ARTICLE I
Name: The name of this church shall be Bethel Community Church of Sarasota, Inc.

ARTICLE II
Purpose: The purpose of this church shall be:
A. The worship of God (in the Glorious Trinity of His Sacred Persons).

B. For the fellowship of the believers resulting in the continuing unification and edification of the Body of Christ. (Acts 2:42; I John 1:3-7)

C. The teaching and the instruction of the believers and the development in them of a consistent Christian character. (Acts 2:42; Matthew 28:19; II Timothy 2:2; Deuteronomy 4:9,10; Colossians 3:16)

D. The evangelism of the lost both here and to the uttermost parts of the earth and the proclamation of a total missionary endeavor at home and abroad. (Matthew 28:18; Romans 1:14-16; Romans 10:13-15)

E. The promotion of Christian education through the establishment and/or support of Christian academic institutions. (Acts 2:42; Deuteronomy 6:1-9)

ARTICLE III
Government:
Authority
1. Bible. This church recognizes the Bible as the Word of God and the entire Scriptures as its authority in matters pertaining to the church. (Ephesians 2:19; II Timothy 3:16-17)

2. Other churches. While recognizing the scriptural principle of unity of the universal body of Christ and the fellowship of the scriptural aligned local churches, this church declares itself a free and autonomous body, claiming the right of free government. (Acts 4:32-35; Acts 11:27-30; John 4:25,26; John 15:26,27; John 16:12-23; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 15; Acts 20:25-31; Ephesians 2:20)

3. Elders. Under Christ, the government of this church shall be committed to the Board of Elders. Uniting in prayer as the bond of unity and as a means of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, with the Scriptures as their supreme authority, the Elders will rule by consensus, seeking to know and follow the mind of Christ. (Acts 20:17, 28; I Thessalonians 5:12; I Timothy 5:17; I Timothy 3:1,4; Romans 12:8)

4. Deacons. The Deacon is a servant in matters of physical, material and financial needs in the body and will be responsible to the Board of Elders to carry out their scriptural office as the Elders define and assign this role. (Philippians 1:1; Acts 6:1-6; I Timothy 3:8-13)

5. Congregation. The congregation, being the body, elects the Board of Elders. Although it is these men who govern the church, they are at the same time responsible to this same church. (Acts 6:1-6; Titus 1:5)

6. Individual. Each person is to fulfill his responsibility before God, i.e. individual priesthood and yet function in and be responsible to the corporate body in the exercise of his gifts. He shall recognize and be submitted to the Elders as the overseers of the welfare of his soul. (Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 10:19-22; I Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 12:3-8,10; Acts 6:5,6; Acts 15:22)

B. Offices
1. Elder
a. Commission. The body must in earnest prayer seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the commission of the Elders. The consideration of the man for the office of Elder may come to the Board of Elders by suggestion of an individual or group of believers from the general body or from the individual himself or the Elders themselves. The one being considered must be a member in good standing of a local evangelical Bible believing Christians. After presentation of the individual by one of the recognized channels, the active Elders shall first seek in prayer God’s guidance and then shall evaluate in the spirit of humility each person in accordance with the specific qualifications identified in Scripture. After consensus of the Elders on the qualification of each man, the Elders shall present each man for approval by the local body of believers. The local body shall seek God’s will by earnest prayer. After prayerful consideration of each man, the body shall approve by consensus the commission of each man separately. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. (John 16:13-16); I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:17); Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:1-3); It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. (I Timothy 3:1); For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:5-9); Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:1-4).

b. Qualifications. An Elder must reflect in his life the standards set forth in the Word: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I Tim. 3:1-7. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused or riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:5-9)
Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, according to the will Of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock”. (I Peter 5:1-3).

c. Teaching Elder. The elder(s) who demonstrate ability in handling the Word of God accurately and proficiently and fulfil the Scriptural qualification of "laboring hard at preaching and teaching" shall be appointed teaching elder(s). The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching (I Timothy 5:17); So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. (I Corinthians 9:14); Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7); Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. (I Timothy 4:14).

2. Deacon
a. Commission. The body must in earnest prayer seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the commission of Deacons.
The consideration of a man for the office of Deacon may come to the Board of Elders by suggestion of an individual or group of believers from the general body or from the individual himself or from the Elders themselves. The one being considered must be a member in good standing of the local body.
After presentation of the individual by one of the recognized channels, the active Elders shall first seek in prayer God’s guidance and then shall evaluate in the spirit of humility each person in accordance with the specific qualifications identified in Scripture.
After consensus of the Elders on the qualification of each man, the Elders shall present each man for approval by the local body of believers.
The local body shall seek God’s will by earnest prayer. After prayerful consideration of each man, the body shall approve by consensus the commission of each man separately. (John 16:13-16; John 14:17; Acts 13:1-3; I Timothy 3:1; Acts 13:1,2; Acts 6:2-3; Acts 13:3; Acts 1:21-24; I Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-4)

b. Qualifications. A Deacon must reflect in his life the standards set forth in the Word: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let those also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their house well. For they that used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ. (I Tim. 3:8-13)

