CBBC Constitution

Preamble

We the members of Calvary Bible Baptist Church, of Barrow, Alaska, do hereby adopt the following Constitution which is based on Biblical principles. This constitution is not intended to augment the Word of God. It is simply a review of the truths found in God’s Word concerning the beliefs and Governance of this local Church. Its purpose is to keep before this congregation the doctrines, methods, procedures, and organizations as taught in God’s Holy Word. With this as a guide, we as a Church shall by God’s grace endeavor to practice New Testament Christianity.

Article I
Name and Organization

The Church shall be known as Calvary Bible Baptist Church, of Barrow, Alaska. The first service was held in the Barrow Teen Center under the direction of Reverend Nick Serino. The service was held May 12, 1988.

Article II
Object

Good News
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

We believe the Church is God’s chosen instrument for reaching a lost and dying world with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We do that through regular church services, outreach ministries in our community, and by supporting and praying for world missions.

Good Doctrine
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Proverbs 4:2

We believe the Church is to believe, to preach, to teach, and to live the Word of God. We hold church services, promote systematic Bible Study, and encourage Godly living.

Good Friends
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
1 John 1:7

We promote Christian fellowship and friendship in the family of God: We encourage prayer one for another: We promote fellowship in purpose and ministry as we seek to edify one another, and reach our community with the truth of God’s Word.

Good Works
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:14

All of our good works are focused on seeing that God is glorified. We believe the greatest good we can do is to reach people with the saving message of God’s grace. We seek through our ministries to see the lost come to know Jesus Christ; and the saved grow in grace and truth.

For Our Great God
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Psalm 48:1

In all we do we seek to be obedient to God the Father: we seek to lift up and honor Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and we seek to be led by the Holy Spirit of God.

Article III
Church Covenant

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

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, holiness, 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.

We also engage to maintain family and secret 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 intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

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 Saviour to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, 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.

Article IV
Statement of Faith

1. OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Holy Scriptures, being the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament from Genesis to Revelation, to be the verbally inspired Word of God written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures are without error, infallible and God breathed, and therefore are the complete and divine Revelation of God to man, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. We furthermore believe the translation of the King James Version of the Bible is the only authoritative and preserved Word of God in the English language. (II Sam. 23: 2; Josh. 1:8; Psalms 119:105; Prov. 30: 5 - 6; II Peter 1: 19-21; II Tim. 3:15-17; Psalms 12: 6-7; Daniel 10:21).

2. OF THE TRUE GOD

We believe in one Triune God, the living and true God, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, eternally existing in three persons, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each Co-eternal in being, Co-identical in nature, Co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections, and executing distinct but harmonious offices. (Matt. 3: 16-17; 28:19-20; II Cor. 13: 14; Deut. 6:4).

3. OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the absolute Deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; That He is the Second Person of the Godhead; that He is the only begotten Son of God, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin, sinless in His life and nature, ever obedient to the Father; That in his vicarious death He made full and complete payment for the sins of the world; That He was buried and arose bodily from the grave the third day according to the Scriptures; That He showed Himself alive after His bodily resurrection by many infallible proofs, and that He ascended into heaven and even now is seated at the Father's right hand as our great High Priest and only mediator. (John 3:16; Luke 1: 35; Matt.1:21-23; Hebrews 5:8; I Peter 3:18; Rom.5: 11; I Cor. 15: 3-4; John 2:19-21; Acts 1: 3; I Peter 3: 22; Hebrews 4: 14; I Timothy 2: 5).

4. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature; That He was active in the creation; That in His relation to the unbelieving world He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; That He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; That He convicts of sin, judgment and righteousness; That He is the agent in the New Birth; That He seals, endues with power, guides into all truth, teaches, witnesses to our salvation, sanctifies, comforts, and helps the believer. (John 14: 16-17, 26; 16: 7-14; Matt. 28: 19; Hebrews 9: 14; Luke 1: 35; John 3: 5-6; Genesis 1: 1-3; Acts 5:30-32; Acts 14:24 Rom. 8: 14-16).

5. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born of women. Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and God the Son. (Luke 1: 46-47; Genesis 3: 15; Isa. 7: 14; Luke 1: 26-38; Matt. 1: 23).

6. OF MAN AND HIS FALL

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that in Adam’s voluntary sin the human race fell, he inherited a sinful nature and brought upon himself and all mankind, not only physical death, but eternal and spiritual death and became alienated from God. We believe that because of sin, man is a complete ruin and failure, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ; That all human beings are born with a sinful nature and that in the case of those who reach the age of moral responsibility and accountability, they then become sinners in thought, word and deed and therefore under just condemnation without defence or excuse. We believe to die in this condition is to be damned forever and forever without hope, which is the second death. (Genesis 1: 26-27; 2: 15-17; 3: 1-13; Psalms 51: 5; Jeremiah 17:9; Rom. 1: 18-32; 3:9-23; 5: 10-19; John 8: 21; II Thess. 1: 8-9; Revelation 20: 15).

