Liberty Baptist Tabernacle

ARTICLE I

The name of this Local Church shall be LIBERTY BAPTIST TABERNACLE, and shall so be in the will of Christ Jesus until He determines its purpose is fulfilled.

ARTICLE II

This Local Church shall exist for the purpose of obeying Scriptural mandates to evangelize, baptize, teach, and provide fellowship for its members in Christ Jesus, the Lord. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 5:42; 20:20; Ephesians 6:4; Jeremiah 10:2)

ARTICLE III

This Local Church shall be governed by Scripture and principles of Christian Doctrine as defined in the New Testament of God's Word. (Ephesians 4:11-16; II Timothy 3:16,17; II John 9-11; Revelation 2:3)

ARTICLE IV

The BASIC DOCTRINES of this Local Church are stated as ...

1) The Bible (KJV) is the verbally inspired Word of God, and is the final authority for faith and practice. The Bible reveals the Godhead, man's creation and fall, God's plan of redemption for fallen man, and God's total plan for the ages. (II Timothy 3:16,17;
II Peter 1:20,21; Hebrews 1:1,2)

2) One God Who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the only true God. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19; John 14:26; 15:26; II Corinthians 13:14;
I Peter 1:2)

3) Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten virgin born Son of God, making substitutionary atonement for sinners by His blood, and was bodily resurrected from the dead by the power of God. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; John 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 1:5; Acts 1:3; 2:31, 32)

4) Salvation of sinners is the work of God, with man being required to repent of sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ Who finished the work of salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 1:3-6; Luke 13:3,5; Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38, 3:19; 8:22; 17:30)

5) Jesus Christ is reigning in power in heaven at the Father's right hand until His personal, premillennial return for and with His Church, the Bride. (Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:36; 5:31; Ephesians 1:20; Phillippians 2:9; I Corinthians 15:51,52;
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 1:9; I Peter 3:22; Revelation 5:12; I Corinthians 15:25)

6) Jesus Christ will return to earth to reign in power from Jerusalem for 1000 years of glory and honor. (Isaiah 9:6,17; Matthew 24:1-31; Revelation 19:11-20:10; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 8:20-23)

7) All mankind in Christ Jesus shall experience the First Resurrection with eternal conscious blessedness, and mankind not in Christ Jesus shall experience the Second Death with eternal conscious damnation in the Lake of Fire. (Daniel 12:2,13; Revelation 20:4-6; 20:12-15; 21:8)

8) The Great Commission was given to the Church, and includes authority from Christ Jesus to evangelize, baptize believers, teach all ages God's truth, and to fellowship together at the Lord's table. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 11:23-34)

9) A Local Church as described in the New Testament is made up of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and has God-called and qualified Undershepherds to oversee, lead, direct, feed, supervise, and shepherd the believers for Christ's sake. It also has Biblically qualified Deacons to help the Undershepherds in the work God has called them to do. The Local Church is ordained of God, founded by the Lord Jesus Christ Who alone is its head, and can never be in the will of God being a creation of the State or a Government body. The Local Church must win souls, baptize believers, teach God's Truth, fellowship with other like Local Churches, and observe the Lord's Memorial Supper. (Acts 20:18; Revelation 1,2,3; Matthew 1:18; Romans 1:7; I Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 2; Romans 16:5; I Corinthians 16:19)

10) Government on earth is ordained of God to govern relationships among mankind in the Home, the Church, Business, and Nation. State government was given for the purpose of protecting LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY from all evil men and women. State government, to be of God, must punish the wicked who violate God's Holy Law relating to LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY. (Isaiah 9:6; Romans 13; Daniel 2:21; 4:31-37; Matthew 28:18)

ARTICLE V

Any person seeking membership of this Local Church must give public testimony of his or her faith in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, have been, or be, baptized by immersion subsequent to personal salvation, accept the Doctrines of ARTICLE IV, and given consent to the Church Covenant.

ARTICLE VI

Officers of the Local Church shall be only two: Pastors and Deacons. Qualifications for both offices shall be as recorded in Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:1-7; 3:8-15; I Peter 5:1; Acts 4:34-37; Hebrews 13-17; Titus 1:5-9; I Corinthians 5:1-5.

Deacons shall be at least seven in number and shall be Chosen by the congregation after the pattern established in Acts 6:1-7. Pastors shall appoint the Deacons to such responsibilities as are needful to make possible the unhampered ministry of the Word and prayer, which are Pastors chief duty. Deacons like Pastors, may resign or shall be dismissed from office when personal behavior or belief disqualifies them from holding office. They shall serve indefinitely unless resignation is given or dismissal is necessary. (Acts 6:1-7; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:8-13).

Any helpers or workers in addition to Pastors and Deacons shall be chosen as needed by Pastors, and shall be under the direct supervision of the Pastors.

In matters of property, title shall be in the name of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle under the Trusteeship of the Pastors and Deacons. No member of this Local Church may ever be allowed to hold title to any Church property in his or her own name, or shall any member be allowed to personally benefit except for salary from any Church ministry or property.

ARTICLE VII

This Local Church shall provide for its membership a monthly report which shall include finances, membership, and any other item needful to keep the membership informed. This report shall be given in the Wednesday evening service during the first FULL WEEK of each month.

In all matters of business, each member twelve years of age or older, shall have one vote each. Children under eighteen years of age must be residing at home to have voting rights. An annual report shall be provided the membership of the Church at the Wednesday evening service during the first FULL WEEK of the month of January.

On all matters in which the members vote, a quorum shall be at least twenty-five percent (25%) of all voting members, and a ninety percent (90%) majority must be expressed to pass any action decided. A business meeting may be held during any regular service having been announced in at least two regular services prior. A businees meeting may be held at the monthly reporting meeting.

The head Pastor shall preside at all business meetings, or the head Deacon in the event the Church does not have any Pastor at all. THIS LOCAL CHURCH SHALL NOT OPERATE ON A DEBT-SYSTEM, but shall expand as the Lord provides the funds with which to do so.

ARTICLE VIII

The ARTICLES of this Local Church may not be amended without a ninety percent (90%) vote of its membership at a special business meeting called for that purpose, being announced one month prior in regular services. The CHURCH DOCTRINES AND COVENANT may not be amended, though they may be increased in number with additional doctrines not in conflict with the existing ten (10) already enumerated.

ARTICLE IX

Should it become necessary that this Local Church be disestablished, all Church properties held by the Church shall be given to another Local Church of like faith and practice. The remaining voting members shall so decide in this matter. Their vote shall be final, and a copy of the minutes of the meeting for such purpose shall also be given to the Local Church receiving the properties.

ARTICLE X

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle shall not be limited in its ministry to services on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Site Under Construction Q1/2012