Article II, Section 3 - Christ

This section is on Christ.

A. As God, Jesus possesses all the attributes of the Godhead with control of expression.
B. As man, Jesus possessed a nature and physiology similar to man's in that he grew in wisdom and stature, he became hungry and thirsty, and he experienced fatigue, sorrow, joy, fear, and temptation.

1. Deity - Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13
2. Humanity - Matthew 4:2; 27:46; Luke 2:52; 22:44; John 4:6; 15:11; 19:28; Hebrews 4:15

C. Jesus was virgin born and lived a sinless life.

1. Virgin Birth - Matthew 1:18-23
2. Sinless Life - Hebrews 4:15

D. Jesus atoned for the sins of humankind through the willing offer of himself, his vicarious sacrifice, and his resurrection.

1. Offer - Galatians 1:4; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14
2. Vicarious Sacrifice - Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 9:26; 10;12
3. Resurrection - Matthew 28:6; Romans 8:34; 14:9; 1 Corinthians15:14

E. Jesus continues his role of priest in his intercession for believers.

1. Intercession - Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

Article II, Section 2 - The Bible

Section 2: Bible
A. The Bible, the original writings of the historically accepted canon of sixty-six books contained in the Old and New Testaments, is the exclusive, inspired Word of God, and, as such, it is God’s revelation as our ultimate authority for faith and practice.

1. Exclusive – 2 Timothy 3:15-16 (note: refers to those Scriptures Timothy knew as a whole from childhood, i.e., Law, Writings, Prophecy—the Old Testament); 2 Peter 3:16; I John 4:6
2. Inspired – John 10:34; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 John 4:6
3. Systematic approach – God loves his creation (John 3:16). God interposes himself in his creation (Psalm 20). God reveals himself to his creation (Romans 1-3). God requires of his creation attitude and action consistent with his revealed character (Romans 1:18-20). Therefore, considering God’s revelatory interposition upon creation and his love and infinite nature, God both could and would provide a complete communication to humankind of all he wants us to know of him and how he wants us to respond to him. Since we have a closed canon of Scripture accepted through the millennia as his Word, we may be confident that this is the complete and exclusive revelation of God to all humankind.

B. Although only the autographs were divinely inspired, God providentially keeps his Word through manuscripts and translations so that best available manuscripts and faithful translations may continue to be authoritative.

1. Preservation – 1 Kings 19:18; Isaiah 1:8-9; 37:31; 43:21; Ezekiel 6:8; Romans 9:27; 1 Peter 1:5

Article II, Section 1

Section 1 under our Fundamental Beliefs article is about God. What do we need to say here about which everybody in the congregation needs to agree? Here is a suggestion. What do you think?

A. God is an eternal, infinite, personal, unchanging Spirit of one essence existing in three Persons who is and acts in perfect, harmonious truth, goodness, and beauty. He created all existence apart from Himself and sustains all existence.

1. Creator – Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 134:3; Colossians 1:16
2. Sustainer – Psalm 36:6; 55:22; Colossians 1:17
3. Eternal – Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Romans 1:20; 16:26; Hebrews 9:14
4. Infinite – 1 Kings 8:27; Job 11:7; Psalm 139:7-12; 147:5; Jeremiah 23:23-24
5. Personal – Genesis 3; Exodus 3:6, 14; Psalm 20
6. Spirit – John 4:24; Acts 17:24; I Timothy 1:17
7. One Essence – Deuteronomy 6; Ephesians 4:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
8. Three Persons - Father (Matthew 6:9, 26, 30-32; Mark 8:38; Revelation 3:21), Son (Matthew 26:63-64; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1-3), Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:2)
9. 9. Truth – Psalm 19:7-9; Jeremiah 9:24; Romans 1:16-17
10. 10. Goodness – Psalm 118:1, 29; John 3:16; Romans 8:28
11. 11. Harmonious essence and existence – God is and acts in harmony of attributes. Thus, He acts in righteousness (including justice) in accord with His love. His love likewise does not violate His righteousness.

B. God alone is worthy of worship, and each Person of the Godhead is worthy of worship.

1. The Father – Deuteronomy 26:10; Psalm 29:2; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 4:10
2. The Son – Philippians 2:10; Revelation 5:13-14
3. The Spirit – Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Article II: Fundamental Beliefs

Okay, we've taken care of Article I. We have a name and a purpose.
Article II identifies our fundamental beliefs. The emphasis here is on fundamental. What beliefs do we include that someone must hold to be a member? I'm going to propose seven basic subject areas.