7. OF SALVATION

1. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
   We believe God is an absolute sovereign, and in His Sovereignty He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God's Will that all would be saved, and that none should perish. God foreknows, but does not predetermine any man to be condemned. God permits man's destiny to depend upon man's free will choice. (I Timothy 2: 4; II Peter 3: 9; Acts 10: 34; John 6: 64-65; Rom. 8: 28-29; I Peter 1: 2; Eph. 1: 4-5).


2. THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
   We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him humanity-yet without sin, honoured the Divine Law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; That His Atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Saviour. (John 3: 17; Acts 16: 30-33; Rom. 3: 25-26; 5: 6-11; 10: 9-13; Hebrews 9: 22; I John 2: 1-2).


3. THE GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
   We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; That the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; That it is instantaneous and not a process; That in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; That the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, not by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; That its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3: 3; II Cor. 5: 17; John 1: 12-13; James 1: 18).


4. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
   We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; That it is the immediate duty of all to accept salvation through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the complete and perfect Saviour; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. (John 3: 18, 36; 5: 40; Acts 20: 21; Eph. 2: 8-9; Rom. 10: 13).


5. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
   We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; That justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; That it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but that solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed to us. (Rom. 5: 1,9; 8: 1; Titus 3: 5-7; Isa. 53:11; Acts 13:39; Hebrews 10: 38).


6. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
   We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and also inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; Thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for Mercy, at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him has our only and all sufficient Saviour. (Luke 13: 3; Acts 20: 21; Hebrews 6: 1; Luke 18: 13; Rom. 10: 9-13; Psalms 51: 1-4).

8. OF ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE SAVED

We believe that all who receive Christ as Saviour, by faith, are born again and are eternally secure in Christ; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation and can never be lost. (John 3: 16; John 5: 24; John 6: 37-40; John 10: 27-30; John 11: 25, 26; John 17: 9-12; Rom. 8: 23-39; II Timothy 1: 12;
I Peter 1: 5; Jude 24).

9. OF CREATION

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally; That man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; That man's creation was not a matter of evolution (atheistic or theistic) or evolutionary changes of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; That all animal and vegetable life was made directly by God, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind". We believe that all things were created by the Lord, and for His pleasure they are and were created. (Genesis 1-2; Colossian 1: 16-17; John 1: 1-3; Rev. 4: 11).

10. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN

We believe in a personal Devil, Satan, who is thoroughly wicked and proud; That he was a created Cherubim, who once was without sin and enjoyed heavenly honours, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of Angels; That he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him out to be man's great tempter, the enemy of the Godhead, the hinderer of the Gospel, the accuser of the Saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy; the lord of the Antichrist and the author of all the powers of darkness; he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. (Isa. 14: 12-15; Ezekiel 28: 11-19; Job 1,2; Matthew 4: 1-8; Luke 22: 31-32; John 8: 44; I Peter 5: 8; Eph. 2: 2; 6: 11; Revelation 12:4; 20: 10).

11. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave, was seen by hundreds, rose into heaven, and now sits on the right hand of the Father. We believe in that "blessed hope", the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.(Psalm 89: 3-4; Dan. 2: 31-45; 9: 24-27; Zech. 14: 4-11; I Cor. 15 : 50-54; I Thess. 1: 10; 4: 13-18;).

12. OF HEAVEN AND HELL

We believe that Heaven and Hell are actual literal places, prepared by God as the abodes of the saved and lost; That all those who die without Christ are eternally lost, and following the Great White Throne judgment shall abide forever in the lake of fire. That those who are saved by Christ shall abide forever in the blessedness of Heaven. (John 14: 1-3; Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 25:41; 10: 28; Mark 9: 44; Rom. 6: 16-23; Rev. 20: 15; 22: 1-5).

13. OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

We believe in the importance of the local church and that it is an assembly of Born Again Baptised Believers united in organisation to practise New Testament ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, to meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, preaching, teaching, and a united testimony and to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission. We believe in the independence and autonomy of the local church, and that no religious hierarchy has any scriptural grounds to dictate and run the affairs of the church. (Matt. 16: 18; Acts 13: 1-3; 14: 21-23; I Cor. 11: 2; 12: 12-13; Eph. 4: 11-16; Colossians 1: 18; I Timothy 3: 1-15; Hebrews 13: 7, 17; I Peter 5: 1-4).

OF BAPTISM
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the Name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; That it is to be administered by the church only to those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. (Matt. 28: 19; Acts 8: 36-39; 16: 13-15, 29-34; Rom. 6: 3-5; Colossians 2: 12).

OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of His death until He comes, the bread speaking of His broken body, the fruit of the vine speaking of His shed blood; That it is preceded always by solemn SELF-examination; (I Cor. 11: 2, 23-28; Matt. 26: 26-30; Acts 20: 7).

