Statement of Beliefs
Britannia Baptist Church
The Bible
1.We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 1 Thess. 2:13 and Matt. 24:35).
God
2. We believe that there is one God (Deut. 6:4). We believe that He has revealed Himself not only as the Father of all creation, but He has also been revealed through His only begotten Son Jesus (Col. 1:15; John 1:1, 14; Jude 25). And He continues to reveal Himself through His Holy Spirit (John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4).
3. We believe that these three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – make up what the Bible calls, “The Godhead” (Col. 2:9) and we believe that the full comprehension of this wonderful union is a mystery (Mark 4:11; Rom. 16:25; Col. 1:26).
4.We believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in substance and purpose, but are different in position and authority (John 14:28; 16:7). We do not believe that the Father and the Son are the same person or that the Holy Spirit is just the force of God – for we see that the Bible makes clear distinctions between each of them, and they are eternally three different wonderful revelations of the one true and living God. Therefore, we adhere with all our hearts to what Bible historians have called, “the Doctrine of the Trinity” (Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22).
Jesus
5. We believe that Jesus was both fully human, and fully God (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:15). That he is the expressed “image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). That he is to be worshipped, praised and adored (along with the Father) not only for what He has done, but for who He is – the Son of God and God the Son (Rev. 5:8-9).
6.We believe that Jesus was born when “the Word became flesh”, and that He was born to a virgin – to one who had never known a man (John 1:14; Matt. 1:18). He completely fulfilled all righteousness and the Law, was tempted but never once yielded and never sinned (Mal. 3:15; 5:17; 4:1; Heb. 4:15)
7. We believe that men rejected Him, and therefore rejected His Father (Luke 10:16), and the forgiveness His Father offered (John 3:18-19). We believe that He suffered a cruel and horrible death by crucifixion on a cross and that He became the great sacrifice of God “to take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
8. We believe that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, “(I Cor. 15:3-4), that He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (2 Peter 2:24), and when the great work of atonement was done on the cross He cried out “It is finished” (John 19:30), and dismissed His spirit (Luke 23:46; John 10:17-18).
9. We believe that He rose from the tomb on the third day in triumph over Satan, hell and death, winning the position and name above all others, so that no one can be saved by any other way, or by any other name other than Jesus’ (Phil. 2:9-11; Acts 4:12).
10. We believe that Jesus appeared to over 500 witnesses at once, and then ascended to the right hand of the Father to make constant intercession for His Chosen ones (I Cor. 15:6; Mark 16:9; Heb. 7:25).
Peace with God
11. We believe that salvation is a free gift by God’s grace (but that this gift although free, is not cheap – for it cost God the life of His own beloved Son (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8; I John 1:9).
12. We believe that one is saved only by faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and that if this faith is real it will produce repentance – which is a change of mind and heart concerning sin and everything not pleasing to God – that results in a total change of actions and deeds (Acts 2:37-38; Matt. 3:8; James 2:14,26). We believe that repentance is not optional, but necessary proof that one has true “faith that leads to eternal life” (Luke 13:1-5).
The Holy Spirit
13. We believe that He promised and sent into the world the Holy Spirit, to both convict the world of sin, and to empower true believers to be good and faithful witnesses to His glory and purpose (John 16:8; Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).
14. We believe that every believer needs to be empowered by this same Holy Spirit every day, and that without this Spirit we can never have the greatest gift of God to every believer (after salvation) – holiness (Heb. 12:14; I Peter 1:16).
15. We believe that the evidence of “the baptism of the Spirit” mentioned in Acts will be made manifest(1 Cor. 12:7)by a deeper desire to praise God, a life that is honoring to God(Acts 5:8-9,1 Cor.13:1-3)a deeper understanding of His Word, a greater concern for those who are not followers of Jesus, a deeper hunger for prayer, and a life marked by love—for God ,for others, and for ourselves(Mark 12:30-31)
16.We believe that all the spiritual gifts mentioned in I Cor 12-14 are still operational today for the building up of the body of Christ, that they are given by God Himself(1 Cor 12:11) and that they are not for personal attention or esteem(1Cor 12:7).
Spiritual Beings
17.We believe that the references in the Bible to demons or possession are not referring to psychological disorders(this is not saying however that all erratic behavior in individuals is demonic—there are also cases caused by psychological problems or chemical brain imbalances—medical investigation and spiritual discernment are required) but to actual encounters with fallen angels(spiritual beings) as we are still involved today in spiritual warfare(Eph 6:12)for which we are to be prepared(Eph 6:13-18)but in which we have already received the spiritual victory(1John 1:4).Jesus had such encounters with possessed individuals(Mark 1:21-28,Matt 12:22-29,Matt 8:28-34,Matt 15:21-28,Matt 17:21-28/Mark 9:14-29/Luke 9:37-43a —a careful reading of all 3 biblical passages shows this is more than an epileptic condition, Luke 13:10-17)as did the apostle Paul(Acts 16:16-18).
18.We believe that angels are actual created spiritual beings who as messengers of God are sent to warn and protect the people of God(Psalm 91:11), to implement future judgement(Rev 9,15)and to worship God(Rev 7:11,19:1-3).They are not to be worshipped—they are less than humans(1Cor 6:3) –or looked to as sources of additional spiritual teaching that is contrary to God’s Word.
