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1981 people groups reside in more than one country, summing to 5,491,000,000 individuals.
About
Marc Day - Pastor
EmailMy wife, Lydia, and I moved to Brasilia in July 2009 after having served on staff as a pastor in Lawrence, Kansas (USA). It is a great honor to serve the Lord at The International Baptist Church of Brasilia. God has prepared my wife and I for this unique ministry through our many cross-cultural experiences in Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Russia. I graduated from the University of Kansas ('83), hold a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ('03) and am currently pursuing a doctorate with an emphasis in pastoral counseling and Christian leadership. I have a passion for expository preaching and equipping others to lead and serve in ministry. If you have spiritual questions please feel free to contact me at: pr.mday at yahoo.com.
You may find helpful some of the articles on my blog at www.marcday.wordpress.com.
Pastor's Blog
For the pastor's blog click here.
Huberson Tape - Admin. Assistant
EmailHuberson coordinates the many administrative details in the church office. Huberson has lived in Brasilia for fifteen years and comes to IBC by way of the Ivory Coast. He and his wife Angelica are very active in the ministries at IBC and have a unique gifting in helping people comfortably integrate into the local culture. Huberson is fluent in French, English, and Portuguese and is a co-leader of the French language Bible study on Sunday mornings. Huberson can be contacted at (hubefox at ibcbrasilia.com).
Andre Luiz - Grounds Keeper
Andre and his wife Eline live in Santa Maria, one of the suburbs (satellite cities) of Brasilia. Andre is passionate about his growing relationship with Jesus and his ministry. Andre's ministry includes maintaining the IBC grounds and buildings as a beautiful place of peace and solitude.
Leadership Team
NOTE: "at" is used in place of "@" in the email addresses to protect against spam and webcrawlers.
Pastor Marc Day (pr.mday at yahoo.com)
Elder Mark Thompson, President (mathompson at abwe.cc)
Elder Israel Santos, Vice-President (israelfs at hotmail.com)
Elder , Kgboko Pascal, Treasure (kgbokopascal at yahoo.fr)
Elder Jonathan Axworthy, Secretary (jessicaejonathan at gmail.com)
Huberson Tape, Administrative Assistant (hubefox at ibcbrasilia.com)
Adriana Titgens, Praise Team (adri79 at globo.com)
Aristides Moura, Legal (aristides.moura at globo.com)
Huberson Tape, Integration/Fellowship (hubefox at gmail.com)
Marcelo Ledes, Benevolence (mledes at gmail.com)
Mark Thompson, Christian Education (mathompson at abwe.cc)
Julio Silva, Assistant Treasure (jc_racing_96 at hotmail.com)
Membership Matters
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the International Baptist Church of Brasilia with information helpful for making a decision on membership. Membership is considered only for those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and embrace Him as Savior and Leader (Lord) of their life.
Who can attend IBC?
The doors of IBC are open to all. You do not need to be a Christian to attend IBC. Our desire is that IBC would be a safe place for you to find answers to your faith questions while meeting new friends.
Will IBC try to make me a Baptist?
No. We exist to for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. We do not exist to make disciples of a denomination. People from all faith backgrounds are welcome to enter the doors of IBC.
Is there a dress code for Sunday morning worship?
No. IBC is truly an international church where people often prefer to dress according to the custom of their country of origin. We simply ask that, in your style of dress, you be considerate towards others (Rom. 14.13; 1 Cor. 10.31-33) and give reverence towards God (1 Cor. 14.40).
What is the music style at IBC?
We have a blend of contemporary praise and traditional hymns. Our Sunday morning worship service is in English. However, from time to time we also incorporate lyrics in other languages.
Must I be a member to participate at IBC?
No. You do not need to be a member to attend services, Sunday school, small groups, and be a part of this fellowship. However, you do need to be a member if you desire to be a ministry leader, a group leader, on the praise team, or a Sunday school teacher.
Membership:
IBC offers two membership options for those who align themselves with Jesus. Full membership is available for those who desire to make IBC their permanent church home. Associate membership is available for those who wish to maintain their church membership in their home country, yet also desire to actively participate in the ministries of IBC while living in Brasilia. Full and associate membership assumes full agreement with the IBC-Brasilia belief statement, constitution, by-laws and ministry philosophy (available on website). Those desiring membership will need to complete the membership application, talk with the pastor, and be accepted by congregational vote at a business meeting.
Overview of IBC-Brasilia:
The International Baptist Church of Brasilia (IBC-Brasilia) was started in the 70s by the International Mission Board (IMB) as a small mission fellowship. Thirty years later the church was released from the governance of the IMB so that it currently is fully independent and exists within the applicable laws in Brazil. IBC continues to enjoy a strong, and independent, relationship with the IMB. Today IBC-Brasilia is independently associated with the Brasilian Baptist Convention and the International Baptist Convention (IBCv), which is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. The church is governed by a church council comprised of active members serving as Elders and Deacons.
IBC-Brasilia was established to meet the needs of English speaking people living in Brasilia. Many of those attending IBC are living in Brasilia on short-term work assignments. IBC also enjoys the active involvement of Brazilian nationals who prefer the international flavor of this unique church. IBC is a truly international church and we celebrate the diversity of culture represented.
IBC-Brasilia Vision in Brief:
Spreading a passion for the glory of God in all things in the name of Jesus.
Philosophy of Ministry
The International Baptist Church of Brasilia is a New Testament church where we seriously try to reflect the first century church as described in Acts. As we reconcile the difference between the 1st century and 21st century we strive to model New Testament church ministry that significantly impacts the world.
The New Testament church met in homes (small groups), worshiped at the temple (celebration services), devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings (Bible study) and to each other (care/fellowship), and they were evangelistic as they personally gave testimony of their faith to an unbelieving world. Consequently, the Lord blessed them and added to their numbers daily (Acts 2.42-47).
IBC-Brasilia is a simple church focused on personal and corporate spiritual growth in the likeness of Christ. The unique nature of our church, with mostly short-term residencies, demands that we not be an activity-driven church with multiple program options. This creates complexity and your international living experience is already complicated enough. We desire to be a spiritually strong church built on 1) corporate worship, 2) Bible study, 3) small groups, and 4) one-on-one discipleship. We believe evangelism, missions, and service will be a natural outflow of this simple spiritual growth strategy.
How is IBC-Brasilia Financially Supported?
IBC is supported solely by the financial donations of regular attendees in Brasilia and by former attendees currently living abroad.
Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of IBC-Brasilia includes Elders and Deacons, who are expected to meet the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3.1-7 and Titus 1.6-9. The pastor is one of the Elders. Elders serve in the governance of the church while the deacons serve in ministry leadership.
Membership Expectations
The door of the church is open to anyone who wishes to attend. However, expectations are raised at membership. Your membership agreement at IBC is a commitment to God and His people. It requires a relationship with and commitment to Jesus Christ along with a willingness to submit to His leadership over your life. The following expectations should serve as a written reflection of what has already happened in your heart.
- Unity
- Godly love toward other members (Romans 14.19; 15.5; 1 Peter 1.22)
- Refusing to gossip (Proverbs 17.4)
- Following scriptural leadership (1 Timothy 5.19; Hebrews 13.17)
- Responsibility
- Praying for spiritual growth and fruitfulness (1 Thessalonians 1.2-10)
- Inviting the un-churched to attend (Luke 14.23)
- Warmly welcoming those who visit (Romans 15.7)
- Service
- Discovering spiritual gifts and talents through service (1 Peter 4.10)
- Striving to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Eph. 4.11-12; Rom. 12.2; 2 Tim. 2.7)
- Developing a servant’s heart (Philippians 2.4-7)
- Support the testimony of IBC
- Attending faithfully (Hebrews 10.24-25)
- Living a godly life (Philippians 1.27)
- Giving regularly (1 Cor. 16.1-2; 2 Cor. 8.1-5)
Understanding Church Membership*
The word church (Gk: ekklasia) means a community of people “called out” to be the people of God and the body of Christ. The church is not an “agency” or “board.” Individual persons make up the church. The church is not a building - it is a community of people united in faith, hope, love, worship, and service (Rom. 12.4-6; 1Cor. 1.16-17; 12.4-27; Eph. 2.1-22; 4.1-16). In the New Testament we learn that the church is that body of believers who give evidence that they have been saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2.1-10).
