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January 1997 - Bethel Gospel Chapel, North Bay, Ontario

1. We, the believers who regularly gather at Bethel consider ourselves to be a spiritual organism of born again believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are under His direct authority through: (a) His Word, (b) the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, and (c) the leadership of elders (Matthew 18:20; John 3:3; 16:13; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 13:17).

2. The purpose of the assembly is to: (a) Proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (b) Promote the worship of God in accordance with His Word, the Bible. (c) Edify and encourage believers toward maturity in Christ. (d) Cultivate a loving, caring fellowship. (e) Cooperate with other Evangelical Christians. (f) Provide relief for believers and others in need.  We seek to follow the example of the first century church...in fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, praise, and Bible study (Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 2:41-42,46,47; 20:7; Matthew 28:18-20).

3. Christians are welcome to become partners in the local church ministry, providing their conduct and doctrine are consistent with the Word of God and are committed to the goals of the local body and maintaining the Unity of the Spirit (Romans 15:7; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 12:2).

4. We observe two ordinances: (a) Baptism by immersion, on a personal confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18,19; Acts 8:12,13,36-38; 10:47,48). (b) The Lord’s supper on the first day of each week by believers who at peace with each other, in unbroken fellowship with their Lord.  This is a time of corporate worship and remembrance (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Luke 22:19,20).

5. We recognize the priesthood of all believers and the diversity of spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:4,5,9,10; 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:4).

6. The elders are responsible and accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ to care, teach, counsel, encourage, lead, feed, protect and discipline all who are part of the local body in all spiritual matters and conduct (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-4; Hebrews 13:17; Titus 1:5-9).

7. The deacons are responsible to serve the spiritual and material needs of the church and to work in conjunction with the elders (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-3).

8. Men and women are equal in position as children of God but have different roles in the assembly.  Men are responsible to lead and teach when the assembly is gathered together.  Women also, are encouraged to develop spiritual gifts and to teach other women and to serve in other areas of service to the Lord in the assembly.  We teach and encourage men to remove head coverings during assembly meetings and women to wear a head covering as a personal act of submission to God’s Divine order, authority, headship, and distinction of roles between men and women (Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Timothy 2:8,11,12; Romans 16:1,2; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Titus 2:1-4).

9. We preach the gospel of the grace of God -- that Salvation is through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross -- and His triumphant resurrection.  We emphasize that the individual’s eternal destiny in heaven or hell is determined by a personal response to repent from sin and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour or reject Him (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 1:16; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; 3:36).

10. We encourage all believers to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the assembly and to live Christ-like in the world.  As servants of God, we are witnesses of Him to all peoples, in all places, at all times (1 Corinthians 1:10; Matthew 18:15; 28:19; Titus 2:1-15).

11. This assembly takes action together in all matters of discipline (1 Corinthians 5).

12. Free will offerings of the Lord’s people are prayerfully distributed to carry on the Lord’s work at Bethel Gospel Chapel in North Bay, as well as to support home and foreign missions.  We are committed to preaching the gospel and the making of disciples of all men and women, young and old (1 Corinthians 16:1,2; Philippians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Matthew 28;18-20).