kept constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest
itself to dishonor His name (b).
a. John 17:14-17; Mat 4:4; Eph 4:11-16; 2Pet 3:18.
b. Rom 8:12-13;
13:14; Gal 5:16-25; Eph 4:22-24;
5:18; Col
3:1-10.
I. SATAN
We believe that Satan is a created being who exists in personality
and reality. He is the enemy of both God and of believers. He is the leader of a group of fallen angels.
Job 1:6-7; Mat 4:2-11; 25:41; Acts 5:3; 1Pet 5:8; Rev 12:7-10.
J. ETERNAL STATE
We believe that all those who do not believe in God's provision
of redemption through the death of Christ are eternally separated from God (a); they will be cast into the Lake of Fire where they will not be annihilated
but will be punished with everlasting torment (b). We believe in a literal heaven (c). The Church-age believers
pass immediately into God's presence at death (d).
a. Luke 16:19-26; John 3:17-18;
5:25-29.
b. Mat 25:41; Rev 20:14-15.
c. Acts 7:55-56; Phil 3:20;
1Thes 4:16.
d. John 14:3; 2Cor 5:8; 1Thes 4:17.
K. RAPTURE AND RESURRECTION
Believers who have died remain in heaven in conscious bliss until
the resurrection of their glorified bodies at the Rapture when body and soul will be united and remain with the Lord forever
(a). Old Testament and Tribulation believers will receive their resurrection bodies at the Second Advent (b).
a. 1Cor 15:42-58;
Phil 3:20-21;
1Thes 4:13-18.
b. Dan 12:1-2; Rev 20:4-6.
L. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God. He is a distinct
person of the Godhead who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (a); regenerates those who believe (b); baptizes
them into the body of Christ (c); indwells all believers of the present age (d); seals them unto the day of redemption (e);
is the only source of power for acceptable worship and service (f); is the infallible interpreter of Holy Scripture (g); is
ever present to testify concerning Jesus Christ (h). It should be the desire of every believer to be controlled by the
Holy Spirit (i).
a. John 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1John 5:7.
b. John 3:5-6; Tit 3:4-5.
c. 1Cor 12:12,
13.
d. John 14:16-17; Rom 8:9-11; 1Cor 3:16; 6:19.
e. 2Cor 1:21-22;
Eph 4:30.
f. Acts 1:8; Rom 8:26-27;
Gal 5:16-25.
g. John 14:26; 1Cor 2:9-16.
h. John 16:12-15; 1Pet 1:10-12.
i. Eph 5:18.
M. ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe that all believers everywhere, once saved, shall be
kept saved forever.
John 5:24;
10:28-29; Rom 8:1; 8:38-39;
1John 5:13; Jude 24-25.
N. GREAT TRIBULATION
We believe that the present age will end and will be followed
by Daniel’s seventieth week (a). The Abomination of Desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet will appear in the
middle of the seventieth week (b). The appearance of the Abomination of Desolation will begin the most terrible time
ever known in history, called “The Great Tribulation” (c). The Great Tribulation is finally climaxed by
the visible and personal return of Jesus Christ to set up his Kingdom (d).
a. Dan 9:24-27.
b. Dan 9:27;
Mat 24:15.
c. Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1; Mat 24:21-22.
d. Zech 14:1-9; Mat 24:29-30; 2Thes 1:5-10.
O. MAN CREATED AND FALLEN
We believe that the immaterial part of man was created in the
image of God but the first man, Adam, willfully sinned and fell from God's grace (a). In Adam, all men have inherited
a sinful nature and all men have sinned and have incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God. Thus all men
now are alienated from God and remain totally unable to redeem themselves (b). Those who reach moral responsibility
are held accountable for their sinfulness in thought, word, and deed (c). Through Jesus Christ, God created man and
all that has come into being (man, animals and the universe did not evolve) (d).
a. Gen 1:26-27.
b. Gen 2:17; Ps 51:5; Rom 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; 7:17-25; Eph
2:1-3.
c. Rom 2:1-15; Jas 2:10.
d. Gen 1:1-2:3; Ps 139:15-16; Col 1:16.
