CONSTITUTION OF THE QUEBEC BAPTIST CHURCH |
ARTICLE I: LEGAL NAME The Assembly Bill of the Province of Quebec No. 137, (18 George V, chapter 123) sanctioned March 15, 1928, incorporated the congregation of Christians known as Baptists under the name of "The Quebec Baptist Church". ARTICLE II: MISSION AND PURPOSE Quebec Baptist Church is a congregation of individuals united in their loyalty and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, and called by God to become a community that reflects his character and teaching. The purpose of this English language Church is to enhance meaningful and passionate relationships with Jesus Christ among those who participate in the Church. The congregation will strive to respond to the needs of people in a loving and accepting community context, while upholding the Church's Statement of Faith. The congregation will promote a deeper understanding of the Bible and how God would have us live our lives, as well as celebrate and share our joy found in God's love and forgiveness. ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH AND CHURCH COVENANT 1. Statement of Faith 1.1 God: We believe in one God, creator of all things both visible and invisible, who has revealed Himself in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. 1.2 The Word of God is the Authoritative Rule of Faith and Practice: We believe in a conservative and traditional interpretation of the Bible. We believe that God communicates His will through the inspired Word found in the Bible which is the final authority in matters of faith and practice. However, this requires that a Believer must temper his/her doctrinal interpretation to satisfy the greater needs and unity of the community of believers. 1.3 Jesus is Lord: We believe that Jesus Christ, being eternally God, the only begotten Son, and the visible expression of the invisible God, effectively procured salvation for all creation through His death, burial and resurrection. He is the one assigned by God the Father to rule with authority over all of creation. Every area of the believer's life and the life of the Church is to be subject to the Lord. 1.4 A Believers' Church: We believe that Jesus Christ chooses to form his Church by bringing together believers for the purpose of worship, witness, fellowship, and ministry (both spiritual and social). We recognize the Church Universal as all who truly profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. They also profess their understanding of the Church as being visibly expressed in local congregations. Each local Church must thus be made up of believers who profess their faith and are baptized. 1.5 Congregational Government: Government in a local Church is controlled by the principles of the Lordship of Christ, the authority of the Scriptures, the priesthood of all believers and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Christ, present in the lives of congregational members, leads them corporately to discover and obey his mind and will. 1.6 Christ Will Return: We believe that one day in the future Jesus will return in a bodily form to gather those whose faith is in Him. We believe that everyone will arise from the dead: some to everlasting life and others to everlasting condemnation. 1.7 Institution of Marriage: We believe in the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. All other intimate relationships, either temporary or long-lasting, will not be acknowledged by the Church. 2. Church Covenant Humbly looking to God our Father for His grace and assistance, we do hereby covenant and pledge ourselves to walk together as Christians, to love as brothers and sisters and to have fervent care among ourselves. We will worship God in private and with our families. We will individually and unitedly labour to promote and preserve the spirituality of the Church and the purity of its worship and morals; and as none of us lives to himself, we will hold our own persons, talents, and worldly substance at the disposal of Christ for the maintenance of public worship, the spread of the Gospel and the glory of God. |