Section 1: God
Section 2: Bible
Section 3: Christ
Section 4: Humankind
Section 5: Sin
Section 6: Salvation
Section 7: Christ's Return

So, if you are a real systematic theology fan, we have Theology, Bibliology, Christology, Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. Did I leave something out that is necessary? For example, many churches also include a section on Ecclesiology (the church). Do we necessarily have to say something about that here? Obviously, having this organization and creating a constitution for it means we believe in having a church, but is there something that has to be said about it that we must insist that everyone in the church believe?

We will also go into each of these seven sections and note specifically what must be believed about each in order to be joined in fellowship. But first, any missing major categories? Anything we should exclude? Maybe someone has a question about Christ's Return. Is there something in that that we must insist everyone believe?

Article 1: Purpose

So, New Covenant Chapel it is.

Continuing with Article 1: Name, Location, and Purpose, let's develop a purpose statement. This is sort of like a mission statement with a little bit more depth. I think a purpose statement for a church should stick to the purpose of the church as a body and not add in every Christian responsibility that we glean from the Bible as individuals. This is the purpose for being together as a group of believers, not just the purpose of our Christian lives. With that in mind (unless you choose to take exception to it), see what you think of the following. Be as picky as you care to be. After all, a purpose statement within a constitution is going to last a long time. Might as well make it as good and right as possible. Suggest additions, deletions, modifications, whatever. It probably could use some editing too.

"The purpose of this organization is to provide a means whereby its members may worship God together. This united worship is defined as corporately presenting our witness of the Gospel to the world and edifying each other through (1) preaching and teaching Christian doctrine and ethics, (2) encouraging each other to love and good works, and (3) supporting each other in endurance against the infiltration of wickedness and deceit. We recognize that this purpose of our union is established by the Bible, which we affirm as our ultimate authority for all faith and practice. This purpose is accomplished through regular meetings, special meetings, education, care activities, missionary outreach, and any other ministries and activities that the church shall deem appropriate or necessary.

"New Covenant Chapel is operated as a non-profit organization exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law)."

Disagree with me? Then you cannot possibly believe the Bible!

This may be of interest to some of you. The Patriarchal Complementarians refuse to differentiate Biblical Egalitarianism from common feminism/liberalism. Thus, according to them, every non-PC denies the authority of Scripture. Read about it along with my response here

Article I: Name, Location, Purpose

Let's start fleshing out the articles of a church constitution. The first article contains sections for name, location, and purpose. We will pass on the location since this is a theoretical church. However, I think we should go ahead and give it a name for ease of reference.

As one lovestruck teenager once asked, "What's in a name?" A church name has to give some kind of indication as to what the organization is about. I was just going to call this TruthWhys Bible Church, but my son informed me that while TruthWhys is an okay name for a website, it is too "cutesy" for a church name. I'm also thinking that using "church" in the name might be a little dull(?) for the exciting, progressive age in which we live. Hmm. On the other hand, I'd want to stay away from anything too exciting and progressive that would indicate an emergent church philosophy. So where does that leave us?

I think I'm kind of partial to something like New Covenant Chapel. Not too flashy, but not too dull. Or maybe it is (dull). However, a quick search on the internet found only one other church with that name. Does anybody have a suggestion? Again, a church name is not a vital doctrinal decision, but a good, comfortable name would be nice and satisfying. So, suggestions?

Church Constitutions - basics

Are church constitutions necessary? Okay, easy question. The answer is yes. Not necessary biblically, but in our times they're pretty necessary functionally for recognition by the state and for clarity. But how detailed must we be in church constitutions. Should they include every operational characteristic of the church? Probably most people would say no to that. So then, what is necessary?

How's this for a start? Below are nine sections (articles) I came up with for a church constitution.

1. Name, Location, and Purpose
2. Fundamental Beliefs
3. Membership
4. Operation
5. Officers
6. Financial Support Policy
7. Affiliation
8. Amendment Procedure
9. Dissolution

Okay, now, two questions: 1. Can you think of a topic that belongs in a church constitution that could not fit into one of these nine sections? (I know almost anything can fit in section 4, but is it of importance that it needs its own section?) and 2. Are any of the listed sections unnecessary?

paleoevangelical: Irreverent "Worship"

Here is a link to a short discussion concerning somebody's idea that the form of worship reveals a lack of genuine reverence. (My comment in the stream was simply ignored.) paleoevangelical: Irreverent "Worship"