West Fork Christian Fellowship International
Constitution
(Revised 1/27/2017)
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this church shall be commonly known as West Fork Christian Fellowship, hereafter referred to as the church.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
This church shall exist for the propagation and dissemination of the gospel of Jesus Christ: to provide ministry for spiritual, emotional, educational, physical, and social needs according to the standards of the Holy Scriptures.
Therefore, this church is hereby established for religious, educational, and charitable purposes.
ARTICLE III
Articles of Faith
SECTION 1
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and accept the same as the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. (Matt. 24:35; Psalm 119:89,
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter1:19-21)
SECTION 2
GOD
We believe in the eternal, omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere at all times), immutable (changeless), triune God, maker of Heaven and earth and all that is in them. We believe in the unity of the Godhead, and that it consists of three persons, equal in every divine perfection and characteristic. Each person of the Godhead executes distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (I John 5:7, II Cor. 13-14, Gen. 1:26, I Tim. 1:17)
The three persons of the Godhead are as follows:
a.God the Father (Ish.43:10, Isa 44:8, John 3:16)b.God the Son (Jesus). Jesus is co-existent and co-eternal with the Father. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He took upon Himself the form of man and, by becoming obedient to death upon the cross; He bore the curse of sin, sickness, and sorrow, and redeemed us back to God. He arose from the dead the third day after His crucifixion and ascend into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father and lives to make intercession for us. (John 1:1-3, Matt. 1:23, I Tim. 2:5, Eph 2:18, Phil 2:6-11)c.God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is co-existent and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father, through the Son, to reprove the world of sin and to prepare the Bride of Christ (the church). (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8)1.
SECTION 3
The Fall of man
Through the sin of Adam, all of mankind partook of sin and death. (Gen 1:27, Rom 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 5:19, Isa. 53:6)
SECTION 4
The Plan of Redemption
We believe that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God (perfect sacrifice for sin) and was foreordained (destined) from the foundation of the world to provide salvation for all people through the shedding of His blood on the cross. (I Peter 1:19-20, Isa. 53:5, Titus 2:14, Heb. 7:25)
SECTION 5
The Second Coming of Christ
a.RaptureWe believe that the coming of Jesus Christ with the saints will end the great tribulation and establish the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth when Christ shall reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.(Rev 1:7, Zech 14:4, II Thes. 1:7-10, 2:8)
SECTION 6
Heaven
We believe in a literal Heaven, that it is the habitation of the living God, where Christ has gone to prepare a place for all believers, and that they shall dwell there in eternal happiness and security with Him. (I Cor. 2:9, John 14:2, Rev. 21:2-7, 21:10-27, 22:5, 7:15-17)
SECTION 7
Hell
We believe in a literal hell of outer darkness, bitter sorrow, remorse and woe, which has been prepared by God for the devil and his angels. Into the lake of fire and brimstone shall be cast those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life- the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, and those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Rev. 14:10-11, 20:10, 20:14-15, 21:7-8, Matt. 25:41, Mark 9:43-44)
SECTON 8
Final Judgment
We believe in the final judgment of the wicked at the great white throne of God, when the dead, both great and small, shall be resurrected to stand before God to receive the rewards of their deeds done while living on the earth. (Rev. 20:11-15, Matt. 13:41-43)
SECTION 9
The New Birth
Because of man’s total inability to save him self, salvation is provided to us only through God’s grace (undeserved favor). It is received through sincere repentance and through a wholehearted acceptance of Jesus as his personal Savior. By being “born again,” man becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. (John 3:3, II Cor. 5:17, Gal 2:20, I Peter 2:24)
2.
