The name of this organization shall be First Baptist Church, Clifton, Tennessee.

This body of believers in Jesus Christ shall be constituted as a Baptist Church with the purpose of a New Testament Church to carry out the great commission of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; and Acts 1:8, and to develop Christian Fellowships among the saints and their growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Obedience to the Holy Bible and the spreading of the Good News of God in Christ shall be the primary task. The foundation for obedience and practicing faith is the Holy Bible as inspired, infallible Word of God without error for the complete salvation of man.

This is an autonomous and democratic church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains into itself the right of exclusive self-government in all phases of the life of this church. The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognized the need of a spirit of cooperation among other Baptist churches. There shall be no cooperation with any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy, or that endorses any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy.

This church shall fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention and Tennessee Baptist Convention as long as the Association is characterized by Biblical convictions and vigorous opposition to apostasy and compromise.

If the SBC/TBC forsakes its present Biblical position, this church shall take appropriate action to withdraw from its fellowship.

We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written; that it was verbally and plenarily inspired and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is infallible and inerrant in all matters of which it speaks.

We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed and opinions shall be tried (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Exodus 20:2,3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that he is the Agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer (John 14:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; J0ohn 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5, 6; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27).

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator; that he became the unholy god of this age and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10).

We believe the Biblical account of the creation of the physical universe, angels and man; that this account is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without any evolutionary process; that man was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men are descended for the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race (Genesis 1, 2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3).

We believe that man was created in innocence (in the image and likeness of God) under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct, and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19; 5:12, 19: 1:18, 32).

We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14).

We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Savior; that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen for the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.

We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God, promoted by the Holy Spirit, and is an integral part of saving faith (Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14-17; Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and in His ascension into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, interceding for us (Matthew 28:6, 7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6, 51; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; 12:2; 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9, 10).

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:30-33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8).

We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood (Romans 3:24; 4:5, 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9).

We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God, accomplished in a threefold manner; first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord’s return (Hebrews 10:10-14; 3:1; John 17:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 22:11).

We believe experience must never interpret Scripture, but rather Scripture must validate all we believe and practice. We recognize that the Holy Spirit gives to every believer the ability to do something of spiritual value for God, as He has willed (1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will). We recognize that God gave some, in the apostolic era, sign gifts (temporary gifts) that are not available to this present dispensation. We reject the phenomena attributed to God as working through man as speaking in tongues, or interpreting tongues. We reject the idea of man being able to perform miraculous signs and revelations (1 Corinthians 13:8, 14:1-40; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20; Jeremiah 23:16-32.).

We do believe in the ability of God to heal. We do not believe in so-called divine healers who say that they have the ability to heal. We believe that God uses physicians and other trained people to treat illnesses but that all healing comes from God.

We believe the true sign gifts that God gave to confirm revelations passed away with the apostolic era. We are opposed to all non-biblical, false religions that pose as Christian and seek to blur the division of truth and error (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 4; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11). We recognize that the sign gifts were used to reach the unbelievers, particularly Israelites, with the Gospel and belief in Christ.

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (John 6:39; John 8:31; 1 John 2:27, 28; 3:9; 5:18; John 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20, 21; John 6:66-69; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:12, 13; Jude 24, 25; Hebrews 1:14; 13:5; John 4:4).

We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; that on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final (1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 2:41, 42).

We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers in the Church which is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:22; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13-18).

We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9-11).

We believe that government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of kings (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18).

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those who are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in the lake of fire (Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14, 15).

We believe that God ordained the institution of marriage between one man (male) and one woman (female), to become one flesh. This is the only union that includes a divinely approved sexual relationship and any other sexual thought or conduct is sin, due the judgment of God. All practice of sex other than as God designed it to be enjoyed in male-female marriage is a statement of rebellious sinners against God. Homosexuality was not created or intended by God, but is a gross perversion by rebellious humans and is a total abomination to God (Genesis 2:22-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:18-32; Leviticus 18:22-30).

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that in the last day Christ will descend from Heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will take place; that the wicked will be judged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that the judgment will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven or Hell, on principles of righteousness (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 6:40; 11:25, 26; 2 Timothy 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13:37-43; 24:30, 31; Matthew 25:35-41; Revelation 22:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1, 2).

This Church shall consist of those who have accepted Jesus Christ and made a public profession of faith as their personal Lord and Saviour, and have received a scriptural baptism.

1. All persons applying for membership in this church shall be presented on recommendation of the pastor or a deacon, or associate or interim pastor.

2. A person professing his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour may be received into the church by baptism

3. When seeking membership they must be examined by the pastor and deacons and counseled as to our Articles of Faith before being presented for membership. Such candidate must claim a rebirth experience. Any previous baptism other than by immersion symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (or Ghost) will not be received as scriptural baptism and will require rebaptism. The pastor or deacons will make their recommendation concerning the candidate’s membership or rebaptism at the soonest possible service after council.

4. No one shall be received into the church without the approval vote of those members present. Any objection to the reception of an applicant shall be referred to the deacons without delay.

