Articles of Faith
Table of Contents:
Church Covenant
Constitution Part I
Preamble
Article I Name
Article II Purpose
Article III Associations
Article IV Government
Article V Statement of Faith
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
EMMANUEL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH
Clay Center, Kansas
Having been led, by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and to confess Him as Lord,
and on the confession of our faith, having been baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully covenant with one another, as one body in
Christ, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him.
We promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to forsake the ways of sin and to walk together in Christian love and in
the paths of righteousness. With this in view, we engage to strive together for both the peace and purity of this church;
to sustain its worship and steadfastly to cherish and hold its ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute, as
faithful stewards, such time, talent, and money, in the measure that God prospers each of us, that the responsibility for
the work of the Local Church and the world-wide ministry of spreading the Gospel be faithfully and effectively discharged.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to teach the Bible to our children; to seek the salvation of
our kindred and acquaintances; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements; to be exemplary in our deportment;
to avoid unkind words and unrighteous anger; to abstain form the use and the sale of illegal drugs and intoxicating
liquors as a beverage, and from all oath-bound fraternities and organizations and from every appearance or form of evil;
to combine zeal with knowledge in our efforts to advance the cause of our Saviour; to make Christ first in all things,
both spiritual and temporal.
We further engage to give and receive admonition with meekness and affection; to remember each other in prayer; and
to aid each other in case of sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the Scriptures, to seek reconciliation
without delay; to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord's return.
We moreover engage that when we move from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some local church of like
faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of the Word of God.
CONSTITUTION, Part I
of the
EMMANUEL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH
OF CLAY CENTER, KANSAS, INC.
Adopted, July 2, 1975
The Preamble
Reposing in our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, and believing in the teachings of the
Holy Bible as the plenarily inspired Word of the living God, we have affiliated ourselves with one another as a body
of immersed believers, and we adopt this Covenant, Constitution, Statement of Faith, and By-laws as a declaration of
our convictions so that we may carry on the Lord's work decently and in order.
Article I—Name:
The name of this Church shall be, EMMANUEL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLAY CENTER, KANSAS, INC.
The Church is incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Kansas.
Incorporated July 28, 1975.
Article II--Purpose
Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a Baptist Church in accordance with the Word of God, Covenant,
Constitution, Statement of Faith, and By-laws of this local church, promoting the worship of our God, edifying
believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical discipline, seeking to
win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the gospel, carrying on a vigorous
missionary program around the world, establishing other churches of like faith, defending the faith,
and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.
Article III--Associations
This Church shall be an independent, autonomous church, subject only to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.
There shall be no co-operation with any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy. Should this Church
ever become organically joined or in any way identified as part of a denomination or association of churches,
that part of the pastor's salary, of four thousand dollars ($4,000.00), received from Bob Jones University, for the
first year must be returned to Bob Jones University plus six Percent (6%) interest compounded yearly on the amount
received.
Note: the Church was planted with this help from Bob Jones University, from which Pastor Schoneweis graduated.
The University gave this help with three stipulations: (1. That Pastor Schoneweis spend full-time the first year
getting the church planted, (2. That the Church baptize by immersion, as immersion is accepted by all churches,
and (3. That the Church always be an independent, autonomous church. These three stipulations of the University
Church Planting Program were already the convictions of Pastor Schoneweis, founder of Emmanuel Independent
Baptist Church.
Article IV--Government
The government of this Church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is vested in the members who compose
it (see Article VI), whose majority vote shall be final. By action of the Church in electing its officers, the
immediate direction of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Church shall be committed to said officers during
the term of office as provided for in Article VIII. This Church acknowledges only the Lord Jesus Christ as its Head,
and receives the Holy Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, church order, and discipline,
and is answerable to no ecclesiastical body.
