The Faith and Order of the Bible Fellowship Church
1981 edition
[ download the 1981 Faith and Order ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Preamble
II. Articles of Faith
Article I – The Holy Scriptures
Article II – Trinity
Article III – God the Father
Article IV – God the Son
Article V – God the Holy Spirit
Article VI – Creation
Article VII – Satan
Article VIII – Man
Article IX – Sin
Article X – Human Ability and Responsibility
Article XI – Election
Article XII – Salvation
Article XIII – Repentance
Article XIV – Regeneration
Article XV – Justification
Article XVI – Sanctification
Article XVII – Perseverance of the Saints
Article XVIII – The Church
Article XIX – The Evangelistic Mission of the Church
Article XX – Ordinances
(a} Baptism
(b) The Lord’s Supper
Article XXI – The Lord’s Day
Article XXII – Divine Healing
Article XXIII – Civil Government
Article XXIV – Resurrection
Article XXV – Second Coming of Christ
Article XXVI – The Judgments
Article XXVII – Millennium
Article XXVIII – Eternal State
III. Standards of Worship and Life
Article I – Private Worship
Article II – Family Worship
Article III – Public Worship
(a) Lord’s Day Worship Services
(b) Sunday Bible School
(c) Prayer Meetings
(d) Communion Services
(e) Special Services
Article IV – Christian Stewardship
Article V – Marriage
Article VI – Family
Article VII – Divorce
Article VIII – Separation
Article IX – Harmful Indulgences
(a) Alcoholic Drinks
(b) Tobacco.
(c) Narcotics
Article X – Apparel
Article XI – Secret-Oath Bound Societies
IV. Principles of Order
Form of Government
Article I – Preliminary Principles
Article II – The Church
(a) The Church Universal and Particular
(b) Responsibilities of the Church towards Members
(c) Qualifications and Duties of Church Members
Article III – The Government of the Church
Article IV – The Officers of the Church
(a) Office of Minister
(b) Qualifications of the Ministry
(c) Elders
(d) Deacons
V. Church Discipline
VI. By-Laws for Particular Churches
Article I – Officers of the Church
(a) Board of Elders
( b) Election and Installation of Elders
(c) Deacons
(d) Election and Installation of Deacons
Article II – Church Committees
Article III – Congregational Meetings
(a) Elections in Congregational Meetings
(bl Suggested Format for Congregational Meetings
(c) Format for Special Congregational Meetings
Article IV – Leaders Other than the Continuing Offices of Elder and Deacon
Article V – Communication of the Particular Church to Annual Conference
Article VI – Other Organizations in the Particular Church
(a) Sunday School
(b) Women’s Missionary Society
(c) Youth Organizations
Article VII – Miscellaneous By-Laws
Article VIII – Church Properties
Article IX – Pulpit Supply Procedure
(a) Instituting Pastoral Relations in Churches Without Pastors
(b) Form of Call
(c) Maintaining the Pastoral Relation
(d) Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation
VII. By-Laws for Annual Conference
Article I – Annual Conference
Article II – Procedure for the Recognition of a Minister
Article III – Membership of Congregations in Annual Conference
Article IV – Members of Annual Conference
Article V – Officers of Annual Conference
(a) Chairman
(b) Secretary
Article VI – Business Rules of Annual Conference
Article VII – Agencies of Annual Conference
Article VIII – General Rules of Elections and Resignations
Article IX – Annual Conference Boards and Committees
(A) Committees Appointed by the Chairman
1. Committee on Program
2. Committee on Communications
3. Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches
4. Committee on Resolutions
5 . Committee on Auditing
6 . Committee on Statistics
7 . Committee on Examination of Annual Conference Minutes
8. Committee on Agenda
9. Tellers
10. Time Keeper
(B) Boards and Committees Elected by Ballot
- Ministerial Relations Committee
- Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church
(a) Minister’s Retirement Fund
(b) Fund to Assist Churches
(c) Administrative Budget - Board of Foreign Missions.
- Board of Church Extension.
(a) Church Extension Director
(b) Rules Relative to Status of Churches - Board of Directors of Pinebrook Jr. College President of Pinebrook Jr. College .
- Board of Christian Education.
- Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church Home
- Board of Victory Valley
- Board of Pinebrook Bible Conference
- Board of Publication and Printing
- The Credentials Committee. Categories of Ministry
- Ministerial Candidate Committee
- Historical Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Beneficiary Society
Article X – Miscellaneous By-Laws of Annual Conference .
Article XI – Amendments to the Faith and Order
VIII. Forms Form for Ordination of Ministers
IX . History of the Bible Fellowship Church
PREAMBLE
The Bible Fellowship Church has adopted this statement of FAITH & ORDER to declare with clarity and precision its faith and testimony to the glory of God.
The Bible Fellowship Church acknowledges as its sale Head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Saviour of men. It submits to the written Word of God and to the presence of the Holy Spirit as its only source of guidance and power in maintaining its redemptive life and work in the world.
The Bible Fellowship Church adopted this FAITH & ORDER not as a substitute for, but in subordination to, the Word of God. These standards have been received as being based upon the Scriptures; even the elements not drawn directly from the Word have been acknowledged as based upon the general rules and tenor of the Word. These standards seek to provide effective means for the application of the teaching of the Scriptures to the faith, worship, government and discipline of the church. Although these standards have been acknowledged to be of lesser importance than the inspired words of the Scriptures, yet they cannot be neglected without resulting in serious impairment of the life of the church.
The Bible Fellowship Church acknowledges as brethren all those who share its confession of faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It confesses gladly the benefits of the historical and geographical breadth of this fellowship. It acknowledges specifically the benefits derived from similar statements of faith and order devised at many times in the history of the church. It seeks to respond to the responsibilities that these benefits bring by beseeching Almighty God so to indwell it that it may by His grace bring glory to Himself and blessing to men.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
Article I
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are the inspired, 1 infallible Word of God, a divine revelation, the original writings of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit. 3 They are the supreme and final authority of faith and conduct. 4
Inspiration is a special act of the Holy Spirit 3 by which He guided the writers of the Scriptures so that their words would convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, would bear a proper relationship to the thoughts of the other inspired books, and be kept free from error of fact, doctrine and judgment. 5
The Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, written, are composed of all books of the Old Testament and New Testament, namely:
Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
1 – And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction. for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:15-17).
2 – For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever (Isaiah 40:8).
3 – For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21). Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow (1 Peter 1:10-11). Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
4 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17). And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. … And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:27, 44). For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Revelation 22:18-19).
5 – Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18).
Article II
THE TRINITY
There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son 1 and the Holy Spirit; 2 and these three are one God, 3 the same in substance, eternally equal in power and glory.
1 – As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mat.3:16,17). Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
2 – Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3,4).
3 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground” (Gen.1:1,26). Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mat.28:19). May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2Cor.13:14).
Article III
GOD THE FATHER
There is but one living and true God,1 immanent, transcendent, infinite in being and perfection, pure spirit; 2 invisible, immutable,3 eternal, almighty, all wise,4 most holy, most free, most loving, most gracious, most merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin,5 the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
1 – I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other (Isa.45:5,6).
2 – God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
3 – I the LORD do not change (Mal.3:6a).
4 – Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Rom.11:33,34).
5 – And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation” (Exo.34:6,7).
Article IV
GOD THE SON
Jesus Christ the Son of God, is the Word, 1 the eternal and true God who is of one substance and equal with the Father. 2 He took upon Himself man’s nature with all the essential properties thereof, yet apart from sin: being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, 3 so that two perfect and distinct natures were · joined in one person, which person is truly God and truly man, the only mediator between God and man. The Lord Jesus Christ is the revelation of God to man. 4 In the days of His humiliation 5 He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, taught the will of God,5 was crucified and died: was buried and arose bodily from the dead the third day. The Lord Jesus offered Himself a sacrifice for sins, 6 satisfied the justice of the Father, propitiated the wrath of God, reconciled God and man, 7 and obtained an eternal inheritance. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven from whence He came and was exalted taking His place at the right hand of the Father where He makes intercession in behalf of all who come to God through Him.
1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-3,14).
2 – He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Col.1:15-20).
3 – All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us” (Mat.1:22,23).
4 – In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs (Heb.1:1-4).
5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil.2:5-11).
6 – How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Heb.9:14).
7 – For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom.5:10).
8 – Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin (Heb.4:14,15).
Article V
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The eternal Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, 2 is of the same substance and equal in power and glory with the Father, and the Son. By Him the prophets were moved to speak the Word of God, and all writers of the Holy Scriptures were inspired to record infallibly the mind and will of God. 3 He is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, 4 moves them to repentance and regenerates 5 them by His grace, enabling them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith.
The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers, baptizing them into one body of which Christ is the head. 6 He, the divine Comforter, Intercessor and Advocate, empowers the believer for service. 7
1 – Who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God (Heb.9:14b).
2 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:16,26).
3 – For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2Pe.1:21).
4 – But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned (John 16:7-11).
5 – Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).
6 – For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1Cor.12:13).
7 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Article VI
CREATION
The triune God according to His sovereign will created out of nothing and out of things that He had made, by immediate and mediate action, the worlds and all that is therein. 1 He is the Governor and Upholder of the creation by His wisdom and the word of His mighty power.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Gen.1:1,2). (See also Gen.1:3-2:3). By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Heb.11:3).
2 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col.1:16,17).
Article VII
SATAN
Satan is a created angelic being who fell from his first estate.’ He is the god of this ag e ruling by the permissive will of God. 2 He exercises authority over the unsaved, tempts the believer to sin and continually accuses the brethren before the throne of God. 3
He has been defeated by the finished work of Christ on Calvary. During the millennium he will be confined to the abyss 4 to be released at the end of the period to lead the armies of evil against God. He will be finally judged and doomed to the lake of fire. 5
1 – How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” (Isa.14:12-17). And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day (Jude 1:6).
2 – In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Eph.2:2). The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2Cor.4:4).
3 – For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (1Thes.3:5). For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down (Rev.12:10b).
4 – He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time (Rev.20:2,3).
5 – And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Rev.20:10).
Article VIII
MAN
God, by a special instantaneous act, created man in His image 1 — holy, righteous and possessing true knowledge 2 by forming him out of the dust of the earth and breathing into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.
Our first parents did not remain in the glorious and happy state of their original creation; but, through the subtlety and deception of the devil, 3 disobeyed and transgressed the command of God the creator, incurring upon themselves and their posterity the sentence of spiritual and physical death. The guilt and consequences of Adam’s sin are imputed to the whole human race so that all men are guilty, 4 inherently corrupt, totally depraved 5 and subjects of the wrath of God. 6
1 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Gen.1:27).
2 – And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph.4:24). And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Col.3:10). (See also Psa.8:4-6).
3 – Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Gen.3:1-6).
4 – Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned–for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men (Rom.5:12-18).
5 – There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Rom.3:11-18).
6 – All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath (Eph.2:3). (See also Rom.1:18).
Article IX
SIN
Sin is any lack of conformity to the will of God, 1 or transgression of the law of God. 2 Sin separates man from God incurring His wrath and judgment; and it is manifest in the selfishness, rebellion and the total depravity of man’s conduct and behavior before God and man. Sin is the cause of the curse and defilement of the created universe. 3
1 – All wrongdoing is sin (1Jo.5:17a). Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17).
2 – Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness (1Jo.3:4). For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10).
3 – We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Rom.8:22). (See also Gen.3:17,18).
Article X
HUMAN ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
In his original creation man was endowed with ability to will and to do good or ‘evil and was accountable for his willing and doing. 1 But by the fall of Adam man lost his ability apart from God’s grace 2 to will and to do those things necessary to a right relationship to God: 3 however, he is still accountable to God for obedience to all His commands. 4 Man has not lost his ability to make decisions, 5 but left to himself acts only in accordance with his fallen sinful nature. 6 Only by God’s infinite grace can man will or do anything necessary to his salvation. 7 God by that grace saves men B whom He causes to will and to do good; however, He does this without nullifying man’s ability to ac t responsibly. 9
1 – And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Gen.2:16,17).
2 – As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath (Eph.2:1-3).
3 – There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God (Rom.3:11). Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God (Rom.8:8).
4 – God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Rom.2:6-10). In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
5 – Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live (Deu.30:11,19).
6 – As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Rom.3:10,12). Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil (Jer.13:23). (See also footnote 2).
7 – It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy (Rom.9:16).
8 – He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created (James 1:18). Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).
9 – Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Phil.2:12,13).
Article XI
ELECTION
Election is a free act of the sovereign God in which from eternity,1 and for reasons known only to Himself 2 and apart from any goodness in man 3 He graciously chose from among the fallen mankind a people unto salvation, 3· that they might be conformed to Christ’s image. 4 Those so chosen He redeemed 5 by His Son and seals by His Spirit. 6
1 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Eph.1:4,11).
2 – “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Mat.11:27).
3 – Who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2Tim.1:9). For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified (Rom.8:29-30).
4 – Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph.4:13).
5 – But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2 Thes.2:13).
6 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13).
Article XII
SALVATION
In the gospel salvation is offered to all men 1 and is received by grace through faith and the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, 2 apart from works or human merit. 3 Salvation centers in a person, Jesus Christ, and receiving Him 4 includes the remission of sins on the grounds of His shed blood,5 the imputation of His perfect righteousness, 6 -the reception of the Holy Spirit 7 and the impartation of eternal life. 8
1 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
2 – When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).
3 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph.2:8,9).
4 – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).
5 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Eph.1:7).
6 – It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1Cor.1:30).
7 – And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Rom.8:9b).
8 – And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1Jn.5:11, 12).
Article XIII
REPENTANCE
Repentance unto life is a voluntary act of man, 1 accomplished by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Repentance consists of a knowledge of sin,2 a sense of guilt and corruption which results in the confession and forsaking of sin and a turning to God. 3
1 – And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
2 – When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).
3 – For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1Thes.1:9).
Article XIV
REGENERATION
Regeneration, or the New Birth,1 is an instantaneous creative act of God through the agency of the Holy Spirit, 2 whereby divine life is imparted to those dead in sin, making them members of the family of God. 3
1 – In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3,6,7). For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (1Pe.1:23).
2 – He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
3 – He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:11-13). Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2Cor.5:17). He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created (James 1:18).
Article XV
JUSTIFICATION
Justification is the act of God’s grace whereby the sinner is declared righteous solely through faith 1 in the redemptive work of Christ; 2 by this action the righteousness of Christ is imputed,3 sin is pardoned and the sinner is restored to divine favor. 4
1 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Rom.5:1,2). Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39).
2 – Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom.8:33,34).
3 – Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men (Rom.5:18). God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2Cor.5:21).
4 – Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isa.55:7).
Article XVI
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit in the believer 1 which purifies the life 2 and conforms the whole man to the image of Christ as the Word of God is believed and obeyed. 3 It begins at regeneration, 4 continues throughout the individual’s life 5 on earth and reaches its completion at the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. 6
1 – But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord (II Corinthians 3: 18)..
2 – For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication (I Thessalonians 4: 3),
3 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17),
4 – And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6: 11),
5 – And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:24,26,27).
6 – And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 5:23).
Article XVII
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
Salvation is the work of God from its commencement to its consummation. 1 Those regenerated by the Word of God through the work of the Holy Spirit become partakers of the divine nature. 2 They are preserved by the power of God 3 so that they shall never totally or finally fall awaY,4 but shall persevere unto the end. 5
1 – For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Rom.8:29,30).
2 – Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2Pe.1:4).
3 – Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6). Who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (1Pe.1:5).
4 – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand (John 10:27-29). He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor.1:8). They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us (1Jo.2:19).
5 – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command (2Thes.3:3,4).
Article XVIII
THE CHURCH
The Church is the body of which Christ is the head. 1 All those redeemed by His blood 2 and born of His Spirit are members of that body and are in mystical union and communion with Christ 3 and fellow believers.4 The Church is universal and local, visible and invisible. The visible Church consists of all those professing faith in Christ. The invisible Church is composed of all those born of the Spirit. 5
The purpose of the Church is to edify the saints 6 and to evangelize the world. 7
The Head of the Church administers the affairs of His body through overseers chosen by Himself and selected by the people. 8
A properly constituted local Church must include the ministry of God’s Word, the observance of the ordinances, the oversight by officers, 9 and the exercise of discipline. 10 The overseers of the Church are to be prayed for, obeyed and honored. 11
1 – And he is the head of the body, the church (Col.1:18a).
2 – For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1Pe.1:18,19).
3 – If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Rom.6:5,6).
4 – I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought (1Cor.1:10).
5 – For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1Cor.12:13).
6 – Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (1Cor.12:7,11).
7 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat.28:19,20).
8 – It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph.4:11,12).
9 – Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1Pe.5:2,3,5).
10 – If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Mat.18:17).
11 – Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Greet all your leaders and all God’s people (Heb.13:7,17,24a).
Article XIX
THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH
The Church has been commissioned by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to all nations. 1 Each particular church and every believer bear responsibility to this commission. 2
In the Gospel God has clearly revealed the only way of salvation which is sufficient for and applicable to the whole lost race of mankind, 3 Based on His infinite and perfect love and His expressed desire that all men be saved, 4 He bids the Church that with urgency, compassion and persuasion it proclaim the gospel to all people and invite them to believe, 5
It is the duty and privilege of everyone who hears the gospel to repent and receive its merciful provisions. 6 Those who do are saved, 7 and those who continue in impenitence and unbelief incur aggravated guilt and perish by their own fault. 8
1 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat.28:19,20). But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
2 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1Pe. 3:15).
3 – He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1Jo.2:2).
4 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1Tim.2:3,4).
5 – All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2Cor.5:18-20).
6 – In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom.10:13).
7 – They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household” (Acts 16:31). I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
8 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him (John 3:36). I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13:3). But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed (Rom.2:5).
