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BYLAWS OF

Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas

Adopted this 26th day of August, 2015

Preamble

For the purpose of establishing and maintaining a place for the worship of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father; to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, where the Holy Spirit may be honored according to our distinctive testimony; to assume our share of responsibility and the privilege of propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ, by all available means, both at home and in foreign lands; we, the members of this church, do hereby recognize ourselves as a local church in fellowship with, and as a part of, the FIRE BAPTIZED HOLINESS CHURCH OF GOD OF THE AMERICAS, INCORPORATED, assigned to the Southwest Ohio District (the District) on the 3rd Episcopal Diocese; and that we do hereby adopt the following articles of church order and submit ourselves to be governed by them.

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this church shall be Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas.

ARTICLE II. PREROGATIVES AND PURPOSES

The prerogatives and purposes of a Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated affiliated church shall be:

1. To Govern

This church shall have the right to govern itself and to conduct its own affairs according to the Discipline of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated and the standard of the New Testament Scriptures. This right shall specifically include such matters as the election of church auxiliary/board members and the conducting of its own services and church program.

2. To Worship, Fellowship, and Propagate

The purpose of this church shall be to establish and maintain a place for the worship of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, where the Holy Spirit may be honored according to our distinctive testimony, to enforce the sacraments enacted by Jesus Christ and practiced by the Holy Apostles and Fathers of the early church, such as baptism (Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 8:12-39), and administration of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:22-26; I Corinthians 11:23-34) followed by ordinances (1) washing of the saints’ feet (John 13:4-11), (2) solemnizing matrimony (John 2:1-2; Titus 2:4-5; Hebrews 13:4; I Peter 2:13-15), (3) burying the dead, and other ordinances.

3. To Cooperate

This church shall cooperate with the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated to extend the work and kingdom of God throughout the world. It shall support the missionary program as agreed upon. It shall participate in National and District level sessions and share in the support of the ministries of this body for the deepening of our spiritual life and impress every Christian believer to seek the highest Christian experience possible in this life (Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Peter 1:4-9).

4. To Recognize

This church shall recognize that the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated has the authority and right to approve scriptural doctrine and conduct; also to disapprove unscriptural doctrine and conduct.

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

While maintaining its inherent rights to sovereignty in the conduct of its own affairs as herein set forth, this church shall voluntarily enter into full cooperative fellowship with churches of like precious faith, associated in the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated, with headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina; and shall share in the privileges and assume the responsibilities enjoined by that affiliation. Officers of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated shall be recognized and respected by the members of this church.

As a member of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated, this church has the right to request the assistance of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated in dealing with any of its problems.

It is understood and agreed that this church shall conform its standards of membership, ministerial qualifications, and qualifications for deacons to those standards set by the Discipline of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated.

By its affiliation, the officers and members—agree that no provision of these Bylaws shall be inconsistent with the Discipline of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated as now in effect or hereafter amended.

ARTICLE IV. Basis of Union

Our Basis of Union is an expression of our faith. It outlines our doctrine, what we believe, and is a statement of our fellowship and witness.

Theology

We believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being (Psalm 90:2, Malachi 3:6), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), power (Genesis 17:1, Rev. 19:6), holiness (Isaiah 57:15, Rev. 4:8), justice (Deut. 32:4), goodness (Psalm 100:5), and truth (Psalm 117:2).

We believe that there is but one (1) God, the true and living God (Deut. 6:4, Jer. 10:10), who is eternal (Deut. 33:27, Psalm 90:2), omnipresent (I Kings 8:27, Ephesians 1:23), omniscient (Job 34:21, John 21:17), and omnipotent (Genesis 17:1, Matthew 19:26). He is immutable (Exodus 3:14, 8:58), invisible (Exodus 33:20-23, John 1:18), and incomprehensible (Job 11:7-8, Romans 11:33).

Trinitarian

We believe that God exists in three (3) persons namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:15-17, 28:19, John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, II Cor. 13:14, Ephesians 2:18, Hebrews 9:14, I Peter 1:2). In the Deity, the Son and the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father, yet, they are all the same. The same attributes and acts, in the Scriptures are ascribed to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit without distinction.

