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PREAMBLE
But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.
(1 Corinthians 14:40)
Let all that you do be done in love.
(1 Corinthians 16:14)
Let all things be done for edification.
(1 Corinthians 14:26c)
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
Giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
(Colossians 3:17)
We, the members of Hope Bible Church, do ordain and establish the
following ARTICLES, which form our CONSTITUTION.
June 17, 2001
ARTICLE 1 NAME
The name of the church shall be HOPE BIBLE CHURCH, a Florida Corporation, having its principal place of worship in Pinellas County, state of Florida, hereinafter referred to as the Church.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of this Church is to present exegetical, categorical, and isagogical Bible teaching adhering to the literal hermeneutic. We stand unequivocally for the fundamentals of the faith as contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe in teaching the Word of God in this Church, training and ordaining pastor-teachers, and presenting the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ both at home and abroad. The thrust of this Church is to make sound doctrine available to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). The execution of the purpose and thrust of this Church is the consistent teaching of the Word of God.
ARTICLE III DOCTRINE AND TENETS
A. STATEMENT OF DOCTRINE
The following basic doctrines contained in the Bible are hereby adopted.
1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word
of God, authoritative, inerrant and God-Breathed (2 Timothy 3:13; 2 Peter 1:20-
21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13; Hebrews 4:12)
2. THE GODHEAD
We believe in ONE TRIUNE GOD, existing in three persons, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory and
having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians
13:14)
3. SOVEREIGNTY
We believe that God, existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is sovereign, and
exercises supreme rule over all creation as a part of and consistent with the
essence and attributes of Deity (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12; Daniel 4:35; Psalm 24:1; 1 Timothy 6:15). He is the ultimate authority over the church universal and the local church, establishing authority under His direction for the edification of the saints (Eph. 4:11-12). Furthermore, the sovereignty of God allows for the existence of free will in angels and mankind with no respect to persons, and with no coercion of free will (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3, 4).
4. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father, as the recognized Authority within the Godhead
(1 Corinthians 15:2), sent God the Son as Jesus Christ, the God-man (John 3:16),
and on the Day of Pentecost, the beginning of the Church Age, sent God the Holy
Spirit to indwell all believers (John 14:26) until the end of the Church Age. This
is the event known as the Rapture. He has subjected all creation to the authority
of the Son until the beginning of the Eternal Age, at which time the Son will turn
that authority back to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:23-28).
5. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
We believe that God the Son becomes united with the sinless humanity of Jesus at His incarnation through the virgin birth in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man; that He accomplished our redemption through His spiritual death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice; that our redemption is made sure to us by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-25, 4:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5); that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in Heaven, exalted at the right hand of God, where as the High Priest for His people, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).
6. THE PERSONALITY AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the member of the Godhead who convicts the world of sin, indwells all believers in the present age, baptizes them into the body of Christ, seals them until the day of redemption, and that it is the duty of every believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).
7. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN
We believe Satan to be the archenemy of God and all believers. We believe Lucifer, who was created perfect and sinless by God, fell of his own volition and subsequently took with him other angels now called demons. We believe, as of mans fall, Satan became the god of this world who seeks through various stratagems to tempt and deceive mankind. However, his success in blinding the minds of people with false doctrine is dependent upon their continued negative volition to the truth. Finally, we believe that Satan will be defeated by Christ and forever consigned to the Lake of Fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Revelation 12:4; Ephesians 2:2; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41;
2 Corinthians 11:14; Revelation 20:10).
8. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created by God in the image of God, but that the first man, Adam, fell involving the entire human race in Adams original sin; that Adam and his progeny inherited a sinful nature which is transmitted genetically. We further believe that the sin nature indwells all men from birth to death (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 5:12; 6:12; 7:17; 1 John 1:7-10).
9. DISPENSATIONS
We believe that human history is divided into four ages (dispensations), called respectively the Age of the Gentiles, the Age of Israel, the Church Age (current) and the Millennium. Gods revelation and protocol for believers progresses through these dispensations and culminates in the Millennium, the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Daniel 12:13; Colossians 1:25-26; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 6:5; Revelation 20:4-6).
10. SALVATION
We believe that salvation in every dispensation is the gift of God by grace and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from any other action of man. Everyone who receives Christ is a believer (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12).
11. THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that all believers are kept secure forever and that neither man nor God can annul a believers saving faith (Romans 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30;
1 Corinthians 1:4-8).
12. THE CHURCH
We believe that the local church is an assembly of believers in a specific geographic locale. The Church is the authorized environment for spiritual growth in the Church Age. Further, it is the responsibility of each believer to assemble under a pastor-teacher so that he can be equipped to carry out the work of the ministry of his local church (Acts 16:5; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:1, 19;
2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:22; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 3:16, 17; Hebrews 10:25). Furthermore, the Universal Church is a spiritual body made up of all believers of this age irrespective of their affiliation with Christian organizations (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23: 2:16, 20-22; 5:22, 23, 30; Colossians 1:18, 24; 1 Peter 2:4-7; Revelation 21:9).
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS
We believe that all believers should seek to live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon the Lord and Savior. It is the obligation of every believer to bear witness, by life and by word, to the truths of the Holy Scriptures. It is the responsibility of all believers to remember the work of the Lord in prayer, and to support it with their means as the Lord has prospered them (1 Corinthians 16:2).
14. CHURCH ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Ordinances of Baptism by immersion and the Lords Supper, both of which should be observed by all believers until His return (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
15. SPIRITUALITY AND MATURITY
We believe that spirituality is an absolute condition in the life of a believer in this dispensation wherein he is filled or led by the Holy Spirit, walking in love and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that spirituality is distinct from carnality, and that a believer becomes carnal through any act of mental, verbal or overt sin and that spirituality, or fellowship with Christ, is restored solely by personal confession of the sin to God the Father (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 6:11-13; 1 John 1:3, 5, 9; 2:2; 1 Corinthians 11:30, 31). Maturity, on the other hand, is a relative state a Spirit-filled believer attains as a result of learning and applying the Word of God over a period of time (Ephesians 4:11, 12, 15; James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 3:18).
16. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that the Holy Spirit, through grace and apart from human merit, sovereignly bestows one or more spiritual gifts on every believer at salvation (Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:4-8). Some of the permanent spiritual gifts which exist today are pastor-teacher, evangelist, administrations, helps, exhortations, giving, and showing of mercy. The temporary gifts of apostle, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of wisdom and word of knowledge were done away with at the close of the Apostolic Age (1 Corinthians 13:8-11; 14:22; Ephesians 4:3-16). Any attempt to claim these gifts today is Satanic in origin, being a part of the great apostasy at the end of the age called the working of the mystery of iniquity. This iniquity operates by means of Satanic power, signs and lying wonders toward constructing the false world church and toward manifesting the Man of Sin. The practice of any of these temporary gifts today by any person in the congregation shall be grounds for expulsion from the Church under Article V, Section D. 3 of this Constitution. Although the gift of healing is no longer given to man, God does still hear and answer the prayer of faith for the sick and afflicted in accordance with His own will (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15; James 5:15).
17. LAST THINGS
We believe that the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to receive to Himself the dead in Christ and believers who are alive at His coming, otherwise known at the Rapture or Translation of the Church (1 Corinthians 15;51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14). We believe that the Rapture of the Church will be followed by the fulfillment of Daniels seventieth week, the latter half of which is the time of Jacobs trouble, the Great Tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15-21; Revelation 6:1-17). We believe that the Great Tribulation will be climaxed by the premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth to set up His kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:6). We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately pass into His presence at death, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of their body at His coming, when soul and body reunited, shall be associated with Him forever in glory. The souls of all unbelievers remain in conscious misery after death until the final judgment before the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated but to be punished with everlasting torture, separated from the presence of the Lord
(Luke 16:19-26; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).
B. STATEMENT OF TENETS
1. This Church shall not at any time become a member, sanction, or support the
National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, or any other
religious organization.
2. This Church shall not solicit anyone to become a member. Those who desire
to affiliate with this Church may do so by complying with the provisions of
Article V.
3. This Church shall not knowingly accept gifts from unbelievers nor make
individual solicitation of funds or pledges among believers, nor knowingly
accept gifts related to illegal or immoral activities. Designated gifts may be
solicited and accepted by the Church provided they are in accordance with
Article XII of this Constitution.
