Table of Contents

Article I Name

Section 1. The Holy Scriptures

Section 2. The Godhead

Section 3. Man

Section 4. The Personality of Satan

Section 5. Dispensations

Section 6. Prophecy and the Jew

Section 7. The Universal Church

Section 8. The Local Church

Section 9. Church Membership

Section 10. Marriages

Section 11. Dedication

Section 12. Baptism

Section 13. The Lord’s Supper

Section 14. Gifts, Administrations, Operations

Section 15. Civil Authority

Article IV Government

Section 1. Bible Translation

Section 2. Membership

Section 3. Elders

Section 3.1 Elder/Pastor

Section 4. Deacons

Section 5. Other Officers and Committees

Section 6. Meetings

Article V Amendments

Church Covenant

We believe that God the Father fulfills all His purposes through the work of God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:2; John 5:19; 16:13-15; Hebrews 1:2)

4. Rapture of the Church

5. Physical Return to the Earth

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12)

1. We believe that salvation is the "free gift" of God, brought to man by grace (unmerited mercy) and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. The believer is justified by faith alone without works. (John 1:12; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9; I Peter 1:18,19)

2. We believe that the Bible teaches three aspects of salvation:

We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provisions made for the domination of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that all claims of the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural; nevertheless, it is the purpose of God that the believer would have the mind of Christ and would become more like Him as he grows in grace. (Romans 6:13; 8:5-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; I Peter 1:14-16)

We believe that the office of deacon was instituted by God for the purpose of meeting the physical needs of individual believers and the welfare and maintenance of the local church in order that the elders, in keeping with their responsibilities, might give more time to prayer and the ministry of the Word. We believe that the office of deacon may be filled only by a man as fully committed to Christ and as fully responsible to his duties in the church, in an attitude of love, as the true elder is. We believe that the qualifications for a deacon are essentially the same as for an elder. We believe that the true deacon will be a spiritual believer who will find much opportunity to serve Christ in addition to his duties as a deacon in the local church. (Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:8-13; I Corinthians 13:1-8; Acts 8:26-40)

We believe that the physical work of the church is to be directed by deacons who have met the requirements of I Timothy 3:8-13.

a. Local church membership is not directly ordained of God but rather of man. Organization is required to fulfill the laws of our state and is therefore indirectly ordained, since we are directed to obey civil authorities.

b.We believe that believers should desire church membership, signifying thankfulness to God and agreement with Church brethren.

We believe that baptism of (by) the Holy Spirit is that supernatural born-again experience whereby the believer is placed into the body of Christ and is made to drink of (receive) the Spirit of Christ. This occurs simultaneously with one's trusting in the saving completed work of Christ on the cross on behalf of the sinner. (I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:23-27; Ephesians1:12-14)

1. We believe that water baptism was ordained by God to be performed and received by those believers who have experienced the new birth. (Acts 8:26-39; 10:47,48; Matthew 28:19)

2. We believe that water baptism is a visible witness to the unseen baptism by the Spirit which has occurred in the believer's life. Since this represents the believer's death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus Christ, we believe that baptism by immersion to be the only proper illustration of this principle. (Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39)

3. Water baptism is not a requirement for membership in the "body of Christ" (Universal Church) and is therefore not required for membership in this local church. However, we believe the failure to submit to water baptism denies the believer the blessing of displaying his or her full fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. We believe that this is an ordinance of God, given by Jesus Christ to be observed by believers until He comes for the Church. (Luke 22:19,20; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-29)

b. We believe that the elements of this ordinance, which are types of the broken body and shed blood of Christ, are to be received by those believers who are in "fellowship" with other believers of the church and are free from "known sins." (I Corinthians 11:27-29; I John 1:3-9)

c. We believe that, although this ordinance is personal and individual in relationship with Christ, it is significant to the body relationship of the church. Participation, therefore, signifies the existence of a growing and increasing love for one another.

