The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters. SOF Sample #1 - Church Bylaws I (I of 21). The Scriptures Inspired The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12). The One True God The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "l AM," and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19). Man's Fall and Redemption Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let us make man in our image and after our likeness." Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-21). The Salvation of Man Conditions of Salvation The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47). Evidences of Salvation The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9). The Promise of the Father All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). Sanctification Process By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24; 1 John | 2 The Church The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (I Thess, 2:4) Ministry Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (I) The evangelization of the world) and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15, 20; Eph. 4:11-13). Marriage God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22,24; Matt 19: 5-6). Divine Healing Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14). The Blessed Hope The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (I Thess- 4:16; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52). The Millennial Reign of Jesus The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 20:1-7). The Lake of Fire The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15). The New Heavens and New Earth We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21: l).
The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters. SOF Sample #1 - Church Bylaws I (I of 21). The Scriptures Inspired The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12). The One True God The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "l AM," and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19). Man's Fall and Redemption Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let us make man in our image and after our likeness." Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-21). The Salvation of Man Conditions of Salvation The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47). Evidences of Salvation The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9). The Promise of the Father All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). Sanctification Process By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24; 1 John | 2 The Church The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (I Thess, 2:4) Ministry Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (I) The evangelization of the world) and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15, 20; Eph. 4:11-13). Marriage God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22,24; Matt 19: 5-6). Divine Healing Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14). The Blessed Hope The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (I Thess- 4:16; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52). The Millennial Reign of Jesus The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 20:1-7). The Lake of Fire The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15). The New Heavens and New Earth We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21: l).