The local church is a collection of only those people who have committed themselves to Christ and who live in a local geographic area. The Bible teaches that the church is holy in that it is set apart and is different from other groups and organizations. A biblical understanding of the church recognizes that the church is different from other groups precisely because it is a community of people who acknowledge that they are sinners, admit that they are not basically good, and want to turn from their own sinful behavior. The church is a group of sinful people dissatisfied with themselves and the world around them. The church is a group of people who gather together not to justify their present way of life but to publicly admit their need for forgiveness and celebrate how Christ has changed their life.
Should You Join a Local Church?
The universal church is the total of those persons who have trusted in Jesus Christ in all places at all times. The local church is a group of Christ-followers who share a common geographic location. A few passages in the New Testament refer to the universal church but the overwhelming majority of references point to a local, living, and loving collection of people who are committed to Christ and accountable to each other. In the New Testament we read about churches located in Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, Galatia, Colosse, Thessalonica, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. All the believers in these churches are part of one body in Christ, the universal church, yet they were also part of a local congregation accountable to Christ and to one another. If identification with a local church was important to the New Testament believers, it certainly is important for us.
Accountability in the life of a Christian is central to New Testament teaching (Matt. 18. 15-17; 1Cor. 5.1-11; Gal. 6.1; 2Thess. 6. 6-15; 1Tim. 1.20; 1Tim. 5. 19-20; 1Tim. 5. 19-20; Titus 3.9-11). The Bible teaches that Christ will hold church leaders accountable for the faithful stewardship of the believers He has entrusted to them. Additionally, Christ will hold each individual believer accountable for biblical obedience. However, accountability is made possible only when persons voluntarily submit to local church authority as evidenced through their membership.
What Does Scripture Say?
While we do not find indisputable proof texts for local church membership, we do find passages that imply formal membership in local assemblies, some of which follow.
Matthew 18.15-17 – church discipline. This passage addresses the issue of church discipline in the local assembly of believers. But, can the local assembly, and its leadership, have authority over one who has not voluntarily submitted themselves to be held accountable? Although local church membership is not the explicit teaching in this passage, it is taught implicitly. Jesus’ implied teaching is that a disciple will voluntarily submit to a local body of believers who value mutual accountability. Local church members agree to lovingly help each other grow in a lifestyle that conforms to scriptural standards and is pleasing to God.
Acts 2.47 – records kept. The early church in Acts kept records of its membership.
1Cor. 5. 2-13 – immoral ones expelled. Paul is calling for exclusion of the immoral person, which would imply that there was meaning in being included in the local church and that the person would lose the privileges of membership. Formal exclusion presupposes formal inclusion. (also see 1Cor. 12.14-26)
1Timothy 5.9 – widows list. A list of widows is mentioned in this passage. If widows were listed, it is likely that a list of current members was kept and updated as well.
Eph. 4. 11-12; Acts 14.23; 1Tim. 3.1-13 – leadership. The Bible teaches that there are to be local church leaders like pastors, elders, and deacons. This teaching presupposes that there would be a particular group (or membership) having intentionally submitted themselves to biblical leadership.
1Thess. 5.12; Heb. 13.17 – overseers respected. Scripture also teaches that overseers are to be respected and obeyed. Again, that teaching presupposes that there is a group who has voluntarily submitted themselves to these overseers thereby agreeing to respect their teaching and leadership.
Gal. 6.1-2 – restoration. Church discipline is to be used in love to help restore a person to wholeness. The teaching that Christians should bear each others burdens is premised on the assumption that some people are part of the visible body of Christ and that some are not. Subsequent to public baptism, being a part of the body is made visible by one’s membership in a local church.
Old and New Testament Message – God’s distinct people. In both the Old and New Testaments God always made a clear distinction between His people and the world. Such clarity of distinction supports the need for clarity and specificity in maintaining local church membership records.
What Your Church Membership Signifies
First, your church membership signifies the church’s corporate endorsement of a person’s salvation. Membership can function as the church’s corporate witness to the fact that the new member does indeed increasingly display the fruits and characteristics of a genuine Christian.
Second, your church membership signifies a commitment to grasp hold of one another in mutual love and discipleship. By identifying ourselves with a particular local church, we inform the pastors and other members that we intend to be committed in attendance, Bible study, prayer, giving, and service. We also call for their commitment to serve us in love and to encourage us in our Christian growth.
Third, your church membership signifies a responsible involvement in each other’s lives for the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Church membership is not a set of rights. Rather, it is a set of responsibilities that you commit to with other members of this church. By joining ourselves with God’s people in a local church we show that we have a special bond with them to help and be helped, encourage and be encouraged, rebuke and be rebuked. Local church membership shows that we want to love God’s people, and be loved by them. Love for God’s people is the fundamental indicator of our own attitude towards God. (1 John 4.20-21)
What are the Criteria for Church Membership?
Regeneration – a church should be careful to allow only genuine believers into the local body of church membership. By definition, the church is the “called out” people of God. Visitors are welcome but membership only belongs to those who are part of God’s family through faith alone in His Son Jesus Christ alone.
Observable Fruit – the most reliable criteria is the fruit of godly character and actions. The most important reason to observe the fruit in a person’s life is because Jesus actually advises us to do so in Matthew 7.15-20. Other criteria for membership are unreliable. Emotions can change, personal expressiveness is merely external, eloquence about spiritual things can be achieved by the unconverted. Increasing conformity to God’s character is the only sure measure of the genuineness of a person’s Christian testimony.
What Aspects Should Church Membership Include?
Repentance & Belief – a personal lifestyle of repentance and belief are the most important aspects of church membership. One must make a genuine commitment to consistently turn from any known sin and make living for Christ priority in their life (2 Cor. 5.15).
Specifically, repentance and belief can be evidenced in three concrete steps. 1) Baptism - is the first way we are commanded to express our identification with Jesus Christ (Matt. 28.19-20). 2) Beliefs – the most important point of unity is the gospel message of Jesus Christ and the central teachings of the Bible. For this reason, we believe it is healthy to require people to sign on their membership form that they are in agreement with the church’s official belief statement. When everyone knows what the church is united around, doctrinal division is less likely to occur. 3) The next most important point of unity is the lifestyle demanded by the message we claim to believe. For this reason, we believe it is healthy to ask people to commit to the ministry philosophy and expectations of the church. In doing this, everyone knows what it means to be a member, what is expected of them when they join, and when they are falling short of fulfilling these expectations as members.
A Key Reason Local Church Membership is Important
Your Own Spiritual Protection – at times our vision can become blurred and we can even deceive ourselves. Therefore, we need other people to help us walk as individual Christians (Jer. 17.9; Ps. 19.12). The Bible speaks of people as sheep and sheep aren’t meant to be wandering around by themselves. We need to be shepherded in congregational flocks. We need to submit ourselves to a local body of believers for mutual encouragement, protection, and examination. We are wise when we humbly stay close to God’s people and submit to biblical leaders who guide and guard us. In joining a local church, we are asking our church family to hold us accountable to live according to our public confession. In joining a local church, we are reaching out to each other in mutual responsibility and care.
*Adapted from: Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, (Eugene: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2000), pp. 255.
Next Steps
Prior to your application for membership at IBC, we suggest that you regularly attend Sunday school and participate in a small group or 1-on-1 discipleship. This suggestion is made not only for the sake of your spiritual growth but also so that you might begin to build meaningful relationships with others in the international community at IBC. If you are considering membership, we ask that you prayerfully consider the following.
1. Read Membership Matters (website)
2. Read IBC Mission and Vision (website)
3. Read IBC Belief Statement (website)
4. Read IBC Constitution (website)
5. Read IBC By-Laws (website)
6. Complete the Membership Application Form (website)
7. Submit the form to the Pastor or Administrative Assistant.
8. Schedule a time to meet with the Pastor.
9. Membership applications are considered by Pastor and/or Church Council.
10. New member applicants are presented at the next church business meeting.
Membership Application
Please click HERE to download our membership application in PDF format.
Mission and Vision
- Our Mission: To provide English speakers from around the world living in Brasília with a place to worship God together as His people; to share with them the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ; to teach them God's word and help them to grow into mature disciples of Christ; and to encourage them in Christian fellowship, service, and mission.
- Our Vision: We seek to be a Christian community that glorifies God in our worship of Him, in our devotion to learning and growing in His word, in our love for each other, in our service to our neighbors, and in our commitment to making disciples of Christ in Brasília, throughout Brazil, and around the world.
- Our Affiliation: The IBC is a member of the Brazilian Baptist Convention and, as such, adheres to the Convention's Portuguese-language Doctrinal Statement. That Statement is very similar to the English-language 1963 Faith and Message Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention. We are also part of the International Baptist Convention.
