NEW JERSEY HOUSE of PRAYER
Iselin, NJ
Constitution and By-Laws, Articles of Faith and Church Policy
PREAMBLE
THE NAME OF THIS CHURCH SHALL BE NEW JERSEY HOUSE of PRAYER , currently meeting at Oak Tree Presbyterian Church, 1295 Oak Tree Road, Iselin, NJ 08830.
CHURCH POLICY
Whereas this church, in its desire for steady growth in the Vineyard of the Lord and in its fervent determination to both exercise and fulfill the great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, recognizes the great need, especially in these days of evident apostasy, of thorough and complete understanding of principles and policies of the New Testament Church, for the sake of the perpetual unanimity of the Spirit, that said fervency of determination be not impaired now or later and thus bring reproach upon the name and work of Christ in this place; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the NEW JERSEY HOUSE of PRAYER hereby places itself on record as adopting the following altogether scriptural policy in relation to the church as a Divine Institution and its officers and members of the Institution.
A. That the local New Testament Church is an autonomous body, and in all matters pertaining to its teaching and policy, is sovereign and responsible only to Jesus Christ, its recognized Head; the said sovereignty of the church residing within the local church. It shall be affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
B. That the leadership of the church, all departments being subject thereto, resides in the scriptural office of the Pastor (also called in the Scriptures “bishop” or “elder”), who is appointed by the Holy Spirit as the overseer of the flock; the Deacons (the word meaning “faithful, humble, confidence deserving, fit servants”) being selected by the Pastor and Church (Acts 6) to help and assist the Pastor by responding and giving effect to such leadership as he, by the Spirit’s help, may be enabled to give.
Realizing that for corporate purposes it is necessary in legal matters for officers to act on behalf of the church body and with the understanding that the term given said officers is “trustee”, which is a legal and not scriptural term, may it be understood that within this policy the term “deacon” means “trustee” and until such time the “deacons” are selected, the church shall elect the “trustee”.
C. That the policy heretofore set forth is thoroughly scriptural and Biblically sound as is shown in the following references as pertaining to:
The Pastor:
- Acts 20:28 ”Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseer, to feed the church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood.”
- Hebrews 13:7 “Obey them that have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
- Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.”
- I Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.”
- I Timothy 3:2-7 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
The Deacons:
- I Timothy 3:8-12 “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers; sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”
- Acts 6:2-4 – (Example of specially appointed servants for
special duty) “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, it is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who we may appoint over this business, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.”
D. IT IS THEREFORE RECOGNIZED that the Scriptures place the emphasis upon the spiritual qualifications of those elected as Deacons and that such selection is to result in the building up of the church numerically, spiritually, and financially (Acts 6:5-7). They shall likewise prepare and distribute the elements of the Lord’s Supper.
E. That in order to attain the highest spiritual achievements, it is recognized that there must be maintained in our church, the unanimity of the Faith, and it is therefore hereby declared as the policy of this church, in accord with the Scriptural position heretofore set forth in this instrument, that all officers and teachers appointed by the Pastor and Church accept such office or appointment on the clear Christian understanding that they give wholeheartedly their loyalty and support to the recognized scriptural leadership of the Pastor and the voice of the church body.
F. And that if or when any officers or teachers decide that he or she cannot accept or support this declared policy of the church, that such persons shall declare their positions by declining to accept office, or resigning from office in order that their offices may be filled by those who are prepared to give their loyalty and support to the policy and leadership of the church.
G. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any member of this church has any cause for complaint of sufficiently serious nature to justify expression, that this church requires that such complaint to be taken to the Pastors and Deacons for consideration and action, and further, that if any member be known to give expression here or elsewhere to sentiments likely to cause division or dissention in the membership or to impede the progress of the work, such course, if persisted in, shall constitute sufficient grounds for bringing the names of the ones so doing before the Pastors and Deacons for a seventy-five percent vote for exclusion from membership for the following reasons, after having practiced Matthew 18:15 – 17.
1. UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT. Consistent violation of their part of the adopted and established policy of this church.
2. HOLDING OR TEACHING DOCTRINES SUBVERSIVE of those held and preached by this church, whether such teaching is done in this church’s building or elsewhere.
- CALLING, HOLDING, OR PARTICIPATING IN SECRET OR UNAUTHORIZED meetings with members of the church.
- UNBRIDLED TONGUE. Active and continuous opposition to the policy or leadership of the church or conduct calculated to cause or create dissension or division within the church.
H. AND FINALLY BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that this church hereby authorizes and enjoins its Pastors and Deacons to review the work of this church and its present status as related to this policy, and bring it immediately into harmony with the terms of this policy.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. …The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. …God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. …He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of men from sin.
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. …He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. …He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Man
Man is the special creation of God, in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. …By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. … The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every person of every race possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
God’s Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. …All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end.
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. …It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members … memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Evangelism & Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations… to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. …It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. …Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly…the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell. …The righteous… will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Education
The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence … there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. …The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions.
Cooperation
Christ’s people should … organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. …Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations.
The Christian & the Social Order
All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society… in the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death…
Religious Liberty
Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. …A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.
Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. … The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation… Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Article 1. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH SHALL BE:
Section 1
A. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as near and as far, as often and as truly as by the grace of God it is possible. This is to be understood that by every honest means, as a church, we shall strive to leave no stone unturned in a continuous effort to get the people to the gospel and get the gospel to the people.
- To baptize all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and give satisfactory evidence that such is really true. That upon such baptism the candidate thereby shall have been received into the membership of this church.
- To teach, exhort, and admonish all believers that they, by the Holy Word, and “built up in the faith,” go about the business of personal soul winning and have so “put on Christ” as to learn the joy of supreme faithfulness to Him and to this church having so laid hold upon the truth that they are living lives reflecting a deep love for, and a constant expectancy of the return of Christ to take His own unto Himself in the fulfilling of His Word.
Article 2. THE CONFORMITY OF THIS CHURCH SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
- The New Jersey House of Prayer shall affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Article 3. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS CHURCH shall consist of the following individuals:
Section 1.
- Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, obeying the Lord in scriptural baptism, giving evidence of a change of heart, and adopting the views of faith and practice held by this church and as set forth in the “ARTICLES OF FAITH”.
- Members from other Baptist churches holding the same faith may be received by letter of recommendation.
- Those who are willing to follow the beliefs of the church by acknowledging the statement of faith.
D. Previously excluded or disciplined members of this church may be restored to membership in the following manner:
- Upon acknowledgment of their sins and errors which brought forth the church
discipline and/or exclusion together with:
- A six months attendance after said confession that reveals faithfulness in attendance, Christ-likeness in spirit and liberality in stewardship. If this result is satisfactory, the individual in question should again be received into membership.
- Members once excluded will not be permitted to hold a church elective office until at least six months after full restoration.
Article 4. THE GENERAL DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH SHALL BE:
Section 1.
A. The acquisition of Scriptural knowledge.
B. Constant growth in spirituality.
C. Consistence in external conduct.
D. The putting away of all questionable habits.
E. The control and triumph over every unholy temper.
Section 2.
- It is the duty of members to honor, esteem, and love their pastor; to pray for him fervently and daily; to submit to him in the Scriptural exercise of his Holy Spirit-given authority to attend constantly upon his ministrations; to manifest a tender regard for his reputation; and to contribute toward his support regularly as is clearly taught in the scriptures.
Section 3.
- Toward those who are not connected with the church,
it is the duty of members to be exact, prompt, and
faithful in fulfilling obligations and performing
promises; and as opportunity and ability may enable, to commend the Gospel of Christ unto them.
Section 4.