P. THE CHURCH - UNIVERSAL AND LOCAL
We believe that the Church Universal, which is the Body and Bride
of Christ, includes the whole company of believers from Pentecost to the Rapture and that Jesus Christ is the Head and the
Bridegroom (a). We believe that the local church is any autonomous group of believers in Christ, in one geographical
location, united in the Spirit, who meet together for instruction in the Word of God, prayer, observance of the Lord's Supper,
and observance of the ordinance of baptism by immersion (b). We believe that the mission of the Church is to glorify
God and to present Jesus Christ to the world (c).
a. 2Cor 11:2; Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:24.
b. Mat 3:13-16;
Acts 20:7; 1Cor 1:2, 11:23-29.
c. John 15:15-16; 1Cor 10:31;
Phil 2:15-16.
Q. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that God the Holy Spirit, in grace and apart from human
merit, sovereignty bestows spiritual gifts to believers in this dispensation. Some of the permanent spiritual gifts
which exist today are: pastor-teacher, prophet, and evangelist, and administrator, helper, giving and showing of mercy.
We further believe that the temporary spiritual gifts ceased with completion of the Canon of Scripture, and these were:
apostleship, prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, healing, and working of miracles.
Rom 12:4-8; 1Cor 12:1-11, 27-31; 13:8-10; Eph 4:7, 11-16; 1Pet
4:10-11.
R. DISPENSATIONAL VIEWPOINT
This Association, by virtue of a consistent literal interpretation
of the Scriptures, is Dispensational, Pre-millennial, and Evangelical. The English word dispensation comes from the Greek
word oikonomia, which means “stewardship.” A Dispensation or Stewardship is a distinguishable economy or
period in the outworking of God’s purpose (a). We believe that Israel
always denotes the physical posterity of Jacob, and is never to be confused with the church (b).
a. Col
1:24-26; Eph 1:9-10; 3:2-6.
b. 1 Cor 10:32;
Rom 10:1, 11:1, 25-28
S. DEATH OF CHRIST
We believe there are two aspects of the death of Christ - spiritual
death and physical death. The spiritual death of Christ is the three hours on the cross during which He was judged in
our place for the sins of the world to accomplish redemption (a). Physical death was the point when Christ voluntarily
yielded up His soul and spirit after the work of redemption was completed. The physical death was a necessary part of
the total work of Christ on the cross from numerous standpoints, including: the verification of the fact that redemption
had been accomplished; the necessity for a bodily resurrection of the God-man as the First Fruits of the resurrection; the
fulfillment of the covenants to Israel;
Headship of the Church (b).
a. Mat 27:45-46; Luke 23:44-45;
Rom 3:24-25; 5:8-9; 2Cor 5:21;
Eph 1:7; 1Pet 1:18-19.
b. Mat 27:50; Mk 15:37; Luke 1:31-33; 23:46; John 19:30; Acts 2:30-33; Rom 4:25; 1Cor 15:22-23; Eph 1:20-23; Col 1:18.
A. TIME AND METHOD OF ADOPTION
These Articles of Incorporation may be amended by a vote of at
least seven to eight (7/8) of the Members present and voting at any Annual
Business Meeting. Proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation shall not be amended.
B. REQUIREMENTS
No amendment shall be voted upon unless
it has been:
1. Submitted in writing
to each Member at least four (4) weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting,
2. Announced at least four
(4) weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting,
3. Approved by the Directors
Board or submitted by a petition signed by not less that twenty percent (20%) of the Members.
This Association shall be dissolved as a corporation of the State
of Ghana upon a vote of at least
seven to eight (7/8) of the Members present and voting at a duly called
Business Meeting. A four (4) week prior notice in writing to all members must be given prior to a vote for dissolution.
The method of disbursement of funds after satisfying all outstanding financial obligations shall be included in the notice
and may be amended during the meeting by a vote of a majority of Members present and voting prior to the vote on the dissolution
motion itself. Upon dissolving, any funds remaining after satisfying any outstanding financial obligations shall be
disbursed as specified.
These Bylaws are adopted for the Association government.
No bylaws shall be effective that are contrary to the Articles of Incorporation of this Association.
1. The President shall watch
over the spiritual life of this Association, preach and teach the Word, administer the ordinances and have charge of the worship
services, meetings, etc. He will have final authority, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in all matters relating
in any way to Bible Doctrine, except in those concerning the Statement of Faith. He shall be a voting member of the
Directors Board and all committees.