Christology

We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived as a man among men the perfect sinless life (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:26-35, II Cor. 5:21).

We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of mankind (Romans 5:8, Mark 10:45). He bore the punishment of man’s sins (I Peter 3:18) in order to satisfy divine justice. The law of God required the death of the offender (Ezekiel. 18:20, Romans 6:23). The death of Jesus provided a life that could be laid to the account of a penitent sinner (John 3:16, 18, 36).

We believe that Jesus Christ bodily arose from the dead. The burial of Christ’s body indicates that He was dead when taken down from the cross (Matthew 27:57-60, John 19:31-34). Jesus demonstrated that His resurrection was physical by showing His disciples His hands and feet (Luke 24:39, I John 1:11), by eating in their presence (Luke 24:41-43), and by many “infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). Jesus was raised in a physical body never to die again. God had raised others from the dead to natural life (II Kings 4:32-37, Mark 5:35-43); as a result, they died again. The resurrection of Christ conquered death. The atoning sacrifice of Christ and His subsequent resurrection is the keystone of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, His atoning death would be of no value for the salvation of sinners (I Cor. 15:20).

Pneumatology

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is not an “it” or an influence, but God Himself. He, therefore, bears all the divine marks of personality as the Father and the Son. While identified as the third person of the Trinity, Scripture places Him on the same level as the Father and the Son (II Cor. 13:14, Matt. 28:19, I Cor. 12:4-6). The Spirit carries to completion the saving work of the Father and the Son. He is known by such names as “the Spirit of God”, “the Holy Spirit of God”, “the Spirit of Adoption”, “the Spirit of the Son”, and “the Spirit of Christ”. Just as the Father and Son are persons, so is the Holy Spirit. He is seen as one who thinks (Romans 8:27), feels (Romans 15:30), wills (I Cor. 12:11), teaches (John 14:26), guides (Acts 8:29), and intercedes (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit shows love and affection (Romans 15:30), and bears witness that we are children of God. He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10), omnipotent (Zech. 4:6, Romans 18:18-19), eternal (Hebrews 9:14), and Co-Creator of the world (Genesis 1:2, Psalm 140:30). The Holy Spirit is divine because God is divine, and He is personal because God is personal. He lives in perfect unity with the Father and the Son, but He is also a distinct person, as is each of them.

Soteriology

We believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood for the remission of sins that are past (Romans 3:35, I John 1:7), for the regeneration of penitent sinners, and for salvation from sin and from sinning (Ephesians. 2:1-10, I John 3:5-10).

We teach and firmly maintain the scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone through the blood (Romans 3:24-25, 5:6-9, Ephesians 1:7, Col. 1:14).

We believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood for the complete cleansing of the justified believer from all indwelling sin and its pollution subsequent to regeneration (John 17:17, Acts 26:18, Rom.ans 6:6, I Thess. 5:23, Hebrews 13:12, I John 1:7-9).

We believe that sanctification is the second definitive instantaneous work of grace, obtainable, by faith on the part of the fully justified believer (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 11:44-45, 20:7-8, Luke 24:50-51, Hebrews 10:9-13).

We believe that the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire is obtainable by a definite act of appropriating faith on the part of the wholly sanctified believer, and that the initial evidence of the reception of this experience is speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives utterance (Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 19:6).

We believe in divine healing as in the atonement (Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, Malachi.8:16-17, Mark 16:14-15, Acts 8:7, James 5:14-15).

Biblilogy

We believe that the Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us as to how we may glorify God. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man (Micah 6:8, John 20:31, John 3:16)

Anthropology

We believe that God created man after His own image (Genesis 1:27) in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24), with dominion over all creatures (Genesis 1:28).

We believe that Adam was man’s representative and when he sinned all mankind sinned in him. The covenant God made with Adam was not only for himself, but for his posterity. All mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him and fell with him in his first transgression (Romans 5:12).

