ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE
This organization shall be known as the First Baptist Church of Fort Edward, New York.
Business may also be conducted under the name, The Durkeetown Baptist Church.
The object of this organization shall be the advancement of the reign of God in human life. This
church seeks to reach this end through public worship of God, through evangelism by bringing
people to a personal acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives,
through Christian Education for both young and old, through Christian fellowship, and through
Missionary Endeavor.
ARTICLE II – ARTICLES OF FAITH
Please read: On proof texts@ B the opinion of the Elder=s Council is that these statements
represent our clearest understanding of the whole teaching of the Scriptures. We do not believe it
necessary to try and find Bible verses to prove our statements because the statements flow out of
our understanding of the Scripture. The verses we have provided should be thought of as guides
toward a clearer understanding of the statement and not proof of the statement.
- We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, received in sixty-six books which are
infallible and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority and is sufficient for all matters of faith and
conduct. (1 Timothy 3:16-17) - We believe that there is one living and true God, independently and eternally existing in
three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; that these three are equal in every
divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of
creation, providence and redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4) - We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. The Father perfectly
pursues His own infinite worth as He, with extraordinary love and justice, cares for and
delights in all of His creation because He is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John
1:5)
We believe in Jesus Christ, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and
is true God and true man. He suffered, was crucified, died, was buried and on the third day
rose again from the dead. He ascended triumphantly into heaven and is seated at the right
hand of God the Father Almighty where He serves His people as their Prophet, Priest and
King. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and will make His kingdom
visible, a kingdom that will have no end. (Colossians 2:8-12; Hebrews 1:1-4)
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer, sealing them unto the day of
redemption, and by His baptism unites them to Christ in one body. He, the Spirit of
sanctification, is applying our redemption as He forms Christ within us, thus making visible
the life of Jesus within our lives. (John 16:1-15) - We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and
all who by faith have received His life, as evidenced by continuing to follow Him, are
members. (Matthew 16:17-18)
We believe in the local church, consisting of a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, who
have covenanted to unite for worship and service according to the rule and authority of Jesus
Christ. (Acts 13:1)
We believe that God has given to the Church, through Jesus Christ, both authority and
responsibility to reveal God=s kingdom, thus bringing universal fame and glory to God. This
authority and responsibility is to be exercised in every realm of life through loving acts of
mercy, gracious words that proclaim the gospel and through humble lifestyles that make
visible the rule of Jesus in His Church and in the world. (Psalm 72; Luke 10:1-12)
We believe that God has committed five primary means by which the Holy Spirit strengthens
and nourishes His people so that they may be empowered to exercise the authority of Jesus
Christ B The Word of God, Prayer, Baptism, the Lord=s Supper and Fellowship with other
followers of Jesus. (John 14:16-18) - We believe that God made the heavens and the earth in six twenty-four hour periods and
rested on the seventh; that Creation existed in perfection until the fall of Adam in the garden;
and that God presently sustains all things through the Word of His power. (Colossians
1:16-17)
We believe that the first man, Adam, was created in the image of God with honor and was
given authority to be a governing steward of God=s creation. (Genesis 1:27)
We believe that the first man, Adam, willfully rebelled against his Creator and incurred both
for himself and all his offspring, physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God.
(Romans 5:12)
We believe that Adam represented the whole human race and as a result of his willful
disobedience, all people are born in sin and that outside of God=s grace will continue in their
alienation from God, their own self, their neighbor and the whole of creation.(Romans 3:23) - We believe that God, in vast, immeasurable love, ordained, before the worlds were ever
created, to send His Son Jesus as the One who would conquer death, bring life and reconcile
all things to the Father. (Psalm 2)
We believe in the uniqueness of Christ=s life and His death as that which alone satisfies the
wrath of God and atones for the sin debt of humanity. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We believe that Jesus perfectly obeyed the will of His Father and that just as the first Adam
represented us in the Garden of Eden, Jesus represents us on the Cross and that our sins were
placed upon Him as our representative and were punished through His death. (Romans
5:12-19)
We believe that God, in vast, immeasurable love, ordained, before the worlds were ever
created, to elect out of the human race those He would call to eternal salvation. (John 15:16;
Ephesians 1:3-6)
We believe that God has given to each person a will, which He will not violate but that in His
call to salvation the Holy Spirit both lovingly and graciously changes the disposition of our
will so that we desire to receive the life of Jesus and be forever His child.(John 3:3; Luke
19:1-10)
We believe that all who repent of their sins and place their full confidence in Jesus alone are
ransomed from sin; the condemnation against their sin is removed, they are freed from the
power of sin, and live in fellowship with Him now and forever. (Romans 6:1-14)
We believe that God=s saving work in the life of a person must result in a holy life that is
characterized by loving God and loving your neighbor; and will by God=s grace result in
every believer=s ultimate perfection. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
We believe there is a remnant of sin within each Christian. As a result there is a continual war
between the Spirit and the sinful flesh. Personal sin will be overcome as the Christian fights
against sin through the continual supply of strength from the Spirit. (1 Peter 5:8-11)
We believe that God will not only make His redeemed people perfect but will also answer the
groaning of creation by returning it to its original beauty and perfection so that man and
creation will once again live in peace with each other and with God. (Romans 8:18-25) - We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the full
revelation of His kingdom. (Revelation 1:7)
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous
in the new heavens and new earth, and the endless suffering of the wicked in Hell.