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IBC Belief Statement
(English-language translation of Brasilian Baptist Convention Portuguese-language Doctrinal Statement)
I – THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The Bible is the word of God in human language. 1 it is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to humankind. 2 As God is the true author, yet written through men inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. 3. It the final revealed the plans of God, to bring sinners to salvation, to edify believers, and to promote the glory of God. 4. Its content is true, without hint of error, and for this reason is the perfect treasure of divine instruction. 5. It reveals the final destination of the world and the criteria by which God will judge all humankind. 6 The bible is the only authority in religious material, faithful testimony by which doctrines and human conduct may be sifted and weighed. 7. It should always be interpreted in light of the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. 8
1 Ps 119.89; Hb 1.1; Is 40.8; Mt 24.35; Lk 24.44,45; Jn 10.35; Rm 3.2; 1Pe 1.25; 2Pe 1.21
2Is 40.8; Mt 22.29; Hb 1.1,2; Mt 24.35; Lk 24.44,45; 16.29; Rm 16.25,26; 1Pe 1.25
3 Ex 24.4; 2Sm 23.2; Ac 3.21; 2Pe 1.21
4 Lk 16.29; Rm 1.16; 2Tm 3.16,17; 1Pe 2.2; Hb 4.12; Eph 6.17; Rm 15.4
5 Ps 19.7-9; 119.105; Pr 30.5; Jo 10.35; 17.17; Rm 3.4; 15.4; 2Tm 3.15-17
6 Jo 12.47,48; Rm 2.12,13
7 2Ch 24.19; Ps 19.7-9; Is 34.16; Mt 5.17,18; Is 8.20; At 17.11; Gal 6.16; Php 3.16; 2Tm 1.13
8 Lk 24.44,45; Mt 5.22,28,32,34,39; 17.5; 11.29,30; Jo 5.39,40; Hb 1.1,2; Jo 1.1,2,14
II – GOD
The only living and true God is a personal Spirit, eternal, infinite and immutable; He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; He is perfect and holiness, justice, truth and love. 1 He is the creator, sustainer, redeemer, judge and LORD of history and the universe, who governs by His own power, organizing all things, in accordance with His eternal purpose and grace. 2 God is infinite in holiness and in all other possible perfection. 3 For this reason, to him we owe all love, worship and obedience. 4 In his tri-unity, the eternal God reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each distinct persons but without division in His essence. 5
1 Dt 6.4; Jr 10.1; Ps 139; 1Co 8.6; 1Tm 2.5,6; Ex 3.14; 6.2,3; Is 43.15; Mt 6.9; Jo 4.24; 1Tm
1.17; Mal 3.6; Tg 1.17; 1Pe 1.16,17
2 Gen 1.1; 17.1; Ex 15.11-18; Is 43.3; At 17.24-26; Ef 3.11; 1Pe 1.17
3 Ex 15.11; Is 6.2; 57.15; Jó 34.10
4 Mt 22.37; Jo 4.23,24; 1Pe 1.15,16
5 Mt 28.19; Mk 1.9-11; 1Jo 5.7; Rm 15.30; 2Co 13.13; Php 3.3
1 – God the Father
God, as Creator, manifests a paternal disposition toward all human beings. 1 Historically He revealed himself first as father to the people of Israel, whom He chose in accordance with the plans of His grace.2 He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom He sent to this world to save sinners and of them to make adopted children. 3 Those who accept Jesus Christ and believe in Him are made children of God, born of His Spirit, and, in this way, come to have Him as their heavenly Father, receiving both protection and discipline from Him. 4
1 Is 64.8; Mt 6.9; 7.11; Ac 17.26-29; 1Co 8.6; Hb 12.9
2 Ex 4.22,23; Dt 32.6-18; Is 1.2,3; 63.16; Jr 31.9
3 Ps 2.7; Mt 3.17; 17.5; Lk 1.35; Jo 1.12
4 Mt 23.9; Jo 1.12,13; Rm 8.14-17; Gal 3.26; 4.4-7; Hb 12.6-11
2 – God the Son
Jesus Christ, one in essence with the Father, is the eternal Son of God. 1 In him, through Him and for Him, all things were created. 2 In the fullness of time he became flesh, in the real and historic person of Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, being, in His person, truly God and truly man. 3 Jesus is the expressed image of His Father, the supreme revelation of God to man. 4 He perfectly honored and fulfilled the divine law and revealed and obeyed completely the will of God. 5 He fully identified himself with mankind, suffering the punishment and paying for the guilt of our sins, even at the same time remaining sinless. 6 To save us from sin, He died on the cross, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead and, after appearing many times to His disciples, ascended into the heavens, where at the right hand of the Father, he intercedes as the eternal High Priest. 7 Jesus Christ is the unique mediator between God and humans and is the only and sufficient savior and Lord. 8 By His Spirit he is present and inhabits the hearts of every believer in the Church. 9 He will return visibly to this world in great power and glory, to judge humans and to consummate his redemptive work. 10
1 Ps 2.7; 110.1; Mt 1.18-23; 3.17; 8.29; 14.33; 16.16,27; 17.5; Mc 1.1; Lc 4.41; 22.70; Jo 1.1,2;
11.27; 14.7-11; 16.28
2 Jo 1.3; 1Co 8.6; Cl 1.16,17
3 Is 7.14; Lk 1.35; Jo 1.14; Gl 4.4,5
4 Jo 14.7-9; Mt 11.27; Jo 10.30,38; 12.44-50; Cl 1.15,19; 2.9; Hb 1.3
5 Is 53; Mt 5.17; Hb 5.7-10
6 Rm 8.1-3; Fp 2.1-11; Hb 4.14,15; 1Pe 2.21-25
7 At 1.6-14; Jo 19.30,35; Mt 28.1-6; Lk 24.46; Jo 20.1-20; At 2.22-24; 1Co 15.4-8
8 Jo 14.6; At 4.12; 1Tm 2.4,5; At 7.55,56; Hb 4.14-16; 10.19-23
9 Mt 28.20; Jo 14.16,17; 15.26; 16.7; 1Co 6.19
10 At 1.11; 1Co 15.24-28; 1Ts 4.14-18; Tt 2.13
3 – God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit, one in essence with the Father and with the Son, is a Divine Person. 1 He is the Spirit of Truth. 2 He acted in creation of the world and inspired men to write the Holy Scriptures. 3 He illuminates human beings and gives them the capacity to understand divine truth. 4 On the day of Pentecost, in a final fulfillment of prophecy and of the promises of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, He manifested Himself in a singular manner, when the first disciples were baptized in the Spirit, becoming then part of the Body of Christ which is the Church. Other manifestations, as found in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, confirm the evidence that the gift of the Holy Spirit is universal to all who believe in Christ. 5 The receiving of the Holy Spirit, always occurring when sinners are converted to Jesus Christ, integrates them, being regenerated by the Spirit, into the Church. 6 He gives testimony of Jesus Christ and brings glory to Him. 7 He convinces the world of sin, of justice and judgment. 8 He works the regeneration of the lost sinner. 9 He seals the believer for the final day of redemption. 10 He inhabits the believer. 11 He guides them to the truth. 12 He makes them able to obey the will of God. 13 He distributes the gifts to the children of God for the edification of the Body of Christ and for the ministry of the Church to the world. 14 His fullness and fruitfulness in the life of the believer make up the conditions by which the Christian life is victorious and of good testimony. 15
1 Gen 1.2; Jó 23.13; Ps 51.11; 139.7-12; Is 61.1-3; Lk 4.19,18; Jo 4.24; 14.16,17; 15.26; Hb 9.14;
1Jo 5.6,7; Mt 28.19
2 Jo 16.13; 14.17; 15.26
3 Gen 1.2; 2Tm 3.16; 2Pe 1.21
4 Lk 12.12; Jo 14.16,17,26; 1Co 2.10-14; Hb 9.8
5 Jl 2.28-32; At 1.5; 2.1-4; Lk 24.29; At 2.41; 8.14-17; 10.44-47; 19.5-7; 1Co 12.12-15
6 Act 2.38,39; 1Co 12.12-15
7 Jo 14.16,17; 16.13,14
8 Jo 16.8-11
9 Jo 3.5; Rm 8.9-11
10 Eph 4.30
11 Rm 8.9-11
12 Jo 16.13
13 Eph 5.16-25
14 1Co 12.7,11; Ef 4.11-13
15 Eph 15.18-21; Gal 5.22,23; At 1.8
III – MANKIND
By a unique act, human beings were created by God in His own image and conforming to His likeness and through this receive their value and dignity. 1 Man’s body was made of the dust of the earth and to that dust he will return. 2 His spirit proceeds from God and will return to Him. 3 The Creator has ordered man to reign over, develop and guard His created work. 4 Man is created to glorify God. 5 His purpose is to love, to know and to be in communion with his Creator, and by this to fulfill the divine will. 6 Made to be personal and spiritual, humans have the capacity to discern, know and understand, at least in part, intellectually and experientially, the revealed truth, and to make decisions concerning religion, without the need of mediation, interference or imposition of any human power, whether civil or religious. 7