SECTION 10
Daily Christian Life
We believe that having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and made alive by His Spirit, it is God’s will that we should be daily sanctified (set apart for holy use). As partakers of God’s holiness, we must live not to please man or our own desires, but to please God. As a Christian, we must avoid the very appearance of evil (such as worldly dress, worldly amusement, worldly language, worldly habits, and ect.) and must strive to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. (Eph. 4:1, 4:17, 5:1-21, Rom. 8:5, 12:1-2, II Cor. 7:1, I Peter 1:15, I Thes. 5:22)
SECTION 11
Church Relationship
We believe that every Christian should identify himself with and be committed to a local church, and should serve their local church through the exercise of their spiritual gifts. We believe that financial support should be contributed through the giving of tithes and offerings so that the local church may fulfill its commission to spread the gospel. (Heb. 10:24-25, Psalm 111:1, Acts 2:47, 16:5, Rom 12:5, Mal. 3:8-10, II Cor 9:6-7, I Cor. 16:2)
SECTION 12
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
We believe in commemorating the Lord’s Supper as a symbol of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sacrament symbolically demonstrates the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, and looks forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb. We believe that all Born Again believers may partake of the Lord’s’ Supper, regardless of church affiliation.
(I Cor. 11:23-28, II Cor 13:5, Luke 22:7-22)
SECTION 13
Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism by immersion, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is commanded by God and is to occur after conversion (salvation). Baptism does not save, but rather is an outward symbol of an inward work. (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:4, Acts 2:38)
SECTION 14
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to provide the believer with power from on high to do the work of God on the earth through witnessing and through signs and wonders. We believe an evidence of this baptism is speaking in other tongues (a language not previously learned); by the enabling of the Holy Spirit and that this sign may occur as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit leads the believer into a life-style of worship and holiness and equips him/her for a practical, efficient, Spirit-led ministry of soul-winning and service. We believe that every believer can expect to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the same manner as recorded in the scripture. (John 14:16, Acts: 1:8, 2:4, 2:38, 19:6, I Cor. 3:16)
SECTION 15
Spirit-filled Life
We believe that having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the believer should experience a continual renewing of God’s power. We believe that the Holy Spirit is as a gentle dove, easily grieved and wounded by coldness, prayerlessness, worldliness, and a judging and critical attitude. It is God’s will that we walk and abide in the Spirit. (Eph 5:18, 4:30-32, Acts 4:31, I Cor. 3:17, Gal. 5:16-25, I John 2:6) 3.
SECTION 16 The Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that as we live a life directed by the Holy Spirit, we will cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the character of God in the life of the believer.
(Gal. 5:22-23)
SECTION 17
Gifts of the Spirit
We believe that for the edification (building up) of the saints, the Holy Spirit has given gifts to individual believers, distributing to each believer specific gifts, according to His will. Those gifts are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership (administration), mercy, exhortation, apostleship, evangelism, and pastoring. The use of the gifts should be motivated by love. (I Cor. 12:7-11, 12:31, Rom12:6-8)
SECTION 18
Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing is the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted in answer to believing prayer, and that it is provided for through the atoning death of Jesus. We believe that God is willing to and does heal the sick today. (Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 8:16-17, James 5:14-16, Acts 3:16)
SECTION 19
Evangelism
We believe that it is the great commission of the church and of every individual believer to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved. We believe that winning the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus is the primary mission of the church, and that the resources and focus of the church should be guided by the last great commandment of our Lord Jesus to make disciples, both in our local communities and throughout the world.(Matt. 28:19-20, Prov.11:30, Acts 1:8)
SECTION 20
Marriage
We believe that marriage is a holy covenant between a man and a woman, made before God and legalized by a licensed minister of the gospel. It is a type of the relationship between Christ and the Church, His bride. This covenant is to be honored as long as both husband and wife are living. Divorce is an option only in case of sexual unfaithfulness, or when an unbelieving spouse refuses to honor the marital covenant. (Matt. 19:4-6, 9, I Cor. 7:10-16,
Heb. 13:4)
SECTION 21
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is ordained of God and that all Christians are subject to the laws of the land, except those that are contrary to the revealed will of God. We pledge allegiance and moral and spiritual support to the United States of America. In times of war, the individual’s participation in actual combat and the taking of life shall be governed by his own conscience. (Rom. 13:1-7, Acts 5:29, Matt 5:39-48, Heb. 12:14)
Constitution
(Revised 1/27/2017)
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this church shall be commonly known as West Fork Christian Fellowship, hereafter referred to as the church.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
This church shall exist for the propagation and dissemination of the gospel of Jesus Christ: to provide ministry for spiritual, emotional, educational, physical, and social needs according to the standards of the Holy Scriptures.
