SYZYGUS -CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS
The Constitution and Bylaws of Syzygus in Christ Church met last October 14, 2007 discussed and approved the first draft of the Constitution and Bylaws for recommendation of its approval by the Church Council. The Church Council met last January 1, 2008 discussed and approved the proposed Constitution and Bylaws and will recommend for its ratification at the Church Business Meeting.

PREAMBLE
This Constitution and Bylaws are made to:

1. Preserve and secure the principles of our faith.
2. Preserve the liberties of each individual member of the church.
3. Insure freedom of action of independence from any religious body or organization.
4. Provide for the orderly conduct of internal affairs, in dealing with others and governing church members.

NAME
The name of this church shall be
_Syzygus in Christ Church_

It shall be affiliated with the
Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches

BUSINESS LOCATION


The address of the principal office of this church shall be
___________________________________
Address of the Church
PURPOSE
The purposes of the Syzygus in Christ Church are:
1. To worship God, and to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as set forth in Matthew 28:18-20.
2. To minister to the needs of the members and others as the church is able to do so.
3. To do any and all things related to, and in connection with, the carrying out of the object and purpose as set forth above.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God (1Cor. 2:7-14; 2Pet. 1:20, 21), without any error and the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living.

2. We believe in one God, (Deut. 6:4; Is. 45:5-7; 1Cor. 8:4) eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19; 2Cor. 13:14)

3. We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, (Matt. 1:18-23) and that He is truly God and Man (Col. 2:9). He died on the cross for our sins (John 10:15; Rom. 3:24, 25; 5:8 1Pet. 2:24). He rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and He is now our Highest Priest and Advocate (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:38, 39; Acts 2:30, 31; Romans 4:25; 1John 2:1).

4. We believe that man was created in the image of God (Gen. 2:7; James 3:9) but fell into sin and is therefore lost, separated from God, and only through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1-9; John 3; 36; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:1-3).

5. We believe that eternal salvation is a free gift of God, entirely apart from man’s works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in, and received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of the human merit and works (John 1:12 1 Pet.1:18, 19).
ORDER OF SALVATION
Election
We believe that the election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those, whom He graciously regenerates, saves and sanctifies (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; Thess. 2:13).

Regeneration
We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplish solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinners, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation.

Justification
We believe that justification before God is an act of God (Rom. 8:30, 33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11).


Sanctification
We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present work or condition (Acts 20:32; 1Cor. 1:2, 30; 6”11; Thess. 2:13)


Security
We believe that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; Rom. 5:9, 10).


Separation
We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2Tim. 3:1-5).

We believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior (1John 2:15-17; 2John 9-11).


Glorification
We believe that glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed (Revelation 3:20; 21:1).

6. We believe in a regenerated church membership: that is, persons old enough to understand their need for a Savior and have their own will accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and are baptized by immersion.

7. We believe that there are two ordinances to be observed by the church in this present age, baptism by immersion (Matt. 3:13-17), and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-30) as a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross for our sins. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man’s salvation.

8. We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 16: 27) and that His Second Coming inspires the believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return.

9. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell (Matt. 19:28-20; Phil. 3:17-21).

10. We believe in the autonomy of the local church. The only Head of a local church is the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1: 22-23). The church shall manage its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious body or organization. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for the service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1-7).


11. We subscribe to the Doctrinal Statement adopted by the Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches as our larger statement of faith.
GOVERNMENT
The government of Syzygus in Christ Church is vested in its members. The membership retains unto itself the right of exclusive self-government in all phases of its life and organization. It recognizes the needs of mutual counsel and cooperation that the common among evangelical churches. This church will cooperate and mutually work with Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches and Cavite Network of Baptist Community as the church decides it upon.
NON-PROFIT STATUS and LIQUIDATION
This church is not organized for profit. In the event of liquidation or dissolution of the church, all of its assets and property of every nature and description whatsoever shall be paid over and transferred at the direction of the trustees to the

Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches

AMENDMENT
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended provided the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a regular church business meeting at least 30 days before it is voted on. It must then be circulated to all the active membership 14 days before it is voted on. Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws shall only be by two-thirds vote of the qualified members of the church who are present in the business meeting. There must be a quorum to discuss and vote on any amendment.