The Constitution of The First Baptist Church Avoca, New York
Article I – Name
This church shall be called The First Baptist Church, Avoca, New York.
Article II – Doctrinal Basis
The doctrinal basis upon which this Church meets shall be the general position of the historic New Hampshire Confession (as adapted to the needs and emphasis of this local body of believers) a summarized form of which, appearing in the Articles of Faith, shall be presented to each applicant for membership in this Church for his or her acceptance, and signed yearly by all officers.
Articles of faith
1. Of The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds or opinions shall be tried.
2. Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, true and living God, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth inexpressibly glorious in holiness; worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the God-head there are three persons revealed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
3. Of The Fall Of Man
That man was created in the state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their own sinful passions, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or cause.
4. Of The Way Of Salvation
That the salvation of the sinner is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and made atonement for our sins by his death; that having risen from the dead in his physical body he is now enthroned in Heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
5. Of Justification
That the great Gospel blessing, which Christ of His fulness bestows on such as believe in Him, is Justification; that justification consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness that is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
6. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
That the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent and obedient faith, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, except his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
7. Of Grace In Regeneration
That in order to be saved we must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind, and is effected in a manner above our comprehension or calculation by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life which we bring forth to the glory of God.
8. Of The Purpose Of Grace
That election is the eternal purpose of God according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness; being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it is ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe in the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
9. Of The Preservation Of The Saints
That such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation.
10. Harmony Of The Law And Gospel
That the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfil its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
11. Of A Gospel Church
That a local gospel church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only proper officers are Bishops or Pastors and Deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
12. Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
That Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation. That the Lord’s Supper, in which the partakers by the use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self examination.
13. Of The Lord’s Day
That the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest which remaineth for the people of God.
14. Of Civil Government
That the civil Government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
15. Of The Great Commission
That the Great Commission given by our Lord to His Church is to evangelize the world, and that this evangelization is the great mission of the Church.
16. Of The Personality Of Satan
We believe in the Reality and Personality of Satan.
17. Of The Second Coming Of Our Lord
We believe in the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that he will come first for His Church, then with it to judge and rule.
18. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
That there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in life and after death.
Article III – Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, 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 the 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 devotion; 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 be always mindful that our lifestyle is a testimony to the watching world either for good or for bad; and to let Colossians 2:20 through 3:17 be our model of conduct and Romans 14:13, 21-23 the limit of our freedom.
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 – Polity
Its government 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 counsel and cooperation which are common among independent Baptist Churches.
Further, in harmony with this Church’s adherence to historic Baptist doctrine and practice, and in recognition of the unjudged and condoned departure from that faith and practice on the part of an increasing number of individuals, officials, schools, and churches of the Northern Baptist Convention, The First Baptist Church, Avoca, N.Y., has withdrawn all fellowship with that national body and its state and association affiliates, including the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, and the newly formed World Council.
No pastor shall be considered as called to this church unless and until, having been informed of these basic decisions, he shall in writing state himself as standing loyally with the First Baptist Church in these matters.
Article V – Amendments
This Constitution may be amended at the annual meeting of the Church by a two-thirds vote of the membership present, notice of such proposed amendment having been presented in writing at the previous annual meeting.