Harvest Bible Church By-Laws
These By-Laws were adopted by Harvest Bible Church on November 23, 2019
Name
The Name of this church shall be Harvest Bible Church
Purpose
To proclaim the Gospel of Christ and teach and live His Word in a Compassionate way.
Statement of Faith
1.The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice, for both this church and every individual Christian (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
2. The Godhead (Trinity)-
We believe in One God who created Heaven and earth and eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature and attributes, but each is distinct in office and activity (Genesis 1:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
A. God the Father
We believe that God the Father is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving, and just. He is active in His concern for man, the affairs of man, and His creation. He is unified with Christ and the Holy Spirit. In that unity He reveals His invisible attributes and demonstrates His sovereignty over creation. He is Ominiscient (All-Knowing and all-wise), Ominipotent (All-powerful), Omnipresent (Fully everywhere at all times) (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 33:6-9; 139: 7-10; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 44:6-8; Jeremiah 32:7; Luke 12:7; John 1:18: 3:16: 14:6-7; Romans 1:20; 4:17; 8:28-29; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)
B. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He became a man without ceasing to be God having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life, that He died as a substitutionary sacrifice for every human being, that He was physically raised from the dead by divine power, that He presently serves in heaven as our Intercessor and Advocate and that He will return to earth as judge of the living and the dead (John 1:1, 14: 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 2:31-32; 1 John 2:1-2; John 14:1-2)
C. The Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world, convicts men of sin, regenerates those who trust Christ as Savior, baptizes the believer into the body of Christ, indwells the believer permanently, seals the believer unto the day of redemption, illuminates Scripture, and bestows spiritual gifts on each believer and fills those yielded to Him (John 14:16-17,26; 16:7-11,13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:30: 5:18; Hebrews 2:4; James 5:15-16; 1 John 5:14-15)
3. Angels (Spirit Beings)
We believe that angels are spiritual beings which were created sinless. Presently, angels exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former state including Satan and his demons. We believe that Satan is a created being who is the enemy of God and all Christians and he will be rendered powerless (Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Hebrews 1:12-14; 2:14; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 20:10)
4. Man
We believe that man was created by God and that he did not evolve from a lower form of life. We believe man was created uniquely male and female, innocent, in the image of God and with an eternal soul. Through their own choice Adam and Eve, the parents of the human race, fell and their sin has resulted in physical and spiritual death to themselves and their descendants. We believe that man is totally depraved, that is, in no way is he able to commend himself to God except by faith. He has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God and in need of salvation (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2:17; 3:19; Matthew 25:46; John 3:16; Ephesians 2;1-2; Colossians 1:16-17)
5. Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained by meritorious work, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9)
6. Security, Assurance, and Responsibility
We believe that all the saved—those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of grace – are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation. However, this assurance is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life (Matthew 7:20; John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-39; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:6; James 2:20; 1 John 5:13)
7. The Church
We believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism composed of all genuine Christians who live between the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the second coming (Matthew 16:27; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). A believer becomes a member of this church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit the moment he trusts Christ as his Savior. (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18)
We believe that the local church is an assembly of professing Christians who voluntarily join together in one locality to worship God, study the Bible, observe the ordinances, practice Christian fellowship, pray, evangelize the lost, be equipped for Christian service, and encourage one another on to love and good deeds. (Acts 2:42-47; I Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 10:24)
We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper which are to be observed until He returns, and that these are the only ordinances He so appointed. By water baptism a believer identifies himself publicly with Christ and His people. Water baptism is intended to be for believers only. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’ death, the elements being symbolic of His body and blood. Every believer should partake of the Lord’s Supper, but only when he is in fellowship with the Lord and the rest of the body. (Matthew 5:23; 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
8. Future
We believe in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ for the church.
