies of the Bylaws of such organizations shall be kept on file at the Church. SECTION 2: All teachers and officers of organized ministries within the Church shall be members of the Church except by special approval of the Elders. 20

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS SECTION 1: These Bylaws may be amended, altered or revised at any regular business meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Notice of the proposed amendment must be given, in writing, at a regular or special business meeting held at least one-quarter year prior to action thereon. A three-fourths vote of the members present shall be necessary for adoption. 21

Statement of Faith Scripture: We believe that Scripture is inspired by God, authoritative in all matters of faith and conduct, and inerrant in the original manuscripts. We believe that because of the unique nature and purpose of Scripture, we can be confident that it is completely sufficient to provide for all our spiritual needs. (Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 66:2; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3) The Trinity: We believe in the one true God who is one in His essence, yet eternally exists as three distinct persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that each person is equal in every divine perfection, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:19; 14:26; Acts 5:3-4; 10:38; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19) God the Father: We believe in God the Father, from whom every good and perfect gift comes, who sent His Son Jesus Christ, and who rescues from death and adopts into His family all who come to Him through Christ. (Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:3-14; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; James 1:17; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6) Jesus Christ: We believe in Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. We believe that He is the only begotten Son of God the Father, miraculously born of a virgin. We believe that He lived a sinless life and died on a cross, shedding His blood and offering Himself in our place as a perfect sacrifice and the propitiation for our sins. We believe that He rose bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, was seated at the right hand of God, and now serves as the only mediator between God and man. (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:7; John 1:1, 18, 26-38; 4:6; 19:28; Romans 3:25 Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 4:15; 5:8; 7:26-28) 22

Holy Spirit: We believe in the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, works to bring about salvation, baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation, indwells all believers, is given to believers as a seal guaranteeing their future inheritance, and labors in the process of their sanctification. We believe that He bestows gifts upon all believers, enabling them to work for the building up of Christ s church. (John 3:8; Romans 8:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 2:11, 13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:11ff; 5:18; Titus 3:5) Creation: We accept the Genesis account of creation literally, in its entirety, and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by the process of evolution. (Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Psalm 33:6; John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3). Humanity & Sin: We believe that man was created in the image of God but became separated from Him due to Adam s sin. We believe that each human being is born with a sin nature and has chosen to continue in rebellion to God. We believe that before faith in Christ, they are dead in their trespasses and sins, and are in danger of experiencing eternal judgment in hell. (Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15) Salvation: We believe that human beings are saved by God s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. We believe that the work of Christ on the cross at Calvary was necessary to provide the satisfaction for our sin, to provide us righteousness from God, to redeem us, to reconcile us to God, and to demonstrate God s love for us. We believe that those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are regenerated, justified, adopted into God s amily, and receive eternal life. We believe that their sin has been imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to them. We believe that Scripture assures us that believers are no longer slaves to sin, having died to it, and are now called to present the members of their body as instruments to God for righteousness. (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9; Romans 5:12-21; 6:1-14; Romans 1-3; 3:21-25; 5:7-10; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5) 23

Angels: We believe that angels are spirit beings created by God for the purpose of ministering to Him and the saints. We believe that Satan is a fallen angel who led a rebellion against God, taking a large number of angelic beings with him. He currently works to deceive, accuse, and destroy believers. We believe that despite Satan s power, the believer is empowered by God to resist Satan s attacks. (Genesis 19:12-13; Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14; Daniel 9-10; Luke 1:26-38; Ephesians 6:12-17; 1 Timothy 3:6; James 4:7; Revelation 5:11-12; 12:4-10; 14:17ff; ) The Church: We believe that the church exists to glorify God as we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and prepare His people to worship Him forever. We believe that all Christians are part of the church, which is called to be unified, to be holy and to be in conformity to the teachings of the apostles and prophets as found in Scripture. We believe that the church has been commanded to baptize believers and administer the Lord s Supper. (Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 10:18-26; Ephesians 1:4, 22-23; 2:20; Colossians 1:28-29) Human Sexuality and Marriage: We believe that marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman for life. (Gen. 2:22-24; Matt. 19:3-9; rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23). Marriage was created by God and is a holy and divinely established covenant between man and woman to be a representation of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church. We believe that God created sexual intimacy to be enjoyed exclusively between one man and one woman who are married to one another. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God s gift of sex. We believe that any attempt to change one s sex or disagreement with one s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-10; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; I Cor. 5:16:9, 12-20; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4) 24

The Future: We believe that the souls of all men will exist forever and that unbelievers will experience eternal, conscious torment and believers will spend eternity with Christ. We believe that there is a future inheritance for the believer and that Christ is returning again to reign as king over His kingdom and that these truths should motivate the believer to live a godly life now. (Matthew 8:12; 24; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:28; John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 22:11) 25

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Bethany Community Church Teaching Statement 27

Preamble The Elders at Bethany Community Church recognize that any doctrinal statement is but a fallible human attempt to sum- marize and systematize the riches of an infallible divine reve- lation. But this in no way detracts from the importance of such a statement. The affirmations which follow carefully specify our teaching position with regard to the major biblical doctrines, and thus provide a framework for curriculum and instruction in the church. They also provide an anchor to pro- tect the church against theological drift. For this reason, eld- ers and teachers are required to sign a statement affirming agreement with the BCC teaching statement and committing to not teach anything contrary to this teaching statement. If at any time an elder finds himself in disagreement with a component of this statement, he will inform the members of the elder board of that disagreement. The other elders will then review the significance of deviation from the teaching statement to determine whether or not the man is still quali- fied to instruct in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.1 1The following document is a modified version of The Master Seminary s Statement of Faith 28

The Holy Scriptures We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God. (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21) We teach that the Word of God is His special revelation, ver- bally inspired in every word, absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God breathed. We teach the literal, grammatical historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present crea- tion in six literal days. (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17; 1 Thessalo- nians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16) We teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13;17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21) We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and differ- ent styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man without error in the whole or in the part. We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it. (2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corin- thians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20. 29

God We teach that there is but one living and true God, an infinite, all knowing Spirit, perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) each equally deserving worship and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4; John 4:24; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) God the Father We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. He is the Creator of all things. As the only abso- lute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His rela- tionship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin, nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9; Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Genesis1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; Ephe- sians 4:6; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 1:11; 1Chronicles 29:11; Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47; Ephesians1:4-6; 1 Peter 1:17) 30

God the Son We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is co- equal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father. (John10:30; 14:9) We teach that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things con- tinue in existence and in operation. (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2) We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness. (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9; Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9) We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born ; that He was God incarnate and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God s king- dom. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1,14; Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11; He- brews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19) We teach that, in the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God, assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Him- self of His divine attributes. (Philippians 2:5-8) We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our re- demption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicari- ous, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24) 31

We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest. (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1) We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers. (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1Corinthians 15:20, 23) We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20) We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23): Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return(matt. 25:31-46) Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15) As the Mediator between God and man the Head of His Body the church and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God. (Romans3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31-33; Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31) 32

God the Holy Spirit We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect emotions will, eternity, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and truthfulness (In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31,34; Hebrews 10:15-17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Hebrews 9:14; Psalm 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:13-14; Roman15:13; John 16:13). We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7). We teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22). We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also in-dwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13). We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God s revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27). 33

We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4). Man We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9). We teach that God s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Rev. 4:11). We teach that in Adam s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly inca- pable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to en- able him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man s sal- vation is thereby wholly of God s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8). We teach that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam s sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12). 34

Salvation We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Regeneration We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer s glorification at Christ s coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John3:2-3). Election We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. 35

All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8). We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9). Justification We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). Sanctification We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer s standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2). 36