1 Gen 1.26-31; 18.22; 9.6; Ps 8.1-9; Mt 16.26
2 Gen 2.7; 3.19; Ecc 3.20; 12.7
3 Ecc 12.7; Dan 12.2,3
4 Gen 1.21; 2.1; Ps 8.3-8
5 Act 17.26-29; 1Jo 1.3,6,9
6 Jer 9.23,24; Mal 6.8; Mt 6.33; Jo 14.23; Rm 8.38,39
7 Jo 1.4-13; 17.3; Ecc 5.14,17; 1Tm 2.5; Jb 19.25,26; Jer 31.3; At 5.29; Ez 18.20; Dan 12.2; Mt
25.32,46; Jo 5.29; 1Co 15; 1Ts 4.16,17; Rev 20.11-30
IV – SIN
In the beginning mankind lived in a state of innocence and maintained perfect communion with God. 1 However, giving into the Satan’s temptation, in an act of free will and disobedience against his creator, man fell into sin and by this lost communion with God becoming separated from Him. 2 Consequentially, because of the sins of our first ancestors, all of us are, by nature, sinners and inclined to do what is evil. 3 All sin is committed against God: against His person, His will and His law. 4 But the evil practiced by humans also affects his neighbor. 5 The greatest sin is to not believe in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as one’s personal savior. 6 As a result of sin, the faithlessness and disobedience of human beings against God, men are subject to death and eternal condemnation, on top of becoming an enemy to one’s neighbor and to God’s own creation. 7 Separated from God, man is absolutely incapable of saving himself on his own strength and so depends on the grace of God to be saved. 8
1 Gn 2.15-17; 3.8-10; Ec 7.29
2 Gen 3; Rm 5.12-19; Eph 2.12; Rm 3.23
3 Gen 3.12; Rm 5.12; Ps 51.15; Is 53.6; Jr 17.5; Rm 1.18-27; 3.10-19; 7.14-25; Gal 3.22; Eph 2.1-3
4 Ps 51.4; Mt 6.14; Rm 8.7-22
5 Mt 6.14,15; 18.21-35; 1Co 8.12; Jam 5.16
6 Jo 3.36; 16.9; 1Jo 5.10-12
7 Rm 5.12-19; 6.23; Eph 2.5; Gen 3.18; Rm 8.22
8 Rm 3.20; Gal 3.10,11; Eph 2.8,9
V – SALVATION
Salvation is a gift of God by His grace, through the repentance of the sinner and by his faith in Jesus Christ as the unique Savior and Lord. 1 The price of the eternal redemption of the believer was paid one time for all by Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His blood on the cross. 2 Salvation is individual and includes redemption of a human being in entirety. 3 It is a free gift that God offers to all mankind and is comprised of regeneration, justification, sanctification and glorification. 4
1 Ps 37.39; Is 55.5; SS 3.17; Tit 2.9-11; Eph 2.8,9; Act 15.11; 4.12
2 Is 53.4-6; 1Pe 1.18-25; 1Co 6.20; Eph 1.7; Rev 5.7-10
3 Mt 116.24; Rm 10.13; 1The 5.23,24; Rm 5.10
4 Rm 6.23; Hb 2.1-4; Jo 3.14; 1Co 1.30; Act 11.18
Regneration is the initial act of salvation in which God causes the lost sinner to be born again, making him an new creation in Christ. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in which the sinner receives forgiveness, justification, adoption as a child of God, eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this act the new believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, and by Him sealed for the final day of redemption, and is set free from the eternal punishment for his own sins. 1 There are two conditions by which the sinner is regenerated: repentance and faith. Repentance implies a radical change within the human being, by which one rejects and turns away from sin and returns to God. Faith is the confidence and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and to totally bring one’s personality to Him by the sinner. 2 In this experience of conversion the lost man is reconciled to God, to whom God concedes forgiveness, justice and peace. 3
1 Deut 30.6; Eze 36.26; Jo 3.3-5; 1Pe 1.3; 2Co 5.17; Eph 4.20-24
2 Tit 3.5; Rm 8.2; Jo 1.11-13; Eph 4.32; At 11.17
3 2Co 1.21,22; Ef 4.30; Rm 8.1; 6.22
Justification, which occurs simultaneously with regeneration, is the act by which God, considering the merits of the sacrifice of Christ, absolves, in forgiveness, the person from their sins and declares them just, making them capable living a right life before God and redemptive life before mankind. 1 This grace is given not because of any good work or merit practiced by the person but through faith in Christ. 2
1 Is 53.11; Rm 8.33; 3.24
2 Rm 5.1; Act 13.19; Mt 9.6; 2Co 5.31; 1Co 1.30
3 Gal 5.22; Phl 1.9-11
Sanctification, is the process that, based upon regeneration, takes a person to the fullness of the God’s plans for one’s life enabling one to progress in the search for the moral and spiritual perfection of Jesus Christ, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who inhabits him.1 Sanctification occurs through the measure and dedication of the believer and is manifested in a character marked by the presence of the fruit of the Spirit, through a life of faithful witness and service consecrated unto God and for one’s neighbor. 2
1 Jn 17.17; 1Ths 4.3; 5.23; 4.7
2 Prv 4.18; Rom 12.1,2; Php 2.12,13; 2Co 7.1; 3.18; Heb 12.14; Rm 6.19
Glorification, is the climactic point of the work of salvation. 1 It is the final state, permanent, the joy of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ. 2
1 Rm 8.30; 2Pe 1.10,11; 1Jn 3.2; Php 3.12; Heb 6.11
2 1Co 13.12; 1Ths 2.12; Rev 21.3,4
VI – ELECTION
Election is the choice made by God, in Christ, from all eternity, of the eternity of people, not by any merit, but by the richness of His grace. 1 Before the creation of the world, God, in an exercise of His divine sovereignty and in the light of His presence in all things, elected, called predestined, justified and glorified those who, throughout the ages, freely accepted the gift of salvation. 2 Still founded in the sovereignty of God, this election is in perfect consistency with the free will of each and every human being. 3 The salvation of believers is eternal. The saved persevere in Christ and are guarded by the power of God. 4 No force or circumstance has the power to separate the believer from the love of God in Christ Jesus. 5 The new birth, forgiveness, justification, adoption as children of God, the election and gift of the Holy Spirit guarantee those saved keeping them in salvific grace. 6
1 Gen 12.1-3; Exo 19.5,6; Eze 36.22,23,32; 1Pe 1.2; Rm 9.22-24; 1Ths 1.4
2 Rm 8.28-30; Eph 1.3-14; 2Ths 2.13,14
3 Deut 30.15-20; Jo 15.16; Rm 8.35-39; 1Pe 5.10
4 Jn 3.16,36; Jn 10.28,29; 1Jo 2.19
5 Mt 24.13; Rm 8.35-39
6 Jo 10.28; Rm 8.35-39; Jdg 24
VII – THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The Kingdom of God is the sovereign and universal dominion of God and is eternal. 1 It is also the dominion of God in the heart of men who, voluntarily, submit themselves to Him by faith, accepting Him as Lord and King. It is, in this way, an invisible kingdom in the regenerated hearts that works through the world and manifests itself through the testimony of its subjects. 2 The consummation of the kingdom will occur when Jesus Christ returns, on the date which only God knows, when evil will be completely destroyed and the new heaven and new earth will come into being to be eternally inhabited by the redeemed of God. 3
1 Dan 2.37-44; Is 9.6,7
2 Mt 4.17; Lk 17.20; 4.43; Jn 18.36; 3.3-5
3 Mt 25.31-46; 1Co 15.24; Rev. 11.15
VIII – THE CHURCH
The church is a local congregation of people regenerated and baptized after a profession of faith. It is in this sense that the word “church” is used most often in the books of the New Testament.1 Such congregations are made up by the free will of such people with the purpose of participating in church services for worshiping God, observing the ordinances of Jesus, meditating on the teachings of the Bible for mutual edification and for propagation of the gospel. 2 New testament churches are autonomous, have democratic government, discipline and practice stewardship in all spiritual and doctrinal questions exclusively from the words of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 3 Churches contain, following the scriptures, two types of leaders: pastors and deacons. Churches ought to be in relationship with other churches of the same faith and order and to cooperate, voluntarily, in the work of the Kingdom of God. This relationship with other entities, whether by ecclesiastical affiliation or other means, ought not violate the conscience or compromise loyalty to Christ and His word. Each church is a temple to the Holy Spirit. 4 There also exists within the New Testament another use of the word “church” in which the word appears as the universal communion of the redeemed of all times, established by Jesus Christ and edified by Him, making up the spiritual body of the Lord, of which He Himself is the head. This unity is of a spiritual nature and expresses itself through brotherly love, through voluntary harmony and cooperation in achieving common purpose in the kingdom of God. 5