Article XX
ORDINANCES
BAPTISM — Water Baptism, 1 the immersion of the believer, is a visible testimony to the work of regeneration 2 and a mark of identification and union with Christ. 3 It has no saving or cleansing power, but it is the answer of a good conscience before God, hence, should only be administered to those who have, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, realized the forgiveness of sins and have the assurance of acceptance with God. 1
1 – As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
2 – Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (Acts 2:41).
3 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mat.28:19,20). Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Rom.6:3,4). In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead (Col.2:11,12).
THE LORD’S SUPPER — The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, His death is proclaimed. 2 They that worthily partake in remembrance of Him, feed upon Him to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace, 3 have their union and communion with Rim confirmed, testify and renew their thankfulness and commitment to God 4 and. their mutual love and fellowship each with the other as members of the same mystical body. 5
The Scriptures direct that each one examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup “until He come.” 6
1 – And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19,20).
2 – For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1Cor.11:26).
3 – For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him (John 6:55,56).
4 – You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons (1Cor.10:21).
5 – Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1Cor.10:17).
6 – For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1Cor.11:26).
Article XXI
THE LORD’S DAY
The first day of the week has been recognized as the Lord’s Day by the Church from apostolic times. 1 We believe, therefore, that it ought to be observed by all believers, voluntarily and in love, as a continuation of the sabbath principle a day of remembrance of the resurrection of our Lord from the dead and a day of worship of God, rest from physical toil, service for the Master and fellowship of the saints. Christians ought to engage only in duties of necessity and mercy on the Lord’s Day.
1 – When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons (Mark 16:9). Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:1,19). On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight (Acts 20:7). On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made (1Cor.16:2).
2 – By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done (Gen.2:2,3). Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27,28).
Article XXII
DIVINE HEALING
It is the believer’s privilege to seek the will of the Lord in matters of physical healing. This healing whether by natural, medical or supernatural means must come from the Omnipotent God who created the human body. The believer may implore the Lord for physical restoration according to the Scriptures,’ and if the healing is for the highest glory of God, His power will be displayed. 2
1 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:14-16).
2 – When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
Article XXIII
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
God ordained and instituted civil government’ for the welfare of society. to promote and to protect the good and restrain and punish the evil. 2 It is the duty of Christians to pray 3 for those that are in authority, to render due loyalty, 4 respect and obedience 5 to them, and to pay taxes and customs demanded of them. Where demands of civil law militate against the supreme and higher law of God, Christians should obey God rather than man. 6
1 – This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men (Daniel 4:17).
2 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same (Romans 13:1 -3 ).
3 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (I Timothy 2:1,2).
4 – Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well (I Peter 2 : 13, 14)
5 – Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus 3: 1) ..
6 – But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (Acts 4: 1 9) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29)
Article XXIV
RESURRECTION
The bodily resurrection of Christ is the basis for the resurrection of man.’ At the return of the Lord the bodies of the righteous dead will be raised and the living believers will be caught up together with them to m2et the Lord in the air. 2 Believers will at the resurrection receive spiritual and immortal bodies like unto Christ’s own glorious body. 3
The event of the resurrection is divided into two stages, 24 separated by a period of a thousand years and differing both in respect to their subjects and their issues. 4 The first resurrection includes only the righteous dead. 5 The second resurrection is universal and occurs at the close Qf the millennium when all the unregenerate dead are raised to be brought before the great White Throne for judgment. 6
1 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).
2 – We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1Thes.4:14-17).
3 – But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Phil.3:20,21).
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes–I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27).
4 – Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt (Dan.12:2). Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).
5 – (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years (Rev.20:5,6).
6 – The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done (Rev.20:13).
Article XXV
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the personal visible, bodily return of our Lord to this earth’ to conform believers to His image and to establish the millennial kingdom. In connection with Christ’s return there will be the resurrection of the righteous dead,2 the rapture of the saints,3 the salvation of Israel,4 the great tribulation 5 and the inauguration of the millennial reign. 6 Following the millennium there will be the resurrection and judgment of the unrighteous. The righteous will be eternally glorified with Him, the unrighteous will be eternally punished.
It is the believer’s source of encouragement and comfort, inspiring him to active service for Christ, and is a motive for purification and holy living. 7
1 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:2,3).
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1Jo.3:2). Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed (1Cor.15:51,52).
3 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words (1Thes.4:13-18).
4 Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved (Rom.11:25b, 26a).
5 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again (Mat.24:21).
6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years (Rev.20:6).
7 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure (1Jo.3:3).
Article XXVI
THE JUDGMENTS
The Scriptures enumerate several judgments which differ as to time, place, subjects and results. All judgment has been committed to the Son by the Father. 1 Through the death of Christ on the cross, the believer’s sins have been judged and he has passed from death unto life. 2 In no case do the redeemed come again into judgment concerning their eternal destiny. Each saint, however, will be required to give an account before the judgment seat of Christ regarding his works and conduct. 3 The unregenerate will be judged, condemned and banished to eternal damnation in the lake of fire. 4
1 – Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).
2 – I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
3 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom.8:1). For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2Cor.5:10).
4 – Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15).
Article XXVII
MILLENNIUM
The Millennium is that aspect of the Kingdom of God that will be ushered in when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth to rule in righteousness. The unfulfilled Messianic prophecies will then be completed.l During this period Satan will be bound restricting his deceitful activities. 2 The created universe will undergo a transformation 3 with universal prosperity and peace prevailing on earth. 4 The saints will reign with Christ 5 and the earth will be full of the knowledge and glory of the Lord. 6
1 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. “So then, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.” (Jer.23:5-8). (See also Isa.9:6,7).
2 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time (Rev.20:1-3).
3 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isa.11:6-9). (See also Rom.8:19-23).
4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isa.2:4). The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow (Isa.35:1,2,7).
5 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth (Rev.5:10).
6 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isa.11:9). Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear (Isa.45:22,23).
Article XXVIII
THE ETERNAL STATE
There are two final eternal destinies for man, heaven for the righteous and penitent, and hell for the unrighteous and impenitent. 1 At the great white throne judgment, all the enemies of God will b-e consigned to the place of eternal conscious punishment from which there is no escape. 2 The new heavens and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness shall be created 3 as the final state in which the righteous shall dwell forever in the presence of God. 4
1 – Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Mat.25:46).
2 – Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15).
3 – But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2Pe.3:10-13).
4 – And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God (Rev.21:3).
STANDARDS OF WORSHIP AND LIFE
Article I
PRIVATE WORSHIP
Worship is the act of paying reverence, adoration, or homage to God. God’s people are instructed by His Word and the example of Christ 2 to make the experience of private worship a regular part of daily life. This should be practiced in a systematic manner, and should consist of Bible reading, meditation and prayer. In order to establish a good program of personal devotions, believers are encouraged to establish a regular daily time and place for such worship. 3
1 – But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1: 2).
2 – And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone (Matthew 14:23).
3 – But thou, when thou prayest, enter into ‘thy closet. Dnd when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:61.
Article II
FAMILY WORSHIP
Family worship, which ought to be performed daily by every family, consists of prayer, reading Scriptures, and Singing praises. The spiritual head of the family, who is to lead the service, ought to be careful that all members of his household attend and participate and that proper reverence is maintained. Let the heads of families be careful to instruct their children in the principles of Christianity, embracing every opportunity for such instruction.
1 – And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:7). When I call to the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice and am persuaded that in thee also (II Timothy 1:5) And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 3:15).
Article III
PUBLIC WORSHIP
(1) Regular Services: True worshippers of God will make it a practice to attend the stated meetings of the local congregation which include Sunday School, Morning Worship, Evening Service and Prayer meeting. The Scriptural admonition is emphatic when it states that we should not forsake the assembling: of ourselves together.1 It is not only our God-given responsibility but a blessed privilege and joy 2 to thus assemble.
The meetings should be started promptly as announced. We recommend that heart preparation be made upon entrance to God’s house, and that silent meditation prevail as prayer is made to the Lord to bless the services.
1 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
2 – I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).
(a) Lord’s Day Worship Services
The worship services shall consist of congregational singing, prayer, receiving of offerings, Scripture reading and preaching of the Word. Singing should be considered an important part of worship; and the preaching of the Word given due prominence, seeing it is God’s institution for the salvation ,of the lost, edification of the saints and instruction in Divine truth to the hearers.
(b) Sunday Bible Schools
Sunday Bible Schools hall be conducted on the Lord’s Day wherein the Scriptures shall be studied and taught 1 with provision being made for graded construction. Students shall be encouraged to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord as the Holy Spirit brings conviction concerning their needs. 2
1 – Assemble the people, the men and the women and the children and the alien who is in your town, in order that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God and be careful to observe all the words of this law. And their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live on the land where you are about to cross over the Jordan to possess it (Deuteronomy 31:12-13). Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed handling accurately the word of truth. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17).
2 – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).
(c) Prayer Meetings
Because prayer is essential to the life and power of the church,1 members should make special efforts to attend and participate in the Prayer Services of the local assembly. The leader shall give a brief exhortation based on the Scriptures. Individual participation in prayer and praise shall be encouraged. Other periods of prayer during the week are most welcome and highly desirable in preserving the saints and providing an efficient means of resisting the devil. 2
1 – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).
2 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
(2) Communion Services: Periodically, as a part of the regular services, a communion service 1 shall be held at which time all believers shall be encouraged to participate in this solemn service. Prior to the observance of the Lord’s Supper the minister in charge shall conduct a preparatory service during which the meaning of communion shall be made clear and during which also prospective communicants shall examine themselves. 2
1- For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me, After the same manner also he took the cup, w hen he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ya drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come (I Corinthians 11:23-26),
2 – But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup (I Corinthians 11:28).
(3) Special Services: In addition to the regular appointments for public service, we urge our constituency to have other meetings in the form of Evangelistic and Revival Meetings, Missionary and Bible Conferences and Children’s meetings for further strengthening of the local testimony and the building up of the body of Christ.
Article IV
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
Christian stewardship has its origin in God’s ownership of all things. Since we have been saved by grace through faith, and the death of Christ on the cross provided our ransom, 1 our whole being should be freely and willingly given unto God. 2 Not only does God claim our love and devotion, but He has made us stewards of what we have in time, talent and material goods. Tithing was practiced since the time of Abraham 3 and was required of God after the law was given. 4 Giving of our means to support the Lord’s work is a Scriptural injunction and an act of worship, 5 and since the New Testament clearly indicates our giving is to be systematic and proportionate,6 believers are encouraged to adopt the principle of tithing their income as a minimum expression of their stewardship. Our stewardship is to be motivated by the Holy Spirit and the example of our Lord who freely gave Himself for us all.
1 – For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (I Corinthians 6:20).
2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy. acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).
3 – And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all (Genesis 14:20). 4 – Will a man rob God?” Yet ye have robbed me. But ve say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8).
5 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9: 6,7).
6 – Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come (I Corinthians 16: 2).
Article V MARRIAGE
Marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God and is an indissoluble union of one man and one woman until parted by death.’ Marriage, which is the foundation of the family and Christian home, should only be entered in the fear and in the will of God. 2 Accordingly a believer should not be united in holy matrimony with an unbeliever. 3 Ministers and parents have an obligation to teach the sanctity of marriage and to warn against believers being yoked with unbelievers. Ministers shall refrain from joining in marriage any believer with an unbeliever.
1 – Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matthew 19:4-6). The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord (I Corinthians 7:39).
2 – For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that (I Corinthians 7:7).
3 – Be y e not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and w hat communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unc lean thing; and I will receive you (II Corinthians 6:14-17).
Article VI
FAMILY
The Family is a divinely ordained institution in which the husband is the head, even as Christ is the head of the Church. Husbands are to love their wives, even as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands as it is fit in the Lord.’ Obedience is to be rendered to parents by the children in the spirit of respect and love. The Family is the most important institution in which to nurture children in the faith, and great care is to be exercised by parents in building Christian homes. 2
1 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the saviour of the bodv. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:22·25 ). Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them (Colossians 3:18,19).
2 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord : for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ve fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4).
Article VII
DIVORCE
Divorce is the dissolution of a divinely instituted bond and a breaking of the relationship established by marriage. As a Church we look with disfavor upon the practice of divorce upon any grounds whatsoever, and believe that the only scriptural basis for a severance of the marital union is adultery.
Due to the grace of God, those who have been divorced and those who have married divorced persons, if they give evidence of forgiveness and continuance in Christian grace may be admitted to Church membership and do not forfeit the privilege to be used in Christian service within the Church. 2
Believing as we do in the illegitimacy of divorce and remarriage subsequent to divorce for any grounds other than adultery, there is no Biblical basis for sanctioning such marriages and clear instruction from our Lord against it.
In the light of this, no Bible Fellowship pastor shall be a part of a marriage ceremony in which an illegitimately divorced person is involved. 3
No person who has been divorced or who has married a divorced person for any reason may be a member of the Board of Elders. It is not the severity of divorce, but the dignity of the office as detailed in the Scriptures (I Peter 5:1-4; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) that prevents a divorced person or one married to a divorced person from holding office in the Board of Elders of the Church.
1 – Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcemant, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so . And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another,’ committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery (Matthew 19:6-9).
2 – Know ve not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (l Corinthians 6: 9-11).
3 – It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you. That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
Article VIII
SEPARATION
That the Christian life is to be devoted to God’s glory 1 and eternal realities,2 rather than the passing and dangerous pursuits of this world, 3 is the repeated burden of the Scriptures. In view of this fact we feel compelled to caution our people against improper relationships,4 pursuits and excessive indulgence in innocent amusements which may become barriers to spiritual vitality and the cause of spiritual decline. 5
Some amusements and relationships are positively demoralizing and furnish the first easy step to the total loss of character. We therefore look with deep concern on the great increase of potentially harmful amusements, and lift up a solemn note of warning- against theater going, indecent literature, dancing and such games of chance as are frequently associated with gambling, and the indiscriminate use of television; all of which may be antagonistic to vital piety, promotive of worldliness and especially pernicious to youth.
We encourage our people to make their conduct the subject of careful thought and prayer, to study the subject in the light of their tendencies. We adjure them to remember that the question must be, not whether their conduct will dull the spiritual life and become an unwise example,6 but whether it will be a positive benefit to others. 7
Having been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God 8 we have been raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; 9 therefore we should walk in newness of life and set our affections on things above, not 01’1 things on the earth. 2
1 – Whether therefore ye eat, or drink.., or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).
2 – Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).
3 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (I Timothy 6:9).
4 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14)
5 – Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1 : 15). And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (Mark 4:19).
6 – Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend (I Corinthians 8: 13).
7 – Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many , that they may be saved (I Corinthians 10:33), Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth (I Corinthians 10:24)
8 – And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11).
9 – And hath rai sed us up together, and made us sit together in heavenlv places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)
Article IX
HARMFUL INDULGENCES
A. Alcoholic Drinks: The use of alcoholic drinks being the cause of incalculable misery in the world, the evil influences of which are enormous in their effects upon society at large, no member shall be permitted to make such drinks, to deal in them, 1 or use them as a beverage. 2 We recommend that all members of our denomination use their influence against this evil and practice total abstinence. 3
1 – Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! (Habakkuk 2:15).
2 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians5:18)
3 – Wine is a mocker, strong drink is rag i ng: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise (Proverbs 20: 1). Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (Proverbs 23:31,32).
B. Tobacco: Seeing as we do the harmful effects of the use of tobacco, and since we as a church want to exert our influence against it, be it known that we consider the use of 38 tobacco unbecoming and inconsistent with our Christian profession. No person using tobacco shall hold office or serve in a teaching capacity in any part of the church program. 1
1 – Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Corinthians 6:12).
C. Narcotics and dangerous drugs: Recognizing the dangers of the use of narcotics and other dangerous drugs, we solemnly warn and admonish our people to have no part with the illegal use of or traffic in them, The only legitimate use of narcotics and dangerous drugs is when they are prescribed by competent physicians. In all other instances our every influence should be exerted against this growing evil of drug abuse. 1
1 – Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have or God. and ye are not your own ? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (I Cor 6:19,20)
Article X
APPAREL
The Scriptures instruct believers to adorn themselves with modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety. Children of God are to guard against immodesty, extravagance and extremes in their dress. We, therefore, urge neatness, cleanliness and decency in the mode of dress. 1
1 – In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (I Timothy 2:9,10).
Article XI
SECRET OATH-BOUND SOCIETIES
We believe it to be highly inconsistent and anti-scriptural for Christians to be members of secret oath-bound societies for the following reasons:
- The Scriptural admonition against oaths. 1
- It violates the Divine directive against secrecy. 2
Being a member of such orders violates the command of the Scriptures not to be yoked together with unbelievers, 3 or to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. 4 Of supreme importance is the fact that being a member of a secret oath-bound society violates our allegiance to Christ. 5 We cannot serve God and mammon. 6
Therefore, no person who is a member in our church, or who anticipates such membership, shall be a member of a secret oath-bound society.
1 – But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matthew 5:34-37). But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation (James 5:12).
2 – Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing (John 18:20).
3 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14).
4 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret (Ephesians 5:11,12).
5 – He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37).
6 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).
PRINCIPLES OF ORDER
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE I PRELIMINARY PRINCIPLES
- That in seeking to be founded upon the Word of God in practice as well as doctrine the Bible Fellowship Church sets forth this form of government as that which is in its judgment most clearly in keeping with the Holy Scriptures.
- That the formulation of faith and practice must be in submission to the Holy Scriptures because God has not bound the conscience to the doctrines and commandments of men when they exceed or contradict His Word.
- That every union of particular churches shall h~ve the right, in harmony with the preceding principles, to formulate a faith and order which shall seek to provide a basis of fellowship always in submission to the written Word of God.
