Constitution
Highlands Baptist Church

Preamble

Since the Bible admonishes us stating “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40), we, a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, placing our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, following the teachings and practices of Baptists, which include baptism by immersion, those great distinctive principles for which they have ever stood, and accepting the whole Bible as our authoritative rule of faith and practice, do solemnly band ourselves together as a New Testament Church, and adopt for our government and plan of worship the following Constitution by which we willingly and cheerfully agree to be governed.

ARTICLE I
~Name ~

The name of this church shall be Highlands Baptist Church of Centennial, located at 1510 East Phillips Avenue, Centennial, Arapahoe County, Colorado, and is incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado.

ARTICLE II
~ Purpose ~

The purpose of this church shall be to carry out the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has made the Church to be His earthly Body. We shall do this by:

1.    Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together-- Hebrews 10:25;
2.    Observing His ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper--Matthew 28:18-20; I Corinthians 11:26;
3.    Edifying His people through sound Bible preaching and teaching--Ephesians 4:11-16;
4.    Witnessing for Him in our community and to the fullest possible extent throughout the whole world--Matthew 28:18-20;
5.    Spreading the gospel through means of public worship, literature, radio, television, and any other means suitable and appropriate for this purpose--Acts 1:8; 6 Training children and families in Bible doctrine, philosophy, and practice--Proverbs 22:6.

By this it is expressly intended that the church is authorized to engage in any activity in pursuit of the above enumerated purposes in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, whether said activity is generally recognized as a function of the traditional church or not. Such activities may include but are not limited to the establishment of Christian schools, nursing homes, hospitals, rescue missions, day-care centers, camps, sister churches, mission churches, and other such programs as will promote the purposes of Highlands Baptist Church. It is further intended that any such activities or any other activities which may evolve under the sponsorship of the church shall be under the direction of the Pastor and Board of Deacons in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws of Highlands Baptist Church.

ARTICLE III
~ Statement of Faith ~

Section A – Doctrine of Inspiration
We believe the Bible is the verbally (every word), the plenary (completely), and infallibly (without error) inspired Word of God as contained in the original manuscripts; that all portions of Scripture are equally inspired and contain no contradiction; that the Scriptures are to be the only rule of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ; that the Word of God is alive and effective in working in the heart of man; and that the Canon, the sixty-six books of the Bible, is complete - nothing shall be added to it nor taken from it. II Timothy 3:16, 17; Hebrews 1:1; 4:12; II Peter 1:20; Revelation 22:19.

Section B – Doctrine of God
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three Persons--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that these three are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfections; and that they are worthy of the same praise, confidence, and obedience.
We believe that God the Father is Eternal, Immutable (unchanging), and spiritual in nature. Matthew 3:16, 17; John 4:24; 14:16; I John 5:7; Exodus 4:14.

Section C – Doctrine of Christ
We believe in the essential deity and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, not having human father, and is true God and true man; that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day for our sins according to the Scriptures; that His return for His Church, the Body of Christ, which He will take with Him into Heaven is imminent; and that He will come to this earth to set up His millennial reign. Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-4, 14; 10:30; 14:16; I Timothy 2:5, 6; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:4-6.

Section D – Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit to be coequal with the Father and the Son; that He is a person; that He convicts sinners and regenerates, sanctifies, indwells, seals, fills, empowers, comforts and guides the believer. John 14:16; 16:7- 13; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 5:8.

Section E – Doctrine of Man
We believe that God created man on the sixth literal day of creation in His own image; that man sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is conscious and eternal separation from God; that as a result of this fall all men are born with a sinful nature, evidenced by sinful acts; that man is totally depraved; and that if he is not born again, he is eternally lost. Genesis 1:26, 27; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 16:23; Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:21, 22; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8

Section F – Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that salvation is the work of Christ; that it is a free gift offered to all who will personally, by faith, accept Christ’s blood atonement for their sin; that salvation places a man in a direct personal relationship with God; that it saves men from the past penalty of sin, the present power of sin, and in the future from the very presence of sin; that it gives man the power to live a victorious life over sin; that the believer is eternally secure in Christ; that at death the believer is immediately in the presence of God; and that at the rapture all believers will spend eternity in heaven with a new glorified body in perfect fellowship with God.
We further believe that at death the fate of the unbeliever is eternally sealed; and that there is an appointed day for the judgment of the wicked when they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to remain in everlasting conscious punishment and torment. John 1:12; 5:24; 10:28, 29; Romans 6:23; 8:19-23; II Corinthians 5:8, 21; Ephesians 2:8, 9; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25; 9:27; II Peter 2:9; I John 3:2; 5:17; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8.

