The Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures

The Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the infallible Word of God. They were written by holy people of God inspired by the Holy Spirit and have supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

The Sinfulness of People

People were made in the image of God and for fellowship with God. By transgression of God’s command humankind fell from fellowship with God and their nature was corrupted. As a consequence all people are spiritually dead under Satan’s dominion and control and subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Therefore, apart from God’s grace, people are helpless and hopeless.

Christ’s Atonement for Human Sin

In order to redeem people from the guilt, penalty and power of sin, Jesus Christ became human and died a sacrificial death as our representative substitute. By His resurrection, God’s acceptance of His atoning death was demonstrated. This atonement is sufficient for the whole world, but effective only in those who receive it. The sinner is justified and reconciled to God, not through any personal merit, but solely on the basis of God’s gracious gift of salvation in Jesus Christ received through faith.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation 

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the acceptance of God’s provision of salvation. The Holy Spirit convinces sinners of their sinfulness, leads them to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and so brings them to spiritual birth as God’s children and to fellowship in Christ. Working within the life of believers the Holy Spirit makes real the presence of Christ, witnesses to their relationship with God, leads into all truth, bestows gifts for effective service and produces graces for holy living.

The Church 

The Church is the body of people whom God has separated from the world through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. All regenerate persons are members of the universal Church of God which takes local form wherever groups of believers unite for worship, fellowship and service in accordance with scriptural principles. All believers are called to a priestly ministry in the offering of spiritual sacrifices and sent into the world to be witnesses. God calls individuals to positions of oversight and leadership or to special ministries. The Church recognises such by ordaining pastors, commissioning missionaries, appointing deacons and other leaders, following New Testament practice.

The Baptism of Believers Only by Immersion

Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In accordance with New Testament Scripture it should be administered only by total immersion which symbolises the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection, the remission of sins and the believer’s dedication of himself to God to live and walk in newness of life.

The Communion

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ instituted by Him to be celebrated with the elements of bread and wine by believers in Christ until the end of the age. It commemorates and declares our thanks for the Lord’s substitutionary death. The celebration of the ordinance expresses our fellowship with and in the Lord Jesus Christ as members of the Body of which He is the Head.

The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

At the end of this age, according to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in His glory to the earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom of God awaits His return.

The Resurrection of the Dead

At the end of the age, there is to be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous. After death people’s bodies return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God – the righteous to be with Him and the unrighteous to be reserved for the judgment.

Rewards and Punishments in a Future State

God has appointed a day of final judgement for the world. At that time Jesus Christ will judge every person and each will receive reward or punishment according to their deeds. Those judged righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment.

6             DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION

The Church shall be affiliated with the Association of Baptist Churches NSW and ACT, and shall in general foster and support the ministries of the Association. Trustees of all Church property shall be the Baptist Union of New South Wales. In any matter of dispute that cannot be resolved by the Church membership, the matter shall be referred to the appropriate committee of the Baptist Union of New South Wales for arbitration.

7             DECISION MAKING

7.1           Christian Character

Decision making should be carried out with brotherly love, mutual submission and a desire to know the will of God.

7.2           Church Family Meeting

Final authority to make decisions affecting the life, ministry and worship of the Church is vested in the body of believers meeting together in a properly constituted meeting. At least two such meetings shall be held each year. Meetings may be called by the Elders or requisitioned by any five active members who give written and signed notice to the Pastor or Elders at least three Sundays before the meeting is to be held.

To be properly constituted, notice of a meeting including time and venue must have been given on two preceding Sundays either in writing to all members or by announcement at all (and at least one) services of worship on each Sunday.

7.3           Minimum Number

The minimum number for such a meeting to be properly constituted shall be twelve active members or one fourth of the active membership, whichever is the least.

However when there are insufficient members to form a quorum the meeting shall be adjourned for one week. The adjourned meeting shall be held on the same day, venue and time and shall be announced at all (and at least one) services of worship an the Sunday preceding the meeting. The adjourned meeting shall have authority to transact the adjourned matters if there are at least two active members present. Chairman of the Church Family Meeting

The Eldership shall appoint a suitable man or woman as chairman for each meeting.