Article V--Statement of Faith
A. The Scriptures
We believe in the Bible as the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God, as contained in the original manuscripts;
that it is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is truth without any admixture of error for its entire
matter; that the Canon, the sixty-six books of the Bible, is complete; that the Bible is the center of true Christian
unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried; that it is the only
rule of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ. This Church shall retain the beloved, time honored,
and accurate translations of the Bible (e.g., KJV and NASB), refraining from "paraphrases," which give the interpretations
of the author, rather than the words of the Holy Spirit. II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Rev. 22:18-19.
B. The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, as infinite, sovereign Spirit, the Maker and supreme
Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;
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. Exodus 20:2-3;
I Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11.
1. The Father
We believe that because God so loved the world, He sent His Son into the world to die in the place of sinners;
that Christ is God the Father’s revelation of Himself to man; along with the written Word, Christ, the Living Word has
shown us the Father. John 3:16; 14:8-9; Heb. 1:1-4; John 1:1-5.
2. The Son, Jesus Christ
We believe according to Scripture, that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, the Saviour, God incarnate;
that He exists eternally with God the Father; and that He was both true God and true man.
I Tim. 3:16; John 1:1; Col. 2:9.
a. His Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus, the Christ, was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin,
as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son.
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14.
b. His Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated, and wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices
of the Son of God, Who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored
the divine law by His personal obedience, and by shedding His blood on the cross, made a full and vicarious atonement
for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, nor by keeping the
law for us, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place--the Just dying for the unjust, Christ,
the Lord bearing our sin in His own body on the cross. Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:24-26; John 3:16; Isa. 53:4-7;
I Cor. 15:1-4; II Cor. 5:21.
c. His Resurrection and Priesthood
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, and in His ascension into Heaven, where He now sits at the right
hand of the Father as our High Priest; that He is there to make intercession for us at the throne of God; and that
He is the only Priest or Intercessor needed by man. Matt. 28:6-7; Mark 16:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27-28;
Acts 1:9; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; 4:14-16; 5:9-10; 7:24-28; 9:24; Isa. 53:12; Acts 4:12; Heb. 10:9-13.
d. His Coming Again, The Rapture
We believe in the imminent (any moment) premillennial (before the 1000 years reign) return of Christ for His
Church, and that at that moment, the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living, who are saved,
shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the Tribulation. I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:42-58;
Phil. 3:20-21; Rev. 3:10; I Thess. 5:9; II Thess. 2:1-12.
e. His Coming Again, The Revelation
We believe that the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be ended by the Revelation of Christ
in power and great glory; that He will then sit upon the throne of David and establish His millennial (1000 year)
reign on earth. Dan. 9:25-27; Matt. 24:29-31; Luke 1:30-33; Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Acts 2:29-32; Rev. 19:11-20:6.
3. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature;
that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until
God's purpose is fulfilled; He convicts unregenerate men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears
witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the Agent of the New Birth; that He comes
to the believer at conversion and indwells him to reveal and ever exalt Christ, seeking to conform the believer
to the image of Christ; that He seals, endues, comforts, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the
believer. John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thess. 2:7; John 16:7-14;
Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-8; Rom. 8:9, 29; Eph. 1:13; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26.
C. The Devil, or Satan, and Fallen Angels
We believe that Satan is a person. He was created perfect but sinned and became the archenemy of God and His
creation. He is the chief adversary of God's children. He seeks to keep man from the Lord; and when he cannot
succeed in this, he seeks to weaken the testimony of Christians. He has at his command a great host of fallen
angels and demons to carry out his purposes. He is not omnipotent (all powerful) and can be overcome by the power
of God. His doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever. Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isa. 14:12-14; Rev. 12:10; 20:10.
Note: “Contrary to popular misconception, Satan is not God’s evil counterpart, but Michael’s. Satan, like Michael,
is ‘only’ an angel; so he is an evil angel, not an evil god.” (Not By Chance, Laton Talbert, page 12).
The endnote reads: “The commonest question is whether I really ‘believe in the Devil.’ Now, if by ‘the Devil’
you mean a power opposite to God and, like God, self-existent from all eternity, the answer is certainly No.
There is no uncreated being except God. God has no opposite…Satan, the leader or dictator of devils, is the opposite,
not of God, but of Michael.” (C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters [New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1961], p. vii).