Therefore, this church is hereby established for religious, educational, and charitable purposes.
ARTICLE III
Articles of Faith
SECTION 1
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and accept the same as the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. (Matt. 24:35; Psalm 119:89,
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter1:19-21)
SECTION 2
GOD
We believe in the eternal, omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere at all times), immutable (changeless), triune God, maker of Heaven and earth and all that is in them. We believe in the unity of the Godhead, and that it consists of three persons, equal in every divine perfection and characteristic. Each person of the Godhead executes distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (I John 5:7, II Cor. 13-14, Gen. 1:26, I Tim. 1:17)
The three persons of the Godhead are as follows:
a.God the Father (Ish.43:10, Isa 44:8, John 3:16)b.God the Son (Jesus). Jesus is co-existent and co-eternal with the Father. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He took upon Himself the form of man and, by becoming obedient to death upon the cross; He bore the curse of sin, sickness, and sorrow, and redeemed us back to God. He arose from the dead the third day after His crucifixion and ascend into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father and lives to make intercession for us. (John 1:1-3, Matt. 1:23, I Tim. 2:5, Eph 2:18, Phil 2:6-11)c.God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is co-existent and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father, through the Son, to reprove the world of sin and to prepare the Bride of Christ (the church). (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8)1.
SECTION 3
The Fall of man
Through the sin of Adam, all of mankind partook of sin and death. (Gen 1:27, Rom 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 5:19, Isa. 53:6)
SECTION 4
The Plan of Redemption
We believe that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God (perfect sacrifice for sin) and was foreordained (destined) from the foundation of the world to provide salvation for all people through the shedding of His blood on the cross. (I Peter 1:19-20, Isa. 53:5, Titus 2:14, Heb. 7:25)
SECTION 5
The Second Coming of Christ
a.RaptureWe believe that the coming of Jesus Christ with the saints will end the great tribulation and establish the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth when Christ shall reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.(Rev 1:7, Zech 14:4, II Thes. 1:7-10, 2:8)
SECTION 6
Heaven
We believe in a literal Heaven, that it is the habitation of the living God, where Christ has gone to prepare a place for all believers, and that they shall dwell there in eternal happiness and security with Him. (I Cor. 2:9, John 14:2, Rev. 21:2-7, 21:10-27, 22:5, 7:15-17)
SECTION 7
Hell
We believe in a literal hell of outer darkness, bitter sorrow, remorse and woe, which has been prepared by God for the devil and his angels. Into the lake of fire and brimstone shall be cast those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life- the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, and those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Rev. 14:10-11, 20:10, 20:14-15, 21:7-8, Matt. 25:41, Mark 9:43-44)
SECTON 8
Final Judgment
We believe in the final judgment of the wicked at the great white throne of God, when the dead, both great and small, shall be resurrected to stand before God to receive the rewards of their deeds done while living on the earth. (Rev. 20:11-15, Matt. 13:41-43)
SECTION 9
The New Birth
Because of man’s total inability to save him self, salvation is provided to us only through God’s grace (undeserved favor). It is received through sincere repentance and through a wholehearted acceptance of Jesus as his personal Savior. By being “born again,” man becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. (John 3:3, II Cor. 5:17, Gal 2:20, I Peter 2:24)
2.
