Statement of Faith
Baptist Distinctives
B - Biblical Authority KJB
A - Autonomy of the local Church
P - Priesthood of the Believer
T - Two Ordinances; Baptism, Lords Supper
I - Individual Soul Liberty “Conscience”
S - Saved Church Members
T - Two Offices, Pastor and Deacon
S - Separation of Church and State
1. Saved by Faith
2. Eternally Secure
3. Pre-trib Rapture
4. Dispensationalist
“Born Again, Bible Believing, Heaven Bound, Blood Bought CHRISTAIN”
Bylaws and Constitution
Of
Port Sanilac Baptist Church
April 9th, 2022
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1.01—NAME
This independent congregation of believers shall be known as Port Sanilac Baptist Church located at 6363 Sanilac Rd, Port Sanilac Michigan 48469. It is a non-profit organization under the laws of the state of Michigan and the Constitution of the United States of America.
SECTION 1.02—PURPOSE
This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes for such purposes including, but not limited to, the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the establishing and maintaining of religious worship; the educating of believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture; and the maintaining of missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country. Maintaining a Bible Institute and Bible Book store for higher education of the Word of God.
ARTICLE 2
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT
SECTION 2.01—STATEMENT OF FAITH
(A) The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures are the verbally and planarity inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and are, therefore, the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the one and only and official translation of the church. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6,-7)
(B) Dispensationalism. We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life that define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Gen . 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6)
(C)The Godhead.
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (1 John 5:7; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14)
(D)The Person and Work of Christ. (1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6;1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
(2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
(3 )We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)
(E)The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
(1) We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)
(2) We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
(3) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the church to do the work of the ministry. (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)
(4) We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary and have ceased 1 Corinthians 13:8. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, although God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22)
(F)The Total Depravity of Man.
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
(G)Salvation. We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable. Romans 10:9 (Matt. 12:31-32; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9)
(H)The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.
(1)We believe that once a person is saved, he is kept by God’s power and remains secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)
(2)We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word; which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
(I)The Church
(1)We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again believers. (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
(2)We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
(3)We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or controls, and any affiliations, societies, organizations, associations, or agencies this church affiliates with to further the objectives stated in the Purpose Statement are not authoritative in matters of church practice or belief. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)
(4)We recognize water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
(J)Separation.
We believe that believers should maintain a godly testimony and live in such a way that that their lives do not bring reproach upon their Savior. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and association. We stand against any and all worldly philosophies that seek to destroy or undermine the truth of Biblical Christianity. (Lev. 19:28; Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)
(K)The Second Coming of Christ.
We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His Earthly Messianic Kingdom, which was promised to the nation of Israel. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
(L)The Eternal State.
(1)We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)
(2)We believe that the soul & spirit of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)
(3)We believe that the soul & spirit of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and spirit and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
(M)The Personality of Satan.
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
(N)Creation.
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of God’s creation of the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
(O)Civil Government.
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
(P) Human Sexuality. (1)We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
(2)We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23) See Statement of Marriage and Sexuality for further clarification.
Statement on Marriage and Sexuality
Port Sanilac Baptist Church
1. We believe marriage and gender distinction emanate from the nature of the Triune God and have been revealed to us in the person, work, and teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord as revealed in the Christian Scriptures (Genesis 1:27-28; Ephesians 5:21-33). God has decreed and defined marriage to be the intimate and eternal covenant union between Christ and His Bride, the church (II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:6-9; 21:1-9; 22:14-17). Therefore, according to the Christian Scriptures, human marriage is also a divine decree in the pattern of Christ and is defined as the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant fidelity for a lifetime (Genesis 2:21-25; Psalm 45; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:39; I Timothy 3:2 & 12; 5:9; Titus 1:6).
2. We believe male and female gender identity (as genetically defined) and their distinctive complementarian roles are God ordained which He created in His own image to reflect His glory (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-18, 21-24; 3:1-13; I Corinthians 11: 7-9, Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:3-5; I Timothy 2:12-14; I Peter 3:1-7).
