CHURCH CONSTITUTION - Page 10

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14. CHRIST'S COMMISSION TO HIS CHURCH

Christ's commission to His local church is to preach the gospel to the lost, baptize them in obedience to the Scripture, train them in their Christian walk, and edify believers both locally and worldwide.

In fulfilling this great commission, the church must also earnestly contend for the faith, exposing Satan's false teachers and teaching, and refusing to aid or co-operate with them in their master's work. It is the duty and privilege of every born-again believer to support and participate in the gospel outreach of his local church.

15. THE CHURCH

A local, independent, fundamental, Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the rights and privileges invested in them by His Word. It's officers of ordination are pastors or deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures. The true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to win people to Christ; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He commanded.

The local, independent, fundamental, Baptist Church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit.

It is Scriptural for the true Bible-believing churches to cooperate with one another in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel. Every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.