d. We believe that each believer is responsible daily to examine his or her life to ascertain harmonious relationships with God and with our fellow man. (I Corinthians 11:27-34; I John 1:9; 4:20,21)

a. We believe that the gifts of the Spirit, administrations of the Lord Jesus Christ and operations of God the Father are divided among the believers strictly in accordance with the will of God and not in accordance with the will of man. We believe that it is God's purpose to provide within the local church all those ministries that are needed within that church, and that it is the duty and privilege of each believer, through commitment of his life to the Lord, to discover and properly use the spiritual enablements that are his.

b. We believe that the sign gifts, such as tongues, healings, and miracles, were prominent in the immature, infant church and that as the Lord's teachings for the church began to be recorded in the Epistles, God brought the teaching types of gifts and administrations into preeminence. We believe that true spiritual maturity comes through knowing and sharing the Word (letting it have its intended effect on one's life) while preoccupation with the sign gifts keeps one in a state of spiritual immaturity. We believe both healings and miracles are present with us today, but not as gifts to men. (I Corinthians 12:1-31; Romans 12:1-8; Acts 2:1-11; Ephesians 4:7-16)

a. The fulfillment of the purpose of the West Deer Bible Church, as described in Article II, cannot be measured by the size of the recorded roll of members. However, membership in a local church should be a matter of importance to each believer. This church accepts all believers regularly attending here as part of this fellowship and purposes to extend to them its love and ministry, both public and private. We believe there should be a corresponding commitment on the part of regularly attending believers to become and serve as members. The recognition of membership is important to the church, as well as to the believer. From the standpoint of civil law, membership is required for the church to be recognized as a non-profit organization, to own real estate, to borrow money, and to perform marriages. From a fellowship standpoint, the believer's decision to become a member should be an indication that he or she loves the brethren and is committed to them. From a testimony standpoint, the acknowledgement of membership is a declaration that the believer stands with the government and purpose of the church, and that he or she is ready to serve in whatever way the Lord prepares and directs. From a church government and order standpoint, all believers fellowshipping here are under the rulership of the church elders, as commanded by the Lord. (I Thessalonians 5:12,13; Hebrews 13:7-17)

The church requires that all church and Sunday School officers and regular teachers be selected from among those who have become members and recognizes that it is through those who have made this commitment that the church is able both to minister to all who fellowship here and to fulfill its total purpose.

b. Any person, twelve years of age or older, who has accepted Christ as his or her personal Savior, who gives assurance of a desire to live a consistent Christian life, who desires to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10) and who, after having read the constitution of this church, accepts the doctrine and expresses a willingness to abide by the constitution, shall be eligible for membership after not less than three months of faithful attendance.

c. Persons will be received into the membership only upon confession of faith, conditioned upon an examination which satisfies the elders that they meet the preceding requirements.

d. Members are expected to conscientiously strive to live according to the light revealed to them by the Holy Spirit through God's Word, and whole-heartedly to support the services of this church.

e. The elders shall regularly review the church rolls, at least annually, to determine whether names should be removed for spiritual reasons or relocation.

The church elders shall be members of the church prior to their appointment as elders in the church. They are charged with oversight of the congregation and are responsible, therefore, under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures, for the doctrinal teaching, worship services, discipline in the church, promotion and demonstration of love and fellowship among believers and the church's missionary outreach.

Additional elders shall be appointed by the church elders, subject to the unanimous acceptance by the church members present at the annual congregational meeting or a special congregational meeting called for that purpose. Any objection must be based on the failure of the appointee to meet the qualifications set forth in Article III, Section 8, Paragraph b. The names of the appointees shall be presented to the congregation at least two weeks prior to the congregational meeting. If a member of the congregation believes that a certain man should be appointed as an elder because he meets the qualifications and is performing the functions described in Article III, Section 8, Paragraph b, that member should present that man's name to the elders for consideration. The elders shall reply to such a request.