- That this form of government shall seek to make this body a church that operates by written standards, which is not, however, to be understood as being opposed to love or spirit, but rather opposed to disorder and injustices which can so easily pervert right human relationships when authority is personal or when there is no accepted way of deciding issues that inevitably arise among men, however deeply they may be committed to Jesus Christ and to one another.
- That our Lord, the Head of the Church, for the edification of the body and the evangelization of the world, has appointed officers in the visible church to preach the Gospel, administer the ordinances and exercise discipline.
- That, though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers are described in the Holy Scriptures, yet the electing of persons to be office-bearers shall rest with the body.
- That careful adherence to these principles will contribute to the glory and happiness of the church in that it can own the blessing of our Lord, the Head of the Church universal, and also the approbation of an impartial public.
ARTICLE II THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH, UNIVERSAL AND PARTICULAR
Jesus Christ has established His rule upon the earth in the church. The universal church consists of all those persons, in every nation, who make profession of faith in Christ and yield submission to Him and His rule. Because this multitude cannot meet in one place for worship and fellowship, the Scriptures indicate that these believers shall be divided into many particular churches.
A particular church consists of professing believers voluntarily associated in submission to the Holy Scriptures, for divine worship, godly living and evangelism. The particular churches seek to demonstrate their participation in the church universal by forming unions with other particular churches which have similar understanding of doctrine and organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH TOWARD MEMBERS
See Supplement – Section 1
QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Anyone desiring to be a member of the Bible Fellowship Church shall give testimony faith in Christ and the new birth. He shall be in sympathy with the FAITH & ORDER, be baptized by immersion subsequent to salvation and manifest holiness toward God and separation from the world (Acts 2:41-47).
Duties: Commitment to Christ and the Bible Fellowship Church shall be manifest by the joyful acceptance of the following responsibilities:
- To live in keeping with the doctrines and standards of the church as found in the FAITH & ORDER (John 17:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:6-11; 6:14-18; Eph. 5:26,27; Titus 3:10; James 1:26,27; 2 John 9,10).
- To exercise willingly his spiritual gifts within the body (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; Romans 12:3-8).
- To minister under the direction of the church (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7; 1 Pet. 5:2,3; 1 Tim. 3:1; 5:17).
- To bear the message of the church to the outside world (Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; Matt. 5:13-16).
- To pray daily for the pastor and the ministries of the church (Romans 10:1; Matt. 9:28; Acts 4:29; Eph. 6:18,19; Acts 13:2-4).
- To support the program of the church financially with the regular giving of tithes and offerings (Mal. 3:10; 1 Cor. 9:13,14; 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 8:7-9; 9:6,7).
- To submit to those God has ordained as ruler in the church (Heb. 13:17, cf. also references under #3 above).
- To attend faithfully the stated meetings of the church (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25).
- To observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-28).
- To demonstrate mutual care and concern for the other members of the church (John 13:34,35; 15:12, 17; Gal. 6:1,2,10; James 5:9,16).
ARTICLE III THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH
By providing spiritually qualified overseers, called elders, Christ enables each particular church to govern itself.
But though the churches are autonomous, they are not independent because they are a part of a fellowship of churches. The basis of this fellowship is mutual conviction of the body of truth set forth in the Scriptures.
The authority of the fellowship is secondary, being derived from the particular churches, and is limited to matters which pertain to the churches in fellowship or to common concerns which churches agree to take care of together.
All authority in the church, whether in particular churches or in the denomination, is moral and spiritual, ministerial and declarative; it is moral and spiritual, negatively, in that the church is unable to use civil force to compel obedience, and positively, in that obedience is incomplete unless it is inward and real as well as outward and apparent; all authority in the church is ministerial and declarative in that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and conduct and therefore all decisions and laws must be understood as being servants of the Word, announcing that which the body believes the Scriptures to teach with the constant recognition that “councils may err” through frailty inseparable from humanity.
The church consists of many congregations which need mutual counsel and assistance to preserve soundness of doctrine and discipline, to enter into joint efforts for the advancement of the work of Christ and to prevent infidelity, error and immorality. From this arises the importance and usefulness of assemblies of particular churches.
The assembly of churches shall represent, in one body, all the particular churches of this denomination and shall be called the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
ARTICLE IV THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
Having called and assembled His church, our Lord provides for the government of each particular church by conveying authority to officers whom He enables . The continuing officers in the church are ministers, ruling elders and deacons . The endowed man does not create the office nor does the office clothe the man with power, but the Lord endows the man with gifts and qualifications that enable him to fill the office which God Himself has created.
MINISTERS
THE OFFICE OF MINISTER The Lord of the Church has given gifts to men called ministers in His church. The office of the ministry is the first in the church in both dignity and usefulness. The one who fills the office is described in the Scriptures by several terms. As he has oversight of the flock of Christ, he is termed bishop . As he feeds them with spiritual food, he is termed pastor (shepherd). As he serves Christ in the church, he is termed minister. As it is his duty to be an example to the flock in godliness and to govern well in the church of Christ, he is termed elder. As he is sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled to God through Christ, he is termed evangelist.
THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY
The Christian ministry is a divine calling which makes high and holy demands upon those who aspire to this work. Although the minister of the gospel preaches Christ and not himself, the personality of the minister is involved in the proclamation of the gospel and the performance of pastoral functions. It is imperative, therefore, to give heed to the qualifications imbedded in the Word of God. To minister effectively to his generation a man must have certain spiritual; personal, physical and educational qualifications.
Spiritual Qualifications – The Christian minister must give evidence of having been born again, of having the assurance of salvation, of being inwardly persuaded that he is called of God to the Christian ministry and of being willing to make the necessary commitment.
To minister in the name of Christ one must possess the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have a knowledge of God’s plan and will.
Personal Qualifications – Inasmuch as the primary function of the minister is that of proclaiming t he Word of God, the minister must have a love for study and an ability to teach.
Inasmuch as the minister is an elder who numbers among his duties ruling in addition to teaching, he must possess the qualities of leadership and administration together with a willingness to assume responsibility.
Inasmuch as the minister is an under shepherd in the flock of God, he must have a genuine love for people, exercise patience in dealing with people, be impervious to criticism yet sensitive to correction and be fearless.
Inasmuch as the minister is to be an example, he must not be a lover of money and must be willing to forgo personal rights and privileges for the sake of ministering to others.
Physical Qualifications – The Christian minister must be a mature male who is physically and mentally fit, being free from impairments that would vitiate the effectiveness of his ministry and give promise that he will be able to bear the demands of the ministry. To help in determining one’s fitness a questionnaire supplied by the Ministerial Candidate Committee is to be completed by a medical doctor and returned to the secretary of the Committee.
Educational Qualifications – All men desiring to be ordained to the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church shall have been graduated from high school and have three years of theological training or its equivalent. A man may be an applicant or candidate during the period of his training, but the three years of theological study shall be completed before he becomes a probationer. Exceptions to this rule may be made for some mature men; however, in no case will a man be recommended for ordination examination before completing the equivalent of three years of theological training.
Candidates for the ministry should be men of broad reading interests giving evidence of understanding and practical wisdom.
ELDERS
In the New Testament church, Christ has provided men called elders whom He has enabled and commissioned to govern with ministers in His church.
Men who bear this office share equally with the ministers the authority in and responsibility for the life of the church; but in contrast to ministers, whose primary authority and responsibility is in the Word and doctrine and secondarily in ruling, the primary authority and responsibility of elders is ruling and governing and secondarily in the Word and doctrine.
Those who fill this office should be examples to the flock of their sound faith, their blameless life and conduct and their wisdom and discretion.
Elders, as leaders of the people, are chosen by the membership of the church on the basis of Scriptural qualifications.
DEACONS
The office of deacon is presented in the Scriptures as an office not of ruling, but of service. A deacon should be a man of deep spiritual life, exemplary conduct and sound judgment (1 Tim. 3; Acts 6: 1-8). His office is one of sympathetic service to the church and. to the distressed, friendless or sick, after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BY-LAWS FOR PARTICULAR CHURCHES
ARTICLE I – THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
ELDERS
THE BOARD OF ELDERS
The Board of Elders shall be composed of the minister and all the active elders of the congregation. The lay elders shall be elected by majority vote of the congregation. They shall be mature men who meet the qualifications of Scripture (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1; 1 Peter 5) . If the congregation has more qualified elders than are needed to serve at one time, the number of active elders shall be determined by the congregation by ballot vote upon recommendation of the Board of Elders.
The minister shall serve as chairman of the Board of Elders; the Board shall elect one of its members to serve as secretary. Two-thirds of the membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
The Board of Elders shall have the general oversight of the life and work of the church including the worship, preaching, ordinances, evangelism, visitation, discipline, finances and maintenance of the properties.
Because they are “under shepherds” and not “lords” the elders shall rule the congregation according to the direction of Christ, the Chief Shepherd, as expressed in the Scriptures and according to the needs of the membership. They shall conduct at least one congregational meeting per year to report the status of the work to the congregation; and when they deem advisable, present recommendations to the congregation. The congregation shall have the power to accept, to suggest changes or to reject such recommendations.
The Board of Elders shall be the channel of communication between the particular church and the fellowship of churches and its organizations. The elders shall nominate from their number and the congregation elect the representative(s) from the particular church to the fellowship-wide level.
THE ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF ELDERS
Every congregation shall elect elders in keeping with the qualifications set forth in the Scriptures. Elders must be male members in full communion in the church in which they are to exercise their office.
The term of office shall be decided by the particular church by congregational vote, but shall not be for less than three years, except when a particular church desires a probationary term of service for newly-chosen elders. Where possible, the Board of Elders shall be divided into not less than three classes as determined by the congregational vote in each of the particular churches. When a church chooses to elect elders for an unlimited term of office, the requirement for classes does not apply.
In the event of a vacancy by death, resignation or removal, one may be elected to complete the unexpired term of office.
When a man has been elected to this office and has declared his willingness to accept its responsibilities, he shall be set apart in the following manner:
In a service of worship, the minister shall state in a concise manner the warrant and nature of the office of elder together with the spiritual qualifications required for its exercise and the duties to be fulfilled. He shall then ask the candidate, in the presence of the congregation, the following questions:
- Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and conduct?
- Are you in agreement with the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church?
- Will you endeavor to follow the Principles of Order of the Bible Fellowship Church?
- Do you accept the office of elder in the congregation and promise faithfully to perform f!· l all the duties thereof?
- Do you promise to promote the purity, peace and unity of the Church?
After the elder-elect has answered these questions in the affirmative, the minister shall ask the members of the church the following questions: - Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as an elder?
- Do you promise to yield him all honor, encouragement and obedience in the Lord, to which his office entitles him?
After all members of the church have answered these questions in the affirmative by holding up their right hands, the minister shall proceed to set apart the candidate by prayer to the office of elder and shall give to him and to the congregation an exhortation suited to the occasion.
The Board of Elders in each particular church shall determine which men are in agreement with the Articles of Faith and who will endeavor to follow the Principles of Order of the Bible Fellowship Church. Each elder shall annually declare in writing his agreement with the Articles of Faith and willingness to follow the Principles of Order of the Bible Fellowship Church. No man can be divested of this office except by deposition for failure to maintain standards of doctrine and life in keeping with the dignity of the office.
DEACONS
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
The Board of Deacons shall be composed of all deacons duly elected by and from the congregation, and who meet the qualifications of the Scriptures. They shall be mature men who demonstrate spiritual wisdom and compassion so that they might serve the needy in a Christ-like and merciful manner.
The Board of Deacons shall serve under the direction of the Board of Elrlp.rs and shall elect a chairman and a secretary from among the membership of the Board. The secretary shall be responsible to report the actions of the deacons to the Board of Elders. Two-thirds of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
The general responsibility of the deacons is one of sympathetic and benevolent service to the church, the distressed, friendless and sick, showing the mercy and concern of the church for the material and natural needs of others. The deacons shall assume the responsibility to care for such specific benevolent and material services as directed to them by the Board of Elders.
The function of the deacons is to see that the material and natural needs of the church constituency are met so that the elders can give freely of their time and concern to the spiritual needs of the congregation.
THE ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF DEACONS
Each congregation may elect deacons in keeping with the qualifications set forth in Scripture. Deacons must be male members in full communion in the Church in which they are to exercise their office.
The term of office shall be determined by the particular church by congregational vote, but shall not be for less than three years, except when a particular church desires a probationary term of service for newly-chosen deacons. Where possible, the Board of Deacons shall be divided into not less than three classes as determined by the congregational vote in each of the particular churches.
In the event of a vacancy by death, resignation or removal, one may be elected to fill the unexpired term of office.
In a service of worship, the minister shall state in a concise manner the warrant and nature of the office of deacon together with the Scriptural qualifications required for its exercise and the duties to be fulfilled. He shall then ask the candidate, in the presence of the congregation, the following questions:
- Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and conduct?
- Do you accept the office of deacon in the congregation and promise faithfully to perform this ministry of service?
- Do you promise to promote the purity, peace and unity of the Church?
After the deacon-elect has answered these questions in the affirmative, the minister shall ask the members of the church the following questions: - Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as a deacon?
- Do you promise to give him all the honor, encouragement and support in the Lord to which his office entitles him?
After the members of the church have answered these questions in the affirmative by holding up their right hands, the minister shall proceed to set apart the candidate by prayer to the office of deacon and shall give to him and to the congregation an exhortation suited to the occasion.
ARTICLE II CHURCH COMMITTEES
The Board of Elders shall have the general oversight of the life and work of the church including worship, preaching, ordinances, evangelism, visitation, discipline, finances and the maintenance of the properties.
a. Required Committees. The Board of Elders of every church shall designate a Pastoral Relations Committee composed of three elders. The duties of this Committee shall be:
To maintain good relationships between the pastor and the congregation, to discuss with the pastor problems that arise and to seek solutions to these problems.
b. Optional Committees. The Board of Elders may organize various committees to assist them in carrying out the work of the Board when such assistance is necessary. The size of the congregation and the nature and amount of work to be done will determine the nature and number of committees appointed.
Should the Board of Elders decide that it needs committees to carry out its work, the committees organized may be sub-divisions of the Board of Elders or may be appointed from among the membership of the congregation, subject to the approval of the Board of Elders.
Elders shall be the Chairman of committees directly responsible to the Board of Elders. Committees that function under the direction of another church committee that is chaired by an elder may have a lay person other than an elder as chairman, provided the person appointed to serve has been approved by the Board of Elders.
All church committees organized shall be subordinate to the Board of Elders. The particular duties, rules of operation, and responsibility as well as the interrelationship of church committees shall be specified in the by-laws of the particular church.
Some suggested committees for consideration are: Membership and Discipline, Ordinances, Building and Maintenance, Missionary, Evangelism, finance, Christian Education, Benevolence, Music, Visitation and Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE III CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
The congregational meeting of the particular church is composed of any and all members of that congregation meeting in official capacity duly organized according to the ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church and Article XVIII of the FAITH of the Bible Fellowship Church. Only those members of the particular church conducting the meeting who are present and have attained the age of sixteen years are eligible to vote.
The Board of Elders shall conduct at least one regular congregational meeting each year. Special meetings may be called by action of the Beard of Elders. Calls for special meetings shall include a statement of the purpose of the meeting, and no other business shall be conducted. Prayer shall be offered at the beginning and closing of all congregational meetings.
The pastor shall be chairman of the congregational meeting; the secretary the Board of Elders shall serve as secretary of the congregational meeting. If either of these officers cannot serve in a specific meeting, another elder shall be chosen by the Board of Elders to bear the responsibility. A quorum shall consist of the chairman, the secretary and all the eligible voters present.
The congregational meeting(s) shall include the electing of officers, receiving of reports of officers and committee~ and any other business that may arise. The annual report of the Board of Elders to the congregation shall include a summary of the membership of the congregation and a financial statement. This report shall be the source of the information for the report of the congregation to the Annual Conference.
The secretary shall keep adequate and accurate minutes of all congregational meetings. The Board of Elders shall insure that a copy of the minutes of all congregational meetings held during the year is sent to the COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATION OF MINUTES OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES. Said copy(ies) shall be delivered to the address of Annual Conference by Monday of the week prior to Annual Conference.
ELECTIONS IN CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
- Elections which use a Nominating Committee:
A particular church may use a nominating committee to make nominations for church officers or leaders when this desire is expressed by a local congregational resolution. The pastor shall be a member of this committee.
In an election in which a nominating committee is used the Nominating Committee shall bring to the meeting nominations of one or more eligible persons for each office to be filled.
Each particular church shall determine if additional nominations shall or shall not be received from the floor when a nominating committee is used. - An election in which all nominations are made from the floor:
In an election in which nominations are made exclusively in the congregational meeting, ballots shall be used to nominate the candidates.
Each particular church shall adopt those additional procedures in their local by-laws that insure that only qualified persons be nominated.
A majority of votes shall be necessary for election. After the first ballot has been cast, if there is no election, the name of the candidate receiving the least number of votes, shall be dropped. In the event a candidate receives two-thirds of the votes cast in the nominating ballot, he may be declared elected by congregational affirmation.
SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
- The meeting shall open with prayer.
- Roll Call: This shall include all church officers and all individuals responsible for reporting at the regular meeting(s). The roll shall precede the minutes of the first meeting of each year.
- The reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting(s).
- Reports:
a. Board of Elders (to include at least the following) :
(1) Membership
(2) Financial report(s) – including evidence of auditing
(3) Appointment of the Pastoral Relations Committee
(4) Benevolence Report (omitted if Deacon Board reports)
(5) status of the work
(6) Establishment of value of church property
(7) Recommendations
b. Board of Deacons
c. Any other organizational reports as required by the by-laws of the particular church. (This may include: Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Adult Fellowship(s), Women’s Missionary Society, Special Committees, Pastor, etc.)
