ARTICLES OF FAITH AND CONSTITUTION

(Philosophy of Ministry)

Preamble

The name of this organization shall be Wildwood Baptist Church of East Moline, Illinois. We, the members of Wildwood Baptist Church, do ordain and establish the following articles to which we voluntarily submit ourselves. The date of this document is September 16, 2001, and it will be in effect from that date forward, after having been properly voted for and passed as hereinafter set forth, and at least one copy signed by every member of the executive board has been filed with the Church Clerk.

Article I
Our Articles of Faith

A. Of Our Objective

Our objective is to win people to Christ, build them up in the faith, equip them to win and build others, until we multiply by planting churches. In short, we win, build and equip people.

B. Of The Church

We believe that the church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers

(a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; (b) observing the ordinances of Christ; (c) governed by His laws; and (d) exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; (e) that its officers are Pastors who have been ordained, and Elders whose qualifications claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; (f) we believe the true mission of the Church is found in the Great Commission: to win people to Christ, then to build them up in the faith, so that they are equipped to win and build others, so that followers of Christ are multiplied among all nations. (g) We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; (h) that it is scriptural for the true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; (i) on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

C. Of Our Ordinances

We believe that Christian baptism is (a) the immersion in water of a believer; (b) in the Name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit; (c) to show faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (d) and that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe in participating in the Lords Supper from time to time in which (e) the members of the body of Christ by the sacred use of bread and cup are to commemorate the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.

D. Of The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible (a) was written by men supernaturally inspired; (b) has truth without any admixture of error for its matter, and (c) therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. By The Holy Bible, we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis through Revelation, which, as originally written, does not contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. By Inspiration, we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

E. Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, (a) an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; (b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; (c) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

F. Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He has always existed as eternal God the Son. While retaining His absolute deity, He became and remained a perfect man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins according to the scriptures. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of God the Father, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. He is the Head of His body, the Church, and ultimately, every knee will bow to Him and confess that He is Lord.

G. Of the Holy Spirit

That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; (a) equal with God the Father and (b) God the Son and (c) of the same nature; (d) that He was active in the creation; (e) that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until Gods purpose is fulfilled; (f) that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; (h) that He is the agent in the new birth; (i) that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.

H. Of The Devil or Satan

We believe that Satan was once (a) holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty One, fell and (b) and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now (c) the malignant prince of power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. (d) We hold him to be mans great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and His Christ, (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; (h) the lord of the anti-Christ, and (i) the author of all powers of darknessdestined, however, (j) to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and (k) to the judgment of an eternal justice in a place prepared for him and his angels.

I. Of The Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and (a) that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; (b) that man was created directly in Gods own image and after His own likeness; (c) that mans creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; (d) that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and Gods established law was they should bring forth only after their kind.

J. Of The Fall Of Man

We believe (a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but (b) by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, (c) in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and (d) therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

K. Of The Virgin Birth

We believe (a) that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; (b) born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever or can ever be born of woman, and (c) that he is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.

L. Of The Atonement For Sin

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (b) through the mediatorial offices of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; (c) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners place, the Just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; (d) that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and all-sufficient Saviour.

M. Of Grace in The New Creation

We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; (b) that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; (c) that it is instantaneous and not a process; (d) that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; (e) that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, not by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

N. Of The Freeness Of Salvation

We believe (a) in God's electing Grace; (b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all in the gospel; (c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and (d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; (e) that such rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

O. Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; (a) that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; (b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works or righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemers blood whereby His righteousness is imputed unto us.

P. Of Repentance And Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are (a) solemn obligations, and (b) also inseparable graces, (c) wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; (d) thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; (e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.

Q. Of The Perseverance Of The Saints

We believe (a) that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; (c) that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and (d) that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

R. Of The Righteous And The Wicked

We believe that (a) there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; (b) such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; (c) while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; (d) this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

S. Of The Return Of Christ

We believe in the personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, at the end of this present age. Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:10-11; Titus 2:11-14

Article II
Authority

The authority is vested in the Executive Board duly elected by the body of believers of which the church is composed, subject to conditions as hereinafter set forth.

Article III
Annual and Special Meetings

A. The fiscal year of the church shall be from September 1 through August 31 of each year. The church officers shall take office on April 1 of each year and hold office for a term as set forth in this constitution. (Two regular business meetings of the church shall be held; one during the third full week in September, and on the third full week of March in the church building at which time shall occur the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, all reports, and all other necessary business of the church.)

These meetings must be announced on two consecutive Sundays immediately preceding the appointed day. The election of church officers shall be at the March meeting. The Church Clerk shall keep the minutes, and the meeting shall be governed by Parliamentary rules. The meeting shall be conducted by the Chairman of the Executive Board or in his absence by the Vice-Chairman.

The church members shall elect all officers by ballot, and a majority of all votes shall be required to elect. If a majority vote is not cast on the first ballot the two nominees with the highest number of votes will become the nominees on the next ballot. The church may be called together for the transaction of any legitimate business by the Pastor, by the Chairman of the Board, by a majority vote of the Board, or by a resolution setting forth the nature of the business to be considered and signed by thirty percent (30%) of the membership.

Dates of all such special meetings shall be set by the Chairman of the Board within thirty (30) days after having received such a request provided that notice of such meetings shall be given on two consecutive Sundays immediately preceding the day appointed.

Article IV
License to Preach

We believe that from time to time Spirit-filled men will be called out from among us to proclaim the Gospel of the Grace of God. Such men may be given a license to preach by a two-thirds vote of the church members present, provided the Board is unanimous in their convictions that the candidate has considerable gifts, and provided that their judgment is based upon actual experiential success, rather than their hopes of what he may do, and provided this experience shall be for one (1) year. After one (1) year, it may be renewed for such length of time as the Board may decide.

Article V
The Executive Board

All executive power shall be vested in the Executive Board consisting of Elders as voting members, the Church Clerk and the Church Treasurer. Four elders shall constitute a quorum. Voting is governed by a majority vote. All Elders have equal voting privileges. A regular meeting shall be held each month in the church at such time as may be agreed upon and announced by the Board. The Elders shall elect one of their members as Chairman and one of the members as Vice Chairman in April of each year. The Chairman of the Executive Board shall be responsible for and have the authority to sign all legal documents for Wildwood Baptist Church.

Article VI
Church Officers

All Pastors shall be chosen by a two-thirds vote of church members casting a proper vote. Together they shall advise and guide the spiritual life of the congregation. A special role of all Pastors is to equip people for the work of the ministry. All Pastors may serve as a non-voting member of any committee as appropriate.

Article VIII Church Membership

Article IX Changes

The church may make any change in this document which seems necessary. Such changes not originating with the Executive Board must be submitted in the form of a written resolution, signed by thirty per cent (30%) of the membership, to the Executive Board in time for their consideration at a regular meeting of the Board prior to the date of the special, annual, or semi-annual meeting. If, after due consideration the Board favors by a majority vote to present the proposed changes to the church, notice will be given as set forth in Article III, Section C, and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the church members present in favor of the changes will cause them to be adopted into and considered a part of this document.

© 2006 Wildwood Baptist Church--East Moline, Illinois. All rights reserved. Any Questions/Comments/or Problems with the website,click under "contact us" above to e-mail webservant