The office of elder is an office of active ministry, not an honorary position. The elders shall thoroughly investigate each man considered for the office for his conformance to the qualifications described in Article III, Section 8, Paragraph b, with the emphasis on the expectation that he will serve accordingly, with love and a willing heart.

If an individual believes an elder, or any other brother, has trespassed against him, he should be guided by Matthew 18:15-17. An elder may, for just cause, be removed from office. (See Article III, Section 8, Paragraph b.) Any accusation to be made against an elder shall be brought before the elders of the church by two or three witnesses of the act. If the accused elder is not present at that time, there shall, with minimum delay, be a meeting between himself and the accusers, at which the church elders be present. It is the responsibility of the church elders to determine the guilt or the innocence of the accused and to seek restoration, as required, and a renewal of fellowship among all concerned. Failure of anyone to respond in love will result in action in accordance with I Timothy 5:20, I Corinthians 5 or Romans 16:17.

The office of an elder is considered a lifetime office to be held as long as the individual meets the qualifications of I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and is mentally and physically able to function according to the demands of the office.

Since this is not a term office and continued service places great demands upon the individual, an elder may find it necessary to request release from active duty for a period of time because of personal problems that do not compromise his qualification as an elder. If such a need occurs, the elder can request such relief not to exceed one year. Permission shall be granted for such a leave, if justified, up to one year, after the request has been evaluated by the eldership. If a longer period is needed, the elder is obligated to resign, since this would then constitute his inability to function according to the demands of the office.

Any elder desiring to resign from office, should openly discuss this with the other elders and be willing to receive their counsel on this matter. If then, he still desires to resign, the reason shall be put in writing for the records.

1. Concern for the material necessities of any needy persons and widows, especially those of the congregation.

2. Care and maintenance of the church buildings and grounds and all related furniture, instruments, equipment, and tools.

3. Procurement of such tools, equipment and supplies, as are necessary to accomplish the above care and maintenance.

4. Physical care and preparations, when required, for any special services, such as communion, baptism, and film presentation, or the need for extra seating as anticipated.

5. Ushering and receiving the offering at public services.

6. Other assistance in physical matters related to the church, as may be required. Deacons shall be selected in the same manner as elders (reference Article IV, Section 3), except that they must meet the qualifications specified in Article III, Section 8, Paragraph c. (I Timothy 3:8-13)

The office of a deacon is considered a lifetime office to be held as long as the individual meets the qualifications of I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and is mentally and physically able to function according to the demands of the office.

Since this is not a term office and continued service places great demands upon the individual, a deacon may find it necessary to request a release from active duty for a period of time because of personal problems that do not compromise his qualification as a deacon. If such a need occurs, the deacon can request such relief not to exceed one year. Permission shall be granted for such a leave, if justified, of up to one year after the request has been evaluated by the eldership. If a longer period is needed, the deacon is obligated to resign, since this would then constitute his inability to function according to the demands of the office.

The elders shall appoint an elder to serve as a secretary of the elders' meetings and all specially called congregational meetings. The secretary shall also keep the church records.

The elders shall appoint an elder to serve as moderator at each specially called congregational meeting.

The elders shall approve, not necessarily from among the elders, a church treasurer and assistant treasurer and a Sunday School superintendant.

a. The fiscal year of the church shall end on the thirty-first (31) day of December in each year and the Annual Congregational Meeting shall be held during the month of February, the date to be determined by the elders and announced to the congregation from the pulpit on two Sundays preceding the meeting.

b. At the Annual Congregational Meeting, the minutes of the preceding annual meeting shall be read. The church treasurer shall present the financial report, and reports shall be presented by the various organizations of the church and Sunday School. Such other business as may be necessary shall be transacted.

c. Called meetings of the congregation may be held at the discretion of the elders. Notice shall be given as provided for in Article IV. Section 6, Paragraph a. No business other than that announced in the notice shall be considered at such called meetings.

d. A majority vote of the voting members present at any constitutionally called Congregational Business Meeting shall be required to render final decisions on any secular matter under consideration.