Christian Practices
19.We believe that giving offerings to God is not an option (Matt 6:1-4), and is to be done not under compulsion, but in the spirit of cheerfulness as a gift to God in appreciation for what He has already done for us.(2 Cor 9:6-15).
20.We believe that prayer—talking to God– is not an option (Matt 6:5-8),but a practice that should be cultivated daily(1 Thess 5:17)in an attitude of thankfulness(Phil 4:6-7).
21.We believe that sharing our faith is not an option—we have been called to share what God has done in our life everywhere (Acts 1:8,Matt 28:18-20)to anyone we encounter(1 Pet 3:15)as His ambassadors(2 Cor. 5:20).
22. We believe that marriage is a holy institution created by God as a union between one man and one woman according to the Bible (Genesis 2:23, 24).
23.We believe in the practices for believers of the ordinances of communion as a remembrance of Jesus death on the cross(1 Cor 11:23-26) and believers baptism(Acts 2:41-44,5:14,8:12,18:8) by immersion symbolizing the new birth in Christ(John 3:3-8) .
24. Fasting is a form of spiritual discipline often linked to prayer. It can vary in time (part day,all day,several days) and type(denial of all food or only some food). It is not an option (Matt 6:16) for those medically able to fast, as Jesus said “When you fast”, Not If You Fast.
The Future Hope
25. We believe that Jesus Christ will physically again return to the earth “coming on the clouds with great power and glory along with great multitudes of His saints” (Matt. 24:27, 30; I Thess. 3:13). This time, though, He will not be coming to save the world but He will be coming to judge the world for their sins and avenge the blood of those who have been slain for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God (Rev. 6:9-10; 19:11-16; 20:4).
THE CONSTITUTION OF BRITANNIA BAPTIST CHURCH
ARTICLE I + NAME
This Church shall be known as Britannia Baptist Church of Ottawa, Ontario.
ARTICLE II + AFFILIATION
This Church is a member of the Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC).
ARTICLE III–OBJECTIVES
1. To provide to anyone a means to learn about the Christian faith especially that of the Baptist persuasion.
2. To provide for those who are Christian a way to adapt Biblical principles to everyday life.
3. To provide supplementary material items such as food or clothing as a way to help those who are in need in the community.
ARTICLE IV = MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership in this Church shall be open to those who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord , have been baptized by immersion (believer’s baptism), are willing to commit themselves to live in obedience to His word as revealed in Scripture, and are in agreement with our covenant, this constitution and our statement of faith.
ARTICLE V = ORDINANCES
1. The ordinance of believers baptism shall be administered to candidates who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and given evidence of a personal Christian experience, and have been duly accepted by the Church for baptism .
2. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly, and faithful attendance at its observance is expected of all members, as far as possible. We welcome fellow Christians to share the Table of our Lord with us as long as they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour.
ARTICLE VI = OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
1. Preamble
The ministry of this Church shall be the responsibility of the membership as a whole through an Annual General Meeting and any other business meetings as needed, with any positions, boards or committees being appointed as needed to help the Church conduct its daily affairs.
2. Conditions of Office
All persons who hold any elected office must be a member of the Church in good standing.
a) The Pastor shall be in agreement with the covenant, statement of beliefs and this constitution
b. The Treasurer shall be elected annually
c. The Youth Activities Coordinator shall be elected annually
c. Future boards and committees will be formed as needed as the church grows in size.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
1. The annual meeting of the Church will be held not later than the end of March. A twenty percent (20%) attendance of the total membership being a quorum.
2 The Church may hold additional meetings at any time during the year as deemed necessary
3. Anniversary services shall be held on the nearest Sunday to September 20th
4. While adherents are welcome at church business meetings only members may vote
No Voting may be done by proxy
ARTICLE VIII -SPECIAL COMMITTEES
To be appointed as needed
ARTICLE IX = AUXIIIARY ORGANIZATIONS
To be appointed as needed.
ARTICLE X = MISCELLANEOUS
1. Presentation at associations and Conventions;
Delegates shall be appointed to represent the Church at meetings of the Association and Convention. Delegates shall report on the life and work of the Church shall cooperate with other delegates to plans for advancing the Kingdom of God and shall report at a Church meeting of the program and projects presented and approved by the Association and Convention
2. All business meetings shall be conducted according to the rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE XI = AMENDMENTS
1 Any article or section of any article of the Constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE XII = POWER TO INCUR DEBT AND BORROWING
No person shall have the power to incur any debt in the name of the Church without the approval of the Church membership as a whole.
ARTICLE XIII = FINANCIAL SUPPORT
1. The Church shall be supported as far as may be possible through the regular weekly givings of its members.
2. The missionary enterprises of the Church and of the denomination shall be similarly supported.
3. Special offerings may be taken as well
4. The Britannia Baptist Church shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members, and any other profits or accretions to Britannia Baptist Church shall be used in promoting the Church’s objectives.
ARTICLE XIV–References
All references in this document using male pronouns or other terms are to be construed as including both male and female.
ARTICLE XV—Dissolution
In the event that Britannia Baptist Church is closed(dissolved)all assets will be given to another charity in good standing .In the event that Britannia Baptist Church is facing winding up or dissolution all its remaining assets after payment of its debts will be distributed to one or more qualified donees.
ARTICLE XVI = Moving/Relocation
In the event that Britannia Baptist Church has to re-locate outside of the Britannia area of Ottawa in order to obtain larger facilities, every attempt will be made to maintain an on-going presence in the Britannia area.