1. It is vital to the testimony of this church and the glory of our Lord that the purity of the church be preserved and its peace protected. With these ends in view, it shall be the duty of the Pastor and Deacons to seek diligently to reclaim any member known to be living in disregard of his Biblical and covenant obligations. It is specifically directed that the Pastor and Deacons move with promptness and vigor in dealing with anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the peace of the church by slander, falsehood, gossip, conspiracy or other unfair and unchristian methods. It is recognized that a Baptist church must be a theocracy operating as a democracy in which the majority shall rule. It is recognized further that while the minority has the right of private opinion in all questions and the right of appeal in any constitutional and proper manner, it shall not have the right to engage in secret or open propaganda, or of deliberately disturbing the peace and interrupting the work of the church. It is further recognized that when the church, by regular order and proper vote, has determined upon a course of action, that course becomes the duty of every member of the church. If any member cannot conscientiously follow the decision of the church, he is to quietly and peacefully withdraw from the membership.

2. If a member is walking disorderly in conflict with the above principles, or is involved in any known immorality, dishonesty or public scandal, and such members cannot be restored to fellowship through confession and correction of his sins, he shall be dealt with on the basis of Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5. His case shall be brought before the church by recommendation of Pastor and Deacons.

3. During the last quarter of each year the Pastor, Deacons and Church Clerk shall review the membership roll. Any member habitually absent from the services of the church without due cause, and who is negligent to spiritual duties, shall be removed from active membership upon recommendation of the Pastor, Deacons and Church Clerk and placed on the inactive membership list. The individual shall be informed of this action. This section shall be implemented only after faithful efforts to reclaim the member. Restoration to active membership shall be by vote of the church, upon recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, only after there is satisfactory evidence of a renewed spiritual walk.

4. No person on the inactive membership list shall be entitled to vote, hold office or teach.

5. The Pastor, Deacons and members shall make a sincere effort to reclaim spiritually those on the inactive list. During the last quarter of each year the Pastor and Deacons shall review the inactive members list and determine which inactive members to remove from the church roll.

6. In the event of difference between members, it is recommended that they be settled personally in accordance with Matthew 18:15 and 16.

7. If a member desires to prefer charges against another member, including violation of covenant obligation or of immoral, improper or unchristian conduct, such charges must be submitted to the Pastor and Deacons in writing, and must be duly signed by the accuser.

8. In order to prevent unnecessary public scandal, the Pastor and Deacons may hear the charges, pro and con, in any disciplinary case, if this is mutually satisfactory with the accused and the accuser. If dismissal is recommended by the Pastor and Deacons, the recommendation must be presented to the church, preferably without details, for final action. The entire matter must be brought before the church at the request of the accused, or of the church. No member may be dismissed except by vote of the church.

1. Dismissal shall be by death, letter or exclusion.

2. Any member in good standing may be granted a letter of transfer to any church of like faith and order upon its request. The letter shall be sent to the church with which the member wishes to unite.

3. A letter of dismissal without recommendation may be sent to any other church.

4. By written personal request.

1. The duties of the committees are to prepare and execute the work as generally prescribed by the church and to report to the church any recommendations of said committee and serve the request of the membership action in carrying on the work of each committee. Each committee is responsible to the church and has no authority except as delegated by the action of the church.

2. The pulpit committee shall investigate fully all pastorial prospects, visit in town where prospective pastor is residing, attend services and report in full to the church before prospective pastor is invited to preach a trial sermon. Only one prospect shall be presented to the church until he has been voted upon.

Additional committees may be recommended for church approval when warranted. A pulpit committee will be elected as required by the church in a business meeting.

Article V – Church Meetings

We are always happy when a request is made by our members to use the church sanctuary for a wedding. It seems that marriage is made more sacred and is on a more secure foundation when the vows are exchanged in God's house.

As we offer these church wedding policies, we have no thought of discouraging church weddings - indeed we encourage them - but we merely seek to clarify some questions that often arise.

Let it be remembered by all that marriage is sacred and holy beyond words. While a wedding ceremony is a time of happiness, it is not a time of frivolity nor levity on the part of anyone participating in or attending the ceremony. Reverence and respect for God's house should prevail at a wedding or use of fellowship hall as much as at any other religious service.

The following policies have been adopted by the church concerning weddings or use of our fellowship hall in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws, page 15, ARTICLE VI - Use of the Church Facilities.

        Payments must be in advance of reserved date.

5. Minister. Any minister approved by the Pastor of this church may perform the ceremony.

6. Music. Arrangements for music and use of the musical instruments can be made through the Pastor of this church. All music in connection with wedding ceremonies shall be in keeping with the sacred character appropriate dignity of the wedding service.

7. Floral Decorations. The choice of a florist is made by the bride and groom. Only dripless candles may be used and must be placed in candelabra that rest upon plastic material so as to insure no drippings on the carpet. In the event of drippings, florists will be responsible for the cleaning. No decorations may be attached to any of the woodwork in the sanctuary.

8. Reception. Receptions may be held in the fellowship hall of the church. Arrangements for receptions must be made through the Pastor. It is required that all dishes be washed and kitchen must be restored to original conditions by caterer or other persons in charge of reception unless prior arrangements have been made with the church.

9. No Smoking or Alcohol. There shall be no smoking in the building at any time. No degree of alcoholic beverages are served at any special function (wedding or otherwise) at First Baptist Church, and those participating in the rehearsal of ceremony are expected to abstain during the time of same.

10. No rice. No rice or bird seed is to be thrown in connection with weddings either in the sanctuary, fellowship hall or hallways of the building.

11. Responsibility. All parties using the church for weddings shall assume full responsibility for any injuries or damage to church property, at replacement value.

12. Other Problems or Questions. If there are other questions or problems, please call the Pastor.