Constitution of Maranatha Baptist Church
Adopted 23 September, 1975
Preamble
We the members of the Maranatha Baptist Church of St. Robert, Missouri, hereby adopt the following constitution, which is based upon New Testament principles. This constitution is not a device of human wisdom and government. It is not a substitute for or an augment to the Word of God. It is simply to be a systematic review of the truths found in God's Word concerning His church. Its purpose is to ever keep before this assembly the doctrines, organizations, methods, and the procedures of fellowship and discipleship, as clearly taught in the New Testament. With such a guide we shall, by Gods grace, endeavor to practice Christianity in all of its phases, that we may carry on the Lord's work decently and in order.
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be: Maranatha Baptist Church, St. Robert, Missouri. It is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Missouri.
Article II: Purpose
Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a Baptist church in accordance with the Word of God, the articles of faith, the covenant and the constitution of this local church, promoting the worship of our God, edifying believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical discipline, seeking to win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the Gospel, carrying on a vigorous missionary program around the world, establishing other Baptist churches, defending the faith, and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.
Article III: Associations
This church shall be an independent, autonomous church, subject only to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. It has right to cooperate and associate with other Biblical groups on a voluntary basis. There shall be no cooperation with any group or individual that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy.
Article IV: Articles of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were inspired of God, that the original writings were inerrant and that they are of supreme and final authority.
II Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The True God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three pesons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 10:25-30
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
I and my Father are one.
1 John 5:5-7
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