1 Mt 18.17; Act 5.11; 20.17-28; 1Cor 4.17
2 Act 2.41,42
3 Mt 18.15-17
4 Act 20.17,28; Tit 1.5-9; 1Tim 3.1-13
5 Mt 16.18; Col 1.18; Heb 12.22-24; Eph 1.22,23
IX – BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two ordinances of the church established by Jesus Christ Himself, both of which are symbolic in nature. 1 Baptism consists in immersing the believer in water, after one’s public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as one’s only Savior, sufficient and personal. 2 It symbolizes the death and burial of the old man and the resurrection of a new life identifying oneself with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and also pronounces the resurrection of the redeemed. 3
Baptism, which is a necessary condition to become a member of the church, must be ministered in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 4 The Lord’s Supper is a ceremony of the church in congregation, commemorating and proclaiming the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, symbolized by the elements used: the bread and wine.5 In this memorial act the bread represents Christ’s body given for us on Calvary and the wine symbolizes His blood poured-out. 6 The Lord’s Supper should be celebrated by churches until the return of Christ and the celebration presupposes the biblical baptism and careful internal examination of the participants. 7
1 Mt 3.5,6,13-17; Jo 3.22,23; 4.1,2; 1Co 11.20,23-30
2 At 2.41,42; 8.12,36-39; 10.47,48
3 Rom 6.3-5; Gal 3.27; Col 2.12
4 Mt 28.19; At 2.38,41,42; 10.48
5, 6 Mt 26.26-29; 1Co 10.16,17-21; 11.23-29
7 Mt 26.29; 1Co 11.26-28; At 2.42; 20.4-8
X – THE LORD’S DAY
Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is the Christian’s day of rest which simply satisfies the divine insistence of human necessity for one day in seven to rest the body and spirit. 1 With the advent of Christianity, the first day of the week became the Lord’s day, due to the fact that on this day Jesus was resurrected. 2 It should be for Christians a true day of rest in which by attending worship service at church and setting aside more time for prayer, reading of the Scriptures and other religious activity they will prepare themselves for “that rest which awaits the people of God.” 3 On this day Christians should abstain from all secular work, except that which is necessary or indispensable to the life of the community. They should also abstain from recreational activities detract attention from spiritual activities. 4
1 Gen 2.3; Exo 20.8-11; Isa 58.13-14
2 Jn 20.1,19,26; Act 20.7; Rev 1.10
3 Heb 4.9-11; Rev 14.12,13
4 Exo 20.8-11; Jer 17.21,22,27; Eze 22.8
XI – MINISTRY OF THE WORD
All believers have been called by God for salvation, for Christian service, to testify concerning Jesus Christ and to advance His kingdom, through those talents and gifts given by the Holy Spirit. 1 However, God chooses, calling and separating certain men, in a special manner, for the distinct service, singularly defined for the ministry of His word. 2 The preacher of the word is a mouthpiece of God among men. 3 This mission is similar to that worked by the prophets of the Old Testament and by the apostles of the New Testament, having Jesus Himself as an example and supreme model. 4 The work of God’s mouthpiece has a dual purpose: to proclaim the good news to the lost and to feed the saved. 5 When a converted man demonstrates evidence of being called and separated by God for this ministry, and of possessing those qualities stipulated in the Scriptures for this work, responsibility falls to the local church to separate him, formally and publically, in recognition of this divine vocation which is already evident and verified in his Christian life. 6 This solemn act of consecration is consummated when the body of elders or council of pastors, called by the church, lay hands upon the one called. 9 The churches accept the responsibility of caring for and adequately sustaining and honoring their pastors. 10
1 Mt 28.19,20; Act 1.8; Rom 1.6,7; 8.28-30; Eph 4.1,4; 2Tim 1.9; Heb 9.15; 1Pe 1.15; Rev 17.14
2 Mk 3.13,14; Lk 1.2; Act 6.1-4; 13.2,3; 26.16-18; Rom 1.1; 1Co 12.28; 2Co 2.17; Gal 1.15-17
3 Exo 4.11,12; Is 6.5-9; Jer 1.5-10; Act 20.24-28
4 Act 26.19,20; Jn 13.12-15; Eph 4.11-17
5 Mat 28.19,20; Jn 21.15-17; Act 20.24-28; 1Co 1.21; Eph 4.12-16
6 Act 13.1-3; 1Tim 3.1-7
7 Act 13.3; 1Tim 4.14
8 Act 6.1-4; 1Tim 4.11-16; 2Tim 2.3,4; 4.2,5; 1Pe 5.1-3
9 Mat 10.9,10; Lk 10.7; 1Co 9.13,14; 1Tim 5.17,18
10 2Cor 8.1-7; Gal 6.6; Php 4.14-18
XII – SERVANTHOOD
Servanthood is the biblical doctrine which recognizes God as Creator, Lord and Owner of all things. 1 All temporal and spiritual blessings proceed from God and for this reason humans owe him all they are and have and, also, all that has been provided for them. 2 The believer belongs to God because God created him and has redeemed him in Jesus Christ. 3 Belonging to God, the believer is a servant or administrator of his life, abilities, time, possessions, influence, opportunities, of natural resources and of all that God confides in him through His infinite love, providence and wisdom. 5 The Holy Scriptures teach that God’s specific plan for the financial provision of His cause consists in believers bringing their tithes and offerings brought before Him. 6 The should bring such contributions regularly and proportionally to the church joyfully and freely, to sustain the ministry, works of evangelization, benevolence and others. 7
1 Gen 1.1; 14.17-20; Ps 24.1; Ecc 11.9; 1Cor 10.26
2 Gen 14.20; Dt 8.18; 1Chr 29.14-16; Jms 1.17; 2Cor 8.5
3 Gen 1.27; At 17.28; 1Cor 6.19,20; Jms 1.21; 1Pe 1.18-21
4 Mat 25.14-30; 31.46
5 Rom 1.14; 1Cor 9.16; Fp 2.16
6 Gen 14.20; Lev 27.30; Prv 3.9,10; Mal 3.8-12; Mt 23.26
7 Act 11.27-30; 1Cor 8.1-3; 2Cor 8.1-15; Php 4.10-18
XIII – EVANGELIZATION AND MISSIONS
The primary mission of the people of God is the evangelization of the world, to see the reconciliation of man with God. 1 It is obligatory for disciples of Jesus Christ and of all churches to proclaim, by example and word, the reality of the gospel, seeking to make new disciples of Jesus Christ from all nations, and for the churches to baptize them and hold them accountable to do all that Jesus Christ has commanded. 2 The responsibility of evangelizing reaches to the ends of the earth and for this reason churches should promote the work of missions, pleading always that the Lord would send workers to His fields. 3
1 Mat 28.19,20; Jn 17.30; Act 1.8; 13.2,3
2 Mat 28.18-20; Lk 24.46-49; Jn 17.20
3 Mat 28.19; Act 1.8; Rom 10.13-15
XIV – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The educational ministry of the church, under the care of the Holy Spirit, recognizes the relationship of Master and disciple, between Jesus Christ and the believer. 1 The word of God is the essential content and is fundamental to this process and to the Christian education program. 2 The churches religious education program is necessary for the development of its members, with the goal of “growing in all things into Him who is the head, Christ.” Churches are responsible for laying out adequate doctrine of believers, seeing to its spiritual, moral and ecclesiastical development, as sufficient motivation and capacity for its Christian service and taking its part in the fulfillment of the Church’s mission in the world.
