We, the members of Antioch Community Church adopt the following as our constitution.

The name of this church shall be Antioch Community Church.

Antioch Community Church adopted this constitution not as a substitute for, but in subordination to, the Word of God. These standards have been received as being based upon the Scriptures; even the elements not drawn directly from the Word have been acknowledged as based upon the general rules and tenor of the application of the teaching of Scriptures to the faith, worship, government and discipline of the church. Although these standards have been acknowledged to be of lesser importance than the inspired words of Scriptures, yet they cannot be neglected without resulting in serious impairment of the life of the church. Antioch Community Church, governed by a Council of Elders, acknowledges the nature and quality of that rule to be in the form of servant leadership. That leadership seeks to act on behalf of their Lord, to live and lead according to His will, to care for the body as shepherds, and demonstrate the power and presence of the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ. “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God.” NKJV (Colossians 1:24, 25)

1. WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURE: accepting fully the writings of the Old and New Testaments as the inerrant Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts and therefore altogether sufficient as our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5a; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21.
2. WE BELIEVE IN THE ONE TRUE GOD: who is an intelligent, sovereign, spiritual and personal Being perfect, infinite, and eternal in His being, holiness and love, wisdom and power; absolutely separate from and above the world as its Creator, yet everywhere present in the world as the Upholder of all things. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons but without division of nature, essence or being, and each having a distinct ministry in God’s relation to His creation and people. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18; Psalm 139:7-9; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; John 15:26.
3. WE BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: who is the second Person of the Triune God, the eternal Word and Only Begotten Son; that without any change in His divine Person, He became man by miracle of the Virgin Birth, thus to continue forever as both true God and true Man, one Person with two natures; that as Man He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin; that as the perfect Lamb of God He gave Himself in death upon the cross, bearing there the sin of the world, and suffering its full penalty of divine wrath in our stead; that He arose from the grave in a glorified body; that as our great High Priest He ascended into heaven, there to appear before the face of God as our advocate and Intercessor. John 1:1, 14; John 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:6-10; I Corinthians 15:3-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; I John 2:1-2.
4. WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: who is the Third Person of the Trinity; and the living Agent in nature, revelation and redemption; that He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment; that He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals and anoints all who become children of God through Christ; that He further empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies and fills believers who daily surrender to Him. John 3:5; John 14:16,17,26; John 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:18.
5. WE BELIEVE ALL MEN BY NATURE AND CHOICE SINFUL AND LOST: that man was the direct creation of God, made in His image and likeness; that by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature, in both nature and practice, thus alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:11.
6. WE BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH: that salvation is the free gift of God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all true believers have as a present possession the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, sonship in the family of God, deliverance and security from all condemnation, and every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish; that this salvation affects the whole man; that apart from Christ there is no possible salvation. Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; John 1:12; John 3:14; John 10:28,29; Romans 8:1; Philippians 1:6.
7. WE BELIEVE IN RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND GODLY WORKS: not as a means of salvation in any sense, but as its proper evidence and fruit; and therefore as Christians we should obey the Word of our Lord, seek the things which are above, walk as he walked, accept as our solemn responsibility the duty and privileges of bearing the Gospel to a lost world; remembering that a victorious and fruitful Christian life is possible only for those who in gratitude for the infinite and undeserved mercies of God have presented themselves wholly to Christ. Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1,2; Philippians 2:16.
8. WE BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN: who originally was created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition rebelled against God, thus becoming utterly depraved in character, the great adversary of God and His people, leader of all other evil angels and wicked spirits, the deceiver and god of this present world: that his powers are vast, but strictly limited by the permissive will of God who overrules all his wicked devices for good; that he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final doom is certain; that we are able to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God, by the blood of the Lamb and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Revelation 12:9-11; Revelation 20:10.
9. WE BELIEVE IN OUR LORD’S PERSONAL, IMMINENT RETURN: for His redeemed ones and His coming in glory to judge the rebellious and to establish His reign on earth. John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 15:51,52; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 1:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; II Thessalonians 2:7-10; Matthew 24:29-31; Zechariah 14:4-11.
10. WE BELIEVE IN THE ETERNAL LIFE: and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the eternal conscious punishment of the lost. John 1:5; Jude 24; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:42-48; Revelation 20:11-15.
11. WE BELIEVE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS: that Christ is our Great High Priest and through Him every born-again person has direct access into God’s presence without the need of a human priest; that the believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the Scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit. John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; II Timothy 2:15; I Peter 2:1,5,9.
12. WE BELIEVE IN THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST: that He alone is Head of the Body of Christ, into which all true believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit; that all members of this one spiritual body should assemble and identify themselves in local churches. I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 4:11-15; Galatians 1:22.
13. WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: that a Christian church is a local assembly of born-again baptized believers united in organization to practice the ordinance, to meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching and a united testimony, and to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission. Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 28:19-20.
14. WE BELIEVE IN THE INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: that each Christian church is free to govern itself without ecclesiastical interference, and should cooperate with other Christian churches as the Holy Spirit leads, that it is responsible to follow the pattern of the Christian church and is directly accountable to God. Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:1-5; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 15:22-23.
15. WE BELIEVE THE ORDINANCES GIVEN TO THE LOCAL CHURCH ARE TWO, BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER: that baptism is by immersion of believers in water, thus portraying the death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ; that the Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the bread and cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:38-39; Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-34.