3. We believe covenant marriage provides for the man and the woman the authentic framework for intimate complementarian companionship (Genesis 2:18-23; Proverbs 2:17; I Peter 3:7), the exclusive channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards (Gen. 2: 24-25; Proverbs 5:15-23; Song of Solomon, I Corinthians 6:13-20; Hebrews 13:4; I Thessalonians 4:3-8), and the legitimate means for procreation of the human race (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 45:16-17; 128:3-6; Malachi 2:15).
4. We believe sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift of God that is only to be expressed between one man and one woman (as genetically defined), within the love and bonds of covenant marriage (Genesis 2:21-25; Proverbs 5:15-23; Song of Solomon; Matthew 19: 4-12; Mark 10: 6-12; Ephesians 5:21-33, I Corinthians 6:13-20; 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:4;
I Thessalonians 4:3-8).
5. We believe any form of sexual intimacy outside of covenant marriage is both immoral and a perversion of God’s gift (Leviticus 18:1-30; Proverbs 6:32; I Corinthians 6:13-20; Romans 1:26-27; I Thess. 4:3-8.)
6. We believe any form of sexual immorality such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, pedophilia, cohabitation (regardless of age of the individuals involved), any attempt to change one’s gender in disagreement with one’s genetically defined gender, is sinful and offensive to God (Genesis 1:27; 2:18-25; Leviticus 18:22-23; Deuteronomy 22:5; Job 31:1; Psalm 139:13-16, Jer. 1:5a, Matthew 5:27-28; Romans 1:24-28; I Corinthians 5:1-2; 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; Colossians 3:5-7; I Timothy 1:5-11; Hebrews 13:4; Jude 7; Revelation 21:8; 22:14-15).
7. We believe in order to preserve the function, unity and integrity of this church as the local Body and Bride of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to our church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by this church or who serve as volunteers with this church, shall abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly whether at church, home, or abroad (I Corinthians 5:1-2, 9-13).
8. In light of these our biblical commitments, the pastor and any other licensed ministers of Port Sanilac Baptist Church of Port Sanilac, Michigan shall not officiate for any unbiblical weddings, same gender weddings or any other such ceremonies at the church building nor at any other location. Furthermore, no member of this local church or non-member persons will be allowed to use any of the facilities of this church for same gender and/or sexually immoral weddings, ceremonies, receptions, or other such functions (Acts 4:18-20; 5:29).
9. We believe God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16-18; Romans 8:1-11; I Corinthians 6:9-11; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:7; I John 1:7-9).
10. We believe every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness and dignity. Furthermore, it is biblically loving and gracious to call those in sin and leading a destructive lifestyle to repentance of sin and to faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hateful and harassing behavior, attitudes, or speech directed towards any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Port Sanilac Baptist Church Port Sanilac, Michigan (Romans12:10-18; Galatians 6:1-3; Colossians 4:5-6; I Thessalonians 4:11-12; I Timothy 1:5; I Peter 2:13-25; 3:8-9).
(Q)Family Relationships
(1)We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
(2)We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)
(R)Divorce and remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. They may not be considered for the office of Pastor or Deacon if they are not in agreement with Gods definition of scriptural divorce exception, and if God’s Word does not recognize his divorce or sanction for remarriage. (1 Corn 7:39, 7:15; Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)
(S)Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
(T)Euthanasia. We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment. (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)
(U)Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)
(V)Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
(W)Missions. We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the all nations foreign and domestic and not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)
(X)Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support financially his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)
SECTION 2.02—AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The King James Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.
SECTION 2.03—COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God 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 this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and 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 personal devotions; to educate our children in the truth of God’s Word; to seek the salvation of our families, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid backbiting, excessive anger, and all gossip or secretive meetings regarding personal issues of church members, church leadership or practice.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready to secure reconciliation without delay.
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.