1 Mat 11.29,30; Jn 13.14-17
2 Jn 14.26; 1Cor 3.1,2; 2Tim 2.15
3 Ps119; 2Tim 3.16,17; Col 1.28; Mt 28.19,20
XV – RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
God and only God is the Lord of the conscience. 1 Religious freedom is one of the fundamental rights of humans, inherent within one’s moral and spiritual nature. 2 Because of this nature, religious freedom should not be interfered with by any human power or means. 3 Each person has the right to worship God, following the dictates of one’s conscience, free from any kind of restriction. 4 The church and the State should be separated because they are fundamentally different in their very nature, objectives and functions. 5 It is the obligation of the State to guarantee full enjoyment and exercise of religious freedom, without favoritism toward any group or creed. 6 The State should remain civil and the church free. Recognizing that the governance of the State is by divine ordinance for the good of its citizens and for maintaining order in society, it is the believer’s obligation to pray for those in authority, and in this respecting and obeying the laws and honoring the constitutional powers that be, except in those instances where it goes against the will and the law of God. 7
1 Gen 1.27; 2.7; Ps 9.7-8; Mt 10.28; 23.10; Rom 14.4; 9,13; Jam 4.12
2 Jsh 24.15; 1Pe 2.15,16; Lk 20.25
3 Dan 3.15-18; Lk 20.25; Act 4.9-20; 5.29
4 Dan 3.16-18; 6; Act 19.35-41
5 Mt 22.21; Rom 13.1-7
6 Act 19.34-41
7 Dan 3.16-18; 6.7-10; Mt 17.27; Act 4.18-20; 5.29; Rom 13.1-7; 1Tim 2.1-3
XVI – SOCIAL ORDER
As the salt of the earth and light of the world, the Christian ought to participate with all strength in that which is for the common good of the society in which he or she lives. 1 However, the greatest and most valuable gift should be to announce the gospel; the social well being and the establishment of justice between men fundamentally depends on the regeneration of each person and the individual and collective practice of the principles of the gospel. 2 That said, as Christians, we ought to extend a helping hand to orphans, widows, the elderly, the sick and to others in need, just as all of those are either victims of injustice or oppression. 3 This we do in the spirit of love, never using any form of violence or discord just as in the norms of life demonstrated in the New Testament. 4
1 Mat 5.13-16; Jn 12.35-36; Php 2.15
2 Mat 6.33; Mk 6.37; Lk 10.29-37
3 Exo 22.21,22; Ps 82.3,4; Ecc 11.1,2
4 Isa 1.16-20; Mal 6.8; Mat 5.9
XVII – FAMILY
The family, created by God for the good of mankind, is the first social institution. Its base is the monogamous and enduring marriage, for life, which can only be unbound by death or by conjugal infidelity. 1 The immediate purpose of the family is to glorify God and to provide for the human necessities for communion, education, companionship, security, preservation of the species and so to develop all dimensions of a well adjusted person. 2 Fallen in virtue due to sin, God provides for this, through faith in Christ, the blessing of temporal and eternal salvation, and when He saves, family can accomplish these temporal goals and proclaim the glory of God. 3
1 Gen 1.7; Jos 24.15; 1Kgs 2.1-3; Mal 2.1
2 Gen 1.28; Ps 127.1-5; Ecc 4.9-13
3 Act 16.31,34
XVIII – DEATH
All men are marked by finite-hood, since, as a consequence of sin, death has reached all. 1 The Word of God assures us of the continuation of consciousness and personal identity after death, so long as humans accept the grace of God in Christ while they are in this world. 2 At death the eternal destiny of each human is defined. 3 By faith in the merits and substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the death of the believer will not end in tragedy, for by faith they are transported to a state of complete and continual joy in the presence of God. This state of happiness the Scriptures call “asleep in the Lord.” 4 The unbelievers and unrepentant enter, after death, into a definitive state of separation from God. 5 In the Word of God we see clearly the expressed divine prohibition of seeking contact with the dead, such as negotiations and working of religious rituals in relation to those who have already died. 6
1 Rom 5.12; 1Co 15.21-26; Heb 9.27; Jms 4.14
2 Lk 16.19-31; Heb 9.27
3 Lk 16.19-31; 23.39-46; Heb 9.27
4 Rom 5.6-11; 14.7-9; 1Co 15.18-20; 2Co 5.14,15; Php 1.21-23; 1Ts 4.13-17; 2Tim 2.11
5 Lk 16.19-31; Jn 5.28,29
6 Exo 22.18; Lev 19.31; 20.6,27; Deut 18.10; 1Chr 10.13; Isi 8.19; Jn 3.18
XIX – THE JUST AND IMPIOUS
God, in exercising His wisdom, is guiding the world and history to its end. 1 In fulfillment of His promises, Jesus Christ will return to this world, personally and visibly, in great power and glory. 2 The dead in Christ will be resurrected, exalted and will be gathered to the Lord. 3 The dead without Christ will also be resurrected. 4 While believers are already justified by faith, all humans will appear before the court of Jesus Christ to be judged, each according to his works, for it is in this way that the fruits of faith and unbelief will be made manifest. 5 Those who are condemned impious and destined for hell will then suffer eternal punishment, separated from God. 6 The just, in glorified bodies, will receive their rewards and will live forever in heaven with the Lord. 7
1 Mt 13.39,40; 28.20; At 3.21; 1Co 15.24-28; Ef 1.10
2 Mt 16.27; Mc 8.38; Lc 17.24; 21.27; At 1.11; 1Ts 4.16; 1Tm 6.14,15; 2Tm 4.1,8
3 Dn 12.2,3; Jo 5.28,29; Rm 8.23; 1Co 15.12-58; Fp 3.20; Cl 3.4
4 Dn 12.2; Jo 5.28,29; At 24.15; 1Co 15.12-24
5 Mt 13.49,50; At 10.42; 1Co 4.5; 2Co 5.10; 2Tm 4.1; Hb 9.27; 2Pe 2.9
6 Dn 12.2,3; Mt 16.27; Mc 9.43-48; Lc 16.26-31; Jo 5.28,29; Rm 6.22,23
7 Dn 12.2,3; Mt 16.27; 25.31-40; Lc 14.14; 16.22,23; Jo 5.28,29; 14.1-3; Rm 6.22,23; 1Co
15.42-44; Ap 22.11,12
IBC Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH OF BRASÍLIA
CHAPTER I – NAME, LOCATION, NATURE AND PURPOSE
Article 1. The INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH OF BRASÍLIA is a not-for-profit religious civil association organized on July 22, 1973 for an undetermined period of time, with an unlimited number of members of any nationality, gender, race, age and social status, located in the city of Brasília, Distrito Federal at SHIS QI 09, Área Especial “C”, hereinafter known as the CHURCH.
Article 2. The CHURCH adopts as its only rule of faith, worship, discipline, conduct and standards the Holy Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ, and adopts the Baptist principles as outlined in the Doctrinal Statement of the Convenção Batista Brasileira.
Article 3. The main purpose of the CHURCH is the organized worship of God, evangelism, indoctrination and spiritual guidance of unbelievers, as well as benevolence, education, missions and all other activities such as are compatible with the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, anywhere.
CHAPTER II – ON MEMBERSHIP
Admission of members
Article 4. The CHURCH shall accept as members the natural persons that voluntarily accept the doctrines and discipline of the CHURCH and are received at a Business Meeting.
§ 1. In accordance with the above, the CHURCH shall accept as members:
I. Those who, in public profession, witness their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, provide evidence of their renewed nature, adopt the faith and doctrine of the CHURCH and are baptized by immersion;
II. Members of other Baptist Churches of the same doctrine as that of the Convenção Batista Brasileira (CBB) who provide satisfactory evidence that they live in communion with God and that are received by means of a letter of transfer;
III. Those accepted by means of reconciliation, once the reasons for their exclusion are overcome and by recommendation of the Pastor and of the Board of Directors; or
IV. In special cases, those believers who are accepted by means of a declaration or testimony, at the CHURCH’s discretion, after being satisfactorily examined by the Board of Directors as to their Christian experience and their baptism.
§ 2. Members received in accordance to the items I to IV above will cease to be members of their previous evangelical churches.
§ 3. The Secretary shall keep an updated roll of members which shall include the members, the associate members and the inactive members.
Procedure for admission
Article 5. The candidate shall be interviewed by the Pastor who, if satisfied regarding the candidate’s Christian experience and other requirements as outlined in this chapter, shall recommend to the Board of Directors that the candidate’s name be submitted to a Business Meeting, for approval.
§ 1. The letter of transfer referred to in item II of § 1 of the previous article shall be presented by the candidate himself or requested by the CHURCH to the evangelical church the candidate is currently a member of. The candidate’s admission as a member by transfer depends on the receipt, by the CHURCH, of the aforementioned letter.