5 . Old Business – All motions properly recorded.
6 . New Business – All motions properly recorded. - Election of Church Officers
- Petition(s) to Annua] Conference
- Adjournment
FORMAT FOR SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
- The purpose of every meeting must be stated at the beginning of the minutes of said special meeting.
- Business must be limited to that of the stated purpose.
- The action must be properly recorded.
ARTICLE IV
CHOOSING LEADERS OTHER THAN CONTINUING OFFICES OF ELDERS AND DEACONS
Should the Board of Elders deem it necessary to have offices other than elders and deacons, it shall recommend to the Congregation the creation of such offices. If the congregation approves, officers shall be chosen in one of the following ways:
- Election by Congregation upon:
a. Being presented by Nominating Committee
b. Being nominated by congregational ballot - Appointment by Board of Elders
The following shall be the procedure in case of death, resignation or removal of officer:
a. The Board of Elders shall review and act upon the resignation or removal of an officer.
b. The Board of Elders shall determine the time of a congregational election to fill the unexpired term of the officer due to death, resignation or removal.
Being chosen for one of these offices does not make the office holder a member of the Board of Elders.
Though these leaders may not meet all the biblical qualifications for the office of Elder, nevertheless, their lives shall be in keeping with the Standards of Worship and Life.
ARTICLE V
COMMUNICATION OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Any particular church has the right to petition Annual Conference requesting its action and guidance. A petition must be approved by a majority vote of those present and voting at a duly called congregational meeting and appear in the minutes. It must be placed on the agenda of Annual Conference and the answer to the particular church placed in the minutes of Annual Conference. The Secretary of the Board of Elders shall be responsible for forwarding the petition to the Secretary of Annual Conference. Petitions received by September 1 shall be guaranteed consideration in that Annual Conference session. Those received after September 1, will be held for consideration in the next conference year. The Secretary of Annual Conference shall send two copies to each pastor by September 15.
The Board of Elders of a particular church has the right to request the action or guidance of Annual Conference on issues confronting the particular church. There may be times when it may be inadvisable for the whole congregation to be involved in the approach to Annual Conference. The request to Annual Conference must be approved in a duly called Board of Elders meeting and appear in the minutes. The delegate of this church may introduce the Board’s request as a motion from the floor of Annual Conference. When a Board intends to use this method, the Secretary and the Chairman of Annual Conference should be notified of their intention by October 1.
ARTICLE VI
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PARTICULAR CHURCH
Officers of organized groups within the church, having election procedures approved by Annual Conference, shall be elected according to their by-laws.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The following officers shall be elected for a term of one year: General Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Treasurer.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
General Superintendent:
- He shall provide each class with a born again teacher as directed by the Executive Committee.
- He shall see that the school is properly graded.
- He shall preside or arrange for a leader at each session of the School.
- He shall periodically survey the work being done in the various classes and departments.
- He shall cooperate with the pastor and be responsible to the congregation to which he shall submit a statistical and financial report.
- The departmental superintendents shall be appointed by the pastor and the General Superintendent.
Assistant Superintendent: - He shall assume the responsibilities of the General Superintendent in his absence or incapacity.
- He shall be responsible to supervise the distribution of all Sunday school literature.
- He shall have as his special interest the oversight of absentee visitation and the stimulation of Sunday school promotion.
Secretary:
- He shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
- He shall be responsible for enrollment, attendance and financial records.
- He shall provide the General Superintendent with all necessary information for reports.
Treasurer: - He shall be accountable for all money received and shall properly record the same.
- He shall pay all bills and distribute all funds as directed by the Executive Committee.
- He shall submit his accounts to the congregation as required.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- It shall be composed of Pastor, General Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Treasurer, Secretary and Departmental Superintendents.
- They shall have charge of the distribution of all funds.
- They shall not entail any expenditure exceeding $300.00 without the approval of the congregation, except in the transfer of funds to the Trustee account. All needs of furnishings and equipment. shall be referred to the Christian Education Committee of the Board of Elders.
- They shall meet monthly at the call of the General Superintendent.
- They shall arrange for meetings of the entire Sunday school staff.
- The Pastor shall preside at all meetings.
- They shall be responsible to provide each department with an Assistant Superintendent, Secretary Librarians, and other personnel as needed.
- They shall exercise oversight in the assignment of all teachers and assistants.
- The removal or resignation of any teacher or officer shall be reviewed and acted upon by tile Executive Committee.
- They shall be responsible to maintain a high degree of spirituality, positive Christian walk and conduct and full cooperation on the part of the Sunday school staff.
- They shall endeavor to provide a program of Teacher Training.
- They shall decide at a regular meeting, the type and quantity of Sunday school supplies and lesson material to be ordered and used.
- All mission projects conducted by the Sunday school or individual classes shall be controlled and approved by the Executive Committee.
WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Article I – Name: The name of this organization shall be the Women’s Missionary Society of —-:—- —–
Article II – Purpose: The purpose of this Missionary Society shall be to:
A. Give diligence to intercessory prayer in behalf of missions
B. Encourage sacrificial giving
C. Support missionary projects both home and foreign
D. Correspond with missionaries
E. Assist missionary candidates
F. Promote spiritual growth among the members of the society
Article III – Membership: The membership shall be open to Christian women of like faith, who are interested in missionary work and desire to share in this fellowship. No one shall serve as an officer who is not a member of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Article IV – Officers: The officers of this Missionary Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Pastor. A corresponding Secretary may be appointed by the officers.
The officers shall be elected annually by ballot.
The Executive Committee shall be constituted of the Officers. The pastor shall be Chairman.
A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled by an appointment by the pastor.
By-LAWS
Article I – The Society shall meet regularly as arranged by the Executive Committee. The regular meetings shall include a period of prayer, scripture reading, prayer requests, missionary letters and news, announcements, a free – will offering, reading of the minutes and reports.
Article II – Duties of Officers
President: The President shall have the oversight and leadership of the Society. She shall endeavor to maintain a high spiritual standard with a strong emphasis on prayer at every meeting. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society and shall perform such duties as pertain to the office. She shall be a member of all committees. She shall present a condensed report of the activities of the Society to each Congregational Meeting on forms provided.
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall cooperate with the President in the plans and responsibilities of the work and shall assume the duties of the President in her absence.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Society and Executive Committee. She shall keep a correct list of the members and attendance. She shall preserve all records and letters of value to the Society. It shall be her duty to notify committees appointed, to see that the activities are announced and to notify all members of meetings.
Corresponding Secretary: The Corresponding Secretary is the connecting link between the Society and the missionary. She shall promote correspondence between the members and the missionaries.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the Society and disburse same by check according to the instructions of the Executive Committee. All checks are to be signed by the President and Treasurer. Any expenditure in excess of $_____ must be approved by the Society. An accurate record shall be kept of all receipts and expenditures. The account of the Treasurer shall be audited at each congregational meeting.
Article III. Committees: It will be advantageous for each Society to give consideration to the appointment of the following Committees:
Committee on Program
Committee on Projects
Committee on Membership
Other Committees as deemed necessary
The desired committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Committee on Program to arrange an interesting missionary program for the Society meetings. Free-will offerings shall be received at each meeting to be used for missionary purposes.
It shall be the duty of the Committee on Projects to plan various projects such as sewing, quilting and providing other needs, supplies, and equipment for missionaries and missionary candidates.
It shall be the duty of the Committee on Membership to endeavor to increase the attendance at the monthly meetings, inviting all women of the church to become members of the Society. They shall be sure to contact new members and thereby promote the growth of the Society.
Article IV – Nominations and Elections: Elections shall be held annually during the month of September prior to the Regional Rally and terms of office begin immediately. The ballot shall be used to nominate and elect the candidates. On a nominating ballot, the three highest shall be considered as candidates. After the first ballot has been cast, if there is no election, the candidate receiving the least number of votes shall be eliminated. A majority in every case shall be necessary for an election. Voting shall be limited to those women who are members of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Article V. Miscellaneous: Time limit for officers may be determined by the local societies.
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth … The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep all His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12: 1,13, NASB). “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12, NASB).
Reflecting on these Scripture passages the Bible Fellowship Church recognizes and joyfully accepts its responsibility and privilege of ministering to youth. The goal of this ministry is to be used of God to help young people experience the new birth in committing themselves to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to guide them into Christian maturity so they may be “an example of those who believe,” and to offer them training and opportunities in Christian service. Further, this ministry seeks to develop future leadership for the church (cf. Philosophy of Christian Education, By-laws of the Board of Christian Education).
Programs to attain these goals are to be developed by the particular churches and the denomination. Particular churches may have specific organizations whose function is to minister to youth. Such organizations may be para-church agencies having affiliations outside the Bible Fellowship Church or the Youth Fellowship of the particular church. In either situation the youth organization shall be under the control of the Board of Elders of the particular church.
The doctrinal standards, teachings, goals and programs of all para-church agencies incorporated into the youth ministry of any Bible Fellowship Church shall be in compliance with the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Churches functioning with their own Youth Fellowship are encouraged to formulate a Youth Fellowship Constitution. This constitution shall provide the Youth Fellowship with organizational structure and the effective means of attaining its goals. This document shall include a statement of purpose and goals, a definition of and requirements for membership, a listing of officers and their duties and regulations for election of officers. The constitution shall stipulate that all officers shall be those who profess, Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who give evidence of this profession in Christian conduct. The Board of Christian Education offers to serve as a consultant for any particular church formulating a Youth Fellowship Constitution.
To promote regional ministries and activities for the youth of the Bible Fellowship Church! Youth Fellowship regions may be established under the direction of the Board of Christian Education. This may be done upon the initiative of the Board of Christian Education, or upon the initiative of several churches within a given geographical area. In the latter case, the Board of Christian Education shall be consulted by the cooperating churches. In either case the formulation of a constitution is encouraged. To facilitate the coordination of regional and denominational activities, notification of regional activities shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Board of Christian Education.
To promote ministries and activities for the youth of the Bible Fellowship Church, denominational programs shall be formulated, planned and operated by the Board of Christian Education. These shall be in compliance with the By-laws of the Board of Christian Education and the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church.
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS BY-LAWS
- In an incorporated congregation, the Board of Elders shall choose from their number the authorized legal representatives according to their respective Articles of Incorporation.
- In an unincorporated congregation, three trustees shall be elected by and from the Board of Elders to be the authorized legal representatives.
- Offerings
a. Each church shall make an annual contribution to the Board of Christian Education by April 1.
b. Each church shall contribute to the support of Pine brook Junior College, to be remitted to the college in twelve monthly payments, or four quarterly payments.
c. All Church Extension funds shall be forwarded quarterly to the Treasurer of the Board of Church Extension.
d. Each church shall make an annual contribution to the Bible Fellowship Church Home. Checks shall be made payable to the Bible Fellowship Church Home and submitted by April 1.
e. Each church shall make an annual contribution to Victory Valley Camp. Checks shall be made payable to Victory Valley Camp and sent to the Financial Secretary of the Board of Victory Valley before March 1.
f. All foreign mission funds shall be forwarded quarterly to the General Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions.
g. Administrative Budget – Payments may be made quarterly or annually in advance. If monthly payment is preferred, one-eleventh of the pledge should be paid each month from October to August of the following year. All payments should be completed by August 31, prior to the next Annual Conference.
ARTICLE VIII CHURCH PROPERTIES
The title of church property where the church is incorporated shall be conveyed directly to the Corporation. In cases where the church is not incorporated the conveyance shall be made to a Board of Trustees duly elected according to the Rules of the Annual Conference (setting forth their names), their successors and assigns. Whether the title is conveyed to a corporation or to a Board of Trustees, said title shall contain a trust clause in the following words:
In trust for the use of the ministry and membership of the Church of the Bible Fellowship Church at __ subject to the doctrines, laws, usages and ministerial appointments of the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church incorporated under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as from time to time established, made and declared by the lawful authorities of the said church and if the said property shall be sold or encumbered, the proceeds of the sale or the encumbrance shall be applied for the use of the aforesaid, subject, however, to the provisions of the law of the church relating to abandoned church properties and of that forbidding mortgaging of real estate for current expenses.
The title to parsonages shall be conveyed in like manner as the churches and shall contain the following clause of trust:
In trust, that said premises shall be kept, maintained and disposed of as a place of residence for the use and occupancy of the preachers of the Bible Fellowship Church who are from time to time duly appointed in said place according to the rules and usages of said church, and if sold, the proceeds to be used according to the rules of said church. If the congregation controlling this property shall be disbanded the property shall be controlled and disposed of according to the rules of the Bible Fellowship Church.
ARTICLE IX PULPIT SUPPLY PROCEDURE The ideal condition in a conference is that of a satisfactory and stable pastoral relation in each church within its jurisdiction. To work to that ideal it is important that a conference have a proper concern for the relationship with the churches which are without pastors.
A. INSTITUTING PASTORAL RELATIONS IN CHURCHES WITHOUT PASTORS
- Ministerial Relations Committee. The care of churches without pastors shall be assigned to the Ministerial Relations Committee.
- Oversight. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall exercise oversight of churches without pastors in the following ways:
a. The First Annual Conference Delegate shall serve as Moderator of the Board of Elders.
b. By consulting with the Board of Elders regarding Temporary Supplies. The Board of Elders shall meet with the Committee and with its aid and advice secure temporary supplies for its pulpit when it becomes vacant.
c. By advising with the Board of Elders regarding Stated Supplies. On recommendation of the Ministerial Relations Committee Annual Conference may establish stated supplies. The Committee may arrange for the transfer of stated supplies within the Conference when it seems to be for the best interests of the minister, the church, or the Conference as a whole. In the area of stated supplies, the Ministerial Relations Committee shall at all times work in consultation with the Ministerial Candidate Committee and with the Credentials Committee.
d. By advising Churches regarding the calling of a Pastor. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall meet and consult with the Board of Elders of every church that is without a pastor. It shall advise the Board of Elders regarding the suitability of any person whose name is to be put before the congregation, and shall have the privilege of nominating suitable persons for the Board’s consideration. The Annual Conference shall permit a call to be placed in the hands of a minister only when the Board of Elders of the church has thus consulted with the Ministerial Relations Committee and obtained its approval before the name is presented to the congregation.
e. By conferring with the Board of Church Extension and the Board of Elders of any Church receiving aid in the support of its Pastor through the Church Extension Fund before recommending or approving the settlement of a Pastor or Stated Supply in such a Church. - Duty of a Particular Church Without a Pastor
a. Every Church should be under the Pastoral oversight of a Minister. When its pulpit is vacant, it shall proceed to elect a pastor in the following manner: The Board of Elders shall call a congregational meeting to convene at the regular place of worship to elect a nominating committee representative of the whole congregation, whose duty it shall be to nominate a minister to the congregation for election as pastor. Public notice of the time, place and purpose of the meeting must be given at not less than three prior regularly scheduled meetings.
The church may elect a nominating committee only after its pulpit has become vacant or after the Ministerial Relations Committee has set a definite future date when the pulpit of the church is to be declared vacant. But the nominating committee shall be free, without the influence of the retiring pastor to carry out the desires of the congregation with reference to the call of a successor pastor.
b. Conference with Ministerial Relations Committee. The nominating committee shall confer with the Ministerial Relations Committee as provided in paragraph 2.
c. If it appear desirable, the nominating committee may confer with eligible men prior to issuing a formal call so that the parties may become acquainted with the particular needs of the church and proposed methods, opportunities or obligations.
d. Who is eligible for a call? The Credentials Committee shall issue an annual list of men who are eligible to work as pastors of a Bible Fellowship Church, and this list is to be published in the .Year Book and made a part of the proceedings -of Annual Conference. Should changes occur in this list while Conference is adjourned, the Secretary of the Ministerial Relations Committee shall mail a revised list of such men to all delegates who were members of the last Annual Conference or who may be delegates-elect to the next Annual Conference.
e. The Congregational Meeting. When the nominating committee is ready to report, it shall notify the Board of Elders, which shall call a congregational meeting at the regular place of worship for the purpose of acting on the report of the nominating committee. Public notice of the time, place and purpose of the meeting shall be given at not less than three prior regularly scheduled meetings.
f. The Congregation’s Responsibility in the Election of a Pastor. The order of business for the congregational meeting is as follows:
(1.) The First Delegate to Annual Conference shall preside or he may appoint a member of the Ministerial Relations Committee to do so.
(2.) The Secretary of the Board of Elders shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(3.) Prayer for divine guidance shall be made.
(4.) Statement shall be made concerning those entitled to vote. All members, having attained the age of sixteen (16) years, attending the meeting, but no others, are entitled to vote.
(5.) The report of the nominating Committee shall be made.
(6.) The question shall be put: “Are you ready to proceed to the election of a pastor?” The question shall be answered by a motion, duly seconded and approved by a majority of those voting.
(7.) If they declare themselves ready, the moderator shall declare the name submitted by the nominating committee to be in nomination.
(8.) The vote shall be taken by written ballot. In every case a majority of the voters present ~nd voting shall be required to elect.
(9.) On the election of a pastor, if it appear that a large minority is averse to the candidate who has received a majority of votes, and the minority cannot be induced to concur in the call, the moderator shall endeavor to dissuade the majority from prosecuting it further. If the electors be nearly or quite unanimous or if the majority shall insist upon its right to call a pastor, the moderator shall proceed to draw a call in due form. It shall be subscribed by them, certifying at the same time in writing the number of those who do not concur in the call, and any facts of importance all of which proceedings shall be laid before the Ministerial Relations Committee, together with the call.
(10.) The call shall be in the following form, namely:
FORM OF CALL
“The Bible Fellowship Church of , being on sufficient grounds, well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of you, _, and having good hopes from our knowledge of you, that your ministrations in the gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the office of pastor in said congregation, promising you in the discharge of your duties, all proper support, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord.
