A Bill Of Essential Non-Negotiables

A BILL OF ESSENTIAL

NON-NEGOTIABLES

3-15-88

Words have meaning - what do they mean to you?  The word - Baptist - has meaning.

FOR MY CHURCH

DOCTRINE -

The Bible - All sufficient rule of faith!
Jesus Christ - The center of our Faith - not in men!
Trinitarian - Deity of Father, Son, & Holy Ghost
Creation as origin, not evolution, & man's fall!
Salvation by Grace - of Faith, not of works
Jesus - Virgin Birth, Atoning Death, Resurrection, Ascension, Return, and the              Rule of Jesus as King of Kings!
Baptism of Believers, Communion in remembrance of Him
Priesthood of Believers, All Equal before God!
Separation from Worldly practices because of New Birth!

Things I prefer in a church

Style - Balance of Evangelism with Teaching
Order of Service - Balance between Spontaneous and ritual
        Order of Service:
        Call to Worship
        Invocation
        Doxology
        Announcements
        Offering
        Sermon
        Invitation
Music - no "rock" - but traditional & historic
Temperament - not excusing sin, but reconciling to God
Preaching - Warm & encouraging, expository Bible based
Pastor - a man in whom I can see the face of Jesus  - II Cor. 4:6-7

FOR MY GOVERNMENT - U.S. of A.

Declaration of Independence - "Certain unalienable rights" - from God
Life, liberty, and pursuit of Happiness
Freedom of Worship, Speech, and Press
Right to expect my Civil Rights as a Christian citizen should not be restricted by        my government.

TRUTH'S WORTH DYING FOR - 1988 - Earl E. Matteson

The authority of the Word of God
The Lordship of Christ - (Which is most important ^ ?)
The Church - Free and Autonomous
   Regenerated(?) Church Membership
Ordinances - Not Sacraments
Our Liberty
Separation of Church and State - Psa. 11:3 - If Foundations be Destroyed
Foundations - Prov. 10:25 - The Righteous is an Everlasting Foundation 
        2 Tim. 2:19 - The foundation of God standeth sure