§ 2. In this case, the Business Meeting may grant admission to the candidate, pending receipt of the letter of transfer.
Termination of membership
Article 6. Membership shall be terminated:
I. With the passing of the member;
II. With the member’s transfer to another Baptist Church of same doctrine as the Convenção Batista Brasileira (CBB), by means of a letter of transfer request;
III. With the member’s exclusion by the CHURCH at a Business Meeting;
IV. At the member’s own request; or
V. One year after the member’s transfer to a roll of inactive members.
§ 1. The passing of a member shall be acknowledged by the Board of Directors, which shall inform the CHURCH at a Business Meeting.
§ 2. In the case addressed in item II above, membership shall cease as of the issuance, by the Secretary, of the letter of transfer, of which the Board of Directors shall inform the CHURCH at a Business Meeting.
§ 3. The CHURCH may exclude a member at a Business Meeting, by recommendation of the Board of Directors, after granting the member full defense.
§ 4. Any member may request to have his own membership terminated by means of a letter addressed to the President, who shall inform the CHURCH at a Business Meeting.
§ 5. By means of a proposal by the Board of Directors and a decision at a Business Meeting, the inactive members shall be excluded from the CHURCH one year after their inclusion in the roll of inactive members, as per Article 8.
Article 7. The letter of transfer referred to in item II of the previous article shall be issued by recommendation of the Board of Directors and co-signed by the Pastor and the Secretary.
Article 8. The Board of Directors may transfer a member to the roll of inactive members if the member is absent from the activities of the CHURCH for more than six months, continuously, and after attempting to contact such member; in that case the Board of Directors shall inform the CHURCH at a Business Meeting.
§ 1. Members listed on the roll of inactive members do not enjoy the rights provided for in article 11 and are not counted towards determining quorum and majority at a Business Meeting.
§ 2. Inactive members may return to the roll of members by submitting a written application to the President and pending approval by the Board of Directors, provided they resume their participation in the meetings and activities of the CHURCH.
§ 3. In special cases, at the request of the interested party, the Board of Directors may choose not to take the actions described in Article 6, § 5.
Article 9. The Board of Directors may issue a letter of recommendation for a member towards the member’s temporary admission as an associate member to another evangelical church.
In this case, if the member is away from Brasilia, the member may be included in the roll of inactive members but will be exempt from the actions described in Art.6, § 5.
Associate membership
Article 10. The CHURCH will accept as associate members those who, being members of another evangelical church and not wishing to sever their ties with their original church:
I. Live temporarily in Brasilia; or
II. Although living permanently in Brasilia, wish to participate in the ministry of the CHURCH.
§ 1. Candidates to associate membership shall follow the procedures for admission outlined in this chapter but will not be required to terminate their membership to their original church nor will a letter of transfer be demanded from them; the CHURCH shall simply inform their original evangelical church, in a letter, of their admission as associate members.
§ 2. Associate members shall have the same rights and duties as the members, except voting, at a Business Meeting, on matters of CHURCH doctrine, Pastor’s invitation or dismissal, amendments to this Constitution, dissolution of the CHURCH and buying and selling of real estate or rights over real estate belonging to the CHURCH.
§ 3. Associate membership status will cease:
I. In case item I of the heading applies, when they leave Brasilia definitively;
II. In case item II of the heading applies, if they’re absent from the meetings and activities of the CHURCH, continuously, for a period greater than one year; or
III. In the cases specified in Art. 6, items I, III and IV.
§ 4. Under the terms of the previous paragraph, the departure or the absence, as is the case, will be declared by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors shall inform the CHURCH of such action at a Business Meeting.
§ 5. The CHURCH shall not issue a letter of transfer for associate members in cases such as outlined in § 3 of this Article, but may issue a letter of recommendation to another evangelical church, at the discretion of the Pastor and the Board of Directors.
Members’ duties and rights
Article 11. Members shall have the following rights:
I. To take part in the Business Meetings with voice and vote;
II. To stand as candidates at a Business Meetingto the elected positions provided for in article 16;
III. To take part in the activities of the CHURCH, in accordance to the gifts they have received from God;
IV. To receive, upon request, copies of the CHURCH’s constitution and budget;
Article 12. Members shall conduct themselves in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, shall maintain fraternity, shall cooperate, including financially, towards the goals of the CHURCH, shall take part in the activities and meetings of the CHURCH and shall submit to the rules and the discipline adopted by the CHURCH, as well as to the Pastor’s authority.
CHAPTER III – ON THE BUSINESS MEETINGS
Article 13. The CHURCH shall meet annually at a regular Business Meeting and, if necessary, at special Business Meetings.
§ 1. Composed of the total of its members present, the Business Meeting is the supreme body of the CHURCH and shall be opened with a quorum of at least ten percent of the total church membership. Its decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of those present at the time the vote is taken, except in those special cases addressed in this Constitution.
§ 2. The agenda for the Business Meeting shall be the first item approved.
§ 3. To be valid, a Business Meeting must be held at the CHURCH’s location except in those cases where the use of CHURCH facilities is absolutely impossible. In such cases, the reason and location shall be part of the Meeting’s announcement.
§ 4. The annual (regular) Business Meeting shall:
a) Elect and install the Board of Directors;
b) Vote on the annual Budget.
§ 5. A special Business Meeting shall be called by the President by his own initiative or by the initiative of the majority of the Directors, and the announcement shall include the items to be addressed.
§ 6. Only at a Business Meeting can the following be decided:
a) Election or dismissal of the Pastor;
b) Acquisition and alienation of CHURCH assets;
c) Amendments to this Constitution;
d) Dissolution of the CHURCH;
e) Issues related to the Board of Directors and to any other member, except with reference to item “a” of paragraph 6;
f) Admission and release of members;
g) Confirmation of elections for leaders of CHURCH organizations;
h) Election of CHURCH representatives to conventions or other institutions;
i) Convening of a special Meeting when necessary;
j) Authorization for expenditures not included in the annual Budget.
§ 7. In cases involving items “a”, “d”, “e”, “f”, “g”, “h”, “i” and “j”, the announcement shall be made at least fifteen days in advance, and the quorum for the Business Meeting shall be of ¾ (three quarters) of the total of members at the 1st convocation; a quorum of any number shall be required for the 2nd convocation, eight days later, should the 1st convocation not have the minimum quorum required.
§ 8. In accordance with this Constitution, the special Business Meetings shall be convened by a written announcement posted at a visible location in the CHURCH facilities, by letter or by any other means of communication.
§ 9. The Pastor shall be elected at a Business Meeting, by indication of a search committee especially nominated by the CHURCH and in accordance with its bylaws and regulations.
CHAPTER IV – ON MINISTRY
Article 14. The ministry of the CHURCH shall be exercised by the Pastor or his representative, assisted by the Deacons and any internal organizations, of which the Pastor shall be an ex officio member.
Article 15. It is the responsibility of the Pastor to:
a) Preach the Gospel and motivate the CHURCH in the fulfillment of its evangelistic work;
b) Indoctrinate the members of the CHURCH and give them spiritual assistance;
c) Motivate and support the educational activities indispensable to the spiritual, religious, moral and cultural formation of the CHURCH.
Article 16. The Pastor shall perform his ministry for an undetermined period of time and shall continue with his work as long as he serves satisfactorily, at the CHURCH’s discretion.
Article 17. The CHURCH shall select from among its members those who will serve as Deacons, whose composition, responsibilities and structure shall be defined by the CHURCH.
CHAPTER V – ON ADMINISTRATION
Article 18. The CHURCH shall be administered by a Board of Directors composed of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, appointed from among the regular and associate members and elected at a Business Meeting by a majority vote of the members present. Those appointed must have been members of the CHURCH for a minimum of six months. The Pastor shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Directors and shall have a tie-breaking vote.
The Board of Director’s term shall be for one year. Each Director can be reelected.
Article 19. The Directors cannot be paid or partake of the CHURCH’s receipts other than being reimbursed for expenses incurred in the service or representation of the CHURCH.
CHAPTER VI – ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Article 20. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to:
a) Fulfill the provisions of this Constitution and cause them to be fulfilled;
b) Study, suggest and adopt administrative and financial measures;
c) Care for the CHURCH’s assets.
§ 1. Two signatures shall be required for signing checks and for opening, operating and closing accounts at banking establishments on behalf of the CHURCH, one signee being either the President, the Vice President or the Pastor, and the other being either the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary.