“And that you may be free from worldly care and avocations, we, on our part, promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of $__ yearly in regular payments during the time of your being and continuing as the pastor of this church, together with free use of the parsonage and vacation each year.
“And we agree to payor continue to pay semi-annually into the Ministers’ Retirement Fund that requisite percent of said salary which Annual Conference may require you to pay into said fund. “And we agree to payor continue to pay annually a sum equivalent to that self-employment tax as may be levied upon you by the Congress of the United states under the Federal Insurance Contribution Act.
“And we agree to pay, or continue to pay, for the Health and Welfare benefits offered by Annual Conference.
“And we promise and oblige ourselves to review with you the adequacy of this compensation annually.
“In testimony whereof we have respectively subscribed our names this _ day of A.D. _.
Signatures
“I, having moderated the congregational meeting which extended a call to __ for his ministerial services, do certify that the call has been made in all respects according to the rules laid down by the FAITH & ORDER, and the persons who sign the foregoing call were authorized to do so by the vote of the congregation.
(Signed)
Moderator of Meeting. “
(11.) The signatures on the call shall be either all those present subscribing to the call: or (upon resolution of the congregation) those members of the Board of Elders who subscribe to the call. Such a resolution must be publicly voted and must be certified to the Ministerial Relations Committee by the moderator of the meeting.
(12.) The Annual Conference Delegate(s) shall present and prosecute the call before the Ministerial Relations Committee.
- Duty of Minister
a. Ministers receiving calls shall reply in writing within three weeks.
b. If it appears desirable, after he has received a call, the minister may confer with the nominating committee so the parties may become acquainted with the particular needs of the church and with proposed methods, opportunities, or obligations. - Action of Annual Conference on the Call of the Pastor
a. Preliminary actions by the Ministerial Relations Committee
(1.) The Nominating Committee shall confer with the Ministerial Relations Committee as provided in paragraph 3 b.
(2.) The Ministerial Relations Committee must approve the name of the candidate before it is presented to the congregation.
(3.) Every call must be placed in the hands of the Ministerial Relations Committee by the moderator of the congregational meeting and the Annual Conference Delegate(s). The Ministerial Relations Committee must find that the Nominating Committee had followed the required steps in the FAITH & ORDER.
b. When the call of the congregation is unanimous, or nearly so, the Ministerial Relations Committee may approve the call. If it is unable to approve the call, the Committee must submit the entire matter to Annual Conference at its next session, together with its recommendations. The Delegate(s) to Annual Conference shall prosecute the call before the Annual Conference.
c. When a call is approved, the Annual Conference Delegate(s) shall place it in the hands of the minister called.
d. The minister called shall respond in writing within three weeks after receiving the call.
B. MAINTAINING THE PASTORAL RELATION
- Ministerial Relations Committee. On the denominational level the Ministerial Relations Committee is charged with the chief responsibility in maintaining good pastoral relations. It shall be established and elected in order that the spiritual and temporal welfare of the ministers and congregations of the Bible Fellowship Church may be properly sustained. The election of this Committee shall take precedence over all other Annual Conference Boards, Committees and Appointments. Unless Annual Conference otherwise provides, the Committee shall elect its own chairman and vice-chairman who shall serve until their successors have been elected.
To the Ministerial Relations Committee Annual Conference shall assign the supervision of its churches without pastors. Direct access to this Committee shall be available at all times to all ministers in the Conference, and to all members of Boards of Elders, in matters relative to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the churches in which they severally hold office. - Consultation and Advice
a. Because the relationship between pastor and congregation began under mutual agreement and at the direction of Christ, the Head of the Church, the parties of this relationship bear chief responsibility for its proper maintenance through Christ’s enabling. Help of the Ministerial Relations Committee shall be sought only when internal discussion of problems results in no mutually acceptable solution.
b. When external help is needed, the Ministerial Relations Committee shall represent Annual Conference in providing such help. - Composition and Election of the Ministerial Relations Committee
a. The Committee shall be elected by Annual Conference.
b. The Committee shall be comprised of three classes and shall be composed of four ordained ministers who are serving as pastors and three laymen who are elders.
c. The term of office shall be for three years.
d. Four members shall constitute a quorum. This Committee may, from its membership, establish such sub-committees as may meet its requirements.
e. When a member of the Ministerial Relations Committee becomes personally involved in a ministerial problem, he shall disqualify himself from acting in such cases.
f. Direct access to this Committee shall be available to all ministers and to all members of the Board of Elders at all times. In correspondence with the Committee, letters shall be addressed to the Committee’s secretary. - Duties of the Ministerial Relations Committee
a. The Committee’s role is that of consultation and advice; and, except in unusual circumstances, it is permitted to act only when matters are brought to its attention. To compel attention referrals must be by:
(1.) Pastors of the conference, regarding matters pertaining to their own churches.
(2.) Members of Boards of Elders regarding matters pertaining to their own churches.
b. When difficulties within a particular church are not too widely known, the Committee with the Pastoral Relations Committee of the congregation shall seek a solution to the problem.
c. If the matter has reached the stage of widespread rumor or general knowledge within the congregation and even in the community, a formal or public visit is in order. Except in cases of emergency, arrangements for such visits to a particular church shall be made by contacting the Secretary of the Board of Elders.
d. It is mandatory that a church or pastor having problems consult with the Ministerial Relations Committee before initiating any action leading to a dissolution of Lbe !-iai:;tol~al relati(m;3:hip.
e. The first consideration of the Ministerial Relations Committee is the maintenance of a happy relationship between pastor and people. If problems arise, the Committee’s duty is to work toward resolving the difficulties. Only after every effort to resolve the problem is exhausted, will thought be given to terminating the pastoral relationship.
f. When this Committee cannot resolve a problem submitted to it, the problem shall be brought to Annual Conference for final solution, with the recommendations of the Committee.
g. It shall submit a report to each Annual Conference and make recommendations as to the minimum minister’s salary. - Minister’s Salary. The call of the minister is a covenant between him and the church he serves and involves the following responsibilities:
a. It shall provide a basic salary. In addition, it shall include provision of a parsonage, including payment as an expense paid out of church income , of the cost of heat, light, telephone and all other utilities.
b. Each congregation is bound by the requirement: We promise and oblige ourselves to review with you the adequacy of this compensation annually.
c. Whatever the amount of the annual payment of salary, each congregation agrees to payor to continue to pay into the Ministers’ Retirement Fund that requisite per cent of said salary which may be fixed by Annual Conference for the participation of the pastor in the Ministers’ Retirement Fund.
d. Whatever the amount of the annual payment of salary, each congregation agrees to payor to continue to pay annually a sum equivalent to that self employment tax as may be levied upon the pastor by the Congress of the United states under the Federal insurance Contributions Act.
e. Whatever the amount of the annual payment of salary, each congregation agrees to payor to continue to pay for the Health and Welfare benefits as offered by Annual Conference.
f. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall approve the call and its details; i.e. the covenant. It shall establish the time the covenant goes into effect. It shall report annually to Annual Conference on the adequacy of the compensation of the pastors. It shall fix the date of the dissolution of the pastorate, at which time the covenant ends.
C. DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION
Except as Annual Conference may delegate authority to the Ministerial Relations Committee, its approval is necessary to the formation of the pastoral relation and to its dissolution. This authority may be exercised on the petition of the pastor, or on the judgment of the Annual Conference without petition. Action taken on “resignation of the pastor or petition of the people” is the normal form of dissolution. Rules covering the normal process are 1 through 4 of this section. Action taken on the “judgment of Annual Conference, without petition” is effected by administrative discipline as covered by paragraph 5 of this section.
- The Normal Process. If a minister desires to resign from his pastorate, he shall submit his resignation to the church by sending a letter to the Secretary of the Board of Elders, and he shall at the same time submit a copy of said letter to the Chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee.
a. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall cite the church to appear by members of the Board of Elders, or the church may so appear upon its own motion, to show cause, if it has any, why Annual Conference should not accept the resignation. If the church shall fail to appear; or if its reasons for retaining its pastor be deemed insufficient, his resignation may be accepted. The Ministerial Relations Committee may approve the resignation and set its effective date. If the Committee is unable to approve the resignation, it must refer the problem to Annual Conference with recommendations.
b. Ordinarily such action presents no difficulties. The usual practice is for the Board of Elders to call a congregational meeting, in accordance with our rules, to vote concurrence with the minister’s resignation. The presentation of the resignation of the pastoral charge by the minister and the concurrence of the congregation leads to the action of Annual Conference dissolving the pastoral relation, and a fixing of the effective date. - Churches Desiring Dissolution of Pastorate
a. If a church desires a dissolution of the pastoral relation, a similar procedure shall be observed. The title of this paragraph implies that problems exist between pastor and people. It is required then, that all procedures set forth in Section B, for maintaining the pastoral relationship have been followed diligently. Nevertheless, the relationship continues to be an unhappy one. But whether the minister or the church initiates proceedings for a dissolution of the relationship, there shall always be a meeting of the congregation called precisely as prescribed in Section A, paragraph 3e, and conducted in the same manner as prescribed in Section A, paragraph 3f.
If this action is undertaken unilaterally by the church, it must be in the form of a petition to Annual Conference asking that its pastoral relationship be dissolved. This petition must be prepared in consultation with the Ministerial Relations Committee and it must be submitted to Annual Conference through the Ministerial Relations Committee.
b. Unless the pastor resigns, there is no provision for dissolution of the pastoral relationship except as provided in Section C, paragraph 2a, or in Section C, paragraph 5. - Consultation and Help for Ministers Seeking a Change of Pastorate
a. Ministerial Relations Committee. A part of the purpose of the Ministerial Relations Committee is to facilitate the exchange of information concerning ministers seeking new pastorates and vacant churches seeking new ministers. Counsel and advice should be given by the Ministerial Relations Committee which should insist on such ministers giving information concerning their education, background and experience, for reference. Suggestions may be given of churches presently vacant, of assistant pastors needed, or of opportunities for those of special talents for administrative work, etc.
b. It may sometimes be wise for Annual Conference, through its Ministerial Relations Committee, to suggest a different calling to one whose experience and disappointment raise a questions as to his call to the ministry. Other areas of Christian service, even those open to laymen, may be more suitable to some who have been willing to serve as ministers. - Consultation and Help for Churches Seeking a Change of Pastorate. The help of the Ministerial Relations Committee shall be available and willingly given that both church and minister may find satisfactory relations. The friendly help thus given through patience and positive action may prevent the appearance of discord and the resulting harm to both minister and congregation.
- Dissolution of Pastoral Relation by Annual Conference after Investigation. There are several ways in which irregularities come before Annual Conference for official action:
a. By report of the Ministerial Relations Committee to Annual Conference when it is unable to solve a problem by simple counsel and advice.
b. By the motion of a member of Annual Conference whose conscience requires him to act in regard to the pastoral relationship.
c. By general review and control.
BY-LAWS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ARTICLE I
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The assembly of churches shall represent, in one body, all the particular churches of this denomination and shall be called the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
The Annual Conference shall provide legislation, govern the affairs of the churches on the denominational level and receive appeals, complaints or other references from churches about doctrine or government. It alone shall have the power to amend the FAITH & ORDER. It shall decide issues as a final court of appeal. Although it is responsible for these duties, it shall not invade the autonomy of the particular churches.
The Annual Conference shall have the .power to resolve questions of doctrine or discipline seriously and reasonably proposed; to reprove, warn or bear testimony against error in doctrine or immorality in practice in any church; to examine and license candidates for the ministry; to ordain, install, judge and remove ministers, to examine and approve or censure the records of particular churches; to unite or divide congregations at the request of the people; to provide supervision of vacant pulpits and to give counsel in calling pastors.
It shall keep and publish a record of the proceedings of its sessions and make them available to the membership of the churches. Each meeting of the Annual Conference shall be opened and closed with prayer. The business sessions shall be conducted according to the Standing Rules (Business Rules of the Conference). The parliamentary procedure shall be according to Robert’s Rules of Order except in places where the standing rules provide otherwise.
ARTICLE II
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF A MINISTER
All men who desire to have ministerial credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church shall apply to the Ministerial Candidate Committee. Initial application should be made in writing to the chairman of the Committee; any minister in the denomination can supply the name and address of the current chairman.
Every man who is called to serve as a pastor of a Bible Fellowship Church must have credentials with the denomination. Men who serve as supply pastors for an extended period of time shall be required to establish a proper relationship with this Committee.
- Men Entering the Ministry – The Ministerial Candidate Committee divides those under its care into three groups: Applicants, Candidates and Probationers. An Applicant is a man who offers himself to this Committee for service in the Bible Fellowship Church; young men are encouraged to seek this recognition as early in their educational program as they sense the call of Cod to the ministry. A Candidate is a man whose application is accepted and who remains under the guidance of this Committee; men move to this group when they near the completion of their educational preparation for the ministry. A Probationer is a man who has been approved by this Committee, has passed an examination on the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church, and is working in a Bible Fellowship Church or in one of the denominational ministries. After a Probationer has served at least two years, he may be recommended to the Credentials Committee for ordination examination. The minimum period of probationary service may be extended; having served as a Probationer does not guarantee ordination. Internship or field work programs enhance the value of this probationary period when churches and men desire. Men who meet all stated requirements relating to probationers are eligible to be licensed as probationers by the Ministerial Candidate Committee even if they are serving in a Bible Fellowship Church or denominational agency on a part-time basis, and the minimum period of probationary service shall be the equivalent of two years of full-time service, with the added provision that at least the last six months of service be in a full-time capacity.
- Men Received from Other Churches – When a minister from another church seeks ministerial credentials in the Bible Fellowship Church, he shall apply to the Ministerial Candidate Committee.
The applicant shall produce satisfactory evidence that he is in good standing in his church and that his ordination was intended to be within and to the ministry of the Church universal, was performed by the authority charged with the exercise of this specific Church-power within the ordaining community and was accompanied by the laying on of hands by such as have themselves been similarly ordained. The candidate shall also furnish evidence of having severed all connections with other denominations before being enrolled.
Having complied with these provisions, the candidate shall, upon being received, begin with the status of an ordained minister serving as a probationer. After serving at least a year as a probationer, he may be examined by the Credentials Committee. The Credentials Committee may then recommend to the Annual Conference that he be accepted as an ordained minister with full privileges in the Bible Fellowship Church. This recognition shall be made known in a public service. - Ordination – The Bible Fellowship Church understands ordination to the Christian ministry to be the laying on of the hands of the elders of the Church accompanied by prayer and the public recognition by the Church of gifts previously given by God to one called to the ministry of the Word of God. The examination for ordination is conducted by the Credentials Committee of the Bible Fellowship Church. So long as an ordained minister maintains a relationship to this denomination he remains under the care of the Credentials Committee subscribing annually to the FAITH & ORDER.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP OF CONGREGATIONS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
See Supplement – Section 2
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERS OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Annual Conference shall consist of every ordained minister laboring in direct relationship to the Bible Fellowship Church, and its agencies, every ordained missionary, every ordained minister who is retired, every probationer who has been called to be the pastor of a church (this refers only to the first pastor of a church, and does not include probationers who are called to serve as associates of the first pastor of a church) and one lay elder from every properly constituted church with a membership of two hundred or less and one additional lay elder for every hundred members in excess of the first two hundred. Ordained ministers on leave of absence, ordained ministers who retain membership in one of the churches and who are engaged in Christian service not directly related to the Annual Conference, probationers who have not been called to be the first pastors of churches and missionaries who hold membership in one of the churches and are under the supervision of the Board of Foreign Missions, shall be advisory members of the Annual Conference. They shall not participate in the deliberations of the sessions except by permission of the chairman.
ARTICLE V OFFICERS OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN
To conduct the business of the Annual Conference in an orderly and efficient manner, a chairman shall be chosen by and from the membership of the Annual Conference.
The chairman by his election shall be considered to possess, by delegation from the whole body, all authority necessary to direct the meetings of the Annual Conference according to the rules of the Bible Fellowship Church.
When there is a tie vote, the chairman shall have the deciding vote. If he is not willing to decide, he shall call for a second ballot; if the vote is again tie, the issue shall be considered lost.
Before the Annual Conference adjourns it shall elect by ballot the chairman of the next Annual Conference. A chairman shall be eligible to succeed himself twice. After the close of the Annual Conference, the chairman shall have the power to convene the Annual Conference by circulating a written call for such a session giving the members two weeks notice.
SECRETARY
Each Annual Conference before adjournment shall elect by ballot a secretary from its membership. He shall record its transactions, preserve the record carefully and prepare for publication the proceedings of Annual Conference. He shall furnish certified excerpts from the minutes of the Annual Conference when properly requested; when such excerpts are given, they shall be considered as authentic evidence of the fact which they declare. The secretary is empowered to appoint any assistants he needs.
ARTICLE VI
BUSINESS RULES OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
- Two sessions shall be held daily as follows: from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1 :30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- The chairman shall take his seat precisely at the time to which the Conference is to convene, open and conduct the devotional exercises. The secretary shall call the roll and read the minutes of the preceding meeting, after which business shall proceed as follows:
Committee Reports
Petitions
Unfinished Business
Miscellaneous Business - Anyone wishing to speak shall rise and respectfully address the Chair. In case more than one should address the Chair at the same time, the chairman shall decide who is entitled to the floor.
- No one shall be allowed to speak more than ten minutes on any subject unless he receives permission by the Chair.
- No one shall speak the second time until all who desire have spoken. He shall then ask permission of the Chair.
- It shall be the duty of the chairman to preserve order.
- A Resolution to be effective must appear on the Minutes of the current year’s proceedings. Said Resolution must appear on the Minutes for at least three successive years before it can be placed in the Standing Rules of the Conference.
- Robert’s Rules of Order is the basis for our parliamentary procedure.