14. OF SEPARATION AND SANCTIFICATION

We believe in Bible separation; That is, to be set apart from the evil of this world and set apart to the glory of God and His service; That any thought, word or deed that would hurt the cause of Christ and His Church is sinful and should be dealt with immediately and put away from the lives of each member. We believe that we're called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. (Rom. 12: 1-2; 14: 16, 19-21; II Cor. 2: 15-17; 6: 14-17; I Thess. 5: 22; I Cor. 8: 9, 13; 10: 31-33; Colossians 3: 5-10; I John 2: 15-17).

15. OF MISSIONS

We believe it is each Christian's privilege and responsibility to be a witness for Christ in life and in Word. We believe every Christian should seek to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the Church.
(Acts 1: 8; 13: 1-5; Rom. 10: 13-15; Mark 16: 15; Matt. 28: 18-20). We believe that missions is not only soul winning, but also discipleship. (Matt. 28: 20; Acts 20: 27-35).

16. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to them, is obligated to support their local church with their tithes and offerings, and that giving should increase annually. We believe Christians should give Liberally, Because of Christ's love for us, Sacrificially, For the ministry, Bountifully, Sincerely, Willingly, To prove our love, You reap what you sow, Cheerfully, Thankfully, For God's glory. (Genesis 14: 20; Prov. 3: 9-10; Malachi 3: 10-12; Matt. 23: 23; Luke 6: 38; Acts 4: 34-37; I Cor. 16: 1-3; II Cor. 8 & 9; Gal. 6: 6; Eph. 4: 28; I Tim. 6: 17-18; I John 3: 17).

17. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) the home; (2) the Church; and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other; We therefore believe in the separation of the Church from political and state and entanglements; We recognise that civil government is of Divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society, however, the home, the Church and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom. 13: 1-7; I Peter 2:13-14; Acts 4:19-20; 5: 27-29; Daniel 3:17-18; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb.13: 17).

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1--The Biblical requirements for membership in this local Church are:

1. Personal faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Savior and Lord.
2. Baptism by immersion in water, as a confession of faith in Christ and declaration of purpose to walk in newness of life.
3. Acceptance of the Church Covenant, Constitution and Doctrinal Statement.
4. Conduct befitting a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ by this we mean behavior which becomes a child of God, yielding to the instruction of the Holy Spirit as found in Titus 2:12, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteous and Godly in this present world," and 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1.

1. By baptism as a believer.
2. By letter from a church of like faith and order.
3. By statement of Christian experience having been previously baptized by a church of like faith and order.
4. By restoration.

Candidates for church membership shall give a personal testimony of their Christian experience and desire to live for Christ in keeping with the convictions of the church in a manner suitable and approved by the pastor and this congregation.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – Pastor:

1. The qualifications of a pastor shall be based upon the scriptural instructions of
   1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. A pastor's call shall be based upon those qualifications and acceptance of the Doctrinal Statement without any mental reservation.
2. A pastor shall be chosen for an indeterminate term. The pastoral search committee shall consist of the current pastor if possible, and the deacon board. The search committee shall prayerfully select a succeeding pastor.

SECTION 2 -- Deacon:

1. The Deacons shall be chosen by the Pastor, and shall meet the qualifications such as are set forth in the New Testament Scriptures. Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8 -13.
2. It shall be the duty of the Deacon to:
   1. Assist the Pastor in serving the elements of the Lord's table.
   2. Assist in the spiritual supervision of the church, recommending to the church membership other matters of business, visitation and care for the sick and needy members.
   3. Serve as Trustees along with the Pastor. The purchase of goods or property costing in excess of $2000.00 may be carried out by the Pastor with the approval of the Deacons.

SECTION 3- Financial Secretary

The pastor and deacon board may appoint from the membership a Financial Secretary to assist and record all incoming money. The Financial Secretary shall keep a duplicate record of all receipts.

Article VII- Committees and Meetings

SECTION 1 - PULPIT COMMITTEE

1. The Pulpit committee shall be composed of the current pastor (if possible) and deacon board.
2. When a vacancy occurs in the office of pastor it shall be the duty of the pulpit committee to bring before the church suitable candidates for the pastorate and care for the entertainment of candidates while they are on the field.
3. When the committee deems wise it shall present to the church the same. Only one candidate is to be considered at one time. It shall continue this procedure until a pastor is chosen.
4. The chairman of the deacon trustee board shall act as moderator of the church in the absence of a pastor.

SECTION 2. - BUSINESS MEETINGS

1. There shall be an annual business meeting of the church during the first half of January to present annual financial report, and to transact other business. In case of any omission in holding the above, the meeting shall be called and held upon the earliest available date thereafter.
2. There shall be Quarterly Meetings of the Deacon Board: The time to be selected by the board of Deacons. The minutes of the previous meeting shall be read as well as any routine or special business approved between quarters. There shall be a report from the financial secretary as well as a report from the deacon trustees and other committees or groups as requested by the church, and transact other business. All business meetings of this church, except those held for routine business, shall require for a quorum the presence of at least twenty (20) percent of the members eligible to vote. Eighteen (18) shall be the eligible voting age.