2. He shall conscientiously
and without reservation accept the Constitution of this Association, as amended, in its entirety.
3. A candidate for President
shall be considered only after he has subscribed in writing to the Constitution of this Association. He shall be recommended
to the Members by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Directors in a duly called meeting of the Directors,
or by written petition signed by at least one half (1/2) of the Members. A candidate for President so recommended shall
be called to serve by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting at a duly called Business Meeting.
4. The Assistant President
may be recommended for dismissal by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Directors in a duly called
meeting of the Deacons, or by written petition signed by at least one half (1/2) of the Members. If so recommended for
dismissal, the services of the Assistant President shall be terminated by a vote of at least two thirds (2/3) of the Members
present and voting in a duly called Business Meeting. At least thirty (30) days prior to such meeting, the Assistant
President shall be notified in writing of the reason(s) for the recommended dismissal, and at his election may be represented
by two Members, introduce evidence, present and cross-examine witnesses.
1. The coordinators shall
have duties and responsibilities as defined by the Assistant President.
2. He shall conscientiously
and without reservation accept the Constitution of this President, as amended, in its entirety.
3. The coordinators shall
be called or dismissed in the same manner as the Assistant President.
A. NOMINATION
1. The nominating committee
for Directors shall consist of the elected Directors and the coordinators. The proceedings of the nominating committee
shall be unrecorded and confidential.
2. All candidates for Directorship
shall be nominated by the nominating committee or by a written petition signed by at least one half (1/2) of the Members.
Names of persons nominated, who have accepted such nomination, shall be included in the agenda for the meeting at which the
election is to be held.
3. Not more than two candidates
shall be nominated for each position to be filled.
4. A Director must conscientiously
accept the Constitution of this Association, as amended, in its entirety and shall conform to the Biblical qualifications
for that office as stated in the following passages:
a. 1Tim 3:1-13
b. Col 3:1-17
c. 2Cor 10:17,18
d. Gal 6:9-16
e. Rom 12:1,2; 9-16
B. ELECTION
1. The Director shall be
elected who receives the largest number of votes of the Members present and voting at the Annual Business Meeting or a duly
called Special Business Meeting of the Members.
a. Votes may be cast for
one of the candidates or neither of the candidates. No write-ins or absentee votes, except for nursery and Sunday school
staff present in the building, shall be counted.
b. If there is a tie vote
between two candidates, or if the most votes are cast for neither candidate, no Director shall be elected. A tie vote
between the two candidates may be decided on a coin toss by the Chairman if approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present
and voting.
c. If no Director is elected,
two different candidates shall be nominated and the Director Board shall call another Special Business meeting for their election
within six (6) weeks.
2. Each Director shall be
elected for a term not exceeding two (2) years, or until his successor is elected, and a Director who has served a two (2)
year term shall be eligible for immediate reelection. The term of approximately one-third (1/3) of the deacons shall
expire each year. If more than one Director is being elected, then votes shall be cast sequentially for each position.
3. The number of Directors
shall be not less than three (3), and not more than seven (10). The vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Members
present and voting at a duly called Business Meeting shall be required to change the number between three (3) and seven (7)
from the existing number of Deacons.
4. A Director or any officer
of this Association may be removed from office by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting
at a duly called Business Meeting.
5. A Director may voluntarily
remove himself from office by submitting his resignation in writing or stating his resignation verbally to at least two members
of the Director Board.
6. The office of Director
shall be considered vacant upon the occurrence of any one of the following: Death, resignation, refusal to serve, removal
from office, or absence from three (3) consecutive meetings of the Director without excuse satisfactory to the Director.
7. A vacancy shall be filled
by election of a Director by the Members at a duly called Business Meeting. A director so elected shall serve the unexpired
term of his predecessor.
A. MEETINGS
1. The Board of Directors
shall consist of the elected Directors and the coordinators.
2. A regular meeting of
the Directors Board shall be held not later than thirty (37) days after the annual meeting of Members for the purpose of electing
Officers of the Directors Board. Other regular meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Directors Board
may determine but at least once a month.