- Two copies of the Reports of all Standing Boards and Committees shall be mimeographed and sent to the pastors one week previous to Annual Conference. Questions may be asked and corrections made before inclusion into the Annual Conference minutes. Reports shall not be read publicly, unless called for from the Conference floor.
- Any exception to the Standing Rules may be allowed by three-fourth (3/4) of the Annual Conference. The reason for such exception shall be fully spread on the Minutes.
ARTICLE VII
AGENCIES OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The churches individually and as a body recognize their responsibility for the growth of the church in this country and overseas, for the ministry, for education, for camps and conferences, for youth work, for publications, for ministerial pensions and relief and for other appropriate concerns.
The Annual Conference shall establish boards, committees or offices, temporary or permanent, incorporated or unincorporated, for the discharge of these responsibilities.
Such agencies shall perform all their acts as the servants of and in accordance with the rules of the Bible Fellowship Church; they shall be accountable to and submit reports to the Annual Conference as it may require.
The Annual Conference is empowered to consider the programs of such agencies to correlate their work, to prevent duplication of effort and to guide the development of denominational programs. Each agency shall administer its own program and finances in conformity to policy which has been approved by the Annual Conference.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL RULES OF ELECTIONS AND RESIGNATIONS
Ordained ministers who have been called to minister by the rules of Pulpit Supply or who are laboring in any agency of Bible Fellowship Church shall be eligible for election or appointment to Conference Offices, Boards or Committees.
An ordained minister who is without a call to a church is eligible to serve in an elective office and on Conference Boards and Committees as long as he remains on the list of Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of Bible Fellowship Church.
A minister who is granted a leave of absence may serve as a minister in any elective or appointed position only until the next Annual Conference, when a successor will be elected or appointed to fill the unexpired term.
Laymen who are members in good standing of a Bible Fellowship Church are eligible for election or appointment to Conference Boards or Committees. These laymen need not be members of the Annual Conference. The Nominating Committee shall seek assistance from Pastors and Boards of Elders in obtaining capable candidates for these positions.
A resignation from an Annual Conference office shall be sent to the Secretary of Annual Conference. A copy shall also be sent to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
A resignation from a Board or Committee shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Board or Committee. The Board or Committee shall report to Annual Conference such resignation(s), recommending appropriate action. The Board or Committee shall inform the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE IX
ANNUAL CONFERENCE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Subject to the approval of Annual Conference
- COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM
See Supplement – Section 3 - COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS
See Supplement – Section 4 - COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATION OF MINUTES OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES
A. Purpose - To provide a degree of uniformity in the manner in which the Particular Churches conduct their respective congregational meetings.
- To ensure that a Particular Church is in conformity to the FAITH & ORDER.
- To assist the pastors in the manner in which they shall preside at congregational meetings.
- To assist the secretary of each particular church in keeping proper and accurate records of the proceedings of the congregational meetings.
B. The Duties - The Committee shall determine annually by use of Suggested Format (see p. 63) the adequacy of the minutes of each Particular Church.
- The Committee shall notify any Particular Church of inadequacies found in the minutes along with suggested corrective measures.
- The Committee shall verify:
a. That the delegate and alternate delegate are elders and the individuals reported to the Secretary of Annual Conference.
b. That petitions as circulated for consideration at Annual Conference have been adopted by the congregation. - The Committee shall submit a report to Annual Conference including the above verifications.
C. The Formulation - The Committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Chairman of Annual Conference.
- The Committee shall organize itself.
- The Committee shall meet at least annually in the week prior to Annual Conference.
- COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS
See Supplement – Section 5 - COMMITTEE ON AUDITING
See Supplement – Section 6 - COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS
See Supplement – Section 7 - COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATION OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINUTES
The Committee on Examination of Annual Conference Minutes shall carefully compare the Annual Year Book with the Annual Conference Minutes and note any and all errors, make a copy of any and all corrections, omissions or additions and certify in the following form:
We hereby certify that we have examined the Annual Conference Minutes for the Session of and found them correct except as follows …..
Two copies of this certification shall be made and signed by the Committee and pasted into two copies of the Conference Year Book, one to be held by the Chairman of the Annual Conference and one by the Secretary. These shall serve as the Record of the Annual Conference. - COMMITTEE ON AGENDA
See Supplement – Section 8 - TELLERS See Supplement – Section 9 10, TIME KEEPER See Supplement – Section 10
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ELECTED BY BALLOT
I. MINISTERIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Election: The election of this Committee shall take precedence over all other Annual Conference Boards, Committees and Appointments.
The Committee shall be elected by Annual Conference.
The Committee shall be composed of four ordained ministers who are serving as pastors and three laymen who are elders. It shall be comprised of three classes as follows:
Class I – One minister and one layman
Class II – Two ministers and one layman
Class III – One minister and one layman
The term of office shall be for three years.
Duties:
- The Committee’s role is that of consultation and advice; and, except in unusual circumstances, it is permitted to act only when matters are brought to its attention. To compel attention referrals must be by:
a. Pastors of the Conference, regarding matters pertaining to their own churches.
b. Members of Boards of Elders regarding matters pertaining to their own churches. - When difficulties within a particular church are not too widely known, the Committee with the Pastoral Relations Committee of the congregation shall seek a solution to the problem.
- If the matter has reached the state of widespread rumor or general knowledge within the congregation and even in the community, a formal or public visit is in order. Except in cases of emergency, arrangements for such visits to a particular church shall be made by contacting the Secretary of the Board of Elders.
- It is mandatory that a church or pastor having problems consult with the Ministerial Relations Committee before initiating any action leading to a dissolution of the pastoral relationship.
- The first consideration of the Ministerial Relations Committee is the maintenance of a happy relationship between pastor and people. If problems arise, the Committee’s duty is to work toward resolving the difficulties. Only after every effort to resolve the problem is exhausted, will thought be given to terminating the pastoral relationship.
- When this Committee cannot resolve a problem submitted to it, the problem shall be brought to Annual Conference for final solution, with the recommendations of the Committee.
- It shall submit a report to each Annual Conference and make recommendations as to the minimum minister’s salary.
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
Article I
Composition and Election of the Board - Composition – The Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church shall be composed of five ordained ministers and four laymen.
- Election and Term of Office – The Directors shall be elected in three classes by the Annual Conference of Bible Fellowship Church to three year terms of service; each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
The classes shall be composed as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and one layman
Class II – Two ministers and one layman
Class III – One minister and two laymen - Vacancies – Any vacancies of the Board occurring between Annual Conferences may be filled bysimple majority vote of the remaining Directors; each Director elected in this way shall serve only until the next Annual Conference.
Article II
Organization of the Board
- Officers – The Directors shall elect annually from their number a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Financial Secretary, and a Treasurer . The Board may, at its discretion, elect such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
- Vacancies – Vacancies in the offices named in this Article shall be filled by the Board of Directors as early as practicable.
- Removal from Office – Officers elected by the Board of Directors shall be subject to removal-from office at any time by majority vote of the whole number of Directors.
Article III
Duties of the Board
- Legal – The Board of Directors shall have and exercise in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation all rights and privileges conferred by the Charter creatin~ the Corporation; such activity must always be in conformity to the FAITH & ORDER of Bible Fellowship Church and to the rules, decisions and directives of the Annual Conference of Bible Fellowship Church.
- Denominational Property – It shall hold title to and have charge of all property, both real and personal, belonging to the Corporation except where there is an organized church or where other provision has been made for supervision by the Annual Conference.
It shall buy or sell property for the Corporation only by the approval of all members of the Board or by direction of Annual Conference.
It shall have the right to borrow money, contract mortgages, or make loans against any property of the Corporation by approval of all members of the Board or by direction of the Annual Conference. - Ministers’ Retirement Fund and Insurance Programs – It shall have oversight of the Ministers’ Retirement Fund of Bible Fellowship Church as well as all insurance programs established by Annual Conference.
- Funds and Other Assets – It shall determine the depositories of Funds held by the Corporation, shall maintain accurate accounts of such funds and other assets, and shall have the right to make investments.
- Administrative Budget – It shall have the oversight of the Administrative Budget according to the By-Laws of Annual Conference.
- Real Estate of Particular Churches – It shall assist upon request of a particular church in having deeds drawn for real estate with the trust clauses as described in the By-Laws for Particular Churches in the FAITH & ORDER.
It shall act in an advisory capacity to particular churches and to the Board of Church Extension regarding the buying and selling of properties and development of facilities.
It shall have authority to sell for the Corporation any property deeded to a particular church where for any reason said particular church ceases to exist as an organized church; it shall be empowered to convey such real estate and to execute and deliver a lawful deed. It shall use the net proceeds of the sale of such property to the extension of Bible Fellowship Church. - Annual Conference Rate of Payment for Mileage – The Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church shall annually recommend to Annual Conference the rate of payment for mileage for all official church business. It shall be established by Annual Conference by a majority at one reading.
- Fund to Assist Churches – The Board of Directors shall maintain and administer the Fund to Assist Churches.
The Board of Directors may solicit contributions from the churches to help the needy church(es) when there is insufficient money in the Fund to Assist Churches to meet the needs. - Report – It shall submit a report(s) to Annual Conference of Bible Fellowship Church annually.
Article IV
Duties of Officers
- President – (l)The President shall be moderator of all meetings of the Board of Directors. (2)He or any officer designated by him shall execute such leases, contracts, deeds and other documents as the current business of the Corporation may require. He shall report such execution to the Board, excepting, however, that no report shall be required with respect to matters which have been approved or authorized by the Board or matters not requiring Board authorization or approval. (3)He shall also exercise and perform such powers and duties as are usually exercised by and devolve upon Presidents of Corporations.
- The Vice-President – The Vice-President shall be the moderator of any duly called meetings of the Board of Directors not attended by the President. Should the Board find that the President is incapacitated or unable to perform his duties as President, such duties shall devolve upon the Vice-President.
- Secretary of the Corporation – The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Board. He shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation. He shall maintain files and records for the business of the Corporation. He shall preserve items of special value in a safe deposit box in a depository approved by the Board.
- Financial Secretary – The Financial Secretary shall maintain accurate records of all assets held by and all financial transactions of the Corporation. He shall issue checks for the payment of duly authorized obligations.
- Treasurer – The Treasurer shall deposit all funds for which the Board is responsible in depositories approved by the Board of Directors; all accounts shall be in the name of Bible Fellowship Church, Treasurer.
Article V
Miscellaneous Regulations
- Primary Place of Business – The primary place of business of the Corporation shall be:
Bible Fellowship Church
600 South Main Street
Coopersburg, Pennsylvania 18036 - Lawful Meetings – The Board of Directors shall establish a schedule of stated meetings; it may also establish special meetings as required. Other special meetings may be convened with at least seven days’ notice sent by mail to each Director at the address given in the current Yearbook; such special meetings shall be convened at the call of the President on his own initiative or at the call of the Secretary when requested by three Directors. In any call for a special meeting, the purpose of the meeting must be stated and the business transacted will be limited to the announced purpose, unless all of the Directors are present in said special meeting and consent to the transaction of other business.
- Quorum – Seven duly elected Directors must be present to transact business of the Board; because its rules require unanimous consent of all Directors on certain issues, the vote of an absent Director shall be entered into the record on, but only on, those issues.
- Disbursement of Funds – The President, Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall be qualified to sign checks for withdrawal of funds from the bank accounts of the Board.
Checks may be validated by the signatures of any two of the qualified officers.
Article VI
Funds Administered by the Board of Directors
Section 1. Ministers’ Retirement Fund
I. NAME The name of this fund shall be the Ministers’ Retirement Fund of the Bible Fellowship Church
II. PURPOSE
The Ministers’ Retirement Fund shall be a permanent fund to provide and pay annuities to ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church who by reason of age have retired from active service and also to widows of such ministers according to the rules hereinafter stated.
III. ADMINISTRATION
This fund shall be controlled by the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church and operated by the Committee on Pensions under the direction of the Annual Conference.
IV. ELIGIBILITY
A. Every minister who is licensed or who has been ordained by the Bible Fellowship Church is a member of the Fund so long as he is working under the direction of the Annual Conference and his name continues to appear on the list of men eligible to serve as a pastor of a Bible Fellowship Church.
B. When a man receives license with the Bible Fellowship Church, the Ministerial Candidate Committee shall notify him of the requirement for payments in to the Fund and its benefits.
C. A man having less than thirty years of active service to the Bible Fellowship Church and no longer meeting both requirements set forth in Paragraph A of this Section of these rules, ceases to be a member of the Fund, except as provided in Paragraphs D and E of this Section. When a minister ceases to be a member of the Retirement Fund, the money he paid into the Fund shall be refunded to him; and he by receiving this refund shall forfeit all further claims on the Fund.
D. Should a minister with less than thirty years of service no longer meet both eligibility requirements of Paragraph A of this Section because he is awaiting a call to the pulpit of a Bible Fellowship Church, his membership in the Fund will continue so long as he desires, and this period between calls will be included as years of active service as this term is used in Section VIII, Paragraph A, 3. However, to maintain the continuity of his service, a minister covered by this Paragraph shall on April 1 and at Annual Conference of each year make his contribution to the Fund in accordance with the provision of Section V, Paragraph B based on the minimum salary currently prescribed for a pastor by Annual Conference.
E. Should a minister, after having accepted a refund as provided in Paragraph C of this Section, return to work under the direction of Annual Conference, he may return the refund to the Fund and the years of service represented by the refund, will be included in the base for calculating his annuity.
V. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND The Fund shall be maintained by the following:
A. Contributions through the Annual Conference Administrative Budget.
B. Contributions from each member. Each member shall pay into this fund two percent (2%) of his annual salary and supplemental benefits, excluding medical insurance and parsonage allowances for pastors who provide their own housing. One half of this payment shall be forwarded to the Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors on or before April 1, and the balance shall be paid at the next Annual Conference. The annual salary shall be calculated on the year beginning September 1 and ending August 31.
C. Gifts, bequests and devises from any sources.
VI. RETIREMENT AGE
A. A minister of the Bible Fellowship Church who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years may retire from active service.
B. It is mandatory that a minister retire at the end of the month in which he attains the age of seventy-two (72) years.
C. A minister who has given thirty (30) years or more of service to the Bible Fellowship Church may retire from the active ministry prior to age sixty-five (65) and be eligible for an annuity at age sixty-five (65).
VII. DISABILITY
A minister who has given twenty-five (25) years or more of active service to the Bible Fellowship Church may become eligible for an annuity at the end of the month in which he becomes totally and permanently disabled.
VIII. ANNUITIES
A. For Ministers
No annuity will be paid unless a minister has met the requirements of Section VI and has paid in full according to Section V, B at least five years.
The annuity for a retired minister shall be calculated at the rate established annually by Annual Conference by a two-thirds majority vote at one reading.
A minister’s annuity will be based on his years of active service to the Bible Fellowship Church subject to a maximum of forty (40) years.
Services rendered after the age of seventy-two (72) years shall not increase the annuity.
If at any time the money in the Fund is insufficient to pay the annuities in full, the Board of Directors shall determine the amount of monthly installments pro rata.
No minister shall be entitled to the full amount of his annuity unless he has paid in full as according to Section V, B. The years of ser vice shall be reduced for each year in which he was a member of the Fund, but failed to make the required payments.
B. Annuities for Widows
The widow of a deceased minister who has complied with the provisions of the Fund shall receive annuities beginning at the time of the death of the husband provided that the widow shall have attained the age of sixty-five (65) years or beginning at the time that she shall attain the age of sixty-five (65) years.
A widow’s annuity shall be calculated at one-half the rate of Section VIII, A for each year that she was the wife of a minister during which he was in active service in the Bible Fellowship Church subject to a maximum of forty (40) years.
The annuity shall cease if the widow remarries.
C. All annuities cease at the time of the death of the annuitant.
Section 2. Fund to Assist Churches
A fund shall be established to assist churches financial need which shall be known as the Fund to Assist Churches.
The Fund to Assist Churches shall be administered by the Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church who shall receive appeals from churches in need of assistance, consider such appeals) and make appropriations as it may decide are necessary. The Board of Directors shall establish procedures of application and criteria for distribution of funds.
Any person or church who is aware that a church is in serious financial need may inform the Board of Directors.
The Fund to Assist Churches shall be maintained by an annual allotment from the Administrative Budget and if there are insufficient funds to meet the needs by a direct appeal to the churches. Unused money in the Fund shall be invested.
Responsibility of the Church Seeking Assistance.
A. Requests for assistance by a particular church shall be by Board of Elders resolution and shall be in writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
B. The request for assistance shall include the following information:
(1) Circumstances causing the present need;
(2) Amount of money needed and, if pertinent, date by which the funds are needed;
(3) Use to which funds are to be put.
C. The Directors shall reserve the right to examine the latest financial statement of the church requesting funds if circumstances seem to warrant such an examination.
Responsibility of the Board of Directors
A. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church and two other directors of his choice shall consider requests for funds, and be empowered to award and release funds to churches who request aid. Awards must be by unanimous agreement of the three Directors or by majority vote of the full Board of Directors.
B. The committee of three Directors shall report to the next meeting of the full Board any requests considered or funds disbursed.
C. The Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors shall inform the Directors of the status of the Fund to Assist Churches, and shall make recommendation to the Directors concerning the amount of money to be budgeted in the Conference Administrative Budget and/or solicited from churches to keep the fund solvent.
Section 3. Administrative Budget
I. Preparation of the Budget
At Annual Conference, the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church shall present a proposed budget covering expected expenses for the conference year that will begin 12 months later. The budget will include the following expense items:
A. Publication and Printing
B. Conference Entertainment
C. Beneficiary Fund
D. Ministers’ Retirement Fund
E. Moving Fund
F. Expenses for Board and Committee Business
G. Other Expenses of Board of Directors
H. Ministerial Conventions
I. Ministers’ Assistance Fund
J. Ministerial Candidate Committee Fund for Internships
II. Subscription of the Budget
A. By April 15, following Annual Conference, each Church through its delegate, or an alternate officer, shall forward to the Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors, his church’s pledge of the amount it will contribute toward the proposed budget.
