CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the missionary-minded Baptists, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this Church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this constitution.
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
This body shall be called the Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist Church of Fitzgerald Rd, Cumberland, Va 23040. We cooperate with the James River Baptist Association, the Baptist General Association of Va, and the Southern Baptist Convention.
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE
A place to BELONG, BELIEVE and BECOME
*BELONG to a community of people who love God and one another
*BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and make Him known
*BECOME more like Jesus as we learn, grow and serve
We have our command and commission:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39)
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
Describing the fellowship of believers, the church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts2:42-47)
ARTICLE 3 - DOCTRINE
We share core Christian beliefs:
God in Three Persons - We believe in one God, the Creator of the universe, and that God is revealed in three co-equal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
Deity of Jesus- Jesus is believed to be fully God, having always existed with God the Father, and also fully human, born of a virgin and living a sinless life.
Atonement and Salvation- Jesus' death on the cross is understood as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity. Salvation, or forgiveness of sins and eternal life, is offered as a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Resurrection of Jesus- Jesus' resurrection from the dead signifies victory over death and offers hope for believers.
Authority of the Bible - The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is considered the inspired word of God, providing guidance for faith and life.
Christian Living - Core Christian values include love, compassion, humility, integrity, and justice, reflecting Jesus' teachings and example.
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 and having been baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
Fellowship/Love - We hereby covenant and agree to walk in love and live in peace, to sympathize with each other under all conditions and circumstances in life, to pray with and for one another and to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work. Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 John 4:7-21
Authority of the Bible - Believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, we agree to search diligently and to make it our rule of faith and practice. Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12
Worship- We agree to support the worship of God in our own Church with all of our resources, time, talent and treasures, to spread the knowledge of Jesus in our own land and throughout the world according to our ability. Exodus 20:3, Psalm 95:6-7, Psalm 100:1-2, Matthew 22:37, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 13:15-16
Teaching/Discipleship - We promise to maintain a Christian home. We will earnestly strive to manifest day by day a Christian spirit and to bring each member of our families to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Psalm 119:33-34, Luke 12:21, John 8:31-32, John 15:7-11, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Evangelism - We promise to covenant together to follow the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 1 Peter 3:15
Service - We promise to serve those who Jesus called "the least of these", including those in our church, our community, our state and where obligation and opportunity arise, our country and internationally. The Bible teaches that Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and we covenant to follow that model. Matthew 25:35-40, Mark 10:45, John 13:34-35, Galations 5:13-14, 1 Peter 5:10-11
Prayer - Knowing that a vibrant prayer life is the source of spiritual power through Jesus Christ, we promise to be a praying church, praying for one another, our community, and those in need of spiritual resources. Matthew 6:5-13, Matthew 7:7-11, Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:16