We the members of the Fairview Bible Church, do ordain and establish the following Articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

 

ARTICLE 1 

Section 1 - The name of this church:
                   Fairview Bible Church, Port Angeles, Washington.

Section 2 - The nature of this church:
                   Non-sectarian, not affiliated with any denomination, and in fellowship with all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.                                     

ARTICLE 2 

Purpose:
The purpose of this church is to glorify God in the salvation of souls, the edification of Christians through the teaching of God's Word, the worldwide proclamation of God's saving grace expressed in the shed blood and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, the promotion of Godly worship, the defense of the faith, and cooperation with Christian activity functioning in harmony with God's Holy Word - the Bible - until He comes.  We believe in the Word of God, Old, and New Testaments, as the only complete precept for faith, doctrine, and life.

ARTICLE 3 

STATEMENTS OF DOCTRINE:

Section 1 - The Holy Scriptures 
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority of faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).

Section 2 - The Godhead 
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4, Mark 12:29-30; II Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 3:16-17; Romans 8:9-11; I Cor. 12:3-6; Isaiah 45:18; James 2:19).
        
Section 3 - The Person and Work of God the Father 
We believe in Jehovah/Yahweh (Ex. 3:14), the Creator of all the universe whose sovereign will providentially guide and directs all that was, is and ever will be.  We further believe that this righteous and most high King may be called Father (Abba) by all the redeemed as a sign of His great love and special care for the saved.  This holy and glorious One will sit in judgment at the Great White Throne when the Day shall come.  (Creator) Mark 13:19; Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24; (Providential Will) Ps.115:3; Matt. 6:25-34; (King) Ps. 24:10; (Father) Matt. 6:9; Eph. 3:14-15; Rom. 8:15, (Judgment) Heb. 12:23; Rev. 20:11-13).

Section 4 - The Person and Work of Christ 
(a)  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1-2 and 14; Heb. 1:8;  Luke 1:35).
 

(b)  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the  cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:6-7; I Peter 1:3-5).
 

(c)  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand  of God the Father, where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor,  and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

Section 5 - The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
(a)  We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the   body of Christ, indwelling, and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:7-11; II Cor. 3:6;  I Cor. 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).
 

(b)  We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and, that it is the privilege and the right of all the saved to be continually filled with the Spirit (John 16:13; I John 2:20-27; Ephesians 5:18).
 

(c)  We believe that it is presently the task of the Holy Spirit to point to Jesus Christ, the Son of God as worthy of our love and adulation rather than to uplift Himself.  (John 15:26; John 14:26;  John 16:13-14).

Section 6 - The Total Depravity of Man 
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race fell into condemnation; inherited a sinful nature, and became depraved, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3, 12; Jer. 17:9).

Section 7 - Salvation 
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12-13; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:18-23; Acts 4:10-14).

Section 8 - Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
(a)  We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40, 10:24-30; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5).

(b)  We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word; which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13-15; Titus 2:11-15)

Section 9 - The Two Natures of the Believer
We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provisions made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and, that all claims to the total eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural (Romans 6:13; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9).

Section 10 - Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded by God (II Tim. 3:1-5; Romans 12:1-2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; Jude 3-4).

Section 11 - Missions 
We believe that the obligation of the saved is to witness by life and word to the truths of Holy Scripture and seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind (Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:18-20).

Section 12 - The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts 
(a)  We believe that God is Sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and, that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and of teachers are sufficient for the edification of the saints today (I Cor. 12:4-11; II Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12).
 

(b)  We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (I John 5:14-15; James 5:13-16).

Section 13 - The Church
(a)  We believe that the church, which is the body, is a spiritual organism made up of all born again persons (Eph. 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Cor. 12:12; John 3:3-8).
 

(b)  We believe that the establishment, order, and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23-27, 20:17, 28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
 

(c)  We believe in the complete independence of the local church - that it is a self-governing Body (Matt. 18:20; Heb. 10:23-25).  References to the 7 churches found in the first 3 chapters of Revelations indicate independence of each other.
 

(d)  We believe in the interdependence of the local church in fellowship with other churches of like faith and practice (Heb. 12:23; Gal. 1:1-2).
 

(e)  We believe in the beautifully symbolic ordinance of the believer's baptism (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 9:18; Acts 16:14-15, 30-34).  We do not believe in baptismal regeneration.  We believe in the beautifully symbolic ordinance of the Lord's Supper or Communion Table (I Cor. 10:16, 11:28-29; John 6:51-58), both of these being in obedience to the Divine command.

Section 14 - The personality of Satan 
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-15; Matt. 4:2-11, 25:41; Rev. 20:10; I Peter 5:6-9; John 8:44).

Section 15 - The second advent of Christ
We believe in the "Blessed Hope" the personal, imminent, and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom (I Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Jude 14; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-6; I Thess. 1:10, 5:9; Rev. 3:10-11).