B. At its May meeting, the Board of Directors will review the pledges received for the proposed budget.
C. The Board will distribute to each church a report of the total amount subscribed. This report shall be presented to the Board of Elders of each church.
D. Should the budget be undersubscribed, opportunity will be given to each church to increase its pledge. Notice of increases should be forwarded to the Financial Secretary by August 15.
E. At its September meeting, the Board of Directors will consider any adjustments to proposed budget expenses that will bring the budget into balance with the total pledged. This recommendation shall be submitted to the Annual Conference as part of their Annual Report.
III. Adoption of the Budget
The recommendation of the Board of Directors will be presented to the Annual Conference for approval. Increases in pledges or alterations to budgeted expenses may be proposed prior to adoption.
IV. Payment of Pledges
A. Pledges to meet these budget needs should be considered as binding as any other vow made before the Lord.
B. Payments may be made quarterly or annually in advance. If monthly payment is preferred, one-eleventh of the pledge should be paid each month from October to August of the following year.
C. All payments should be completed by August 31, prior to the next Annual Conference.
BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS
Election: A General Secretary shall be elected by ballot by the Annual Conference from among the ordained ministers for a term of three years. By virtue of his office he shall be a member of the Board of Foreign Missions. The Board of Foreign Missions shall be composed of the General Secretary, four ordained ministers and four laymen elected for a term of three years in the following classes:
Class I – Two ministers and two laymen
Class II – One minister and one layman
Class III – One minister and one layman
All money contributed throughout the Conference for the cause of foreign missions shall be paid to the General Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions. The members of the church shall be respectfully recommended to forward their funds for the foreign missionaries through the local church and not to the missionaries directly, which would lessen or cause to neglect their contributions in the direct channel provided by Annual Conference for the support pledged to our respective missionaries.
Duties:
To formulate objectives and policy for the Foreign Mission program of the Bible Fellowship Church.
To interview and examine all prospective candidates for approval and for financial assistance.
To exercise oversight over the members of the Foreign Mission Department and to maintain standards in conformity to the Bible Fellowship Church.
To supervise the financial business matters relative to Foreign Missions.
To promote Foreign Missions in conjunction with the local church.
To submit a written report to the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
BOARD OF CHURCH EXTENSION
Election: The Board of Church Extension shall be composed of the Director of Church Extension by virtue of his office and four ordained ministers and three laymen.
Classes shall be formed as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and one layman
Class II – One minister and one layman
Class III – One minister and one layman
Each class shall be elected in turn annually by ballot by the Annual Conference for a term of three years.
Duties:
The Board of Church Extension shall have the authority to establish and aid in the organization of new congregations.
The purchase of real estate or erection of buildings for Church Extension purposes shall be approved by the Board of Church Extension. This action shall be referred to the Board of Directors for final approval and consummation of legal transactions.
It shall seek to encourage and stimulate Church Extension activities by the local churches.
It shall have charge of the distribution of all money received.
It shall require the churches under its jurisdiction to adhere to the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church.
It shall make recommendations to Annual Conference as to the advisability of admitting Church Extension Churches into the Annual Conference.
The Board shall make a written report of its activities to Annual Conference.
The Board of Church Extension, as part of its annual report, shall present to Annual Conference for adoption a proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1 of the year following. The budget shall include projected needs for planned new church openings.
After being adopted by Annual Conference, the budget for Church Extension may serve as a guide to the churches in their giving for Church Extension. Each Board of Elders shall, by June 15, submit to the Board of Church Extension its best estimate of the amount the church may be expected to remit for Church Extension by Annual Conference.
CHURCH EXTENSION DIRECTOR
Election: The Church Extension Director shall be an ordained minister of the Bible Fellowship Church.
He shall be elected by the Board of Church Extension, subject to ratification by the Annual Conference, for a three-year term to begin when the incumbent has submitted his report to the next Annual Conference.
The Director may, at the discretion of the Board of Church Extension on the basis of the demands of the office at the particular time, serve either full-time or part-time in the office.
Duties: His duties shall include the following:
- He shall, by virtue of his office, be a member of the Board of Church Extension.
- In the performance of his duties he shall in all matters work within the policies of the Board of Church Extension. He shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Board. This shall include the supervision of churches, missions and ministers under the Board’s jurisdiction.
- He shall be responsible for devising strategy I and tactics for church planting and development.
- He shall make studies and surveys to determine likely areas for location of new missions.
- He shall be responsible for the disbursement of funds allotted to him by the Board of Church Extension.
- He shall submit a written report of his activities to the Board of Church Extension at least quarterly.
- He shall annually submit a written report to the Annual Conference.
- He may personally open missions in new locations.
- He may serve as the pastor of a church or mission which is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Church Extension.
- He may provide counsel, help and training in principles and methods of church planting and development for men who are working in the Department of Church Extension.
- He may actively promote the program of Church Extension throughout the denomination.
RULES RELATIVE TO STATUS OF CHURCHES
1. Any congregation meeting the standards of Article XVIII of the FAITH & ORDER is a member of the Annual Conference and shall be known as a church.
2. Any congregation which has a relationship to the Bible Fellowship Church but has not yet met the standards for recognition as a church shall be called a mission.*
* The term “mission” is used in a technical sense, but this does not preclude the use of the term” “church” in any of the congregation’s public relations activities.
3. When in the opinion of the Board of Church Extension, a mission has attained to the standards set forth in Article XVIII, the Board shall recommend to Annual Conference that this mission be recognized as a church and that it be admitted to the membership of Annual Conference. This recognition will be by a majority vote of Annual Conference.
4. All churches which receive financial aid from the Board of Church Extension shall be under the jurisdiction of the Church Extension Department as long as they continue to receive such aid and until three years after the date of their receiving the last payment of such aid. After a church ceases to be under the jurisdiction of the Church Extension Department, it shall not again come under that jurisdiction or be eligible to receive financial aid from the Board of Church Extension except when a need for financial aid shall be occasioned by its participation in the start of a new Bible Fellowship Church or mission, in which case the Board of Church Extension may appropriate such financial aid. The Board of Church Extension and the Director may counsel and advise the churches under their jurisdiction in matters of pastoral relations and pulpit supply.
5. The Board of Church Extension shall participate in Annual Conference Pulpit Supply procedures on behalf of the missions under its jurisdiction to supply pastors for them. It shall seek to call a pastor for each of these missions, according to the By-laws of the Bible Fellowship Church which govern Pulpit Supply in which the Board of Church Extension shall function in lieu of the Board of Elders.
5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE
Election: It shall be composed of the President, five ministers and ten laymen. They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I – Three ministers and three laymen
Class II – One minister and four laymen
Class III – One minister and three laymen
Duties:
- The Board of Directors of Pine brook Junior College shall be responsible for the Doctrines and Practices of Pinebrook Junior College, shall safeguard the doctrines of the Bible as set forth in the FAITH & ORDER and shall enforce the regulations 6f the Annual Conference.
- It shall be responsible for the provision of facilities for the College.
- It shall be responsible for the execution of all legal transactions relating to the College.
- It shall be responsible for all funds received as provided by the Annual Conference.
- It shall elect the President and define his duties.
- It shall approve all appointments of teachers, administrative officers– and major employees upon the recommendation of the President and Faculty Committee.
- It shall give a full report of all activities of the College and present a prospective budget to the Annual Conference each year.
- It shall divide the responsibilities by choosing committees from among its own members, and sub-committees from among non-members of the Board.
- All members of the Board and Faculty shall annually subscribe to the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church.
PRESIDENT OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE
The President of Pinebrook Junior College shall be elected by the Board of Directors of Pine brook Junior College according to its by-laws from among men who are in agreement with the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church. The election of anew President shall be submitted to Annual Conference and be ratified by a two-thirds vote.
6. BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Election: It shall be composed of six ministers and six laymen. They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and two laymen
Class II – Two ministers and two laymen
Class III – Two ministers and two laymen
Duties:
- It shall provide guidance to the local church in carrying out the Christian Education Program.
- It shall provide helpful regional denominational programs for any or all aspects of the work of Christian Education.
- It shall receive funds designated by the Annual Conference and disburse them for the needs of its work.
- It shall submit a written report to Annual Conference.
7. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH HOME
Election: It shall be composed of five ministers and two laymen. They shall be elected for a term of two years in classes as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and one layman
Class II – Three ministers and one layman
Duties:
- The Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church Home shall be responsible to maintain a home for the aging and infirm and to engage in such other forms of benevolent and charitable work in connection with said Home as may be determined.
- The general business and affairs of the Bible Fellowship Home shall be managed and conducted by its Board of Directors acting as a Board, or through its properly authorized Officers in accordance with the By-laws of the Bible Fellowship Church Home; and management of its corporate business and affairs shall be in accordance with and subject to the FAITH & ORDER and By-laws of the Bible Fellowship Church.
- The general conduct of the Bible Fellowship Church Home shall be under the immediate supervision and control of an Administrator elected annually by its Board of Directors at the latter’s February meeting.
- The Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church Home shall make a written report of its activities to Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
8. BOARD OF VICTORY VALLEY
Election: It shall be composed of four ministers and five laymen. They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows: camp.
Class I – Three laymen
Class II – Three ministers
Class III – One mjnister and two laymen
Duties:
- To formulate objectives and policy for the camp.
- To plan the year-round camp program.
- To develop and maintain the site of the camp.
- To formulate and maintain the standards of the camp.
- To secure and provide for the training of the camp staff.
- To supervise the financial and business matters of the camp.
- To promote the camp to the public.
- To evaluate the camp and its program.
- To report to the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
BOARD OF PINEBROOK BIBLE CONFERENCE
Election: It shall be composed of four ministers and six laymen and the Bible Conference Director. The ministers and laymen shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and two laymen
Class II – One minister and two laymen
Class III – One minister and two laymen
One Bible Conference Director annually by virtue of office.
Duties: See Supplement – Section 11
- BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND PRINTING
Election: The Board of Publication and Printing shall be composed of three ministers and two laymen elected annually by ballot by the Annual Conference. The Business Manager of the FELLOWSHIP NEWS shall be a member by virtue of his office.
Duties:
- The Board of Publication and Printing shall be responsible to publish: The Annual Conference Year Book The FELLOWSHIP NEWS Other Conference literature
- It shall provide Conference related materials: Local Church and Sunday School supplies Stationery, etc. used by the Annual Conference Secretariat
- It shall determine amount of and pay the honorariums of: Editorial Staff of FELLOWSHIP NEWS Business Manager of FELLOWSHIP NEWS
- It shall receive the following funds:
Revenue from FELLOWSHIP NEWS subscriptions.
Revenue from Boards contributing to the publication of FELLOWSHIP NEWS.
Revenue from sale of Annual Conference Year Books or other Conference literature authorized to be produced and sold by the Annual Conference.
Appropriation from Administrative Budget. - The Business Manager shall deposit all funds in a bank or trust company approved by the Board of Publication and Printing to be disbursed at the direction of the Board.
- It shall investigate possible areas of expansion in the field of literature and printing.
- It shall present a written report to the Annual Conference and also a prospective budget for the ensuing year.
- CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Election: The Credentials Committee shall be composed of five ordained ministers elected annually by ballot by the Annual Conference.
Duties: - The Credentials Committee shall examine all candidates for ordination. This examination shall take place at least one month prior to Annual Conference.
- It shall recommend candidates for ordination to the Annual Conference. It shall recommend the place and time for the Ordination Service.
- It shall have the oversight of all men who hold credentials with the Annual Conference.
- It shall annually send a FAITH & ORDER Questionnaire to all ordained ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church. All those desiring to retain credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church must return the signed questionnaire by August 24.
The FAITH & ORDER questionnaire shall contain the following:
a. Are you willing to subscribe to the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church? Yes or No
b. If you are unwilling to subscribe to the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, state specifically your reason(s).
c. Will you endeavor to follow the rules of Order of the Bible Fellowship Church? Yes or No
d. If you desire to retain credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church this questionnaire must be returned by September 1. Failure to do so may result in your credentials being withdrawn.
No minister shall have his name placed on the Eligibility List who does not subscribe to our FAITH & ORDER in its entirety. - It shall deal with charges brought against any ordained minister.
Charges brought against any minister of the Bible Fellowship Church must be in writing and presented to the Credentials Committee. It shall request the accused individual to be present during the hearing of the case.
If these charges involve departure from any doctrine or practice of the Bible Fellowship Church, or any improper conduct, a thorough investigation shall be made.
If the charge is of sufficient magnitude in the judgment of the Credentials Committee, the accused minister may be temporarily suspended by the Committee and his name withheld from the Eligibility List for Pulpit Supply.
A report of this action, with appropriate recommendations for disposition of the case, shall be made to the Annual Conference.
The accused party shall have the right of appeal to the Annual Conference. If appeal is made to the Annual Conference by the accused individual, his name shall remain on the Eligibility List until the Annual Conference has passed judgment on the case. - It shall submit a report to the Annual Conference.
CATEGORIES OF MINISTRY
All ordained men who hold Ordination Credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church shall subscribe annually to the FAITH & ORDER.
The categories of ministry are as follows:
I. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church.
II. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Bible Fellowship Church.
III. Ordained Ministers Working With Other Organizations.
An ordained minister of the Bible Fellowship Church, consistently with his ordination vows and without prejudice to his ministerial standing, may properly under certain circumstances and conditions, labor in churches or organizations other than those of the Bible Fellowship Church.
The following rules must be adhered to in such cases:
- Such labor shall not require the performance of functions inconsistent with his ordination vows required of ministers and other provisions of the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church.
- They shall not be regarded as under the sole jurisdiction of the organization in which they serve. Such an organization must recognize that those who hold credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church are under its discipline in their faith and life.
IV. Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence. - An ordained minister, who for personal reasons, resigns from an active ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church may be granted this classification by the Credentials Committee.
- An ordained minister having resigned from his active ministry and having accepted no other ministry with the Bible Fellowship Church within one year may be classified under this category.
- This classification shall be reviewed annually by the Credentials Committee.
V. Ordained Ministers in Retirement. - These men draw retirement benefits from the Bible Fellowship Church.
A. A minister of the Bible Fellowship Church who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years may retire from active service.
B. It is mandatory that a minister retire at the end of the month in which he attains the age of seventy-two (72) years.
C. A minister who ha~ given thirty (30) years or more of service to the Bible Fellowship Church may retire from the active ministry prior to age sixty-five (65) and be eligible for an annuity at age sixty-five (65). - MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEE
Election: The Ministerial Candidate Committee shall be elected annually by ballot by the Annual Conference. It shall be composed of five ordained ministers.
Objective: The objective of the Ministerial Candidate Committee shall be to provide the Bible Fellowship with a ministry that is called of God, true to the Word, filled with the Holy Spirit, dedicated wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ and thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Duties: - To receive applications from all who offer themselves for service in the Bible Fellowship Church.
- To take under care the candidates and probationers while in training.
- To examine those who offer themselves for service in our Church determining as far as possible the sincerity and genuineness of their call to the ministry.
- To ascertain as far as possible whether the candidates and probationers have the Scriptural qualifications of a minister of the Word of God.
- To safeguard the doctrinal purity of the Church by exercising vigilance when examining prospective ministers concerning their beliefs and practices endeavoring to approve only those who are committed without reservation to the authority of the Scriptures and the doctrines and practices of our church as the system of doctrine taught in the Scriptures.
- To license probationers for the Annual Conference prior to ordination.
- To recommend qualified probationers to the Credentials Committee for ordination examination.
Terms: The terms used to designate the classification of those under the care of this Committee shall be applicant, candidate and probationer. An applicant is a man who offers himself to this Committee for service in the Bible Fellowship Church. A candidate is a man whose application is accepted and who remains under the guidance of this Committee. A probationer is a man who has been approved by this Committee, has passed an examination of the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church, and is working in a Bible Fellowship Church or in one of the denominational agencies.
Procedure:
The procedure to be followed by an individual offering himself for service in the Bible Fellowship Church shall be as follows: - The applicant would make known to the Chairman of the Ministerial Candidate Committee his desire to serve in the Bible Fellowship Church.
- The applicant will fill out and file with the Committee an application received from the Chairman, which shall include the following: personal information, approval of his Local Congregation, letters of recommendation from his pastor, a former employer and a former instructor.
- The candidate will carry out a program of personal development and training developed in consultation with this Committee.
- When this Committee believes that he is prepared and when the candidate is ready to enter the work of the Bible Fellowship Church, upon the approval of this Committee the candidate will be recommended to the Ministerial Relations Committee or one of the denominational agencies. Part of this approval is passing the examination on the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church.
- During the time of working in a Bible Fellowship Church or in one of the denominational agencies, the probationer will be under the jurisdiction of this Committee; and his work will be under the jurisdiction 130 of the Church or the Board with whom he works.
- At the end of the probationary period, upon approval of this Committee, the probationer will be recommended to the Credentials Committee and his probationary period will cease. To serve as a candidate and probationer does not guarantee being recommended for ordination examination.
- HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
Election: It shall be composed of three men. They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I – One man
Class II – One man
Class III – One man
Duties: - To determine policy and procedure by which the Archivist can maintain and supplement the historical materials of the Bible Fellowship Church.
- To assist the Archivist in the collection of relevant historical materials.
- To maintain denominational archives for the accumulation of materials and memoirs relating to the history of the denomination.
- To encourage each local fellowship to maintain a file of important documents related to the historical development of the local fellowship.
- To make an annual report to the Annual Conference.