Section G – Doctrine of the Church
We believe that the local church is an autonomous group of believers baptized by immersion; that its members meet regularly for fellowship, exhortation, worship, evangelism, and preaching and teaching; and that the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
We further believe that the local church is organized and has for its officers pastors, deacons, and other such leaders as God has given; that its members observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper and that they carry out the Great Commission. Acts 2:1, 41, 47; I Corinthians 11:23, 24; 12:13; I Timothy 3:1-8, 8-13, 15; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 28:18-20.

Section H – Doctrine of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person; that he is a created being who sinned and became the arch enemy of God and His creation; that he is the chief adversary of God’s children; that he seeks to keep men from the Lord, and to weaken the testimony of Christians; that he is very strong but not omnipotent and can be overcome by the power of God; that he has at his command a great host of fallen angels and demons to carry out his purposes; and that his doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever and ever. Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 25:41; I Peter 5:8; James 4:7; Revelation 12:10; 21:1- 8.

Section I – Doctrine of Last Things
We believe there will be a resurrection of all, first the just at the coming of Jesus Christ, and finally the unjust after the millennium; that the saved are raised to be forever with the Lord; and that the unsaved will be confined for eternity in the Lake of Fire.

We further believe that the next event on God’ s calendar is the rapture--that “Blessed Hope” which is the
personal, bodily, pre-tribulational, pre-millenial, and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour for His Church; which will be followed by the tribulation and later His return to the earth in power and glory with His saints to set up a thousand year reign called the millennium; followed by the Great White Throne Judgment and Eternity. Daniel 12:2; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9, 11; 24:15; I Corinthians 15:51-58; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I John 3:12; Revelation 4:1, 2; 21:1-8.

Section J – Doctrine of Separation
We believe that God expects Christians to be holy (set apart for His use); that at salvation man is made a new creation and the old way of life passes away; and that God expects Christians to continue putting off the old way of life and putting on the new.
We believe that each Christian is responsible to forsake all worldly (sinful) practices; should not love the world or the things in the world; and should walk in this world with a holy, consistent, Christian testimony.
We further believe that the church is mandated by Scripture to abstain from all forms of compromise with unbelief; that believers are commanded to fellowship only with those churches which follow Scriptural methods; that this mandate means complete separation from all forms of Modernism, including the World and National Council of Churches; and that the church should enjoy fellowship with churches of like faith and practice, but have no part in any movement, or cooperative effort that is ecumenical in nature and direction. II Corinthians 5:17; 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 4:22-24; II Thessalonians 3:14, 15; Titus 3:10; I John 2:14, 15.

Section K – Doctrine of Christian Practice
We believe that every Christian is responsible to maintain family and personal devotions; to religiously educate his children; to seek the salvation of his kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to maintain
a Christian testimony; to be just in his dealings; faithful in his engagements, and exemplary in his deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to abstain from the improper use and sale of drugs; and to abstain from any immorality and all forms of pornography.
We further believe that each member should be zealous in his efforts to advance the Kingdom of the Saviour; should promote the prosperity and spirituality of this church; should cheerfully support it in regular tithes and offerings; should sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine.
We further believe that members should strive to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech, to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay; and to, as soon as possible, if they remove from this place, unite with some other church of like faith and practice and thereby continue living a testimony for Christ and living the principles of God’s Word. Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 20:1; 22:6; 31:4; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 5:27, 28; Romans 10:1; Galatians 4:18; 6:1, 2; Ephesians 4:25, 26; 5:15-18; Hebrews 10:25.

ARTICLE IV

~ Autonomy ~

The government and administration of this Church are vested in the body of believers who compose its membership. They are subject to the control of no outside ecclesiastical organization. However, this Church recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Churches of like faith and practice, so long as the independence and autonomy of this Church is maintained.

ARTICLE V
~ Membership ~

Any person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord, who shows evidence of the new life in Christ, who has, in accordance with our Lord’s commands and example, been baptized by immersion upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ, and who is in agreement with the faith and practices as stated in the constitution, shall be eligible for membership in accordance with Article I of the Bylaws of Highlands Baptist Church.

ARTICLE VI
~ Church Meetings ~

The church shall conduct such meeting as are deemed necessary and desirable for public worship, prayer, evangelism, and promotional work of Christian education and missions, and the general work of the Gospel. Regular worship services of the church shall be held on Sunday plus a Bible study and prayer meeting held during the week.
Business of the church may be transacted at any of the regular church services or at such other special meetings designated by the Pastor and/or Deacons for that purpose. The regular Annual Business Meeting of the church, held for the purpose of the election of the deacons and officers, shall be held at the church in January or at such other place and time as may be designated by the Pastor and/or the Deacons.

ARTICLE VII
~ Amendments ~

This Constitution may be amended or repealed, or a new constitution may be made and adopted upon the recommendation of the Deacons by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum at any regular business meeting or special meeting
called for the purpose, provided that notice of the time and nature of the meeting be announced during the three consecutive Sunday services immediately preceding the meeting and provided further that copies of the proposed changes be made available for inspection by the membership in a reasonable manner.