ARTICLE IV
Statement of Faith:

1. Scriptures:
We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament, is the Word of God. These scriptures are verbally inspired by God and are infallible and inerrant in their entirety in the original manuscripts. These same scriptures are to be the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:105; Revelation 22:18,19)

2. The Trinity:
We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Person of the Godhead has all the attributes of God and they are equal. (Matthew 28:19; John 17:22; II Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-26)

3. God the Father:
We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself with the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 75:15; Matthew 10:29; I Peter 1:15,16; Psalm 9:2; Malachi 3:6)

4. Jesus Christ:
We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, The Son of the living God, that He is fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, His miracles, His sinless life, His substitutionary atoning death (through His shed blood), bodily resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, perpetual intercession for His people and His personal visible glorious return to earth. (I Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 1:11; John 1:14; Matthew 1:20,21; John 1:1-14; Acts 4:8-12; Romans 4:21-24)

5. Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is invested with the power to convict of sin, righteousness and judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ. He is the source of all spiritual power and is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. We believe that the Spirit has come to make known the things of God and glorify Jesus Christ, not Himself. (John 14:26; Ephesians 5:18; John 16:7-15; II Corinthians 13:14)

6. Man:
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell from his original state through his disobedience to God. All succeeding members of the human race are sinners by nature and by choice. These are alienated from God through the guilt of sin and are unable to save themselves. (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Genesis 1:26,27)

7. Salvation:
a. Regeneration We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; John 3:8)

b. Justification This is the legal act of God whereby He declares a person righteous by the shed blood of Christ. A man is justified apart from works by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1; Romans 5:9, Romans 3:26; Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:8,9)

c. Sanctification After a person is regenerated, he is further sanctified by the Word of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and other means of grace. Through the strength of the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the believer grows in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Romans 6:19; Romans 6:22; Philippians 1:6)

d. Glorification We believe the believer will be finally and totally freed from the presence and power of sin at the second coming of Jesus Christ after which he shall stand spotless before the throne of God. (Romans 8:30; Jude 24)

8. The Church:
The Church consists of the whole number of elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, who is the Head thereof. The gathering of the believers is for the purpose of the worship of God, edification of the saints, administering of the holy sacraments and for the spreading of the Good News of God throughout the world. (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:14-22; Ephesians 5:22-33)

9. Sacraments:
a. Baptism Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ to be to the believer a sign and seal of the covenant of grace signifying his identification in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection to the newness of life, and his covenant relation to the body of Christ. (Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:41)

b. Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ which proclaims the Lord’s death until He returns, and is a means of the grace whereby the believer confronts the reality of the finished work of Christ by partaking of the elements, being the bread symbolizing the broken body and the cup symbolizing the blood of Jesus. (Matthew 26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:23-27)

10. Satan:
We believe that Satan is a person, not an influence. He is a fallen angel, the instigator of the fall of man, the god of this age, but that he is a defeated foe and that his destiny is eternal punishment. Although Satan is a defeated foe ultimately, he is presently the great deceiver and powerful enemy of the believers, using many means to achieve his ends. (Ephesians 2:2; Hebrews 2:14; Genesis 3:1-7; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12)

11. The Future:
We believe in the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead. The condition of the saved is conscious bliss. They will forever be with the Lord. The condition of the unsaved in the eternal state is conscious torment. They are forever separated from the presence and power of the Lord. God has appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 25:41; Acts 17:31)

12. The Intermediate State:
The state of the unsaved in the time between their death and resurrection is conscious torment.
The state of the saved in the time between their death and resurrection is conscious bliss. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (Luke 16:23; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Mark 9:2-4)

ARTICLE V
Membership
Section 1:
Anyone desiring to join this local body of believers in order to grow in grace by worship, study, fellowship, prayer and services may do so upon: (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:11-13; I Peter 2: 1,2; II Peter 3:18; John 4:10,23,24; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12; II Peter 2:4,5; II Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11)

A. Confessing Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9-13; Matthew 10:32,33)

B. Satisfying this body’s requirement of Baptism whether by actual baptism or statement or letter stating Christian Baptism in another Church. (John 4:1,2; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12)

C. Agreeing to the Doctrine and Practice expressed in the Constitution and By-laws of this Church. (Titus 1:9; II John 9,10,11; II Timothy 4:2-4; Hebrews 13:9)

D. Meeting with the Elders to share personal testimony of salvation and agreement with the Constitution and By-laws. (Romans 15:5,6; I Thessalonians 5:12,13; Ephesians 4:3-6; I Corinthians 1:10)