D. The Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical
account of the direct, immediate (instant) creative acts of God without any evolutionary process; that man: spirit,
soul, and body, was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men
are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. Gen. 1 and 2; Col. 1:16-17;
John 1:3; Psalm 33:6-15.
E. The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression,
Adam fell from his sinless and happy state; that all men sinned in Adam, with the result that all men are totally
depraved, and are partakers of Adam's fallen nature; and are sinners by nature and by conduct; and therefore are under
just condemnation without defense or excuse. Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 3:10-19, 23; 5:12, 19; 1:18-20, 32.
F. The Doctrine of Salvation, The New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved and to enter Heaven, sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a
new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the New Birth the one dead in
trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that
the New Birth is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of
the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its
proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life. John 3:1-16; II Cor. 5:17-19;
I John 3:2; Eph. 2:1-10; II Peter 1:4; Rom 6:23.
1. Faith and Salvation
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation; that man in his state of
spiritual deadness before salvation is totally unable to produce any work pleasing to God and is therefore unable
to merit God's favor; that faith is a gift of God, produced by the hearing of God's Word, prayer, and looking unto
Jesus. John 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; 14:1-6; Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:1-9; Isa. 64:6; Phil. 3:4-9; Rom. 10:17; Mark 9:24;
Luke 17:5; 22:32; Heb. 12:2.
2. Repentance
We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God, prompted by the Holy Spirit; that it is
characterized by godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; and that true repentance is
essential to salvation. Luke 13:1-5; 15:17-18; Acts 8:22; Rom. 2:4; II Cor. 7:10; Acts 20:21.
3. Justification
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God, whereby He declares us to be righteous through faith
in Christ Jesus; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation (reckoning to one's account) of
God's righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done,
but solely through faith in the Redeemer's shed blood. Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:24-28; Isa. 53:11; II Cor. 5:18-21;
Rom. 5:1, 9; 8:1.
4. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God, accomplished in a
threefold manner.
a. Salvation:
(Legal or Judicial) an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the
believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Saviour. Heb. 10:10-14
b. Sanctifying, The Work of Grace:
(Practical, The Daily Walk) is a continuing process in the believer as the
Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life. Titus 2:11-14; John 17:17; II Cor. 3:18; I Cor. 1:30;
Eph. 5:25-26; I Thess. 4:3-7; 5:23.
c. Entrance into Glory:
(Physical) the final accomplishment of the process of sanctification is at death or
the rapture of the believer. Then, the believer will be wholly sanctified from the sin of the world and
the flesh. Eph. 5:27; I John 3:2; Jude 24-25; Rev. 22:11; II Thess. 4:13-18.
5. Adoption
We believe that adoption is the gracious act whereby the Father, for the sake of Christ, places new believers into
the honored position of mature sons, in contrast with regeneration, whereby the believer receives the nature of God
and becomes a child of God. The full benefit of the position given by adoption, as the sons of God, awaits the
glorification of the believer at death or the rapture. Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:1-7; II John 3:1-2.
6. Security of the Believer
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ; that they are sealed
until the day of redemption by the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is also the Earnest (down payment) of our inheritance,
received by adoption, until the redemption of the purchased possession; and that this seal of the Holy Spirit is God's
stamp of identification and ownership. Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; I Peter 1:3-9; Rom. 8:35-39;
Jude 24-25; II Cor. 1:22; 5:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30.
G. The Church: The Body of Christ
We believe in the unity of all true believers in the Church, which is the body of Christ, which was established on
the Day of Pentecost; and that all believers, from Pentecost to the rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to
this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 3:1-6; I Cor. 12:12-13.
We believe that this Church is manifested on earth through the Local Church which is a congregation of immersed
believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ; governed
by His commands; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. Acts 2:41-42;
I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:21-23.
We believe that the Local Church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any
hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only Head is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; and that on
all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the Local Church is
final. Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-20.