§ 2. The banking establishments hired by the CHURCH shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
Article 21. It is the responsibility of the President to:
a) Convene and chair the Business Meetings;
b) Convene the meetings of the Board of Directors and of CHURCH organizations whenever necessary;
c) Supervise the activities of the CHURCH and of its internal organizations;
d) Represent the CHURCH actively and passively, judicially and extra-judicially; the President may issue powers-of-attorney with specifications, powers and time limits;
e) With other Directors, sign deeds and contracts that involve the CHURCH’s assets; the President is not empowered, however, to mortgage or establish any other lien without the express consent of the CHURCH.
Article 22. The Vice President shall replace the President in case the President is absent or unable to serve.
Article 23. It is the responsibility of the Secretary to carry out the tasks inherent to its position, especially to draft the minutes, care for correspondence and maintain the roll of members in good order.
Article 24. It is the responsibility of the Treasurer to:
a) Receive, retain, account for and invest the CHURCH’s financial resources, which shall be deposited and operated through a banking or credit establishment in the name of the CHURCH, and to make authorized payments
b) Present, with the acknowledgement of the Board of Directors, monthly and annual balance sheets and financial reports at the Business Meetings and answer any related questions;
c) Together with the Board of Directors, draft an annual Budget to be approved by the CHURCH;
d) Keep the financial books in order so that all the financial regulations of the CHURCH are met.
The CHURCH shall appoint an Assistant Treasurer to help the Treasurer in the performance of his duties, to co-sign checks under the same terms as the Treasurer and to replace the Treasurer in case the Treasurer is absent or unable to serve, in which case the Assistant Treasurer shall fully discharge the Treasurer’s duties.
Article 25. At a Business Meeting at the beginning of each fiscal year, the President shall appoint an auditing committee which shall examine the CHURCH’s books, balance sheets and financial reports and give a report of such examination.
Under no condition shall a Director be allowed to serve on the auditing committee.
Article 26. To achieve its purposes, the CHURCH may create and establish as many organizations as it deems necessary.
CHAPTER VII – ON THE ASSETS, RECEIPTS AND BUDGET
Article 27. The CHURCH’s assets comprise realty, personalty and other assets.
Article 28. The CHURCH’s receipts shall be invested within Brazil to achieve the CHURCH’s purposes and shall come from:
a) Contributions, tithes and offerings from its members;
b) Donations, bequests and other incomes, provided their origin is in keeping with the nature of the institution.
Under no circumstances shall the donations, contributions and bequests given to the CHURCH and comprising its assets be claimed by the donors, heirs or third parties.
Article 29. The CHURCH shall approve the Budget at a Business Meeting, which can revise it whenever necessary.
§ 1. The fiscal year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st of each year.
§ 2. For the purpose of spending the receipts, the Budget approved by the CHURCH shall be strictly observed and under no circumstances shall the funds be used for a purpose other than what was approved. The same shall be observed regarding the offerings made with designated purposes.
§ 3. A Business Meeting cannot decide on any matter pertaining to finances without prior study and recommendation by the Board of Directors.
§ 4. In cases of proven urgency, the Board of Directors may spend outside the Budget, subject to confirmation by a Business Meeting.
CHAPTER VIII – ON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE CHURCH
Article 30. A quorum of 95% of the CHURCH members residing in the Distrito Federal shall meet in two Business Meetings called specifically to consider the matter in question with a three-month interval.
Article 31. In case the CHURCH is dissolved, all the CHURCH assets shall be transferred to the Convenção Batista Brasileira.
Article 32. In case a doctrinal disagreement result in the division of the CHURCH, the group that remains faithful to the Declaração Doutrinária of the Convenção Batista Brasileira will retain the name and assets of the CHURCH, even if they are in the minority.
In this case, any doubt shall be directed to a council of nine Baptist pastors, three being appointed by the planning and coordination department of the Convenção Batista Brasileira, three by the group which accepts the declaration of faith and three by the dissident group.
CHAPTER IX – GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Article 33. No member of the CHURCH or of its Board of Directors shall be liable, not even as secondary liability, for the obligations undertaken by its members or by other churches, conventions or institutions of any kind.
Article 34. The relationship of the CHURCH with any other institution is purely cooperative and does not imply any responsibility other than what was agreed upon in writing.
Article 35. The use of the name of the CHURCH is forbidden in sureties, guarantees and all other obligations which are not related to the CHURCH’s purposes and interests.
Article 36. The CHURCH shall adopt, as is the case, the parliamentary procedure of the Convenção Batista Brasileira.
Article 37. Within the provisions of this Constitution, the CHURCH may adopt bylaws to govern its organizations and their operation.
Article 38. Urgent and unforeseen cases shall be resolved by the Board of Directors subject to confirmation by a Business Meeting.
Article 39. The ministerial functions shall be exercised by the CHURCH’s ordained Pastors and other persons invited by the CHURCH.
Article 40. This Constitution can only be amended by means of a special Business Meeting with the quorum required by article 13, § 7 and its provisions.
By-Laws of the International Baptist Church Brasília
As provided in Article 37 of the Church Constitution, the Church establishes the following By-Laws:
By-Law 01/2009. Regarding the Board of Directors.
§ 1. Members of the Board of Directors (Constitution Article 18) shall be chosen from among members of the Church who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder set forth in I Timothy 3: 1–7 and Titus 1: 6–9. The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart for this ministry.
§ 2. With the Pastor as ex officio member of the Board of Directors, and subject to the will of the congregation, in addition to those responsibilities set out in Articles 20 through 25 of the Constitution, the Directors shall:
- In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6: 1–6 and I Peter 5: 1–4, devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock.
- In the absence or incapacity of the Pastor, assume responsibility for his duties, any of which can be delegated.
- Take responsibility to examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, oversee the work of the deacons and appointed church agents and committees, conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, equip the membership for the work of the ministry, encourage sound doctrine and practice, admonish and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, and mobilize the church for world missions. The Directors are further to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our fundamental convictions.
- Have primary responsibility for the employment, supervision, and evaluation of staff members.
By-Law 02/2009. Regarding Deacons.
§ 1. The Deacons chosen according to Article 17 of the Constitution shall be selected on an annual basis from among members of the Church who satisfy the qualifications for the office of deacon set forth in I Timothy 3: 8-13.
§ 2. The Directors may name any Church Member to serve as Deacon on an interim basis. If he or she is to continue in the position, any individual so named should be presented to the Church for approval during the annual selection process.
By-Law 03/2009. Regarding the Church Council.
§ 1. As provided for in Article 26 of the Constitution, the Church authorizes creation of a Council, composed of the Directors, the Pastor, and Deacons, and chaired by the President of the Board of Directors.
§ 2. The Council will meet regularly, and no less than six times per year, with the purpose of ensuring the smooth operations of the Church’s administration and ministry.
By-Law 04/2009. Regarding Calling of the Pastor.
§ 1. The Committee constituted according to Article 13, § 9 of the Constitution to recommend to the Church election of a Pastor will conduct its business according to the following guidelines:
1) The structure, membership, by-laws, and any other procedures of the Committee shall be made available to the congregation at the outset of the selection process and throughout it.
2) The Committee should consider only candidates who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder set forth in I Timothy 3: 1–7 and Titus 1: 6–9 and who are called to the full-time ministry of preaching, teaching, and shepherding God’s people.
3) Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process.
4) Nominations should proceed with the support of the Directors.
5)
Electronic Giving
"...but just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowlede, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (2 Cor. 8.7)
Electronic giving is available for the convenience of those interested in financially supporting this unique ministry. The IBC-Brasilia bank transfer data is: Bank of Brasil, Branch 1507-5, Account 45088-x. U.S. taxpayers can make tax-deductible donations to IBC-Brasilia using PayPal at www.ibcmworld.org. For additional information contact Huberson Tape (hubefox at ibcbrasilia.com).
Location Map
For a location map click here.
New Arrival Links
The following links may be helpful if you are considering a move to Brasilia. The content is not censored nor is it endorsed by IBC but simply provided as a helpful resource.
Google Language Translation: click here.
Yahoo News - Latin America: click here.
Brasil News, Sports, Entertainment (popular): click here.
Brasilia News, Sports, Entertainment (popular): click here.
About Brasilia: click here.
Brasilia International Airport (BSB): click here.
Taxis - many taxis are available at the airport and throughout the city. Portuguese almost exclusively spoken.
Banks: Banco do Brasil, HSBC, Caixa Economica Federal, Bradesco, Itau, several others. Several ATMs at airport.
Schools - Brasilia International School (BIS): click here. The American School (EAB): click here.
