Our Church Constitution

PREAMBLE

            We, the members of Lighthouse Baptist Church, in orderly manner do hereby establish the following principles by which we mutually agree to be governed in the affairs of our Church.

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ARTICLE I - COVENANT

                Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and having been spiritually baptized, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
            We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love: to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
            We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to walk circumspectly in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back-biting, and excessive anger; to abstain form the sale or use of intoxicating drinks as beverage, and be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
            We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it with out delay.
            We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

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ARTICLE II – ARTICLES OF FAITH

1. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God- breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the only complete and divine revelation of God to man. They shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical – historical meaning. The Word of God was written by human authors divinely inspired and has been preserved form the originals without admixture of error. The King James Version shall be the official and only translation recognized as the Word of God by the church. (Psalm 12:6-7; 119:89, 160; 138:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Luke 24:44; John 10:35; 17:17; Acts 1:16; Romans 3:4; 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23, 25: 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19)

1. The Godhead 

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfection they are unified in plan and purpose, and work distinctly yet harmoniously. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 9:6: Matthew 28:19; John 4:24, 10:30, 14:10,16,23,26, 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 12:4-6; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18, 4:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7)

1. The Person and Work of God the Father

We believe that God the Father is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1, 17:1: Exodus 15:11, 20:3; Psalm 50:10-12, 83:18, 90:2, 147:5; Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:10, 33:3, John 3:16, 10:29-30: Romans 5:8, 11:33; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:17)

1. The Person and Work of Christ 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-3, 14, 10:27-30; Acts 5:30-31; Romans 3:25-25; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5, Ephesians 4:5, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 1:8-12, 2:17, 5:9; 1 John 4:10, 5:20) We further believe that Mary (the mother of Jesus), when found with child of the Holy Ghost, was a virgin. She was not, however, born sinless. As our Lord’s mother she was a sinner blessed among women not blessed above them. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35, 46-47)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross (His blood had to be shed) as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 2:24) We believe Jesus took the sinner’s place and met the penalty of a Holy God through His subsitutionary death for all mean. (John 3:16, 10:18; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) Jesus bore man’s sins. (Isaiah 53:4-7, 11-12; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24) By the shedding of Jesus’ blood the Law was satisfied. (Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12-15, 22) The righteousness of Christ is imputed by grace through faith to everyone who believes. (Philippians 3:9; Romans 5:17-19)

We believe that Christ rose bodily (physically) from the tomb on the third day “according to the Scriptures.” (Matthew 28:6-7, Luke 24:1-7, 38-40; John 20:1-16, 27; Acts 10:40-41; Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 7:25) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended bodily into Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our Great High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 8:1, 9:24, 12:2; 1 John 2:1-2) We believe it is only through His resurrection that we have a sure hope of everlasting life. (Acts1: 11; Romans 4:25, 5:10,6:5, 8:11, 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:12-26; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 3:21)

1. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, Who having come forth from God, convinces the world of sin and of righteousness and judgment; Who also regenerates, sanctifies, comforts, indwells, enlightens, empowers, baptizes, guides, and teaches, all who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:2; Matthew 3:11; Luke 1:35, 24:49; John 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26:8-11, 13; Acts 5:32 Romans 8:9,14, 16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 3:16, 6:19, 12:12-14, 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14, 2:18)

We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is recommended that all the saved be filled, led and guided with and by the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18, Hebrews 10:16; 1 John 2:20,27)

We believe that the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. (Romans 12:3-8; 1Corinthains 12:4-13, 28)

We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 14:21-22)

1. The Fall of Man 

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, sinless and innocent. Furthermore, we believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners; that men became sinners through the fall of Adam when he disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden; that Adam sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God and condemned to Hell. In the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, and deed, therefore, are under the same condemnation. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his condition. (Genesis 1:26-28; 3:1-24; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18-21, 28, 32, 3:10-19, 22-23, 5:12, 19, 6:23, 8:6-8; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Colossians 2:13)

1. Salvation 

We believe in salvation by Grace trough Faith; that repentance and faith are the one condition of salvation; that men are justified by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ through faith in Hid finished Work on the Cross. Therefore, those who accept Christ as Saviour will rejoice forever in God’s presence, and those who refuse to accept Christ, as Saviour will be forever separated from God. (John 1:12, 3:16, 20:31; Acts 4:12. 16:31; Romans 1:17, 5:1,9, 10:9; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Titus 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