4. This Church shall not engage in any enterprises not related to the propagation
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
5. This Church shall not have a woman in the office of Pastor-Teacher or Deacon (1 Timothy 2:12).
ARTICLE IV GOVERNMENT
The leadership of this Church is vested in the Pastor-Teacher and the duly elected Deacons. The Pastor is the authority in spiritual matters and is responsible for the spiritual content and edification of this local Church. The Deacons are responsible to carry out the administration of the affairs of this Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pastor-Teacher (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2, 3). The governing body of this Church, comprised of the Pastor-Teacher and the duly elected Deacons, is hereinafter referred to as the Church Board.
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP
A. A person shall qualify for membership who:
1. Believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
2. Accepts in its entirety the doctrinal statement contained herein.
3. Agrees to be governed in Church affiliation by this Constitution.
4. Acknowledges and accepts the authority of the Church Board in Church affairs.
5. Upon due examination by the Pastor and a majority of the Deacons, is approved for membership.
6. Founding members, after reading and approving this Constitution, are approved for membership.
7. The Pastor-Teacher shall be considered a member upon assuming office.
B. RECEIVING MEMBERS
Any person who desires to become a Member of this Church and makes such request of the Pastor-Teacher or Deacons, and meets the qualifications of this Article, shall be received as a Member into the fellowship of this Church.
C. VOTING MEMBERS
The voting Members shall be limited to those active Members who are 18 years of age or older.
D. MEMBERSHIP ROLL
1. A periodic review of the membership roll with a view toward changing the status
of individual Members form active to inactive is the prerogative of the
Church Board. Status may be changed from inactive to active by the same
process.
2. A Member who is on the inactive membership list shall not be eligible to vote,
hold office, or teach in the Prep School.
3. A Member may be removed from the membership roll by action of two-thirds
majority vote of the Church Board for noncompliance with Article V, Section A.
2-4 of this Constitution. Reinstatement shall follow the same procedure as initial
membership.
4. The Pastor-Teacher must be present during any meeting concerning membership
status.
5. Any individual who is not an active member may attend Church services at any
time. Only active members are eligible to vote, hold office or teach in the Prep
School.
ARTICLE VI WORSHIP SERVICES
Public worship services shall be held when, and as often as the Pastor-Teacher determines. The Pastor-Teacher shall have the responsibility for the conduct of these services. The Church Board shall have the responsibility of providing logistical details necessary to fulfill these services under the direct of the Pastor-Teacher.
ARTICLE VII - BUSINESS MEETING OF MEMBERS
A. PLACE
All business meetings of the membership shall be held at the principal place of worship of the Church, unless otherwise specified in the notice.
B. TIME OF ANNUAL MEETING
There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of the Members held the first Sunday in March, unless changed by the Church Board.
C. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
Special Business Meetings of the Members shall be called by the Secretary upon notice from the Pastor-Teacher, the Deacons, or upon written request of ten percent of the voting Members, with a minimum of five voting Members. Announcement of said meeting shall be given from the pulpit on two consecutive services immediately preceding said meeting.
D. QUORUM AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
1. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be forty percent of the voting
Members. The majority vote shall prevail unless the vote of a greater number is
required by law or this Constitution.
2. The agenda of all business meetings of the Members shall include:
a. Opening prayer
b. Proof of notice of meeting and quorum.
c. Reading of the minutes
d. Disposition of business
e. Closing prayer
3. In all business meetings, the Pastor-Teacher shall preside, and in his absence the
Treasurer of the Church Board shall preside.
4. In the transaction of business, the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order,
Revised, shall be used in all cases not covered by this Constitution.
E. VOTING
The Chairman of the meeting shall determine the method of voting, except that the following shall be by secret ballot:
1. The election or removal of Deacons
2. Purchase, sale or transfer of real property
3. The calling or dismissal of a Pastor-Teacher
ARTICLE VIII DEACONS
A. AUTHORITY AND NUMBER
1. The Church derives its authority to select and elect Deacons from
Acts 6:2-4.
2. The Church shall elect not less than two Deacons.
3. The Church Board will determine the number of Deacons to be elected, above the two minimum, based on need.
B. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF DEACON
1. An individual must meet all of the Biblical qualifications as set forth in
1 Timothy 3:8-12 and Titus 1:5-6.
2. An individual must be male.
3. An individual must have been an active Member of Hope Bible Church for a minimum of two years or be a founding Member.
