Independence Reformed Bible Church
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 CONSTITUTION OF INDEPENDENCE REFORMED BIBLE CHURCH

DECLARATION

Out  of our sincere desire to  glorify God and advance His kingdom here on earth, and  trusting in His  sovereign mercy and grace that we have become members of the  true body of  Christ, we do now, in the presence of God and men, solemnly and willingly  submit ourselves to Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this church,  Independence Reformed Bible Church, and according to the terms of this  Constitution.
 
Independence Reformed Bible Church, "IRBC", is  not a man-made institution but exists by divine mandate and is  established and will persevere in accordance with biblical   principles.

AUTHORITY
 
IRBC  recognizes only one source of divine truth and that is the inerrant Bible -- the divine revelation of the mind of God.   Jesus  Christ is the  Head of the church.  His Word as revealed to us in the Scriptures of  the Old and New  Testaments is the
ultimate and final  authority in all matters of faith and  practice (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23-24;John 8:31; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy  3:16-17; Deuteronomy  11:1; 12:32).

We believe that IRBC  stands directly under  Christ and His Word, and that IRBC has the  authority to conduct its ministry  free from the control of other  churches, persons, or the state (Acts 20:17, 28;  5:29; Matthew 22:21).

We  affirm the need, as a church body, to seek fellowship with other  churches of  like faith and practice that we might be support and encouragement to one  another; and that at certain times it is advisable to  seek counsel and wisdom  from the leadership of other churches (Acts  15:6-35; Proverbs 15:22; Romans 16:  5, 19).

CONFESSION
 
We believe in the only true God, distinct  in three Persons, Father, Son  and Holy Spirit who out of nothing has made heaven  and earth and all that  is in them, and still upholds and governs them, so that  nothing comes to  pass, either in heaven or on earth, outside of His divine will  (Genesis  1:26; 18: 16-22; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 2:4-9; John 5:23; 8:57, 58;   10:25-30; 14:8-11; 17; 16:5-15; Acts 5:4; 9:3-5; Colossians 1:15-17;  Philippians  2:5-11 I Timothy 3:16; 6:13-16: Titus 3:4,5; Hebrews 1:8; I  John 5:7; Revelation  1:8, 17,18).

We believe that we are conceived  and born  in sin, and therefore, children of wrath by nature, wholly  incapable of doing  any good and prone to all evil; and that we, in  thought, word, and deed, have  frequently transgressed the commandments of  the Lord (Genesis 6:5; 19: 4,5;  Deuteronomy 32:15; Romans 1-3;  Ephesians  2:1-3).

We believe that Jesus Christ,  who is both  true and eternal God and very man, who assumed His human nature  from the flesh  and blood of the virgin Mary, is given to us of God as our  Savior, and that we by this faith receive repentance and remission of sins  in His blood, and that we  by the effectual power of the Holy Spirit have  become children of God and  members of both Jesus Christ and His Church  (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; 24:47; Romans 12: 3-8; Philippians 2:5-11; Ephesians   4:7-16).

We believe that the  elect of the true  church are saved unto good works, for the proclaiming of the gospel, the subduing of the earth, and the discipling of all nations;  all for the glory of  the Triune God.  When Christ’s  worldwide  redemption is sufficiently complete, He will return for His bride, the  church, and deliver her up to God the Father (Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:28;  Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:24).
 
DOCTRINE

Our common confession to  God’s truth must  be based on the whole counsel of God which is either  expressly set down in  Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may  be deduced from Scripture;  unto which nothing at any time is to be added,  whether by new revelations or  traditions of men (Acts 20:7; Deuteronomy
4:2; Jeremiah 23:16; Matthew 15:3;  22:29-32).

The church is dependent upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit for a correct  interpretation of Scripture, and only as each member is responsive  to the Spirit  speaking in the Word and humbly submissive to His instruction  can we hope for a  common confession of the truth (Psalm 119:18, 26; 1  Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John
2:27).

IRBC is a creedal Church. We assent to all  the articles of the orthodox Christian religion in its creeds  and confessions,  as they are taught here in this Christian Church and from the Word of God. We  promise to continue steadfastly in the same doctrine to  the end of our lives. We  also reject all heresies and errors conflicting with this doctrine, and  persevere in the fellowship of this Christian  Church, not only in the hearing of  the Divine Word, but in diligent study  and application of God's Word to our  lives (Numbers 31:16; Proverbs 4:2;  Matthew 7: 28, 29; Acts 2:42; II Timothy 3:16; 4:2, 3; Titus 2:1; 3:10,  11).

