Real Bible-Presbyterian Church - Constitution

Introduction

Real Bible-Presbyterian Church is planted with a simple but demanding conviction: God has spoken, His Word is true, and the Church must live under that Word without apology. We exist because Christ builds His Church through the gospel, not through trends, personalities, or cultural approval. Our desire is not to invent a new Christianity, but to receive, guard, and proclaim the faith once delivered to the saints, reforming our life and practice continually according to Holy Scripture.

We stand consciously within the Reformed and Evangelical tradition. Reformed, because we confess the sovereignty of God in creation, redemption, and the ordering of the Church. Evangelical, because we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached clearly, publicly, and personally, calling sinners to repentance and faith. Presbyterian, because we are persuaded that Christ rules His Church through elders, gathered in accountable courts, for the good of His people and the glory of His Name.

This church is called “Real” not to boast, but to confess our submission. The Bible is not an accessory to our worship or a resource among many; it is the supreme authority that governs what we believe, how we worship, and how we live. We seek to be a praying church, a teaching church, and a holy church—imperfect, often weak, but anchored to Christ and corrected by His Word.

What follows is the constitution of Real Bible-Presbyterian Church, setting forth our doctrinal commitments, government, worship, discipline, and mission, so that all things may be done decently and in good order, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Constitution of Real Bible-Presbyterian Church

Article I: Name

The name of this church shall be Real Bible-Presbyterian Church (hereafter referred to as “the Church”).

Article II: Head of the Church

1. Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church, which is His body.
2. All authority exercised in the Church is ministerial and declarative, derived from Christ and bound by Holy Scripture.

Article III: Holy Scripture

1. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, originally given by divine inspiration, are the written Word of God.
2. Scripture is infallible and inerrant in the original writings, and has been faithfully preserved by God in the totality of the biblical manuscripts.
3. Scripture is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith, worship, and practice.
4. The Bible interprets itself, with Scripture being the best interpreter of Scripture.

Article IV: Confessional Standards

1. The doctrinal system of this Church is that which is commonly called Reformed theology.
2. The subordinate standards of this Church are:
• The Westminster Confession of Faith
• The Westminster Larger Catechism
• The Westminster Shorter Catechism
3. These confessions and catechisms are received as faithful summaries of biblical doctrine, always subordinate to Holy Scripture.

Article V: Doctrine

Section 1: The Triune God

We believe in one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory.

Section 2: Creation and Providence

God created all things out of nothing by the word of His power and continues to uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and actions according to His holy will.

Section 3: The Fall and Sin

Our first parents fell into sin, and all mankind descending from them by ordinary generation are born guilty and corrupted in nature, wholly inclined to evil.

Section 4: Salvation

Salvation is entirely of God’s grace, according to His eternal election, accomplished by the atoning work of Jesus Christ, and applied by the Holy Spirit.

Justification is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Section 5: The Church

The visible Church consists of all those who profess the true religion, together with their children, and is called to worship God, proclaim the gospel, administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline.

Section 6: The Sacraments

Christ has instituted two sacraments for His Church:

1. Baptism
2. The Lord’s Supper

These are signs and seals of the covenant of grace, to be administered according to Christ’s institution.

Section 7: Last Things

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the eternal blessedness of the righteous, and the everlasting punishment of the wicked.

Article VI: Worship

1. The worship of God must be regulated by His revealed will as taught in Scripture.
2. Worship shall be centered on the public reading and preaching of Scripture, prayer, the singing of psalms and biblical hymns, and the faithful administration of the sacraments.
3. Worship shall be conducted reverently, intelligibly, and orderly, aiming at the glory of God and the edification of His people.

Article VII: Church Government

1. The Church shall be governed according to Presbyterian polity.
2. Christ has appointed elders to rule and shepherd His Church.
3. There shall be two classes of elders:
• Teaching Elders (Pastors)
• Ruling Elders
4. Deacons shall be appointed to oversee works of mercy and service.

Article VIII: The Session

1. The Session consists of the Teaching Elder(s) and Ruling Elders.
2. The Session is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the Church, including worship, discipline, and doctrine.

Article IX: Church Membership

1. Membership in the Church is open to all who credibly profess faith in Jesus Christ and submit to the government and discipline of the Church.
2. Members are called to attend worship faithfully, pursue holiness, support the work of the Church, and live in love toward one another.

Article X: Church Discipline

1. Church discipline is a mark of the true Church and is exercised for the glory of God, the purity of the Church, and the restoration of the offender.
2. Discipline shall be carried out with patience, fairness, and fidelity to Scripture.

Article XI: Mission and Evangelism

1. The Church is called to make disciples of all nations through the preaching of the gospel.
2. The Church shall support missions, church planting, and works of mercy in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission.

Article XII: Amendments

1. This Constitution may be amended only in submission to Holy Scripture.
2. Amendments require approval by the Session and the congregation, according to procedures established by the Session.

Soli Deo Gloria