3. A special meeting of
the Directors may be called any time at the request of the coordinator, the President of the Directors Board, or the majority
of the Directors.
4. A quorum for conduct
of business at a meeting of the Directors Board shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Directors. The acts
of the majority present and voting shall be the act of the Director Board unless otherwise specifically required by law, by
this Constitution, or within the motion itself.
5. All meetings of the Directors
shall be held at the principal place of office of this association unless otherwise specified in the notice of the meeting.
6. Notice of a regular or
special meeting of the Directors shall be given at least three (3) days prior to such meeting. Notice may be waived
by unanimous consent of the Directors. The purpose of the meeting need not be stated in such notice.
7. The minutes of all meetings
of the Director Board shall be posted on the Association bulletin board within two (2) weeks following the meeting.
B. OFFICERS
1. The Board of Directors
shall elect one of their numbers (except the coordinators) to be chairman, one to be Secretary, and one to be Treasurer.
2. The chairman shall be
responsible for the convening of all Director Board meetings; special and annual church business meetings; presiding
over these meetings as Chairman, and preparation of the order of business for these meetings.
3. The Secretary shall keep
the minutes of the business meetings of the Members and the Directors Board; issue notice of all business meetings of the
Members and the Directors Board; be custodian of the Corporate records; keep current a roster of all Members with addresses;
maintain a record or attendance at the Director Board meetings; prepare and sign instruments authorized by the Director Board
or Members, and prepare the agenda of all business meetings of the Members and Director Board.
4. The Treasurer shall be
responsible for the handling of all Association funds; payment and disbursement of all association/church debts, including
payroll; preparation and presentation of all financial reports or documents and proper keeping of books of account.
He/she shall annually disclose an income and expense account verified by at least one other Member who is not a member of
the Directors Board and was not a member of the Director Board during the period that the accounts being verified were recorded.
C. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
General responsibilities of the Board of Directors in addition
to the above shall include; coordination and use of all physical facilities for Association meetings; selection of Association
clerks and attendants; overall administration of the associations Schools and nursery; association publicity; forming committees;
hire and discharge of employees (except the coordinators and Assistant coordinators); determination of salaries; authorizing
the use of association facilities for any spiritual or extra secular purposes; and execute all instructions by the Members
adopted in a duly called Business Meeting.
1. Support of missions or
missionaries by this Association, and termination of such support, shall be decided by a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4)
of the Members present and voting at a duly called Business Meeting.
2. The money amount of support
and schedule of payment shall be determined by the Directors Board.
3. No mission or missionary
shall be supported unless the Directors Board confirms that the doctrinal position of such mission or missionary conforms
with the Articles of Incorporation, Article VII, the Statement of Faith, and Sections A-F.
Except upon prior specific instruction and authority given by
at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting at a duly called Business Meeting, the Directors Board operating
on behalf of the Corporation, shall not contract for any loans over three hundred million cedis. 25 million cedis leases of one year or longer, or purchase real or personal property at a cost of more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the previous year’s total annual income, nor shall the Directors Board sell real or personal
property at a market value of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the previous year’s total annual income.
These Bylaws may be amended with the same procedure and requirements
as amendments to the Articles of Incorporation.
UNDERWRITING!
BIBLE REFERENCES IN THE STATEMENT OF FAITH
(New King James Version
A. PLENARY
AND VERBAL INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be
God-breathed (a), plenary (every word) (b), verbal (consisting of words) (c), and inerrant in the original writings (d).
They are the supreme and final authority in faith and life (e).
a. (God Breathed):
1Cor 14:37 If anyone
thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments
of the Lord.
1Cor 2:9-10 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have
entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through
His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
2Tim 3:16 All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Pet 1:21 For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2Pet 3:15-16 And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as
also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking
in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own
destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
b. (plenary)
Mat 5:18 "For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one title will by no means pass from the law till all
is fulfilled.
2Tim 3:16 All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
c. (verbal)
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
d. (inerrant)
John 17:17 "Sanctify
them by your truth. Your word is truth.
Tit 1:2-3 In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before
time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment
of God our Savior;
Heb 6:17-18 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of
promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible
for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
e. (final authority)
Ps 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony
of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the
LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and
righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Ps 119:11 your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against
you!
Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not
return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