We believe that works cannot save. Good works are, however, a natural result and evidence of Holy Spirit regeneration in a life. (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:17-20)

1. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers 

We believe that the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. Everlasting life must last forever. It will not end nor can’t be taken away. The Father planned it, the Son secured it, and the Holy Spirit sealed it. (John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 35-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14, 1 Peter 1:4-5; 1 John 4:17)

We believe that it is that privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation trough the testimony of God’s Word, which, however clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14, Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)

1. The Church

We believe that the New Testament church is a local, visible body of believers, Scripturally baptized, for the common goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. It is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, and is solely made up of born-again persons. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 12:8-14, 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11, 5:24-27)

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27, 20:17. 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27)

1. Christ is its head. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18)
2. The Holy Spirit is its Power, Comforter, and Guide. (John 14:16-17,26, 15:26, 16:5-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:6-11: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 12:4, 11)
3. The Bible is its only source of faith and rule of practice (doctrine). (Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:26, 6:17; Colossians 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12, 5:12; James 1:23-25; 1 Peter 1:23-24, 2:2; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1-4; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the only two Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. Neither is required for nor secures salvation. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

1. Scriptural baptism testifies to the world that a person had been born of the Holy Spirit and is a child of God. It is also symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is the first step in obedience to following Christ in your new life. It must occur under the authority of a local, new Testament church and must be by immersion in water. The testimony of baptism is completed in the name of Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is a prerequisite to church membership and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 3:6, 16, 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:38, 41, 8:38, 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-6)
   
2. The Lord’s Supper is a prophecy of Christ’s coming again and a memorial for saved church member who have examined themselves and confessed all known sin. Unleavened bread represents the broken body of Christ and Unleavened (non-alcoholic) fruit of the vine, (grape juice) represents the shed blood of our Lord. Together they commemorate the obedience of Christ to the Father unto death, “even the death of the cross.” (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:13-17, 22-26; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 17-34)

1.  Dispensationalism

 

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to his purpose. Three of these dispensations but not limited to – the law, church, and kingdom – subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10, 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6)

1. Separation

 

We believe that the church should separate itself form worldly and ecumenical philosophies and organization such as the National Association of Evangelicals, National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, etc. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God. (Amos 3:3; John 17:15-16; Romans 12:1-2, 14:13, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 5:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Timothy 3:1-2; Hebrews 11:23-26; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; Revelation 18:4-5)

We further believe that local church discipline may, as a last resort, require separation from an erring brother in order to win him back. (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:8; 2 Corinthians 7:8-12; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 5:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:20)

1. The Second Advent of Christ 

We believe in that “blessed hope:” the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will return in the air and rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. Believers will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ and eat at the Marriage Super of the Lamb. (Matthew 24:27, 42; John 14:1-4; Acts 1:11; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 19:7-9)

We further believe that at the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return to the earth with His saints. He will establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom for 1,000 years as promised to the nation of Israel (Psalm 72:8, 89:3-4; Isaiah 11; Daniel 12:9-12; Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:32; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 19:11-20:15)

1. The Eternal State 

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-15, 21:8)

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; John 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: Revelation 20:4-6)

We further believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment in Hell until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment. At this judgment, they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. (Matthew 25:41-446; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8)

1. Heaven, Hell, and the Lake of Fire 

We believe that Heaven, Hell and the Lake of Fire are real, literal, physical places. Heaven and the Lake of Fire are places of eternity.

1. Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of the saved, it’s light emanation from the presence of God himself. (Psalm 21:4; 121:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 6:20-21; Luke 10:20, 24:43; John 141-4; Revelation 21)
2. Hell is a place of indescribable torment and punishment separated from God, where all the unsaved go at death. Those in Hell will only be released long enough to bow before God at the Great White Throne Judgment prior to being cast in the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 22:13; Luke 16:19-31; Philippians 2:10; 2 Peter2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20:13-14)
3. The Lake of Fire was originally prepared for the devil and his angels. It is the place where the unbeliever will suffer eternal conscious punishment and torment separated form God. (Matthew 13:40,42; 25:41; Revelation 14:10, 19:20, 20:10, 14-15, 21:8)

