ARTICLE V – PRACTICES OF FAITH

A. PRACTICES OF FAITH

The practices of this church shall be in conformity with those generally accepted by historic

Baptist churches and expressed in the PRACTICES OF FAITH as follows:

1. Marriage

We believe that marriage is the union of one male and one female united under God for

life in holy matrimony (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:21-33). Guidelines for the

performance of marriages in this church are contained in Faithway Baptist Church’s

Marriage Manual.

2. Divorce

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses

dies. Divorced and remarried or divorced persons may be considered for positions of

service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, but they may not

be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon (Mal. 2:11-17; Matt. 19:4-9; Rom. 7:1-

3; I Tim. 3:2; Titus l:6).

3. Human Life

We believe human life is sacred. It is given by God and is not to be taken by another. We

do believe that God grants authority for taking life in self–defense. Having accepted the Bible as our guide for faith and practice, we believe that itteaches that the sacredness of human life extends from conception until natural oraccidental death. Accordingly, we believe that abortion violates the Word of God and should not be practiced. We also believe, by authority of the Bible, that euthanasia is a violation of God’s Word and not to be practiced (Ex. 20:3; Deut. 27:25; Jer.22:3; Gal.

5:11-21; Ja. 2:11).

4. Family Relationships

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal before God, but that God has

ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and

the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be leaders

(pastors) of the church  However, a woman can be a deaconess. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the leadership of Christ. Children are  heritage from the Lord.

Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading

them through consistent lifetime example and appropriate discipline, including

Scriptural corporal correction (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov.

19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; Eph. 5:21-23; Col. 3:18-21; I Pet. 3:1-7).

5. Lawsuits Between Believers

We believe that Christians should not bring civil lawsuits against other Christians or the

church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources

necessary to resolve personal disputes between members (I Cor. 6:1-8).

6. Financial Support

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to

him, should support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the

tithe as a basis for giving to his local church (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:8-10, Heb.

7:4-9). We believe that every Christian should also give other offerings, cheerfully, to the

support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel (Acts 4:34-

37; II Cor. 9:6-7; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I Jn . 3:17).

7. Human Sexuality

We believe that the Bible, which is our guide for faith and practice, teaches us that sex,

sexual contact, and solicitation or promotion of sex outside of marriage as ordained of God,

is offensive to Him and a violation of His Word. Adultery, lesbianism, homosexuality, and

bestiality are examples of sinful and immoral acts which are unacceptable under the

provisions of God’s Word. We believe that the Bible defines marriage as the union of one

man and one woman for the lifetime of either of them (Gen. 2:24; Lev. 19:20, Rom. 1:26-

27; I Cor. 7:39; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-6; I Tim. 1:9-10).

8. Inordinate Behavior and Apparel

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and that such acts as

body mutilation and the adornment of apparel which outwardly reflects rebellion to His

standards are indicative of alienation from God (I Ki. 18:28; Zep. 1:8).

B. AUTHORITY OF THE PRACTICES OF FAITH

The Practices of Faith do not exhaust the extent of our faith. They are expressed to strengthen

our beliefs and faith. The Bible, itself, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do

believe, however, that the foregoing Practices of Faith and the preceding Confession of Faith and

Covenant at ARTICLE IV accurately represent the teachings of the Bible. Scripture references

are from the Authorized Version of the King James Bible. Differences in interpretation of the

Practices of Faith are resolved using that Bible.