Section 16 - The Eternal State 
(a)  We believe in (1) the bodily resurrection of all mankind, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 11-15; Luke 16:19-31).
 

(b)  We believe that (2) the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from  the body and present   with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body  are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Rev. 20:4-6; II Cor. 4:14, 5:8-10; Phil. 1:23, 3:20-21;  Thess. 4:16-17).
 

(c)  We believe that (3) the soul of the unbelievers remain after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne  of Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 25:41-46; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Mark 9:43-48;  Rev. 20:10-15).

ARTICLE 4

CHURCH COVENANT:
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into the covenant with one another, as one body in Christ (Exodus 4:1-31, 5:15-17; I. Cor. 3:1-11).
 

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.  We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, 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.

ARTICLE 5

CHURCH FELLOWSHIP:
This church is established to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints".  Emphasis is placed upon the scriptural thought of the "fellowship of believers" as well as upon the importance of membership.  Free of the sectarian spirit, we would remember that there is but one body, the Body of Christ, in which Body all believers are members.

ARTICLE 6

MEMBERSHIP:
The membership of this church shall consist of individuals who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (I John 5:1) and have acknowledged agreement with the constitution and by-laws of this church.
 
ARTICLE 7

LIFE AND CONDUCT:
We believe that it seems good to call the attention of believers to the Scriptural teaching which requires of them separation unto God for His service and ministry (Rom. 12:1-2).  Certain simple practices are commended for experiencing and maintaining of such a life of victory, such as:

(1)  Daily study of the Word (John 8:31; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4).

(2)  A consistent prayer life (James 1:4-6; Phil. 4:6; I Thess. 5:17).

(3)  Regular assembling together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).

(4)  Consistent witnessing to others to the end that they might be saved (Luke 8:39; Acts 1:8; Matt. 10:32; I Peter 3:15).

(5)  Generous spirit-directed giving proportionate to God's blessing (II Cor. 9:7; I Cor. 16:2; Mal. 3:6-10).

(6)  Some real part in going, praying or giving toward the preaching of the gospel in all the world (Matt. 18:18-20; Luke 18:1-8; Phil. 4:15-17).

ARTICLE 8

DISCIPLINE:
Section 1 - Should differences arise between members and/or friends of the church, the aggrieved one(s) shall follow in a tender spirit, the rules given by our Lord in Matt. 18:15-19.

Section 2 - Should any case of gross breach of covenant, or of public scandal occur, the Official Board shall endeavor to remove the offense, and if such efforts fail, shall report the case to the church membership.

Section 3 - If the church votes to entertain the complaint, which must be made in writing, it shall appoint a reasonable time and place of hearing, and notify the person(s) in question thereof, furnishing him a copy of the charges.

Section 4 - At such hearing, the accused may call to his aid any member of the church as counsel.  If he shall not present himself at the time appointed or give satisfactory reason to the Official Board for his neglect to do so, the church may proceed in his absence.
  
Section 5 - All such proceedings should be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance, but should an adverse decision be reached, the church may proceed to admonish or to declare the offender to be no longer in the fellowship of the church.

Section 6 - In case of grave difficulty, the church will be ready, if requested, to ask the advice of a mutual counsel.

Section 7 - In all cases of discipline, each person in attendance is in honor bound not to make public in any manner anything which may transpire at such meetings.  Any violation of this rule shall be dealt with as a breach of covenant.
                              
ARTICLE 9

CHURCH ORGANIZATION:

Officers of this church shall consist of Pastor-teacher, Elders, Deacons, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Secretary-Treasurer.  The bylaws shall determine their election, duties, and term of office. The Official Board shall appoint other personnel and committees as deemed necessary and advisable.

ARTICLE 10
 

MEETINGS:
Meetings for worship, prayer, praise, fellowship, business, and special purposes shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

ARTICLE 11

PROPERTY:
We hereby authorize the Chairman of the Official Board and Chairman of the Board of Trustees to sign any and all papers required to sell or transfer real or personal property.  Further, the above officers shall not sell or dispose of any property without the consent of the congregation by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.

Dissolution:  If the membership should consist of less than five (5) persons, the congregation is dissolved, and its property shall revert to the Olympic Peninsula Rural Mission.  In the event the Olympic Peninsula Rural Mission ceases to exist, the disposition of property and assets shall be made to only fundamental Christian organizations or persons of the congregation's own choosing.

RULES FOR REVISION:

Section 1 - Revision or addition to the constitution cannot take place except at the yearly business meeting, with not less than two-thirds (2/3) majority of the eligible voting members. (It must be taken up and discussed at least three months before).

 

Section 2 - Articles two (2) and eleven (11) cannot be taken out or changed.