7.4           Voting Eligibility at Church Family Meetings

In matters where a formal vote is deemed necessary by the Chairman of the meeting, voting shall be restricted to active members. In matters connected with the acquisition, mortgaging or disposal of real property, the voting shall be in compliance with that prescribed by the Baptist Union Incorporation Act. Because decisions are discerned by the gathered community represented in the Church family meeting proxy voting will not be permitted.

7.5           Leaders

The Church shall recognise and set apart as Pastors and Elders those who are seen to be given gifts of leadership and ministry by the Spirit and who have been called by Christ to exercise pastoral guidance. Such are to be honoured.(4) If the Church does not have a pastor or elder, the Church shall approach the Association of Baptist Churches NSW and ACT to appoint a moderator.

The Principal of Regents Park Christian School shall be a member of the Church and recognised as a church leader in respect to his/her position within the school.

The Church shall also recognise and set apart Deacons and other leaders as the Church Meeting shall prescribe and as are set down in the Church Guidelines. All leaders are to act as servants as Christ taught.(5)

7.6           Appointment of Pastors and Elders

Written notice of any proposed appointment of Pastors or Elders must be given and announcements of the notice made at all (and at least one) worship services on the two Sundays preceding a Church Family Meeting. Appointments can only proceed when at least half of the active members are in attendance at the Church Family Meeting and the affirmation of at least three quarters of those members is received.

7.7           Dismissal of Pastors and Elders

Written notice of any proposed dismissal of Pastors or Elders must be given and announcements of the notice made at all (and at least one) worship services on the two Sundays preceding a Church Family Meeting. Dismissals can only proceed when at least half of the active members are in attendance at the Church Family Meeting. The resolution of at least three quarters of those members is required to dismiss a Pastor who is materially supported by the Church. Dismissal of other elders requires a majority resolution of those members. Where serious misconduct is charged against a Pastor or Elder, the Eldership may suspend the accused leader from ministry in the Church without loss of material support until a properly constituted Church Family Meeting is able to deal with the matter under the conditions detailed in this subsection. The eldership shall ensure that in all cases Pastors, and Eiders, shall have access to any charges brought against them. All criticism of leaders should be dealt with according to Scripture.(6)

7.8           Appointment and Dismissal of Principal of Regents Park Christian School (RPCS)

The appointment of the Principal of Regents Park Christian School must be confirmed by a properly constituted meeting of the Church prior to his or her appointment. Any move to remove the Principal of RPCS from membership of the Church or to withdraw his or her endorsement by the Church shall require written notice to be given and announcements of the notice made at all (and at least one) worship service on the two Sundays preceding a Church family meeting where at least half of the active members are present. A resolution of at least three quarters of those members is required. Where serious misconduct is charged against a Principal of RPCS the eldership may suspend him or her from ministry within the church until the School Board and a properly constituted Church meeting is able to deal with the matter under the conditions detailed in this subsection. The eldership shall ensure that the Principal shall have access to any changes brought against him or her. All criticisms of leaders should be dealt with according to Scripture.(7)

8             CHURCH GUIDELINES

Church Guidelines exist to guide and protect the Church.

8.1           Specific Topics

The Church may include Guidelines on any relevant theme. The following shall be included at all times:

8.1.1      Admission of Members

8.1.2      Church Ordinances

8.1.3      Church Leaders

8.1.4      Pastoral Care of Ministry Groups

8.1.5      Finances

8.1.6      Property

8.1.7      Liaison between the Church and Regents Park Christian School

8.2           Alterations

The Church Family Meeting shall have authority to include additional Church Guidelines and delete or alter existing guidelines. Notice of such changes must be given at all services on the preceding two Sundays and written details of the changes are made available. A majority of two thirds of those present and eligible to vote shall be required for all such changes.

9             ALTERATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION

9.1           Notice of Alteration

Written details of proposed alterations to the constitution must be given in time for prayerful discussion. Notice needs to be given at all services of worship on at least the four preceding Sundays.

9.2           Minimum Number

The minimum number in attendance at meetings where an alteration to the Constitution is to be considered shall be one third of the active membership.

9.3           Required Majority

No alteration shall be made to the Constitution unless approved by three fourths of the members present and eligible to vote at a meeting properly convened for the purpose.

Notes