Constitution of Redeeming Grace Bible Church
Yankton, South Dakota

ARTICLE I
THE ORGANIZATION

REDEEMING GRACE BIBLE CHURCH, of Yankton, South Dakota, is incorporated and related to no denominational conference. Organization, church offices and positions, and membership will be in accordance with current Church By-Laws and the Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The purpose of this church shall be in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, Article III and further delineated here as the following:

  1. To worship God according to the teachings of His Word in song, Biblical teaching, and ministry best suited for the congregation by best practice and ordinances as described in the New Testament;

  2. With help from the Holy Spirit, to obey the ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament, with its foundation in the Old Testament, thereby fostering member’s spiritual growth;

  3. To propagate among all peoples the gospel of salvation and fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 (Scripture in general) and restated in Article III.E. of this Constitution;

  4. To promote Christian personal and family life.

ARTICLE III STATEMENT OF FAITH

We adopt the following statement of our faith:

A. God the Father

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19.

B. TheLordJesusChrist

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures, arose bodily from the dead, and ascended into a literal heaven where He is at the right hand of the Father. He is now our High Priest and Advocate. We believe in His imminent return to judge the world and rule His Kingdom. John 10:29-30; Romans 3:22-25, 5:8-11; 1 Peter 2:24-25.

C. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the existence of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, convict people of sin, to regenerate and fill the believer, and to guide, instruct, and empower the believer by the manifestation of His gifts unto godly living and service. He is a guarantee of the eternal salvation of the believer. John 4:24, 16:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:7.

D. The Bible

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings. It is the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of all who believe. It is the final authority for the Christian faith and life. We believe in God’s sovereign providence and ability to bring forth through the ages His untainted Word, the Canon of Scripture. It is revealed to Christians through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.

E. Salvation

We believe man was seduced by a literal Satan into disbelief and sin. Therefore all people are born with a sinful nature and therefore separated from God and are to be judged to a literal hell. Salvation from judgment is offered to all by God’s grace because of the work of Christ on the Cross, and redemption and power from sin is received by faith alone, in the person and work of Christ alone. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are reborn spiritually by the Holy Spirit and never to be lost. Genesis 3; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; John 1:12; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12, 8:34; Ephesians 1:7, 2:1-3, 8-12; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; 1 John 1:8, 2:1-2.

F. The Church

We believe the Church is the eternal and universal Body of Christ of all those who have accepted the atoning work of Christ. We believe in the eternal promise of the covenant between God and Abraham and his seed through Israel, which is separate and distinct from the Church, and yet to this covenant God is and will be faithful. We believe that Jesus Christ is Head of the Church and all who believe are a Priesthood of believers gifted by the Holy Spirit and included in the work in the body of Christ in each local church in keeping with the Great Commission and good Christian conduct. Church giving and work is in measure of love for God and man and is in obedience to the Scriptural principles of stewardship. Any gift in work and material goods should be in accordance with “what he has” and is to be a free will offering to the Lord to work as He, the Lord, wills. Genesis 12:3; Psalm 122:6; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:28; Romans 11:1-12; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:5-9.

G. Water Baptism and Lord’s Supper

We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church and are in no way regarded as a means of salvation. This church practices open communion to all who know Christ as their Savior, and baptism is offered to the same. Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:17-33.

H. Religious Liberty

We believe that every believer in Jesus Christ has a direct relationship with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that Believers are not subject to any other authority except as is granted by God in the Scriptures. And thus, this church will operate separate from the State in accordance with Church By-Laws. No event or ceremony which violates Scripture will be held on the property of the church, or carried out by its officers, pastors, or staff.