IRBC stands in defense of the  Orthodox  Reformed Doctrine, which is based on the Word of God and expressed  in the  Heidelberg Catechism, the Cannons of Dort, and the Belgic  Confession. This  Church further stands in defense of the London Baptist
Confession of Faith and  the Ecumenical Creeds which are accepted by nearly  all of the churches of  Christendom, namely the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene  Creed, the Athanasian Creed,  the Council of Orange and the Council of  Chalcedon. Regarding these confessions,  we realize that these are not  inspired, therefore, not infallible, yet are the  most beneficial and  accurate man-made documents ever given to the Church apart  from  Scripture. 

The true meaning of Scripture can only be discerned by a careful  consideration of the context (both literary and  historical) and the grammar  of the text or passage in question. The infallible  rule of interpretation  of Scripture is the Scripture itself.  Therefore,  questions about  the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not  manifold, but one) must be searched and known by other places in the Bible that speak more clearly (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Peter  3:16).
 
We believe that Jesus  Christ, who is both  true and eternal God and very man, who assumed His  human nature from the flesh  and blood of the virgin Mary, is given to us of  God as our Savior, and that we  by this faith receive repentance and remission of sins in His blood, and that we by the effectual power of the Holy Spirit have become children of God and  members of both Jesus Christ  and His Church (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; 24:47; Romans 12: 3-8; Philippians  2:5-11; Ephesians  4:7-16).

We  believe that the elect of the true  church are saved unto good works, for  the proclaiming of the gospel, the  subduing of the earth, and the  discipling of all nations; all for the glory of  the Triune God.  When  Christ’s  worldwide redemption is sufficiently complete, He will return for  His bride, the  church, and deliver her up to God the Father (Ephesians  2:10; Genesis 1:28;  Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians  15:24).
 

The  church is dependent upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit for a  correct  interpretation of Scripture, and only as each member is responsive  to the Spirit  speaking in the Word and humbly submissive to His  instruction can we hope for a common confession of the truth (Psalm 119:18, 26;  1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John  2:27).







 
IRBC is a creedal Church. We assent to all  the articles of the orthodox Christian religion in its creeds and confessions,  as they are taught here in this Christian Church and from the Word of God. We  promise to continue steadfastly in the same doctrine to the end of our lives. We  also reject all heresies and errors conflicting with this doctrine, and  persevere in the fellowship of this Christian Church, not only in the hearing of  the Divine Word, but in diligent study and application of God's Word to our
lives (Numbers 31:16; Proverbs 4:2; Matthew 7: 28, 29; Acts 2:42; II Timothy  3:16; 4:2, 3; Titus 2:1; 3:10, 11).

IRBC stands in defense of the Orthodox  Reformed Doctrine, which is based on the Word of God and expressed in the  Heidelberg Catechism, the Cannons of Dort, and the Belgic Confession. This  Church further stands in defense of the London Baptist Confession of Faith and  the Ecumenical Creeds which are accepted by nearly all of the churches of  Christendom, namely the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed,  the Council of Orange and the Council of Chalcedon. Regarding these confessions,  we realize that these are not inspired, therefore, not infallible, yet are the  most beneficial and accurate man-made documents ever given to the Church apart  from Scripture. 

WORSHIP
 
We affirm our duty and privilege to gather  on the Lord’s Day to worship God in the assembly of His people, to praise Him in  psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; to join in prayer with our brothers and  sisters; to partake of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism; to receive instruction  through the preaching of God’s Word; and to keep the Lord’s Day as a holy  Sabbath for the glory of God and the refreshment of our bodies and souls (Psalm  95:1-7; 122:1; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:42; Exodus  20:8-11; Revelation 1:10; Isaiah  58:13-14).
 
Worship  services shall be held in the morning and/or afternoon/evening each Sunday.  Since God has set aside Sunday as the Day of Worship, IRBC leadership will be  responsible for the conduct of these services. A Sunday School may be provided  for the teaching of the Word. Weekday Worship services may be called as
 necessary, but not to substitute the Sunday Worship. All members shall be enjoined and admonished insofar as possible to avail themselves of all these  Sunday activities. Only work of necessity and work of mercy shall be done on  Sunday.