- It is the duty of each member to cultivate and cherish brotherly love for all other members of the church, and to show this love by using all proper measures to promote their spiritual benefit and prosperity, and, as nearly as possible, refrain from becoming party to cliques or groups whose spirit is manifestly selfish and not in the interest of all other members.
Section 5.
- It is the duty of all members upon removing from the geographical attendance radius of this church, to, without unnecessary delay, unite with another church of like faith and practice, requesting said church to send immediately to the New Jersey House of Prayer for their letter of dismissal.
Section 6.
- It shall be the privilege and responsibility of all members to practice scriptural giving as to amount, time, and place; the amount is at least the tithe (10%), the time is regularly, and the place is the “storehouse,” this church, the House of God to which you belong, and where you are spiritually a part of the family and are getting your soul’s food.
Article 5. VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES.
Section 1.
- All members sixteen (16) years of age and older are entitled to vote on all church business provided they comply with the following requirements.
- It is the obligation of all members to maintain active participation in the church, both in attendance and with contributions. Each member shall examine their own personal church participation to determine sufficient church involvement so as to allow voting on church business. However, the Pastor, Deacons, or congregation may, at their discretion, direct members that have not maintained reasonable participation or affiliation with the church to relinquish voting rights until reasonable participation is evident. Such action shall be made known to the congregation.
- Any member relieved of voting rights may have their voting rights reinstated by evidence of reasonable church participation for a six (6) month period. Such reinstatement shall be made by the Pastor and Deacons, and shall be made known to the congregation.
- A quorum shall consist of active members present at the business meeting. Absentee voting shall be permitted when certified prior to the vote by
verification of membership by the church office.
E. The following voting shall carry a motion pending:
- A 3/4 vote is required to call or dismiss a Pastor.
- A 2/3 vote is required to change any instrument of the church, except Instrument No. 3., “ARTICLES OF FAITH”, which shall never be changed.
- A majority vote is required to pass any other church business.
Article 6. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH AND THEIR DUTIES.
Section 1.
- The first officer of this church shall be the Pastor whose qualifications, duties and leadership responsibilities are set forth in this Church Policy in Article B and C.
- The Pastor is ex-officio over all committees, but all may have their own committee chairman or president. In the state incorporation, the pastor shall be the president of the Church. The pastor shall also be the moderator for all meetings and business meetings.
- It shall be the duty of the Pastor to preach at the church, or in his absence because of ministry elsewhere, to furnish a qualified supply for the pulpit.
- Ministerial Staff – The church shall announce a vacancy and invite applications and after narrowing down on a particular individual, the church shall invite the candidate in “View of Call”. Upon the 3/4th majority voting of members, the candidate shall be called to serve on staff.
Non-Ministerial staff shall be interviewed and appointed by a committee.
- The Senior Pastor shall call and act as moderator at all meetings of the church unless meeting is deemed necessary during the serious illness and therefore
absence of the Pastor, at which time the Pastors and Deacons may authorize one of their own to act as moderator of any meeting deemed necessary.
F. Whenever it is necessary, by the death, resignation, or departure of the Pastor, the church shall, without unnecessary delay, proceed to secure a new pastor in the following manner:
- The deacons shall act as a “Pulpit Committee.”
This committee shall invite to this church’s pulpit, after counsel with the Lord thereon, one or more ministers of good report. The appointment of the pastor shall be in accordance with Article 7 Sec 1.D. The “Pulpit Committee” shall cease to exist upon the selection of the pastor.
- Deacons – The number of deacons shall be at the rate of 1:10 families. The pastor shall identify an individual based on 1 Timothy Chapter 3 to be considered for the office. He shall then be interviewed by an ordination council and then be presented to the church, to be elected by a majority of votes. The tenure of office shall be two (2) years, with one year off before they can be re-elected to serve. The qualifications and duties of office are fully set forth in the Church Policy.