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Election: After nominations have been closed for all other elections required by the by-laws, members of the Nominating Committee shall be elected to serve three-year terms; no member of the Committee shall be permitted to succeed himself; the Committee shall be composed of three classes as follows:
Class I – Two ministers and one layman
Class II – One minister and one layman
Class III – One minister and one layman
Duties: The Committee shall present nominees for election at the Annual Conference. - BENEFICIARY SOCIETY
Election: Officers elected by the Society.
Preamble: The Beneficiary Society of the Bible Fellowship Church is a mutual aid society of all the ordained and licensed ministers actively engaged in the ministries of the Bible Fellowship Church. We seek to aid one another in the time of death or when disability may cause one of our brethren to be laid aside. This aid is not only for our ministers but extends to his family as well. We suggest that every minister and his wife read the rules and regulations and become aware of their responsibility and benefits.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Membership: Upon becoming licensed as a probationer in the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church, one shall become a member of the Beneficiary Society beginning at the succeeding Annual Conference and shall be responsible to pay into the Fund.
Only active ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church can continue to be part of the Beneficiary Society. Ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church who are working with other organizations are not members of the Beneficiary Society and are not eligible for benefits from the Fund; the same applies to ministers on leave of absence.
Ministers receiving Ministers’ Retirement Fund benefits and ministers on disability are members of the Society but are exempt from dues or assessments.
Organization: The Beneficiary Society shall meet at least once a year to transact business relative to the Society. In October a meeting shall be held at which time the Secretary’s annual report and financial report shall be submitted. At that time officers shall be elected annually from the active ordained ministers. Officers to be elected are: President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be audited previous to Annual Conference and reported to the Committee on Auditing of the Annual Conference.
The officers of the Beneficiary Society shall be authorized to invest the Funds of the Beneficiary Society, but shall report all investments at the Annual Meeting. The officers shall be authorized to conduct all necessary business of the Society throughout the year.
Dues and Assessments: The dues of all members of the Beneficiary Society shall be $20.00 per year, subject to review at the Annual Meeting. Assessments at the decease of a beneficiary shall be $5.00. Assessments and dues shall be paid at Annual Conference. Assessments are levied on death in the year preceding Annual Conference while dues are paid in advance. Nonpayment by the end of Annual Conference automatically cancels any benefits until payment is received by the Secretary.
Benefits: The death benefit of each Minister and his wife shall be paid as follows: - Pastor’s benefits at death for active Pastor listed August 31, 1979 shall be $1,500.
- Death benefits for the wives of active Pastors listed August 31, 1979 shall be $1,000.
- Death benefits for retired Pastors and wives of retired or deceased Pastors listed at Annual Conference of 1978 shall remain at : Pastors—$1,000 Wives—$750.
- Death benefits for children shall be $500 for children from age two through eighteen. For children under the care of their parents and in school are covered until their twenty-second birthday.
- Death benefits for children up to two years shall be decided by the Officers of the Society.
- Any Pastor retiring will receive for himself and his wife death benefits at the level being paid at the time of his retirement.
- Benefits are subject to annual review.
Aid Grants:
I. Widows
A. Widows of deceased ministers who have compiled with the provisions of the Beneficiary Society (membership, dues and assessments) shall receive Aid Grants beginning at the time of the death of the husband and continuing until she receives Ministers’ Retirement Fund benefits or until the time of her death or remarriage.
B. Widows of ministers who were retired and receiving annuities under the Ministers’ Retirement Fund at the time of the marriage shall in no case receive Aid Grants under this legislation.
C. Widow’s Aid Grants shall be compiled at the rate of $12.50 for each year that she was the wife of a minister who was in active service, giving his whole time to the ministry in the Bible Fellowship Church, but such payment shall in no case exceed $500.00 per year. Benefits are subject to annual review.
II . Ministers
A. A minister, who because of physical illness or disability finds it necessary to leave the active ministry under the terms of a leave of absence and who has complied with the provisions of the Beneficiary Society (membership, dues, and assessments), shall receive Aid Grants beginning at the time of the severance from the active ministry and continuing until he received Ministers’ Retirement Fund benefits, or until the time of his death or severance from membership in a Bible Fellowship Church.
B. Minister’s Aid Grants shall be compiled at the rate of $25.00 for each year of active service and shall in no case exceed $1,000.00 per year. Benefits are subject to annual review.
C. No minister shall be eligible for disability benefits from the Beneficiary Society: - Unless he has fulfilled a full-time ministry in the Bible Fellowship Church for ten years.
- If said minister has a gainful occupation.
Miscellaneous Rules: The term of office for officers elected or appointed to this Society shall be for the term designated by our rules for that office or until successors are elected.
Once a member leaves the active ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church (except for retirement or disability under the Annual Conference rules and regulations), he forfeits all claims upon the Fund. This is a mutual aid Society and there are no refunds.
If for any reason a member of the Beneficiary Society has not paid the assessments owed by him, and takes a leave of absence or departs from a ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church, he shall pay all unpaid assessments upon his reinstatement in the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church.
If a man has paid into the Beneficiary Society Fund for thirty or more years and leaves the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church to labor in a full time ministry with some other Christian organization, he may, if he desires, continue as a member of the Fund by making the regular yearly payments to the Fund.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS BY-LAWS OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
- Year Book – The Secretary of the Annual Conference shall be Editor of the Year Book. The official minutes of the Annual Conference shall be published therein.
The Secretary of the Annual Conference shall send Year Books to the Eastern d Western Clergy Bureaus and to any other agencies deemed advisable.
The Church shall be responsible to pay for Year Books when ordered.
In case a church or parsonage is built or purchased during the year, a photograph of the same shall be taken and a picture inserted in the Year Book next year. - All needs for support of missionary work not under the jurisdiction of the Board of Church Extension shall be controlled by the Board of Foreign Missions.
- The Conference Secretary shall inform in writing all men who are not present at Annual Conference of their election to Boards and Committees.
- Each Board and Committee shall have its records audited by an auditor(s) chosen by the Board or Committee prior to preparing its report for Annual Conference and that the name of the auditor(s) be included in the report to Annual Conference.
- The tenure of men elected to study committees created for a specific assignment shall continue until the completion of the specific assignment. Vacancies due to death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled by further elections.
- Each pastor shortly after the election of the Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegate shall inform the Secretary . of the Annual Conference of the results of these elections.
- The Report of each Board and Committee made to Annual Conference shall include a report of its treasurer stating the total amount of cash on hand and the depository where this fund is maintained.
- The term of office for those elected and appointed by this body shall be for the term designated by our rules for that office or until successors are chosen.
- Yearbooks shall be ordered_ and paid for at the Annual Conference. Payment shall be made to the Board of Publication and Printing.
- All monies which are due to Conference Boards and Committees shall be forwarded to them prior to August 31 of the year in which they are to be reported.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS TO THE FAITH AND ORDER
By a two-thirds majority of those voting, the Annual Conference may propose to the churches amendments or changes in the Form of Government of the Bible Fellowship Church. After the approval of a first reading of the proposed change, the pastor and delegate of each Particular Church shall be responsible to inform their Board of Elders of the proposed change. The amendment will be declared in effect when approved by two-thirds majority of those voting on the amendment at a succeeding Annual Conference.
Procedures for amendment or change in the Articles of Faith shall follow those prescribed for change in the Form of Government. In addition, the Board of Elders of each church shall vote on the proposed change; an affirmative vote by a majority of the total number of elders shall be required for approval. Before the Annual Conference can consider a second reading of the proposed amendment or change in the Articles of Faith, approval of the proposed change must be reported within twenty-four (24) months to the Secretary of the Annual Conference by the Board of Elders of at least two-thirds of the churches.
FORMS
FORM FOR ORDINATION OF MINISTERS
After all proper examinations and preparations have been made according to our rules and upon the approval of the Annual Conference at the recommendation of the Credentials Committee, the probationer shall be ready for public ordination to the Christian ministry. The Credentials Committee shall be responsible to make proper preparation for the ordination service. On the day appointed for the service of ordination, a minister shall preach an appropriate sermon. The Chairman of the Credentials Committee, or another member of the Committee, appointed by him, shall afterwards briefly cite the proceedings of the Committee in preparation for ordination and ,the importance of the occasion. Then addressing himself to the candidate, he shall propose to him the following questions:
- Do you believe in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and do you confess anew the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and acknowledge Him Head over all things to the Church, which is His body?
- Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life?
- Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures?
- Will you endeavor to follow the government and discipline of the Bible Fellowship Church?
- Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?
- Have you been inwardly persuaded, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the Christian ministry in response to God’s callout of love for Him and a sincere desire to promote His glory in the gospel of His Son?
- Do you determine to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the gospel and the purity and peace of the Church whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account?
- Do you purpose to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties, as a Christian and a minister of the gospel both private and public endeavoring by the grace of God to feed the flock of which God shall make you overseer, to seek the salvation of the lost and to walk with exemplary piety before men.
The candidate, having answered these questions in the affirmative, shall kneel, he shall be solemnly set apart to the gospel ministry by the offering of prayer and the laying on of hands of ministers according to the apostolic example.
Prayer being ended, he shall rise from his knees; and the minister who presides shall take him by the right hand and say in effect:
(To Candidate) “We give you the right hand of fellowship to take part in this ministry with us.”
(To Congregation) “I now pronounce that A. B. is ordained to the gospel ministry, according to the Word of God and the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church; as such he is entitled to all support, encouragement, honor and obedience in the Lord. In the name of the Father, and of the Son) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Afterward all the ordained ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church present shall welcome the newly ordained brother to the ministry with the right hand of fellowship.
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
(The following material, with slight editing, expansion of the section on the Evangelical Mennonites) and an update, has been taken from the “Doctrines and Discipline of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ “, 1897 edition and 1951 revision.)
Through the direction of God and the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, a number of ministers of the Mennonite Church were brought to realize and deeply feel responsibility weighing upon them as ambassadors of Christ. They were from time to time impressed with convictions that greater and more earnest efforts should be put forth to promote the glory of God by extending the borders of the Church and practically carrying out the principles of Christianity.
In order to accomplish this more fully, they were inclined to believe that protracted prayer and fellowship meetings were essential means thereto, which were not practiced in the church at that time.
ORIGIN OF THE EVANGELICAL MENNONITES
Rev. John H. Oberholtzer, a preacher in the Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania, together with other ministers and deacons, were excommunicated from the Franconia Conference in the fall of 1847. Their guilt was the continuance to wear their usual dress rather than the prescribed cut for a minister’s coat. This breach of custom was not a serious matter to them, but to the other ministers it appeared to be a betrayal of faith.
On October 28, 1847, at Skippack, Montgomery County, this group formed a new organization, known as the GENERAL CONFERENCE MENNONITES. Oberholtzer was their first bishop. Other ministers who left the old Mennonite Church at this time were John Hunsicker, Christian Clemmer and Joseph Schantz.
Before long another minister was needed and William S. Gehman was chosen to serve. He had been a German Lutheran, but after his conversion at a prayer meeting, he joined the Mennonites. Gehman and Schantz shared the preaching at the Upper Milford, Lehigh County, congregation. These two men and several families of the congregation met together in homes to hold prayer meetings.
“On May 5, 1853, the same year that these meetings started, the bishops in conference at Skippack granted the privilege of holding prayer meetings … William Gehman talked the matter over with Oberholtzer … Oberholtzer’s reply was that ‘surely no one could forbid that.’ … With this permission the meetings continued. The next move came in the year 1856.” The question of prayer meetings was aga in considered by the bishops . “A few days after this, Joseph Schantz, who was a fellow minister of Gehman’s at Upper Milford, came to him and brought the decision of the bishops, namely that prayer meetings would Dot be allowed in the future. Rev. William Gehman, however, refused to accept the report and the meetings were continued.” (Quotations from “History of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church” – J. A. Huffman, 1920)
On October 7, 1858, the names of William S. Gehman , and others were ordered to be dropped from the list of ministers. Rev . William S. Gehman, having been forbidden to hold prayer meetings, felt he could not worship any longer with this church, so twenty-three other members joined him and organized a church at Zionsville, Pennsylvania that same year known as the Evangelical Mennonites. Some of those with him were David Gehman (deacon), Jacob Musselman, Abraham Kauffman, Sr., Samuel Kauffman, Joseph Stauffer, David Musselman, Josiah W. Stauffer, Abraham Musselman, Jonas Musselman, Abraham Kauffman, Jr., William N. Schelly, and David Henning.
At first this group held services only in their homes. In the summer of 1859 the first church building was built at the southeastern edge of a small grove of giant oak trees near Zionsville, Pennsylvania. This building, having experienced several renovations, is still in use.
On the 24th day of September, 1858, they held their first conference at Upper Milford, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with William Gehman as Chairman and David Gehman as Secretary.
ORIGIN OF THE REFORMED MENNONITES
In the year 1868, December, one of the ministers of the Canada Conference of the Mennonite Church, who hitherto had not experienced a change of heart, was happily converted to God through Christ. He at once introduced protracted prayer and fellowship meetings in his field of labor. In taking this step he incurred upon himself the displeasure and disapproval of the bishops. This resulted in a glorious revival of the Christian religion and in the conversion of many precious souls throughout the church, both in Canada and in the United States. It also resulted in an excommunication from Church fellowship of all who believed in this way.
On the 15th day of May, 1874, a conference was called at Eby’s meeting house, Berlin, Ontario, at which place such that believed in present salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and those who had experienced the pardon of their sins and had the evidence of their acceptance with Christ, formed themselves in a Church organization, and as a name of distinction, adopted REFORMED MENNONITES.
ORIGIN OF THE UNITED MENNONITES
The following year, 1875, the New Mennonites manifested a desire to merge with the Reformed Mennonites. No material difference existed between the two branches, which had sprung from common roots in similar circumstances, at different times.
At a special meeting held at the Bloomingdale meeting house, Waterloo County, Ontario, the 23rd day of March, 1875, the two branches united and adopted the name UNITED MENNONITES.
Names of Elders
Samuel Sherk
Peter Geiger
John McNally
John Baer
Noah Detweiler
Solomon Eby
John Krupp
Daniel Brenneman
John Steckley
Henry Wismer
Names of Probationers
Joseph Raymer
Menno Bowman
Michael Haug
Names of Deacons
William Hembling
Joseph Schneider
Amos Bowman
ORIGIN OF THE EVANGELICAL UNITED MENNONITES
In the providence of God an acquaintance was formed between the Evangelical Mennonites and the United Mennonites. A desire was soon cherished on the part of each society that a union might be effected between them, which, by the blessing of God, was accomplished at a special conference called expressly for that purpose, November 8, 1879.
To ratify and confirm the union, the following acknowledgment was subscribed to by the conference.
This is to certify that we, the undersigned members of the Evangelical Mennonite conference of Pennsylvania and the United Mennonite conference of Canada and Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, upon authority and in the name of the several General Conferences, upon due consideration and prayerful investigation, by mutual agreement, have in the fear of God united as one body, adopting as a name of distinction EVANGELICAL UNITED MENNONITES.
William Gehman
Solomon Eby
Samuel Musselman
Daniel Brenneman
Sidenham Lambert
Joseph Schneider
Jacob Ruch
Daniel Koch
John Baer
Eusebius Hershey
David Henning
Joel Rosenberger
Abraham Kauffman
William Yeakel
Jonas Musselman
Abel Strawn
Michael Landis
David Gehman
George Lambert
ORIGIN OF THE BRETHREN IN CHRIST
About the year 1838 a division occurred in River Brethren Church over a difference in doctrine. The new body adopted the name BRETHREN IN CHRIST. The Lord greatly blessed their labors to the salvation of many precious souls.
ORIGIN OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN IN CHRIST
About the year 1882 the Brethern in Christ and the Evangelical United Mennonites formed an acquaintance and desires were soon expressed to form a union. This was effected through Divine guidance by a special conference held at Jamton, Ohio, December 27, 1883.
To ratify and confirm the union the following acknowledgement was subscribed to by the conference:
Ratification: — This is to certify that we, the undersigned, members of the Evangelical United Mennonite Church of the United states and Canada, and the Brethren in Christ of the United States, upon the authority and in the name of our respective General Conferences, upon due consideration and prayerful investigation by mutual agreement, have, in the fear of God, united as one body, adopting as a name of distinction, MENNONITE BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
George W. Wright
George D. Waitman
Moses Blackburn
Peter Pike
Menno Bowman
Sidenham Lambert
William Gehman
Daniel Brenneman
Peter Walter
Isaiah Smail
Solomon Eby
Samuel McDonald
Abel Strawn
John Rasor
The Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church was organized geographically into eight Annual Conferences as follows: Pennsylvania, Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Canadian Northwest) Washington. Representatives of these Annual Conferences met together quadrennially for General Conferences.
Petitions from several of the Annual Conferences were made to the General Conference which convened in Potsdam, Ohio, November 5-10, 1947, that consideration be given to a change in the church name. The General Conference adopted the name UNITED MISSIONARY CHURCH.
The Pennsylvania Conference did not favor the change in church name but elected to continue to function under the name Mennonite Brethren in Christ. General Conference voted to permit the Pennsylvania Conference to maintain its full relationship to the General Conference and to continue under this name indefinitely.
ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
In October, 1952, the Pennsylvania Conference acted to sever its relations with the Conferences of the United Missionary Church and to become a separate and distinct body. The decision was based on longstanding and widening differences in doctrine, organization and government.
In 1959 the name BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH was adopted in place of Mennonite Brethren in Christ.
Beginning in 1952, the Annual Conference formed committees to study its government and Articles of Faith, with a view to formulation of new statements to replace the Doctrines and Discipline of the United Missionary Church as its constitution and by-laws.
The new material that has been subsequently adopted by the Annual Conference comprises the Faith and Order of the Bible Fellowship Church.