C. TERM OF OFFICE
1. A Deacon shall serve for a term of two years, the parameter of each year being
defined as the period of time between sequential Annual Business Meetings of
the Church Membership.
2. An incumbent will automatically be placed in nomination unless removed at
his request.
3. The terms of office for all Deacons shall be staggered so that no more than one half of the existing Deacons serving at one time will come up for election in any one year unless the total number of Deacons is an odd number.
D. NOMINATION PROCEDURE
1. The Congregation is exhorted to encourage qualified men to seek the office of
Deacon. If any man aspires to the office of Deacon, he should contact a
member of the Church Board and make his desires known.
2. The Pastor-Teacher will brief the individual on the qualifications and
requirements of the office of Deacon.
3. After a period of testing and observation, the Church Board will nominate all
qualified Candidates to be placed on a Deacon Candidate List.
E. ELECTION OF DEACONS
1. Deacons shall be elected at an Annual or Special Meeting of the Members.
2. The names of all nominated Candidates and Deacon incumbents shall be placed on the ballot.
3. Each voting Member will select the number of men needed to fill the available positions from the list of nominated Deacons and Candidates. The individuals receiving the highest number of votes over a majority will fill the available positions.
4. In the event of a tie for any position, the Congregation will break the tie in a runoff election.
5. A Deacon Elect will assume the office on the day of the election once the vote is determined. Newly elected Deacons will be ordained in formal ceremony within thirty days of their election. Re-elected Deacons retain their ordination.
F. REMOVAL OF DEACONS
1. A Deacon is subject to removal from office by the Church Board for any of the following reasons:
a. Refusal to serve in the capacity assigned by the Church Board.
b. Absence from three consecutive, or five regular meetings of the Church Board during any one year period without an excuse satisfactory to the Church Board.
c. Failure to attend with consistency, as determined by the Church Board, the regularly scheduled Bible Classes of Hope Bible Church without an excuse satisfactory to the Church Board.
d. Disqualification in any manner as described in the Scriptures.
G. VACANCY
1. The office of Deacon shall be considered vacant for any of the following:
a. Death of a Deacon
b. Resignation of a Deacon
c. Removal of a Deacon
H. FILLING VACANCIES
1. There will be no temporary filling of vacancies in the office of Deacon. If an
office becomes vacant and the position should need to be filled prior to the
next Annual Business Meeting, a Special Business Meeting will be scheduled
to elect a Deacon to fulfill the remainder of that term.
2. The election rules identified in Article VIII, Section E. 3-5 will apply at that
time.
I. REGULAR MEETINGS
A Regular Meeting of the Church Board shall be held not later than thirty days after the Annual Meeting of Members. Other Regular Meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Deacons may determine, but at least once a month.
J. SPECIAL MEETINGS
A Special Meeting of the Church Board may be called at any time at the request of the Pastor-Teacher, the Chairman of the Church Board, or two-thirds of the Deacons.
K. QUORUM
A quorum shall be two-thirds of the total number of Deacons and the Pastor-Teacher. The actions of the majority of the Church Board present shall be considered the actions of the entire Church Board unless otherwise specifically required by law or by this Constitution.
L. DUTIES
1. To assist the Pastor-Teacher in the administration of all worship services and
ordinances.
2. To make provision for the supply of the pulpit in the absence of a Pastor-
Teacher.
3. To co-operate with the Pastor-Teacher in the shepherding of the membership
of this Church.
4. To reconcile, so far as possible, all differences.
5. To give counsel and comfort to the poor, the sick and the afflicted.
6. To keep order in the assemblies of the Members.
7. To act for the Members in the reception and dismissal of Members.
8. To supervise and administer the related ministries of the Church.
9. To supervise and administer the handling of all funds.
10. To hire and discharge personnel and determine their salaries.
11. To acquire or dispose of real property or its fixtures or contract for any loans on behalf of Hope Bible Church upon prior specific instructions and authority of the Members at a duly called business meeting.
12. To take all necessary measures for the protection, management, and upkeep of all property and official documents.
13. To determine the use of the facilities of Hope Bible Church for all extra or
secular purposes.
14. To render a report to the Members at the Annual Business Meeting of the
Members outlining the activities of the Church Board for the past year.