E. Being received into the fellowship of this body by the consensus of the congregation. (I Corinthians 5; Acts 2:47; Hebrews 10:24,25)

Section 2:
The policy on dismissal from the Church is as follows:
A. Members of this body desiring to unite with other Churches of like faith and practice may receive a letter of recommendation upon written request. All letters of recommendation will be granted by suggestion of the Elders and confirmation of the congregation. These letters shall be signed by an Elder. (I Corinthians 16; Ephesians 4:1-17)

B. Members of the Church who are not in personal attendance for a period of six month will be placed on an inactive list. When a member’s name is placed on the inactive list, that member will not have the right to hold leadership roles or have an official vote in matters of Church business. This does not include members away in college, the Armed Forces, or any extended travel, or illness that would keep them away from attendance. As soon as possible the Elders will examine the circumstances of the inactive member and with earnest prayer, Christian love and interest attempt to restore the member to active status. Failing this restoration, the individual will be dismissed from the Church on recommendation of the Elders and consensus of the Church. (Hebrews 10:25; I Thessalonians 5:12,13)

C. The Scriptures teach clearly that the Church universal and the local body (as a microcosm) is like a building whose foundation is Jesus Christ and whose super-structure is the individual Christian jointly fit together to make the building, and like a body with each part unique and uniquely operating as a whole. For these concepts to be carried out, the Scriptures make it plain that the Church must operate properly within the scope of the message of these illustrations. For this to take place there must be discipline. The purpose of discipline is to bring repentance, reconciliation, and healing. If the member fails to respond to Biblical discipline administered in love, that member may be dismissed from membership with the recommendation of the Elders approved by consensus of the Church body. (I Corinthians 5)

Section 3:
Any member dismissed from this Church may be restored to membership after appropriate evidence of repentance and restoration of spiritual communion by recommendation of the Elders and consensus of the congregation. Any one from another Church of like faith and practice who has been disciplined by his local body may join this Church if evidence of repentance and restoration is provided. (Galatians 6:1)

Section 4:
Included in the active membership rule will be a special classification entitled active-on-assignment. Persons included in this section will be members of our body who are on assignments of Christian Service whether domestic or foreign. (Colossians 4:9,12)

ARTICLE VI
Discipline:
While membership in the local assembly must be as free as access to God’s Presence by grace through faith, the Church in order to function properly as a Body must be protected from destruction of its unity, purity, and order regardless of the source of that destruction. The discipline required to maintain this order, unity, and purity is not the result of periodic evaluation of the members, but only the response to threats of the destruction of that unity, order and purity.

This discipline must be carried out to:
1.) Glorify God by obedience to the instructions in His Word for proper church government which requires several types of disciplines.

2.) To cause restoration of the offenders whether by gentle exhortation, specific admonition, firm rebuke or excommunications.

3.) To continue the purity of the church in worship and service and to avoid violation of the Lord’s Table.

4.) To have positive testimony to Christ’s Glory and justice in all areas of His teaching by demonstrating faithfulness to His principles.

5.) To teach others to avoid sin.

6.) To avoid giving God cause to set Himself against a local church.

ARTICLE VII
Sacraments:
A. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper will be administered the first Sunday of every other month in the morning or evening service or at any other time approved by the Board of Elders. The Elders will be in charge of administering the elements. Any believer who is in proper fellowship with God and other believers may partake of the elements.

B. Baptism
Baptism will be administered to all those who:
a. Have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

b. Meet with the Elders to share their testimony and understanding of Baptism and Church membership.

Having satisfied the above prerequisites, arrangements will be made for the individual’s baptism. The practice of baptism in this Church will be by immersion in water. While at Bethel we recognize the value of other modes of baptism, we believe immersion best illustrates the meaning of baptism.

ARTICLE VII
Amendments:
Changes in this constitution may be made in whole or in part (except that no part of the Statement of Faith may be altered) according to the following procedure:

A. Proposals for change must be submitted to the Board of Elders by any active member of the Church.

B. As the governing body of the Church, the Elders will consider the proposal by prayer and in light of God’s Word. After consideration the Board will present their recommendation to the body or give the proposer adequate reason for not recommending the proposal.

C. The Elders are to use every expedient means available to inform all active members of the impending vote and its content. This is to be carried out in such a way as to enable any active member who is physically absent to express his opinion and cast his vote. If the circumstances are such that the Elders after conscious effort cannot contact the absent member, the vote shall proceed after the three-week minimum oral and written announcement.

D. A meeting at which the Church will consider the recommendation will be announced at least three weeks in advance from the pulpit. The Church will through prayer and open discussion come to a consensus on the proposal. Any member wishing to make a statement regarding the issue at vote may vote by written proxy and have an Elder share his view with the congregation.