PREAMBLE

We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner.  This constitution will preserve the liberties of each body in its relation to other churches.

I. NAME

This body shall be known as the Lake O’ The Pines Baptist Church, Inc.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT

A. Statement of Faith

The Church subscribes to the doctrinal statement in harmony with The Baptist Faith and  Message of 2000.

These are the core beliefs:

ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis l:l, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2)

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus is the Son of God.  He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to Heaven’s glory, and is coming again soon as King and Lord of Lords to redeem His bride, the Church. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son.  He is present in the world to make man aware of his need for Jesus Christ.  He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with the power for living, enables understanding of Biblical truth, and guides then in righteous living.  He provides every Christian with spiritual gifts for service at the moment of salvation.  We seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17;  Acts l:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; Galatians 5:25).

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us.  It was written by human authors who were under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  The 66 canonical books, as they were originally written, are inspired by God; and are the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm119:150, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are the supreme object of God’s creation, created in the image of God.  Although every person has potential for good, all of us are marred by our own attitude and acts of disobedience against God, called “sin”.  By one man (Adam), sin entered into the world, and death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.  This separates people from God and causes spiritual death along with many other problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; 51:1-8; Romans 3:23; 5:12; Isaiah 59:1-2)

ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is by grace through faith; and is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement; or good works.  Only trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.  Once born again, you cannot lose your salvation.  Salvation is sustained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

ABOUT ETERNITY

Heaven is a literal place where God will wipe away every tear and there will be no  more death, mourning, crying, or pain.  Believers will live forever in God’s presence.  We also believe in a literal hell, which is a place of physical and spiritual torment, experienced as a result of eternal separation from God.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (John 3:16; 14:7; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

ABOUT THE CHURCH

We believe that the true Church is composed of all who have been through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe members of the true Church, which is the bride of Christ, are eligible for member-ship in the local church.  God primarily ministers on earth through the local church. Christ is the head of the church, not any person, group, or religious organization.  While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe that the local church should be independent, self-governing, and free from any denominational control. (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25:  Colossians 1:18)

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN HOME

We believe that God has given parents the responsibility to bring their children up in the nurture and discipline of the Lord.  We believe that it is the parents’ responsibility to educate and disciple their children in the truth of God.  We believe that the church must work to compliment the parents’ efforts and facilitate Godly living within the home. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 24:15)

ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His death and resurrection.  He gave the Church two visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders.  These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. While we respect all acts of spiritual obedience, the Bible teaches that Baptism is to be done by immersion, following salvation, as a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus Christ our Lord. Whereas the Lord’s Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection and promised return.  Each individual must decide his/her own participation in these ordinances. Regardless, we do not regard anyone’s participation in these practices as a means of salvation. (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26:29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Colossians 2:12)

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

We believe that God calls us—with a holy calling—to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies. We believe that the fallen, Adamic nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith. Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor.  It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and seek and to make growing disciples. (Leviticus 26:30; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 3:15; Galatians 5:16)

B. Purpose Statement

Lake O’ the Pines Baptist Church is a body of committed believers in Christ reaching people by sharing Jesus, reproducing maturing followers of Christ and equipping members to serve in unity and love, that we may glorify God.

C. Statement of Incorporation–

[On file in church office.]

D. Membership

The membership of this Church shall consist of persons who have made a public profession of their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord and who, having experienced New Testament Baptism by immersion, are in agreement with the faith and practice of the Church and who have otherwise qualified under the By-Laws.

E. Relationship

The government of this Church is vested in the body of believers who compose it.  It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual council and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical, this Church will cooperate with and support the Association and State Convention affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

F. Covenant

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body of Christ.

                

               2. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, godliness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

                

               3. We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to religiously educate our children, to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of illegal drugs and intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.

                

               4. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember one another in prayer, to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

                

               5. We moreover engage that when we remove from this church we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.