H. Trustees – In accordance with church policy the term “deacon” means “trustee” and until such time the “deacons” are selected, the church shall elect the “trustee”. Those selected deacons shall serve as trustees in keeping with the State of Delaware Code for Societies and Corporations. A trustee in this church shall be a male member known as “a person who is elected or appointed to hold the property, to take care of it, and to apply the same for the benefit of those entitled to it.” They shall transact all business and sign all papers dealing with real property when the church has so ordered by a majority of votes. They shall assist and counsel with the Pastor as regards to the upkeep and maintenance of the property.
- Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer – At the annual meeting of the church there shall be elected by majority vote a treasurer whose duty shall be
(a) to pay all orders drawn on him/her by order of the church, or by the Pastor, or by the Pastor and trustees provided such drawing is for the work of this church or missionary interest.
(b) He / She shall keep a true and fair book of all money coming into this church and all money paid out by the church.
(c) He / She shall monthly and annually lay before the church a statement of moneys so received and paid. (d) Be it understood, it is not his/her duty or responsibility to determine how or how much is to be spent, he/she is only to pay orders drawn on him/her in the above mentioned manner.
(e) It is not his/her duty or responsibility to keep the time of those employed by the church, nor the expense reports of the staff. (All these records are to be kept in the church office.)
(f) It is not his/her duty or responsibility to determine the amount of insurance coverage needed by the church. He / She is only to pay as called on in the above manner and keep true record of money coming into and paid out by this church.
(g) Treasurer shall be one of the two signatory authorities for any and all Check Payments, without which the payment shall be invalid. The second person shall be one of the signatories, authorized by the church.
J. Financial Committee – At the annual business meeting of the church, a financial committee of three(3) people shall be elected by a majority of votes. Their duty shall be to receive and count the money that comes by way of the offerings in the regular services and make deposit of same. They are to make three copies of total money received at each service and give one to the treasurer, one to the pastor, and keep one for their records. This is their sole duty.
K. Clerk – At the annual meeting of the church, a clerk shall be elected by majority vote, whose duties shall be to keep an accurate record on all the legitimate business of the church, have charge of all such records pertaining to this office and keep a register of all the members of this church.
Article 7. OFFICERS AND TEACHERS QUALIFICATIONS.
(This does not apply to Charter / Founding Members)
A. No member of this church may be elected to an office until after one year of membership.
- B. No member may teach any class until they have sufficiently proven themselves capable unto the leadership of the church.
C. All mixed classes or male classes from the Intermediates up shall be taught by men teachers.
Article 8. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING.
- The annual business meeting shall be held on one of the Wednesday nights during the month of January, and must be announced two weeks before said meeting.
- All business meetings shall be conducted in a decent and orderly manner as required by Scripture.
Article 9. INSTRUMENTS
Section 1.
A. This church shall possess, operate and do its business under the guidance of five instruments that shall be known in the following order as:
1. The Holy Bible
2. Church Policy
3. Articles of Faith
4. Constitution and By-Laws
5. The Corporation Charter as granted by the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, U.S.A.
B. None of the Instruments of this church may be altered without a two thirds (2/3) majority vote, and that any meeting to change any article must be announced two successive Sundays before the meeting to make such amendments.
There shall no vote ever be taken to change our stand on the Holy Scripture! There shall no amendment ever be voted on the Articles of Faith; and be it known unto all men where these shall be read, that if or when our Articles of Faith shall be subjected to the ridicule or unbelief by any member, past, present or future, or that member shall by such stated unbelief, automatically sever any and all relationship that they may have had, do have with this church which claims as its only Head, Jesus Christ; its only Administrator the Holy Spirit and its only mission the fulfilling of the Great Commission.
Amen and Amen!!
THIS CONSTITUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE CHURCH ON ______________ WITH THE SIGNATURES OF THE PASTOR AND THE TRUSTEES NOMINATED AND ELECTED BY THE CHURCH.
Pastor Dr. Chandra Rudrapathi –
Hemanth Lymon (Deacon) – ________________________________________________
Ramesh Rangaram (Deacon) ________________________________________________