The Mission of the Church
1. We believe that the primary mission of the Church is to glorify God. This is man's individual purpose, and it
is true of those who collectively name the Name of Christ. Rom 15:6, 9; Eph. 1:5-6, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thess. 1:12;
I Peter 4:11; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31-33.
2. We believe the Church is to edify (build up) itself by the indoctrination of the members with Scriptural truths,
to develop the graces of the Christian life, and teach Christians how to co-operate with one another in the service
of Christ. Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 2:6-7; Jude 20-21 Rom. 16:17-18.
3. We believe the Church is to purify itself. Divine chastening is performed by the Father of His children, the
individual believer is commanded to cleanse his life, and the Local Church is also responsible to cleanse itself and
discipline its ranks. Divisions, heresies, false teachings, immoralities, ungodliness in character and appearance,
and anything which does not glorify God must be corrected. If anyone practicing such things cannot be corrected,
they must be dismissed from the fellowship of the Local Church. Eph. 5:26-27; Heb. 12:10; I Cor. 11:28-31;
II Cor. 7:1; Acts 5:1-14; Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-13; Rom. 16:17-20; II Thess. 3:1-15; Titus 3:10-11;
II John 6-11; Rev. 19:7.
4. We believe that the Church is to educate its members. Because the Church bears the only Light which is in the world,
it is the responsibility of each believer to let that Light shine as far as possible. A solid Christian education must
be given by the Church through the Sunday School, Bible classes, Bible schools, and other avenues, including Christian
day schools. Jer. 8:4-12; 10:2a; Prov. 19:27; 6:22; I Cor. 1:18-29; Eph. 4:11-12; Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:8;
Rom. 10:2; Col. 2:1-8.
5. We believe that the Church (as individual Christians) is to evangelize the world. The Great Commission directs
believers that, "as we are going" into the world we are "to disciple all nations." Scripture does not command us to
"convert" the world, but to "evangelize" it; that the believer is debtor to the whole world, and is under obligation
to give the whole world an opportunity to hear the gospel and to accept Christ. Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15;
Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:14-15.
6. We believe that the Church is to act as a restraining force against evil, and to promote that which is good.
The Church is the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." By the preaching of the Word of God, and living
lives which are above reproach, those in the Church are to set an example to those outside the Church. The Church is
to hold forth the Word of Life to the world and to contend for the Truth. Matt. 5:13-16; II Thess. 2:6-7;
Acts 20:26-27; II Cor. 5:19; I Thess. 4:1-12; I Cor. 6:1-10; Phil. 2:13-16; Jude 3-4
H. Officers of the Church
The officers of the Church are divided in the New Testament into two broad categories:
1. The ruling (guiding, leading) office in the Church is referred to in the New Testament by three terms. Each term
denotes a different function of the office: Pastor (shepherd), Elder (denoting spiritual maturity and leadership),
and Bishop (overseer of the Church). This is one and the same office, with the officer ruling by personal example,
the application of the Scriptures, and the leading of the Holy spirit. I Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 20:17, 28; I Peter 5:1-5;
Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:7, 17.
2. The serving office of Deacon became a necessity with the growth of the early Church. Mature and spiritual men
were chosen by the Church to lighten the load of the spiritual leaders by performing routine duties of administration.
The spiritual and personal qualifications of Deacons are given in Scripture and must not be lowered. The duties of
Deacons shall be in keeping with the word "Deacon," which means "to serve." Acts 6:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-13.
3. We believe that any person, elected or appointed to any office or position in the Church, shall strive to meet
the qualifications of pastors, deacons, and their families, given in the Bible. I Tim. 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-3:11;
I Peter 5:1-5.
I. The Ordinances
We believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus Christ commanded the observance of two ordinances before He ascended
unto His Father in Heaven:
1. Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, under the authority of a local church; that baptism is a public testimony showing forth in a
solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, in Whom we died to sin and rose
to a new life and separated walk with Christ; and that baptism is prerequisite to the privileges of church
membership. Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:1-7; Col. 2:12.
