learn about our beliefs

Preamble

We declare and affirm these principles in the light of the Holy Scripture to govern the body in an orderly manner.  These principles are intended to preserve and maintain the liberties of each individual church member as well as the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches and associations.

Article I – Name

This body shall be known as ChristPoint Community, Inc. of the city of Sylacauga, Alabama who at the time of the adoption of this Constitution is utilizing for purpose of regular worship services facilities located at 112 North Anniston Avenue, Sylacauga, AL 35150.

Article II – Purpose & Mission Statement

ChristPoint Community exists to glorify God by being a worshipping, working, and witnessing family of faith.  

Our Mission– ChristPoint Community Church recognizes the need for and the implementation of a plan of action to connect the body of Christ to community and in expanding its influence by the preaching and teaching of the gospel resulting in life transformation.

Section 1. Our Beliefs

Our Beliefs

We believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and is to be interpreted by the literal method, where the rules of grammar, literature, history, and culture are consistently applied.  In this way, we can accurately understand the author’s meaning, and properly apply the Bible’s principles.

The Bible

(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12)

We believe that the Scriptures in all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God, error free in the original manuscripts, and functions as the supreme authority of faith and practice for all followers of Jesus Christ.

God

(Deuteronomy 6:4)

We believe there is one living and true God, who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct persons: The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit.

Man

(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-23)

We believe that mankind was directly created in the image of God to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His purposes on earth.  However, through Adam, all mankind fell into sin; consequently all people are spiritually dead and subject to the certainty of both physical and spiritual death apart from faith in Jesus Christ.  Our inclusive work is the restoration of all fallen men back to the original intent of our Lord.  This is recognized as a lifelong journey and transformation.

Salvation

(John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)

We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.  All who believe in and are transformed through Him are declared righteous by the Father on the grounds of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, being regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Church

(Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12-14)

We believe that all who are “born again” by the Holy Spirit as true followers of Christ belong to the one true church and are instructed by the scriptures to associate themselves in local and visible churches.

Ordinances

(Matt. 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

We believe that baptism is an essential “first step” for all who, having believed in Christ for salvation, desire to walk as his disciples.  Baptism is a clear injunction of the scriptures which outwardly expresses the inward reality of new life in Christ.  Our method of baptism is immersion as described in the New Testament and practiced in the early church.  We believe that the Lord’s Supper (Communion) is a memorial of Christ and His redemptive death.  It is also an expression of our fellowship with one another.  In communion we are reminded of Christ’s first coming, and encouraged to look forward to His coming again.

The Future

(Matthew 24-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

We believe the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ.  This is the blessed hope for which all those who love Christ yearn.  While the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, we believe His return is both imminent and certain.

Article III – Statement of Faith

The Holy Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith.  The church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000.  The established and recognized ordinances of the Church are Baptism and observance of The Lord’s Supper (Communion).

Article IV – Relationships

The government of the church is vested in the body of believers who compose it.  It is an autonomous body subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation, which are common among Southern Baptist churches.  Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Coosa River Baptist Association, The Alabama Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Article V – Church Covenant

We, the members of ChristPoint Community, in the City of Sylacauga, Alabama, having been led as we believe, by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, do now in the presence of God and this assembly, inter into a covenant with each other, as one body in Christ.  We therefore agree, by the help of the Holy Spirit and with the Bible, the inspired Word of God as our guide, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; to promote spirituality; to sustain its worship, discipline and doctrine; to observe the church ordinances of believers baptism and the Lord’s Supper as authorized by our local church; to contribute cheerfully and regularly of God’s tithes and our offerings to the support of the ministry of our church and to the spread of the gospel to all peoples.

We agree to encourage personal and family devotions; to educate our children according to our faith; to seek the salvation of the unbeliever; to be just in our dealings, reliable in our responsibilities, and an example to those around us; to use our influence to combat harmful practices and to work untiringly for the advancement of the Kingdom of our Savior by witnessing in words and actions.  Understanding that the preservation of unity is a primary focus, we agree to walk in Christian harmony and watchfulness, giving and receiving assistance with meekness and affection; to pray for one another; to help each other in sickness and sorrow; to be slow to anger; to always be eager for reconciliation, seeking it without delay, and entering into all discussions with truth, honesty, love, and integrity discussing together until all malice is gone and destroyed.  We agree that absolute truth will always win out and that we recognize even in all disputes that we are on the same spiritual team in purpose and spirit.  We further agree in the event we move from this area we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Article VI – Amendments

Changes in this constitution may be made at any regular business meeting of the church, provided that copies of the amendment(s) have been provided to each member at least seven days prior to the vote on the amendment.  Amendments shall be passed by two-thirds majority vote of present voting members.

Article VII – Adoption

Section 1 – This constitution shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when two thirds of members present and voting at the business meeting at which the vote is taken shall vote in favor of same.  This vote shall be taken not less than 30 days after formal presentation of the constitution of the church.

Section 2 - This Constitution abolishes, supersedes, and takes the place of any constitution, rules, and bylaws and amendments that preceded it.

Section 3 – A copy of this constitution and bylaws shall at all times be kept by the church clerk and another copy shall be kept in the church office.  All amendments and revisions shall, after passage by the vote of the church, be prepared by the church clerk and incorporated in the constitution and bylaws and made available to church members upon request.  The structure and responsibilities of all ministry teams will be developed and voted on by the church and shall be reflected in the Bylaws as adopted by the church.