1. Applicants for membership in this local, visible church, whether they come upon profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or by letter of transfer from other Christian churches, shall become members after having met with the Pastor or elders and communicated their desire to join and give assurance of their salvation and that they are not leaving another church with unresolved conflicts.
2. Members are expected to strive conscientiously to live according to the light given to them by the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, and to support wholeheartedly the services and activities of the church. They are expected to minister to and to accept ministry from one another.
3. It is right and in harmony with Scriptures to exclude from this membership any person who holds a false or heretical doctrine or who lives inconsistently with a Christian profession (Gal. 1:8-9), or in violation of the law of public morals or who walks disorderly (II Thes. 3:6-11) or any person who would disturb the unity and peace of the church (I Cor. 5:11). The elders shall be charged with the responsibility of dealing with such persons.

ARTICLE 5
Christian Life

1. Each member is exhorted in his daily walk and conduct to live in loyal obedience to all the moral and spiritual teaching laid down in the Word of God (Rom. 6:11-13; Rom. 8:2, 4, 12, 13; Gal. 5:13-23; Eph. 4:22-32). The Word of God calls upon the child of God to refrain from the carnal indulgences of this world, and clearly teaches that Christians should not marry or enter entangling alliances with non-Christians.
2. In conformity to the Word of God, and without adding thereto any rules binding the conscience, we do hereby urge our membership to lead a holy life separated from sin, and to live their testimony uncompromisingly against all forms of sin.

ARTICLE 6
The Undershepherds

1. The Pastor of the church shall be chosen by the Elders for an indefinite period of time (unless otherwise specified in the call). A Pastoral Committee, consisting of 2 Elders, 2 Deacons, and 2 members of the congregation shall be chosen by the Council of Elders and shall conduct a search to fill any vacancy in the pastorate. This committee will make a recommendation to the Council of Elders, who will then decide to accept or reject the recommendation. All decisions of the Elders will be by unanimous consent.
2. Any assistant pastor or addition to the staff shall be chosen by the Pastor with approval by the Council of Elders for a period of time determined by the Elders. The salary shall be set by the Elders. The Pastor’s salary will be set by the Elders, and will include a reasonable housing allowance, salary and health insurance package. Any other changes in the staff members’ remuneration shall be determined by the Elders and be included in the annual budget.
3. The Elders shall have general oversight of the spiritual life, regular services and ministration of the sacraments of the church, and ordination and installment of officers. If at any time any Elder’s personal belief, preaching or teaching should not be in full accord with the Articles of Faith of the church, that Elder shall undergo a review by the Council of Elders and termination of his services required if deemed necessary.
4. If it should appear to the Elders that the relations between the Pastor and the congregation have become such as to be detrimental to the welfare of the church, the relationship may be terminated by a unanimous decision of the Council of Elders. The Pastor shall then receive salary for a time set by the Council, and not less than 30 days.

