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Mount Calvary Baptist Church Preamble We declare and affirm these principles in the light of the Holy Scripture to govern the body in an orderly manner. These principles will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches. This body shall be known as the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio located at 750 Broadway Mount Calvary Baptist Church as a Body of Christ, exists to worship God, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ, Teach God's Word, discovering God's love together and the lasting satisfaction of Christian living, loving, sharing, and by planting new congregations in our region, nation, and world. We believe that:  The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, without error in its original writings.There is only one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.The Lord Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed authentic miracles, died in the place of sinners to pay for their sins, rose bodily from the grave, and works as mediator in heaven.Spiritual life given by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary for the salvation of man. His ministry includes indwelling the believer enabling him to live a Godly life.Although man was created in the image of God, he sinned causing physical death and separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature.The sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, provide the only basis for the salvation of all who believe. Only those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord, exercising repentance and faith, are children of God.The Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily to the earth to complete our salvation and establish His kingdom. All of the dead will experience a bodily resurrection, the believer to eternal joy with the Lord, and the unbeliever to judgment and eternal punishment.We also affirm the "Baptist Faith and Message" (1963) and the "Second London Confession" (1689).The ordinances of this church shall be Baptism and the Lord's supper shall be observed periodically as scheduled by the pastor. All believers are invited to partake of the elements. We are governed by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the body, the church, as He shall reveal His leadership to us through the Word of God and the Spirit of God. This church is subject to no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Southern Baptist Churches. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Greater Cleveland Baptist Association, the State Convention of Baptist in Ohio, and the Southern Baptist Convention. We, the members of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Bedford, Ohio having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, enter into a covenant with each other, as one body in Christ. We, therefore, agree, by the help of the Holy Spirit and with the Bible, the inspired Word of God as our guide, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; to promote spirituality; to sustain its worship, discipline and doctrine; to observe the church ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's supper as authorized by our local church; to contribute cheerfully and regularly of God's tithes and our offerings to the support of the ministry of our church and to the spread of the gospel to all nations. We agree to encourage personal and family devotions; to educate our children according to our faith; to seek the salvation of the unbeliever; to be just in our dealings, reliable in our responsibilities, and an example to those around us; to abstain from the sale and use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances harmful to our bodies, which are the temples of God; to use our influence to combat the abuse of all such harmful substances; and to work untiringly for the advancement of the kingdon of our Saviour by witnessing in words and actions. We agree to walk in Christian harmony and watchfulness, giving and receiving assistance with meekness and affection; to pray for one another; to help each other in sickness and sorrow; to be slow to get angry; to always be eager for reconciliation, seeking it without delay. We further agree that, when we move from this area, 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. Changes in this constitution may be made at any regular business meeting of the church, provided that copies of each amendment have been presented in writing at the previous regular business meeting, that a written copy of the amendment has been published twice in the weekly church bulletin prior to being voted on, and that written copies have been made available in the church office to the church membership. Amendments shall be passed by two thirds vote of all members of the church present and voting. Section 1 --- This constitution shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when two thirds of the members present and voting at the business meeting at which the vote is taken shall vote in favor of same. This vote shall be taken not less than 30 days after formal presentation to the church. Section 2 --- This constitution abolishes, supersedes, and takes the place of any constitution, rules, and bylaws and amendments that preceded it. Section 3 --- A copy of this constitution and bylaws shall at all times be kept by the church clerk and another copy shall be kept in the church office. All amendments and revisions shall, after passage by the vote of the church, be prepared by the church clerk and incorporated in the constitution and bylaws and made available to church members on request.  |