(Revelation 20:11-21:8)
We believe that just as sin came and afflicted every part of the world, so the coming of Christ
will result in the earth being filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters
cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – The Durkeetown Baptist Church shall consist of followers of Jesus who:
_ Hold to the sole authority of the Holy Scriptures
_ Affirm the Articles of Faith as taught by the Durkeetown Baptist Church
_ Willingly agree to live by the standards put forth in the Church Covenant
_ Assent and submit to the practices and governance of the Church as expressed in the Church
Constitution and to the leadership of the Church
_ Have been immersed in water on a credible profession of faith, thus signifying their
participation in the body of Christ.
Section 2 – The Elder=s Council may recommend a person for membership who:
_ Personally confesses Jesus Christ, is baptized by immersion, completes any discipleship
training required by the Elder=s Council and meets with the Elder=s Council for a
membership interview; or
_ Personally confesses Jesus Christ, gives testimony of having been previously baptized by
immersion, completes any discipleship training required by the Elder=s Council and meets
with the Elder=s Council for a membership interview.
A person recommended by the Elder=s Council will be received into membership upon a
majority vote of members present and voting at any members meeting of the Church.
Section 3 – Members who, in the determination of the Council of Elders, negligently and
habitually absent themselves from the fellowship, or willfully engage in persistent sin, or
disregard the church covenant, articles of faith or clear commands of Scripture, will be counseled
by the Council of Elders to repent of their behavior, and to seek forgiveness from Christ and
anyone they have offended or injured. Any member who resists this counsel and persists in such
behavior may, upon the recommendation of the Council of Elders, be removed from membership
by a majority vote of the church members present at any meeting called in accordance with this
Constitution. The Council of Elders will notify the errant member of their recommendation for
removal from membership two weeks before such action is taken.
Section 4 – A member may request a transfer of their membership to another
local church. This request must be submitted in writing to the Council of
Elders and should give the specific reason(s) why transfer is desired. The
Elders have the authority to approve the request and to grant a letter of
transfer. - Because we have individually trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior, we have
confidence from Him that our sins have been forgiven and that we have been born-again by His
Spirit. By His grace we have become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and are members of
the Body of Christ. Therefore, recognizing our position as children of God, we do hereby
covenant together to fulfill our responsibilities to Him and to each other:
In our PERSONAL LIVES we will strive with His help,
to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
to be completely obedient to His will and His Word.
to make personal Bible study and prayer a daily priority so that we might grow to know
Him better.
In our FAMILIES we will seek, with His help,
to be consistent and exemplary in our behavior.
to be careful to carry out our family duties as they are revealed to us in His Word.
to make Jesus Christ the head of our homes.
In the WORLD we will strive, with His help,
to live lives of purity, holiness, truth, and love.
to obey His standard of righteousness.
to abstain from places and practices that might in any way discredit the gospel, defile our
bodies, or dishonor our Lord or His Church.
to lead our families, friends, and neighbors to the Savior through consistent life styles,
words of truth, and works of love.
Within our CHURCH we purpose, with His help,
to joyfully participate in the work of reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
to build up the Body of Christ.
to pray for one another, encourage one another, and minister to one another’s needs.
to be faithful in our attendance, diligent in our service, and sacrificial in our support.
Above all, we purpose to make the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of this church and the Lord of our
lives. We will serve Him because He is God. We will strive for unity because He is the head of
the Body. We will share Him with the world because He is the only Hope of eternal life. We
will give Him our lives because He gave his life for us.