BYLAWS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WAYNESVILLE

PREAMBLE
For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our Faith, and to the end that this body be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of missionary Baptist churches affiliated with the Haywood Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention and for the purposes of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the set forth the relationship of this body to other bodies of the same Faith and Order, we do declare and establish these Bylaws.

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this body shall be First Baptist Church of Waynesville, located in Waynesville. North Carolina.

ARTICLE II - FAITH
This church accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as our rule of faith and practice.

ARTICLE III - POLITY AND RELATIONSHIPS
The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical political body or bodies.
We recognize that there is mutual helpfulness in the association of churches who are in such agreement in faith and practice as to encourage the spirit of fellowship and good will. We also recognize that there have been devised, through the voluntary cooperation of the churches of like faith and order, organizations whose purpose it is to implement the missionary, educational, and benevolent interests and obligations of the individual Christian and his church family.
We believe that the Haywood Baptist Association, the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention have as their purposes the promotion and support of missions, education and benevolences in keeping with the spirit of these Bylaws and the Purposes of this church. This church agrees to participate in these organizations through its duly elected messengers and by supporting the purposes which these organizations represent.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has also been organized for the purposes of the other organizations herein named, and, therefore, shall afford the members of this church who choose to do so the opportunity to support the causes of said Fellowship.

ARTICLE IV - PURPOSES
The purpose of the church are to advance and promote the worship of God; engage in and promote the study of the Holy Scriptures as the Divinely Inspired Word of God; advance the gospel of Jesus Christ by preaching, evangelism, teaching and the administration of the ordinances of the church; create and enable Christian fellowship as a nurturing and discipline function of the church; promote the biblical principles of justice and righteousness in personal, social, community and national life; carry on the work of the church in all its spiritual, benevolent, educational, philanthropic, civil and social aspects and activities; promote the spiritual welfare of all persons and to disseminate the Word of God to the people of all nations through evangelistic, educational and charitable missions; and organize and maintain such ministries and divisions, including but not limited to, schools, day care centers, relief programs and social services and other programs authorized by law which will promote and advance the religious purposes set forth herein.
(For a complete document, call the church office, 456-9465)

OUR SPIRIT IN BELIEFS
In essential beliefs -- we have unity.
"There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all..." Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs -- we have liberty.
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs -- we show charity.
"...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains -- but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." I Corinthians 13:2

OUR CORE VALUES (Essentials of Beliefs)
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient truly believes." (Dietrich Bohoeffer Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following beliefs:

1. One God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

2. Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

3. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

4. The Bible as our Sole Authority
"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right." 2 Timothy 3:16
Since God's word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. Everyone should read the Bible for themselves.
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is the story of God revealing himself to people, it is also our story of grace. In a progressive revelation, God is shown to be a benevolent and caring Lord who loves His creation and children so much that He would not let our rebellion keep us away. He sent His Son, Jesus, to show us in the flesh what God is like and to be the bridge between divinity and humanity.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

5. Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

6. Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
"For now we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and we who have been baptized into union with Christ are enveloped by Him. We are no longer Jews or Gentiles, or slaves of free men, or even merely men or women, but we are all the same -- we are Christians; we are one in Jesus Christ!" Galatians 3:26-28 (LB)