 

1. The Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is real, the god of this world the author of sin, the influence behind the fall of man, and that he is working to blind “the minds of them which believe not.” He was once perfect in his ways but fell through pride and ambition in his desire to be “like” the Most High. In his fall he brought with him a host of heavenly angels. He is a created being (an angel), the open and declared enemy of God and man, behind all that is against God and His Word, and he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-11, 13:25, 39; 25:41; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2, 6:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4 1 John 3:8 Jude6 Revelation 12:7-10, 20:1-3, 10)

1. Creation 

We believe the Genesis account of creation that God, as a direct act, spoke the universe into existence in six literal 24-hour days. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6 Job 26:7; Psalm 33:6-9; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3 Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6)

We further believe man was created in God’s image, as a living soul, higher, separate, and apart from all animal life. (Genesis 1:26-30, 2:7, 5:1, 9:2, 6; Leviticus 24:21; Psalm 8:6, 100:3; John 3:6; Acts 17:26-29; 1 Corinthians 15:39, Colossians 3:10)

1. Human Sexuality 

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of love between man and wife. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13: 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

We further believe that God hates sin - not the sinner. His love was demonstrated toward all men by Christ's death on the cross to pay our sin debt. His love is not demonstrted by toleration or condoning sin.

1. Divorce and Remarriage 

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons may hold position of service in the church and can be greatly used of God in Christian service, they may not be considered for the office of pastor or deacon.

We further believe that Christians are not to be unequally yoked together with the unbeliever. (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:32; Mark 1:1-12; Luke 16:18; Acts 6:3; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:5)

1. Abortion 

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.

1. Soul winning and Missions 

We believe that God has given to the church, and therefore to all members in a particular, a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nation so that there might be a great multitude form every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This responsibility begins at home and extends to the uttermost parts of the earth. As ambassadors for Christ we must use all available means to go into foreign nations with the Gospel and not wait for them to come to us. Therefore, we believe a New Testament church will both pray for and financially support missionaries. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21 Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20, 9:1-7; Philippians 4:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:17-18)

1. Lawsuits Between Believers 

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all of the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes and conflicts between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries form another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (Matthew 5:39-40; Romans 12:17-19; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:15)

1. Giving 

We believe that every Christian as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established a tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all right to individually direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20 Leviticus 27:32; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:6-10; Luke 11:42; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:1-7; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Hebrews 7:1-2; 1 John 3:17)

1. Prayer and Fasting 

We believe that God consistently commands us to pray. It is his way for us to receive things, experience fullness of joy, and relief from trouble, anxiety, and worry. Answered prayer is an unanswerable argument against unbelief and skepticism. It is through prayer that confession is made unto salvation. Fellowship with God requires prayer (us talking to God) and Bible reading (God speaking to us). Honest, regular communication with our Saviour will naturally bring us closer to Him. (Psalm 55:22; Matthew 26:41; Luke 11:13; 18:1; John 16:24; Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1; James 4:2-3; 1 Peter 5:7)

We further believe that fasting pleases God. Christ Himself said that His disciples would fast, “When the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” There are a host of Bible precedents for fasting: humility, purification, skill and wisdom, providential intervention, direction, power, postponement of judgment, etc. (Psalm 35:13; Daniel 1:8, 17; 6:16; Luke 5:33-35; Acts 10:30-33, 13:3-4, 14:23)

1. The Family 

We believe the family is God’s first line of defense against Satan and his attacks. God established the institution of marriage before any other and charged fathers and mothers with the care of His children as “an heritage of the Lord.” We are responsible to point our children to Christ daily – and throughout the day. (Genesis 1:28,9:1; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 103:13; 127:3-5, 128:3-4; Proverbs 13:24; 17:6, 19:18, 22:6, 23:13-14; Ephesians 6:4 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 2 Timothy 1:3, 5; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

 

Authority of Statement of Faith

      This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the soul and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore is binding upon all members.

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Article III – PURPOSE

      The Purpose of this local church shall be:

1. To carry out the “Great Commission of Christ: as given in Matthew 28:19,20.
2. To administer the ordinances of the New Testament, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
3. To edify the saints of God through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God as set forth in the Articles of Faith of this church.