Preamble
We the members of Fairview Baptist Church having been compelled by The Holy Ghost do Hereby set forth the following by which we agree to be governed and there in abide.
Section 1- Rights of Sovereignty
Fairview Baptist Church is and shall always be an Independent Baptist Church. We will remain independent from any and all associations or any other governing body of organized denomination. We reserve the right to govern ourselves as we are taught by the Holy Scriptures and led by the Holy Ghost.
Section II – Purpose
The purpose of this local assembly is to glorify God through the salvation of souls and edification of born again believers. Our goals are to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in our church, our homes, our community, and the uttermost parts of the earth. We also seek to strengthen and deepen the convictions and faith set forth in the Holy Scripture in the lives of our members and other peoples of like faith.
Section III – Articles of Faith
Article I: We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the perfect word of God, to be divinely and verbally inspired, absolutely inerrant and completely infallible. We find these Holy Scriptures in Old and New Testaments of the Authorized Version, King James 1611 Bible. We believe this is the only reliable text to be used publicly or privately and is and shall always be the only version we shall be at liberty to use. It is entire and complete. All other versions we consider to be wicked, dangerous and unacceptable. ( Prov 30:5-6, Rom 10:17,2 Tim 3:15, Heb 4:12, Heb 11:3, 1 Pet 1:23, 2 Pet 1:18-21, Rev 22:18-19)
Article II: We believe in one God manifest in three persons as a Holy Trinity, God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. (Matt 28:19, Jn 26, 1 Cor 12:4-6, 1 Tim 3:16, 1 Jn 5:7)
Article III : We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ. We believe He was the begotten of God, conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of a virgin and lives as a man upon the earth. We believe while He was 100% God He was also 100% man. We believe He was crucified at Calvary to pay sins penalty for all of mankind. We believe in his bodily resurrection by the power of God and His ascension into Heaven. (1 Tim 3:16, Phil 2:6-8, 1 Tim 2:5, Rom 5:15)
Article IV: We believe that all men are sinners by nature, by practice and by choice. We believe that man’s sin separates him from fellowship with God and that man has no power or means within himself to reconcile with God. ( Psa 51:5, Jn 3:6, Jn 6:44, Rom 3:23, Rom5:6-10,Rom 5:16-21, Rom 8:7-10)
Article V: We believe that salvation in the sole work of Jesus Christ. We believe that a man received the free gift of salvation when upon learning of his condition through the preaching of the gospel and being convicted of his sin by the Holy Ghost, repents of his sin and embraces the personal faith in Jesus Christ. Gods grace then grants a man forgiveness of his sin, the gift of eternal life, sonship in the family of God and a guarantee that he will never perish through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, which he receives at the moment of conversion. We also believe that man will then be eternally secure in his salvation. We also believe that God will chasten those that are His and keep them by His grace. (Jn 6:44, Rom 5:21, Rom 6:23, Tit 1:2, Tit 3:7, Heb 9:11-14, Heb 9:20-28, Col 3:1-3, 1 Jn 2:1-3,1 Jn 5:11-12, Jud 1:21)
Article VI: We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ. We believe that when He returns He will by resurrection of the dead and translation of the living remove from the earth His waiting Church and pour out His righteous judgments upon an unbelieving world. Afterwards He will descend from Heaven with His Church and establish His Kingdom. We believe it will be literal and glorious and will rule and reign for a thousand years. (1 Cor15:51-58, Thes 4:13-18, Thes 5:1-11, Rev 20:6)
Article VII: We believe that there are two ordinances given by scriptures to the local church and we embrace them as follows. ( Acts 10:47-48, Gal 3:27, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12,1 Pet 3:20-21, Matt 28:19-20, 1 Cor 11:24-29)
1. Water baptism by immersion: to be given only to those who profess faith and conversion by Jesus Christ. We believe that although baptism is not the means of salvation it is commanded to be done to all those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and savior and should be done as soon as possible after one’s conversion.
2. The Lord’s Supper: we believe that while again this is not the means of salvation we are commanded in the scripture to do this as oft as we do in remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Section IV – Church Membership
A. This church reserves the right to refuse membership to any person it feels would be a hindrance to the unity of the church or the working of the Holy Ghost therein.
B. No homosexual person, male or female will ever be considered for membership in this church. Any current member that chooses to engage in homosexual activity shall immediately loose their membership and all other church privileges.
C. Qualifying membership candidates shall be defined as those having satisfied the conditions of paragraphs A and B in section V and must also have believed in and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They also must have followed or be willing to follow the Lord in baptism and communicate a willingness to abide by the teaching of the scriptures and the rules and practices set forth in the constitution.
D. Anyone wishing to unite with this church shall make known their wishes to the pastor or in absence of a pastor, the acting spiritual leader who in trn shall read unto said person this constitution. If said person still desires membership they can then present themselves unto the church for approval.
E. Anyone presenting themselves for membership shall come by baptism, letter from church of like faith, or by statement of faith as deemed acceptable by members. A majority vote will determine acceptance or rejection of membership.
F. All members are expected to contribute to the church spiritually, in regular attendance, financial support and promotion or unity and fellowship. Any member who is not able to support the church financially shall have full rights and privileges of any other member.
G. Any member who is unfaithful in attending worship and absents themselves for more than 30 days without reasonable excuse shall be considered an inactive member.
Section V – Church Business
A. Business meetings will be held at least one time each month. Special meetings may be called as needed.
B. Standard parliamentary procedure shall be the order of each business meeting, with a majority vote ruling on all maters (unless otherwise stated in this constitution).
C. Any inactive member shall not be allowed voting privileges in any business meeting or in any pastor election.
Section VI – Officers of the Church
A. Officer positions shall consist of pastor, deacons, clerk, treasures, and superintendent of Sunday school with assistant and teachers.
B. The pastor’s term of office and deacon’s shall be an indefinite period of time. All other officers’ term shall be for a period of one year.
C. Any officer’s term shall terminate at any time the church may decide if the church feels that any office is deviating from the scriptures of the articles of faith set forth in this constitution.
Section VII – Amendments
A. This constitution may be amended at any time the church may feel the need to if a seventy-five percent vote or better is reached.