SECTION 10
Daily Christian Life
We believe that having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and made alive by His Spirit, it is God’s will that we should be daily sanctified (set apart for holy use). As partakers of God’s holiness, we must live not to please man or our own desires, but to please God. As a Christian, we must avoid the very appearance of evil (such as worldly dress, worldly amusement, worldly language, worldly habits, and ect.) and must strive to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. (Eph. 4:1, 4:17, 5:1-21, Rom. 8:5, 12:1-2, II Cor. 7:1, I Peter 1:15, I Thes. 5:22)
SECTION 11
Church Relationship
We believe that every Christian should identify himself with and be committed to a local church, and should serve their local church through the exercise of their spiritual gifts. We believe that financial support should be contributed through the giving of tithes and offerings so that the local church may fulfill its commission to spread the gospel. (Heb. 10:24-25, Psalm 111:1, Acts 2:47, 16:5, Rom 12:5, Mal. 3:8-10, II Cor 9:6-7, I Cor. 16:2)
SECTION 12
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
We believe in commemorating the Lord’s Supper as a symbol of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sacrament symbolically demonstrates the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, and looks forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb. We believe that all Born Again believers may partake of the Lord’s’ Supper, regardless of church affiliation.
(I Cor. 11:23-28, II Cor 13:5, Luke 22:7-22)
SECTION 13
Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism by immersion, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is commanded by God and is to occur after conversion (salvation). Baptism does not save, but rather is an outward symbol of an inward work. (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:4, Acts 2:38)
SECTION 14
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to provide the believer with power from on high to do the work of God on the earth through witnessing and through signs and wonders. We believe an evidence of this baptism is speaking in other tongues (a language not previously learned); by the enabling of the Holy Spirit and that this sign may occur as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit leads the believer into a life-style of worship and holiness and equips him/her for a practical, efficient, Spirit-led ministry of soul-winning and service. We believe that every believer can expect to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the same manner as recorded in the scripture. (John 14:16, Acts: 1:8, 2:4, 2:38, 19:6, I Cor. 3:16)
SECTION 15
Spirit-filled Life
We believe that having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the believer should experience a continual renewing of God’s power. We believe that the Holy Spirit is as a gentle dove, easily grieved and wounded by coldness, prayerlessness, worldliness, and a judging and critical attitude. It is God’s will that we walk and abide in the Spirit. (Eph 5:18, 4:30-32, Acts 4:31, I Cor. 3:17, Gal. 5:16-25, I John 2:6) 3.
SECTION 16 The Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that as we live a life directed by the Holy Spirit, we will cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the character of God in the life of the believer.
(Gal. 5:22-23)
SECTION 17
Gifts of the Spirit
We believe that for the edification (building up) of the saints, the Holy Spirit has given gifts to individual believers, distributing to each believer specific gifts, according to His will. Those gifts are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership (administration), mercy, exhortation, apostleship, evangelism, and pastoring. The use of the gifts should be motivated by love. (I Cor. 12:7-11, 12:31, Rom12:6-8)
SECTION 18
Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing is the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted in answer to believing prayer, and that it is provided for through the atoning death of Jesus. We believe that God is willing to and does heal the sick today. (Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 8:16-17, James 5:14-16, Acts 3:16)
SECTION 19
Evangelism
We believe that it is the great commission of the church and of every individual believer to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved. We believe that winning the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus is the primary mission of the church, and that the resources and focus of the church should be guided by the last great commandment of our Lord Jesus to make disciples, both in our local communities and throughout the world.(Matt. 28:19-20, Prov.11:30, Acts 1:8)
SECTION 20
Marriage
We believe that marriage is a holy covenant between a man and a woman, made before God and legalized by a licensed minister of the gospel. It is a type of the relationship between Christ and the Church, His bride. This covenant is to be honored as long as both husband and wife are living. Divorce is an option only in case of sexual unfaithfulness, or when an unbelieving spouse refuses to honor the marital covenant. (Matt. 19:4-6, 9, I Cor. 7:10-16,
Heb. 13:4)
SECTION 21
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is ordained of God and that all Christians are subject to the laws of the land, except those that are contrary to the revealed will of God. We pledge allegiance and moral and spiritual support to the United States of America. In times of war, the individual’s participation in actual combat and the taking of life shall be governed by his own conscience. (Rom. 13:1-7, Acts 5:29, Matt 5:39-48, Heb. 12:14)