We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus Christ pass immediately into His presence at death and remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at his coming for the church, when soul and body will be reunited and joined with him forever. We believe that after death the souls of unbelievers in conscious misery until the final judgement when soul and body will not be annihilated but be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord. We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. (Matthew 25:31-32; Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
Church Government
Officers
1. The Head
Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body. He is the Chief Shepherd, and all human government of the church is under His sovereign authority. (I Corinthians 12; Colossians 1)
2. Elders
The management and government of the church shall be vested in the Board of Elders, who shall comprise the ruling body of the church and shall have the power and authority to act on its behalf.
b. Qualifications
An elder must evidence the qualifications prescribed for that office in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, shall be a male who evidences a desire to help provide pastoral ministry to the church (I Timothy 3:1), and shall be willing to abide by the Doctrinal statement and By-laws of the church.
c. Numbers and Tenure- The number of Elders on the Board of elders shall not be less than three if qualifications are met. An elder shall serve indefinitely, or until an elder becomes unqualified for some reason, resulting in discipline according to the manner described in Scripture (I Tim. 5:17-20); is no longer attending the church, or by mutual agreement between the elder in question and the other elders.
d. Regular Meetings- The Elders shall meet a minimum of once a month, but more frequent meetings are desired.
e. Special Meetings- As requested by any elder and agreed upon by a majority of the elders.
f. Manner of Acting- Unanimous vote of all elders
g. Removal-By unanimous vote of elders not being voted upon
h. Compensation-The main teaching elder is due a salary to be fitting of the work he is doing and the size of the church. All other personnel needs are to be addressed by the elders.
i. Selection- Elders are selected based off the evaluation and appointment of the current sitting elder board.
j. Officers- The main teaching elder is to function as the President for signing purposes. A secretary should be appointed from the elder board. A treasurer is to be appointed from outside the elder board.
Yearly congregational meeting
Congregational meetings should be held twice a year. In January, a meeting will be held for the elders and treasurer to share how we finished the previous fiscal year. We will also reveal what the budget will look like for the current year. A second congregational meeting will be held in June to update the congregation on the current financial standing of the church. Additional congregational meetings may be called depending on need.
Elders reserve the right by unanimous decision to revise these bylaws to add clarifying positions
Name
The Name of this church shall be Harvest Bible Church
Purpose
To proclaim the Gospel of Christ and teach and live His Word in a Compassionate way.
Statement of Faith
1.The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice, for both this church and every individual Christian (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
2. The Godhead (Trinity)-
We believe in One God who created Heaven and earth and eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature and attributes, but each is distinct in office and activity (Genesis 1:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
A. God the Father
We believe that God the Father is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving, and just. He is active in His concern for man, the affairs of man, and His creation. He is unified with Christ and the Holy Spirit. In that unity He reveals His invisible attributes and demonstrates His sovereignty over creation. He is Ominiscient (All-Knowing and all-wise), Ominipotent (All-powerful), Omnipresent (Fully everywhere at all times) (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 33:6-9; 139: 7-10; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 44:6-8; Jeremiah 32:7; Luke 12:7; John 1:18: 3:16: 14:6-7; Romans 1:20; 4:17; 8:28-29; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)
B. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He became a man without ceasing to be God having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life, that He died as a substitutionary sacrifice for every human being, that He was physically raised from the dead by divine power, that He presently serves in heaven as our Intercessor and Advocate and that He will return to earth as judge of the living and the dead (John 1:1, 14: 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 2:31-32; 1 John 2:1-2; John 14:1-2)
C. The Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world, convicts men of sin, regenerates those who trust Christ as Savior, baptizes the believer into the body of Christ, indwells the believer permanently, seals the believer unto the day of redemption, illuminates Scripture, and bestows spiritual gifts on each believer and fills those yielded to Him (John 14:16-17,26; 16:7-11,13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:30: 5:18; Hebrews 2:4; James 5:15-16; 1 John 5:14-15)
3. Angels (Spirit Beings)
We believe that angels are spiritual beings which were created sinless. Presently, angels exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former state including Satan and his demons. We believe that Satan is a created being who is the enemy of God and all Christians and he will be rendered powerless (Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Hebrews 1:12-14; 2:14; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 20:10)
4. Man