ARTICLE 7
Church Government

• A. General
  1. Following the plan of the Scriptures the church shall have both Elders and Deacons. The Elders shall be known as the Council of Elders and the Deacons shall be called the Council of Deacons.
  2. Candidates for the office of Elder or Deacon shall in all points fulfill the requirements of I Timothy 3:1-16 to be eligible. They shall without reservation endorse the Articles of Faith and Christian life. There are many verses of Scripture that may be quoted, but we believe that if the following are adhered to, a man’s conduct will be above reproach.
     • I Peter 2:11 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”
     • I John 2:15-16 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life– is not of the Father, but is of the world.
     • I Corinthians 8:9 “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those that are weak.”
     • Titus 2:11-13 “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
  3. If at any time an Officer should change his views concerning the Articles of Faith or Christian life, he shall so state to the Council of Elders and if the Council should find that an Officer has changed his views and failed to advise them, he shall be automatically divested of office.
  4. Elders shall be elected by the Council of Elders. They shall be men who meet the qualifications of Scripture and who have a desire to shepherd the flock. After a time of prayerful consideration by the congregation, and if there is unanimous consent of the Elders, the Council will ordain those men whom they have chosen to serve.

Deacons must meet the qualifications of Scripture and have the desire to serve. They will be recommended for service by the Council of Elders, and after a time of prayerful consideration by the congregation, and if there is unanimous consent by the Elders, they will be appointed to serve.

• B. The Council of Elders
  1. Almighty God in His providence has permitted that different positions of His church should be governed in various ways, and has blessed bodies differently governed as His fruitful branches. Rejoicing in this fact and in no wise casting reflections upon bodies differently governed, we believe that government by Elders is founded upon and agreeable to the Word of God and practice of the early Christians and is highly expedient. (Acts 14:23; Acts 15:4; Acts 20:17; I Timothy 5:17,19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14)
  2. The government of the church, the ordination of elders, pastors or missionaries, the conduct of its business, the management of all its property, real and personal, the distribution of all funds, the supervision of its general work, its organizations, such as Sunday School, Young People, Missions, Men of the Church, Women’s Fellowship, etc., and branch works shall, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, be vested in the Council of Elders.
  3. The Pastor shall be considered “first among equals.”
  4. Committees shall be established by the Elders on an “as needed” basis.
  5. The Council of Elders is charged with the spiritual oversight of all members, and is vested with the authority to admonish, rebuke, suspend from office, or otherwise discipline as necessary to preserve the purity, peace and unity of the church, and to restore anyone who has fallen.
  6. The Pastor may occupy the pulpit without question; but if he should wish to bring in an outside speaker, he shall seek the advice and consent of the Elders.
• C. The Council of Deacons
  1. The Council of Deacons is responsible to the Council of Elders.
  2. The Deacons have the primary responsibility of initiating and administrating ministries of mercy, following the model of the first deacons found in Acts 6.
• D. The Trustees
  1. The real property of the church shall be owned irrevocably by the congregation of the church. Title to the property shall be held by Trustees numbering not less than three, not more than five; said Trustees to be elected by the Elders. In case of death, removal from the city, withdrawal of membership, or resignation of any Trustee, the Elders may elect a successor.

ARTICLE 8
Church Workers and Teachers

1. All church workers and teachers shall accept the Articles of Faith and Christian life.
2. All regular teachers in the church shall be members of the church and serve after endorsement by the Council of Elders.

ARTICLE 9
Ordination

1. Since it is our hope that Spirit-filled men will be called out from among us to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, such men may be ordained and commissioned into such ministry by unanimous consent of the Council of Elders.
2. The Council of Elders shall have the power to discipline, even to the revocation of ordination of any minister ordained under this Constitution, who, after a fair and impartial hearing before that same council, is found guilty of heresy or willful sin clearly forbidden by the Word of God.

ARTICLE 10
Finances

1. The work of the church is entirely dependent upon the prayers, personal services and gifts of the Lord’s people.
2. The members of the church will be encouraged to tithe, giving at least a tenth of their income to the work of the Lord at Antioch Community Church. Beyond the tithe each member is encouraged to give offerings unto the Lord, as He leads and where He directs.
3. The Council of Elders will determine the missions’ budget of the church, after prayerful consideration of recommendations made to them by the missions committee.