MEMBERSHIP

Those  who would be admitted to the membership of this church must give testimony to  repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and have received Christian baptism according to the command of Christ and His Apostles. They must agree to submit  themselves to Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this church and be in substantial agreement with the terms of this church’s constitution and doctrinal  standards (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Acts 2:41, 47; Romans 16:17; Matthew 18:17; 2  Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

Members assent never to ascribe more  authority to this Church, its teaching of decrees, than we do to the Word of  God.  Rather, we will rely on the  Bible for the regulation, foundation, and confirmation of our faith, believing  without any doubt, all things contained in the inerrant authoritative Word of  God. 

We also promise to establish and maintain  a church where the pure doctrine of the Gospel is preached, and where church  discipline is exercised.  

Furthermore,  we promise to labor fervently and devotedly in the building of the Heavenly  Kingdom through the preaching of the Law-Word of God unto Reformation,  Reconstruction and Dominion as commanded in both Genesis 1:28 and Matthew  28:18-20.
 
LEADERSHIP

Christ mediates His rule in the church  through a plurality of godly men called “Elders.” These men are prepared by  Christ, and having distinguished themselves in both conduct and doctrine as  being worthy of imitation, they are to be chosen and appointed by the church to  serve as overseers. The work of Elders is to shepherd the church of God by  teaching the Word of God, administering the sacraments, governing the church’s  affairs, acting as judges on her behalf, evangelizing the lost, and by giving  whatever care is necessary for the spiritual well-being of the members,
including preaching and teaching the Scriptures for the defense of the faith and  the edification of believers. 

Deacons are appointed by the church to  assist the Elders in caring for the needs of the members, and to help in the  administration and work of the local church (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13;  5:17; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:1-6; James 5:14). 
 
Christ gives to His church elders for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. They are, in accord with their gifts, to govern the church and to  labor in the Word and doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 4:6-16; 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; 3:14-4:5).
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
 
 
The church, as the ground and pillar of truth, is responsible to discern, declare,  and live the truth of the Word of God. As a local church we will hold forth a  common confession as a light and testimony to the truth in this dark world (1  Timothy 3:15; Jude 3; Matthew 5:14-16; Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
 
The  duty of the Christian is to glorify God by seeking first the kingdom of God, by  keeping God’s commandments, by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and by living soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. We affirm that the believer in Christ is to make his calling and election  sure by giving all diligence to the disciplines and graces of the Christian life  such as: frequent, earnest, and fervent prayer, both for his own life and that  of others; fasting; meekness; virtue; knowledge; patience; brotherly kindness;  and love, including love of enemies. These disciplines and graces are to flow  from a life dedicated to the pursuit of God, and desiring to please and obey Him  (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14; Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 8:l-4; 2 Peter 1:4-10;  Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:16; 6:33; John 14:15; Deuteronomy 4:6-8; Titus  2:12; Romans 12:1-2).
  
DISCIPLINE

 
We affirm that we are to obey Christ by  admonishing one another for unfaithfulness to the Word of God and to hold one  another accountable to the terms of our covenant with God. Those who sin are to  be admonished according to the teaching of Scripture. Those who repent are to be  forgiven and restored. Church admonishment is necessary for the reclaiming and  gaining of offending brethren. 
 
Should admonishment fail, Church  discipline is necessary for the deterring of others from like offences, for  purging out that leaven which might infect the whole church, for vindicating the  honor of Christ, and for preventing the wrath of God which might justly fall on  the church if we allow His covenant to be profaned by notorious and obstinate  sinners (Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians  3:14-15; Titus 3:10-11; James 5:19-20).

ORDINANCES

IRBC  acknowledges that baptism is an ordinance commanded by Christ. We acknowledge, also, that the physical act of baptism in itself has no  saving effect.  God’s election and  the subsequent baptism of the Spirit effect an inward change of heart requiring  a public confession of the change.   IRBC encourages believers to be baptized in obedience to the command of  Christ.  Membership in  IRBC, however, will not be withheld to true  believers in Christ because of their method of baptism (Matthew 3: 15, 16; Luke  3:16; John 4:1; Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 1:14-16; 10:2; Colossians  2:11-13).

The celebration of the Lord’s Supper was  instituted by Jesus Christ as a remembrance of His passion for His people and  His saving work on our behalf.   IRBC will offer to its members and professing believers the regular  opportunity to partake of the Lord’s table as a bond and pledge of their  communion with Him and with each other.   IRBC acknowledges that the elements in this ordinance, namely bread and  wine, represent the body and blood of Christ, yet in substance and nature they still remain truly and only bread and wine (Matthew 26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:  17-24).







 


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