We believe that man was created by God and that he did not evolve from a lower form of life. We believe man was created uniquely male and female, innocent, in the image of God and with an eternal soul. Through their own choice Adam and Eve, the parents of the human race, fell and their sin has resulted in physical and spiritual death to themselves and their descendants. We believe that man is totally depraved, that is, in no way is he able to commend himself to God except by faith. He has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God and in need of salvation (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2:17; 3:19; Matthew 25:46; John 3:16; Ephesians 2;1-2; Colossians 1:16-17)
5. Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained by meritorious work, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9)
6. Security, Assurance, and Responsibility
We believe that all the saved—those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of grace – are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation. However, this assurance is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life (Matthew 7:20; John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-39; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:6; James 2:20; 1 John 5:13)
7. The Church
We believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism composed of all genuine Christians who live between the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the second coming (Matthew 16:27; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). A believer becomes a member of this church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit the moment he trusts Christ as his Savior. (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18)
We believe that the local church is an assembly of professing Christians who voluntarily join together in one locality to worship God, study the Bible, observe the ordinances, practice Christian fellowship, pray, evangelize the lost, be equipped for Christian service, and encourage one another on to love and good deeds. (Acts 2:42-47; I Corinthians 1:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 10:24)
We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper which are to be observed until He returns, and that these are the only ordinances He so appointed. By water baptism a believer identifies himself publicly with Christ and His people. Water baptism is intended to be for believers only. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’ death, the elements being symbolic of His body and blood. Every believer should partake of the Lord’s Supper, but only when he is in fellowship with the Lord and the rest of the body. (Matthew 5:23; 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
8. Future
We believe in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ for the church.
We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus Christ pass immediately into His presence at death and remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at his coming for the church, when soul and body will be reunited and joined with him forever. We believe that after death the souls of unbelievers in conscious misery until the final judgement when soul and body will not be annihilated but be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord. We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. (Matthew 25:31-32; Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
Church Government
Officers
1. The Head
Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body. He is the Chief Shepherd, and all human government of the church is under His sovereign authority. (I Corinthians 12; Colossians 1)
2. Elders
The management and government of the church shall be vested in the Board of Elders, who shall comprise the ruling body of the church and shall have the power and authority to act on its behalf.
a. Responsibility
The Elders are responsible to provide for the pastoral care of the church in the manner described in Acts 20:28-32 and I Peter 5:1-4. They shall organize the church to do the will of the Lord and shall seek the mind of the Lord in all matters of decision before them. They shall oversee the church in such a way as to bring the church individually and corporately to maturity in Jesus Christ.b. Qualifications
An elder must evidence the qualifications prescribed for that office in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, shall be a male who evidences a desire to help provide pastoral ministry to the church (I Timothy 3:1), and shall be willing to abide by the Doctrinal statement and By-laws of the church.
c. Numbers and Tenure- The number of Elders on the Board of elders shall not be less than three if qualifications are met. An elder shall serve indefinitely, or until an elder becomes unqualified for some reason, resulting in discipline according to the manner described in Scripture (I Tim. 5:17-20); is no longer attending the church, or by mutual agreement between the elder in question and the other elders.
d. Regular Meetings- The Elders shall meet a minimum of once a month, but more frequent meetings are desired.
e. Special Meetings- As requested by any elder and agreed upon by a majority of the elders.
f. Manner of Acting- Unanimous vote of all elders
g. Removal-By unanimous vote of elders not being voted upon
h. Compensation-The main teaching elder is due a salary to be fitting of the work he is doing and the size of the church. All other personnel needs are to be addressed by the elders.
i. Selection- Elders are selected based off the evaluation and appointment of the current sitting elder board.
j. Officers- The main teaching elder is to function as the President for signing purposes. A secretary should be appointed from the elder board. A treasurer is to be appointed from outside the elder board.
Yearly congregational meeting
Congregational meetings should be held twice a year. In January, a meeting will be held for the elders and treasurer to share how we finished the previous fiscal year. We will also reveal what the budget will look like for the current year. A second congregational meeting will be held in June to update the congregation on the current financial standing of the church. Additional congregational meetings may be called depending on need.
Elders reserve the right by unanimous decision to revise these bylaws to add clarifying positions