Hamartiology

We believe that sin is any want or conformity unto, or transgression of the Law of God (Malachi. 5:28). There are two (2) kinds of sin – sin of commission and sin of omission (I John 3:4, James 4:17)

Ecclesiology

We believe that the church of God in its distinctive character is to be defined as general or particular, visible or invisible, militant or triumphant. The general church denotes the entire body of Christian believers in every period of time, on earth and in heaven (Ephesians 3:15). A particular church means an assembly of Christians of any particular denomination, united together for the worship of God in accordance with distinctive views (I Cor. 12:25,27). The visible church is all those who have openly and freely professed Christianity and have entered into a covenant with God (I Cor. 2:12). The invisible church is those who are known of Christ as belonging to Him, whether they have joined the visible church or not (I Timothy 2:19). The people of God on earth are called the church militant, and those in heaven are the church triumphant. The foundation and head of the church is Christ (Matthew 16:18, I Cor. 3:11, Ephesians 1:22).

Eschatology

We believe in the imminent personal pre-millennial second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 4:15-18, Titus 2:13, II Peter 3:1-14, Matthew 24:20-24), and we love and await His appearing (II Timothy 4:8).

Fellowship

The Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated is utterly opposed to the teachings of Christian Scientists, Mohammedism, Spiritualists, Unitarians, Universalists, and Mormons. We deny as false the teachings of the Seventh Day Adventists (Galatians 3:11; Colossians 2:16-17), annihilation of the wicked, conditional immortality and anti-nominalism, absolute perfection, comeoutism, teaching against an organized church, the resurrection life, the redemption of glorification of the body in this life, and the doctrine of restitution of all things as set forth in millennial dawnism, Jehovah Witness and false teaching that we are not born of God until we are sanctified wholly (Mark 9:43-45; Revelation 20:10-14), Roman Catholicism (Matthew 17:5), the belief systems and practices of the Occult, Sorcery (Exodus 20:3; Exodus 22;18; Leviticus 19-13; Leviticus 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13; Acts 8:9-24; Acts 16:16-19; Galatians 5:20;), Witchcraft (I Samuel 28:8-19; Micah 5:12), Psychics, Psychic telephone lines; Numerology, so-called New Age practices and teaching of Jesus only (Matthew 28:19-20; II John 7-11). We shall not fellowship with those who teach these doctrines or engage in these practices.

People who leave the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas and try to destroy it shall not be fellowshipped by the Pastors, Church Leaders, nor members of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas.

Family

The Lord says that marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. And the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas FIRMLY HOLDS THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN RELATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE, which are strictly private, according to the Word of God, and into this sacred privacy no one has any right to inquire (I Corinthians 7:15; Hebrews 14:4)

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership

No one shall be admitted to the membership of the church who is not in full accord with the teachings of the same as set forth in the Basis of Union (Article IV in these bylaws).

A person desiring to become a member of the church must undergo and satisfactorily pass an examination concerning their salvation, compatibility of beliefs, willingness to support the mission of the church, and willingness to bring oneself under subjection to responsible leadership and the principles of the church.

1 Have you forgiveness of sin (I John 1:9)?

2. Have you peace now with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)?

3. Have you the witness of the Holy Spirit agreeing with your spirit that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16)?

4. Has any sin, inward or outward, dominion over you (Romans 6:14)?

5. Are you wholly sanctified according to I Thessalonians 5:23?

6. Have you the personal Holy Ghost as promised in John 14:16-26, John 15:26, John 16:13, Luke 11:13, and Acts 19:2?

7. Do you believe in Divine healing as in the atonement, and laying on hands and in anointing with oil (Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 6:14-18; James 5:14-16)?

8. We believe in the imminent personal pre-millennial second coming of our Lord (John 14:1-5; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Peter 3:10-14)?

9. Will you faithfully and loyally witness to all these experiences (Isaiah 43:10; Acts 2:32)?

10. Are you willing to attend all regular services, as far as practicable, and are you ready to contribute of your time, talent, influence, and means for the spreading of Pentecostal Holiness?

11. Are you willing to be subject to the Pastor, Deacons, General and Judiciary Rules of this church anywhere you go, that is going from one church to another? Also, support the cause of education or any general purpose that tends to help qualify and establish us as a Christian Church?

12. Are you willing to attend all monthly examination meetings for your instruction in the Doctrine of our Church, General, and Judiciary rules?

