Preamble
We, followers of Jesus Christ, responding to the Call of the Spirit through the Gospel found in God’s Holy scriptures do unite together to proclaim the Word, administer the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, and carry out the mission of the Church. We hereby adopt this Constitution and commit ourselves to be governed by its provisions, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Mission Statement of Cainsville Community Church:
Our Mission for Cainsville Community Church is to be a witness to people for Christ in our community and around the world. Our purpose is to worship, study God’s word and share our faith with others, and in doing so to fulfill Jesus’ prayer that it would be on earth as it is in Heaven.
Identification Verse: Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Statements of Faith
On the Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s word without error. God literally breathed out His word using human authors who were guided by the Holy Spirit as they wrote. Every word in the Bible included in the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament is equally inspired. The Bible is our final authority and is a trustworthy source of absolute truth.
On God the Father
We believe in God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity. He is the Creator of all things. He is the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the Universe. He continually upholds and governs all creatures with unconditional love and devotion.
Genesis 1:1 NIV “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.”
1 Corinthians 8:6a NIV “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we live.”
On Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a cross, died, and was buried. After three days Jesus rose from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father, and as is written, He will come again.
1 John 4:9 NIV “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him.”
Mark 10:45 NIV “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
On the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity. As believers, we are led by the Holy Spirit into all truth and sealed for the day that Christ returns.
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
On the Trinity
We believe the Trinity is one God, who eternally exists as three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
1 John 5:7-8 NIV “For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”
On the Fall of Man
We believe God created man good and upright; however, man voluntarily transgressed and fell from the grace of God. Therefore, man is spiritually dead and away from God and his only hope is in the salvation offered by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Genesis 3:1-19 NIV (The Fall)
2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
On Salvation
We believe Salvation is a free gift from God offered to all. We believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace based on the redemption of Jesus Christ and the merit of His shed blood.
John 1:12 NIV “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
On the Church
We believe the Church includes all followers of Christ Jesus, both universal and local. Universal consists of all believers, while local consists of smaller gatherings of believers.
Colossians 1:28 NIV “He (Christ) is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”
On the role of the Local Church
We believe the Local Church is to be equipping believers to do works of service, helping them recognize and use the gifts that God has given them, working as God’s vessels as He advances His Kingdom. The church should be active in telling others about Salvation through Jesus, including fellowship, training, and with practices of baptism for believers, and Holy Communion.
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
On Marriage
We believe, as Cainsville Community Church, that marriage is an institution ordained and ordered by God. It is clearly defined in the Bible as the union of one man and one woman. The Pastors of Cainsville Community Church will only perform marriages involving one biologically born male, and one biologically born female. Pastors, staff and members should maintain celibacy if single and remain monogamous if married, as the Bible teaches.
Matthew 19:4-5 NIV “’Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”’
On Human Sexuality
We believe that sex is reserved for one male and one female who are married, as referred to in the statement on marriage. The practice of homosexuality is not compatible with Scripture or Christian teachings. Sexual activities outside of marriage are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the church. Lewd conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation or distribution or viewing of pornography are incompatible with God’s intention. We believe that the power of Christ can resolve and heal any issue related to sexuality and gender, through the gift of Salvation from God through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:3 NIV “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
On the Sacraments
We believe, as the congregation of Cainsville Community Church in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.
On the Holy Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is an outward act symbolizing the coming to and accepting Jesus Christ as God incarnate. The purpose of baptism is to give visual testimony of our commitment to Christ, showing the world that you love, trust, and have put your hope in Him.
Candidates for baptism need to have made a profession of faith. According to God’s word, Baptism is not a requirement of salvation. Commitment to Christ must precede baptism. Parents are to proclaim this same commitment in the baptism of their infant.
Baptism may be performed by the Pastor or an official in the church who has been approved by the Pastor. Baptism is by immersion, sprinkling or pouring over the head. All baptisms are to be done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, symbolizing the death of the old person, and the resurrection into the new life.
Previous baptisms are accepted. However, any who desire to be baptized, will be required to conference with the Pastor, and/or attend a baptismal class.
Acts 8:26-39 Philip and the Ethiopian
Romans 6:4 NIV “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
On the Sacrament of Holy Communion
Holy Communion is a “service of remembrance” that was instituted by our Lord during the Last Supper as He broke the bread and passed the cup which held the fruit of the vine. The bread is symbolic of His body that was broken for us, and the fruit of the vine is symbolic of His blood that was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The service of Holy Communion is not to be taken lightly but should be taken in a prayerful manner. As we partake of the bread and cup we remember and are thankful for the sacrifice Christ made for us as He took all the sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. By this, Christ made salvation available to all who would accept Him as Lord and Savior. The service of Holy Communion at Cainsville Community Church is open to all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Holy Communion is to be served by the Pastor or an official approved by the Pastor.
1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
On Racial Equality
We believe that God created all men and women equal, in His image, showing no partiality or favoritism. Therefore, anyone accepting His Biblical Doctrine and living according to his Word is welcome since God looks, not at outward appearances, but at the heart.
Acts 10:34-35 NIV “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’”