15. To execute any special instructions of the Members adopted in a resolution
that is not in violation of this Constitution at a duly called meeting of the
Members.
16. To interpret this Constitution under the authority of the Pastor-Teacher and the Word of God.
ARTICLE IX CHURCH OFFICERS
The Church officers shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, each of whom shall be a Board Member. The officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the Church Board after the Annual Business Meeting of the Members.
A. CHAIRMAN
The Pastor-Teacher shall be the de-facto Chairman of the Board, answering to God as the ultimate authority of the local body. Should the office of Pastor-Teacher become vacant, the Board members shall elect an existing Board member to fill the office of Chairman.
B. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the business meetings of the Members and the Church Board, receive and issue notice of all business meetings of the Members and the Church Board, be custodian of the Corporate Seal and Records, keep current a roster of all Members with addresses, maintain a record of attendance at Church Board Meetings, sign instruments authorized by the Church Board or Members, and prepare the agenda of all business meetings of the Members and Church Board.
C. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt, deposit and disbursement of all funds and securities as authorized by the Church Board and the Members, keep books of account, and render a current financial statement at the Annual Business Meeting of Members and such other reports as may be directed by the Church Board.
D. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Any officer many be removed for cause by affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the Church Board. Voting shall be at a duly called meeting of the Church Board.
ARTICLE X PASTOR-TEACHER
A. DUTIES
The Pastor-Teacher shall watch over the spiritual life of Hope Bible Church, study
and teach the Word, administer the ordinances and have charge of the worship services. He shall be a voting Member of the Church Board and an ex officio member of all committees, and shall preside over all business meetings of the Membership. The Pastor-Teacher shall have authority over the Church and the Church Board under the authority and direction of the Word of God. The Pastor-Teacher shall not be subject to the authority of any other individual member of the Church but is answerable to the Word of God alone.
B. SELECTION
A Candidate for Pastor-Teacher shall be considered only after he has subscribed in writing to the doctrinal statement and the Constitution of this Church. He shall be recommended to the Membership by at least simple majority affirmative vote of the Church Board and called to serve by at least a simple majority affirmative vote of the membership present at a duly called meeting.
C. TERMINATION
1. The Pastor-Teacher may only be removed from office by a three-fourths vote
of the Membership present at a duly called and constituted Special Business
Meeting. This Special Business Meeting must be called by a vote of at least
three-fourths of the total number of Deacons. At least fifteen (15) days prior
to this Deacons Meeting, the Pastor-Teacher shall be notified in writing of
the reason(s) for considering his dismissal. At both of these meetings, the
Pastor-Teacher shall have the following privileges:
a. To be represented by two Members
b. To introduce evidence
c. To present and cross-examine witnesses
2. A Pastor-Teacher can be removed for any of the following reasons:
a. Failure to comply with the doctrinal statements of this Constitution.
b. Failure to meet the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1.
ARTICLE XI COMMITTEES
The appointment of Committees shall be at the discretion of the Church Board.
ARTICLE XII DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
Designated contributions will be used as directed if in keeping with the purpose and policy of this Church under Article II. Contributions designated for purposes that do not meet this requirement shall be returned to the donor if possible.
ARTICLE XIII LICENSING AND ORDINANTION
A. LICENSE
The Pastor-Teacher and the Church Board will undertake the responsibility of licensing qualified men.
B. ORDINATION
A Pastor-Teacher Candidate shall be ordained only after a period of observation and a thorough examination of his qualifications by the Church Board and Pastor-Teacher, and upon unanimous vote of said parties and receipt of a local church from the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE XIV FISCAL YEAR
The Fiscal Year of Hope Bible Church shall begin on the first day of January and end with the last of December each year.
ARTICLE XV SEAL
The Church Board shall provide a Corporate Seal that shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of this Church. The Seal will consist of a wreath (the Victors Wreath) with a two-edged Sword in its midst. Within the Wreath and above the Sword shall be the Scripture reference Hebrews 4:12. Arching above and outside the Wreath shall be the name Hope Bible Church.
ARTICLE XVI AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a vote of three-fourths of the Members present at a duly called business meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the Church Board, or has been submitted by a petition signed by not less than twenty percent of the Members, and that written notice of such meeting is posted at least fifteen (15) days prior to said meeting stating the proposed amendments.
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