Section 2. Transfer Members

A member in good standing of another Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, may be accepted into membership by submitting a letter of transfer from the pastor of the other church.

ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT

Section 1. Officers

A. In General

The church shall be subject to the authority of the Board of Bishops of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated and the Ruling Elder of the District appointed by the Bishops. The Ruling Elder oversees the spiritual and temporal affairs of the churches on the District.

The Pastor of the church shall be appointed (at the beginning of the convention year) by the Bishops of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated. The pastor shall serve for one (1) year, and may be re-appointed each year as the Bishops see fit.

The Pastor shall see that all business is conducted properly and serves as ex-officio chairman of all boards and committees. The Pastor shall be the chief executive officer of the church subject to the rules and regulations of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated.

There shall be a chairperson/president, secretary, and treasurer of each auxiliary/board in the church. Officers shall be elected at the beginning of each convention year. All officers are elected for a term of one (1) year. Officers may be re-elected each year. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held simultaneously by the same individual.

B. Duties of Officers

1) Chairperson/President

a) Shall lead, structure, facilitate, and schedule meetings of the auxiliary/board.

b) Shall ensure that the responsibilities of the auxiliary/board are carried out.

c) Shall keep its members informed of pertinent information.

2) Secretary

a) Shall keep the minutes of the official meetings of the auxiliary/board.

b) Shall keep a record of the membership and attendance at meetings along with other clerical work necessary to the proper discharge of his/her duties.

c) Shall prepare a monthly report on behalf of the auxiliary/board for the Council Meeting.

3) Treasurer

a) Shall be entrusted with the finances of the auxiliary and shall deposit funds.

b) Shall keep an itemized account of receipts (including individual donors) and disbursements, shall work with the secretary to present a report for the monthly Council Meeting.

c) Shall be the custodian of all the financial records of the auxiliary/department.

Section 2. Deacons

Deacons shall be ordained lay persons called by the local congregation, approved by the pastor of the same, and the Ruling Elder of the District. The Ruling Elder may question the pastor and congregation concerning the candidate in question. The Ruling Elder will, also, question the candidate before laying hands on the same. The Ruling Elder is the only person on the District charged with the ordination of deacons. Deacons shall be required to pass a course of study before ordination.

Course of Study

I. The Work of the Deacon

II. The Origin of the Office

III. The Deacon and the General Church

IV. The Deacon and Pastoral Relations

V. The Deacon’s Examination

Section 3. Fiduciary Duties

The law imposes several fiduciary duties on officers, deacons, and trustees, including the duties of due care and diligence, loyalty, avoidance of self-dealing, expending designated contributions for the purposes specified, and not commingling personal and corporate funds.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings for Worship

Meetings for public worship shall be held at least twice on the Lord's Day, morning and night. Two (2) meetings will be held during the week, with one (1) meeting designated for Bible Study.

Section 2. Annual Business Meeting

There shall be an annual business meeting of the church, at which time the election/re-election of all officers shall take place. This meeting shall be held at the beginning of each conference year. The time and place shall be announced by the pastor. Notice of the date, time, and place of each annual business meeting shall be announced from the pulpit during morning worship services on each of the two (2) Sundays immediately preceding the date of the meeting.

Section 3. Special Business Meetings

No board shall have the power to hold any business meeting without the consent or presence of the pastor of said church.

The church shall have monthly examinations of their members known as the Council Meeting. At this meeting, after the usual order of service has been carried out, the following questions may be asked:

a. Reading of the previous minutes, approving same.

b. What has been the increase of membership?

c. Are there any applicants for license who has not been before the church?

d. How many members are walking disorderly and will not be reproved?

e. How much has the finance committee raised? How much was paid out, and for what purpose?

f. What is the present indebtedness of the finance committee, and how much has it in treasury?

g. Amount raised by trustees?

h. Present indebtedness?

i. Are there any bills to be paid?

j. Do you have receipts for bills paid?

k. Amount of cash in treasury?

l. What plans shall be adopted to raise money for the trustees?

Section 4. Parliamentary Order

All business meetings of the church shall be governed by parliamentary procedure as set forth in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Revised, in keeping with the spirit of Christian love and fellowship.