2. The Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord's supper consists of the eating of the bread and drinking of the cup which is a symbolic
reminder of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that the fellowship of this table
is open to all truly born-again believers who are walking in obedience to our Lord's commands, the first of which
is baptism (see baptism above); and that each partaker should examine his heart and life before God and man as he
comes to the table of communion. I Cor. 11:23-32; Matt. 28:19-20; 26:26-28; I Cor. 10:20-21.
J. Separation
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate entirely from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy
unto God; that each believer is to walk in the light as He is in the light, having fellowship one with another,
and "the blood of Jesus Christ His son, cleansing us from all sin;" that we are to mark them which cause divisions
and offenses contrary to the doctrines stated in the Scriptures and avoid them.
This Church shall have no fellowship with the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, or any
group affiliated with them; no co-operation shall be given toward evangelism with New-Evangelical groups; and no
member of this Church shall be affiliated with a lodge or other secret, oath-bound, fraternal organization.
I John 1:6-10; 2:15-19; II John 6-11; Rom. 16:17-18; I Cor. 10:20; II Cor. 5:9-11; 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:11;
II Thess. 3:6, 14; I Tim. 6:3-5; II Tim. 3:5-7; Titus 3:10-11; Jude 3-4; Matt. 5:33-37.
1. Music
We believe that God is glorified by the singing of the sacred hymns and songs of the church which are sound in
doctrine and set to music which is appropriate to the words, and that believers are edified as they sing. Therefore,
this Church will not use or endorse those who use questionable music. The standard of music shall meet that set
forth by Tim Fisher in his book, The Battle for Christian Music. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph. 5:10, 18-20.
2. Dress
We believe that Christian people should look and act like Christian people and not like those who love the things
of this world. Therefore, the members of this Church, especially officers and teachers, shall be careful about
their dress and appearance. Modesty shall be the rule for dress, covering the nakedness of the flesh, so that a
brother or sister is not caused to stumble or lust in their heart. Appearance shall be neat and clean, with short
hair for men and longer for women. If any statement is to be made by means of dress, it should be a positive statement
for Jesus Christ. I John 2:15; I Thess. 5:22; I Tim. 2:9-10; Titus 2:1-14; I Peter 3:1-7; Matt. 5:27-28;
I Cor. 11:1-16; I Cor. 10:31-33.
3. Compliance to Separation
We believe that any member of this Church who is willfully disobedient in the area of separation from personal sin,
ecclesiastical apostasy, perverted music, or dress and appearance unbecoming to a Christian, must be dealt with in
accordance with Scripture. If such a person will not be corrected, that person shall be disciplined by the Church in
accordance with Article G--3 of the Statement of Faith and Article VI--Section 2 of the Constitution, Part II.
K. Israel
We believe in the sovereign election of Israel as God's eternal covenant people, that Israel is now dispersed because
of her disobedience and rejection of Christ; that she will be regathered in the Holy Land; and will be saved as a
nation at the coming of Christ in glory. Gen. 13:14-17; Rom 11; Ezekiel 37; Zechariah 12:9-13:6 Acts. 1:6-11; Isa. 66:8.
L. The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those
who are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in
His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight, wicked and under the curse; and
this distinction holds among men, both in and after death, in the everlasting bliss of the saved and the everlasting
conscious suffering of the lost in the Lake of Fire. Gen. 4:1-16; Gen. 6-8; Gen 18:16-19; Prov. 14:32;
Malachi 3:18; Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31; John 8:21, 44; Rom. 6:17-18, 23; Eph. 2:1-13; I John 5:19;
Rev. 20:11-15; 22:11.
M. Unchanging Values
We believe, that because the truths of this Statement of Faith are based upon the Scriptures, they are of eternal
value. Even though man's values and systems may change, the Word of God has been forever settled in Heaven.
Therefore, Articles I, II, III, IV, and V of this Constitution and Statement of Faith, having to do with the
Name, Purpose, Associations, Government, and Statement of Faith of this Church shall never be amended or changed
except to clarify the fundamentalist position.
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