Section 5. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of all members present at any duly called business meeting.

Section 6. Order of Business

The regular order of business for the annual business meeting of this church shall be as follows:

a. Devotional

b. Reading of previous minutes

c. Report of committees

d. Unfinished business

e. Election of officers

f. New business

g. Adjournment

ARTICLE VIII. Auxiliaries/Boards

Section 1. In General

This church shall create and maintain such auxiliaries, boards, and committees as may be necessary and advisable for the extension of its work including those mentioned in this Article. All such organizations shall be subordinate to the church and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the pastor. The pastor shall be an ex officio member of all committees, auxiliaries, or boards.

Section 2. Sunday School

The Sunday School shall be considered as that department of the church which particularly provides for the teaching ministry of the church. The members of the church will elect the superintendent. The pastor and the superintendent of the Sunday School shall have the right to appoint all officers, teachers, and other workers of the Sunday School and, in consultation with the workers of the school, determine all policies and programs of the school.

Section 3. Sr. Mission – Sisters of Charity

The Sisters of Charity shall have regular meetings, programs, and revivals to build strong women for ministry in the church, the community, and the home. The church will elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The organization can select additional officers as necessary.

Section 4. Holiness Young Peoples Union (HYPU)

The HYPU shall work to equip the saved young people in the church with the knowledge of how the church operates and how to live holy. The church will elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The organization can select additional officers as necessary.

Section 5. Jr. Mission

The purpose of the Jr. Mission shall be to introduce the work of missions to younger people. It shall focus on developing young Christians into wholesome, productive citizens, as well as good church members with a zeal to help others. The church will elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The organization can select additional officers as necessary.

Section 6. Young Peoples Institute (YPI)

The young people of church shall be organized annually in the ministry of youth outreach. The church will elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The organization can select additional officers as necessary. Membership in the YPI is not limited to church membership.

Section 7. Trustee Board

The Trustee Board shall hold in trust the legal church property deeds. They shall be responsible for the physical maintenance of the property. The Trustee Board shall consist of a chairperson (not necessarily a deacon), secretary, and treasurer elected annually at the start of the conference year. Additional members can be added as necessary.

Section 8. Finance Committee

The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to see after the Pastor, Evangelists, and Missionaries – all things pertaining to the spreading of the Word of God. The committee shall consist of a deacon, who will serve as the chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer, and as many other members of the church as deemed necessary elected annually at the start of the conference year.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE

Section 1. In General

All funds for the maintenance of the church shall be provided by the voluntary contributions, tithes, and offerings of the members and friends of the organization.

Section 2. Handling of Offerings

All offerings shall be counted by at least two authorized persons before the funds are removed from the church building. An offering receipts form shall be signed by those counting the offering. A record shall be kept of all receipts and disbursements of the local church and of all individual giving.

ARTICLE X. PROPERTY

Section 1. Title

All property acquired is part of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated. By continued affiliation with the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated, the church will create express and constructive trusts on property in favor of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated. Real property acquired by this church shall be deeded to the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated.

Section 2. Purchases and Sales of Property

All purchases of furnishings, equipment, and other items of tangible personal property, exceeding $10,000 in cost, and all purchases and sales of real property shall be authorized by a vote of at least two-thirds of the voting membership who are in attendance at a regular or special meeting of the church.

Section 3. Disaffiliation

If the church leaves the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated, all property shall revert to the General Board of Trustees of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated.

Section 4. Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the church, none of its funds or assets shall be distributed to any officer, deacon, trustee, or any other individual. The trustee board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the church, dispose of all of the funds and assets of the church by conveying the same to the Ruling Elder of the District, for the purposes of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated. Any such funds or assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, to such organization as said Court shall determine which is organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes.

ARTICLE XI.

AMENDMENTS

The bylaws may be amended at any regular or special business meeting of the church by a majority vote of the membership present, except as otherwise indicated herein. Article IV of these bylaws is not subject to amendment by this church alone, except to conform to any amendments made to the Basis of Union by the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated. All amendments must be consistent with the Discipline of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Incorporated.

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