1. Recognizing from past histories of holiness bodies that a decline in emphasis upon personal holiness seems to coincide with the increase of emphasis upon organization, centralization of authority, and the machinery of church life, the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches wishes to state that the whole and sole cause and purpose of this connection of churches is to spread scriptural (second blessing) holiness over the lands, building up a holy and separated people for the first resurrection.

2. In order that we may wisely preserve and pass on to posterity the heritage of doctrine and principles of Christian living transmitted to us as evangelicals in the Arminian Wesleyan tradition and to insure church order by sound principles of ecclesiastical polity and to prepare the way for more effective cooperation with other branches of the church of Christ in all that makes for the advancement of God's Kingdom among men, the ministers and lay members of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches meeting in official assemblies, we do hereby ordain, establish, and set forth as the fundamental law, or constitution, of the articles of religion, rules of Christian living, privileges and conditions of church membership, and articles of organization and government, here following.

3. The name of this communion is The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches.

4. There is but one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substauce, power, and eternity-the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Ghost.

5. The only begotten Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried-to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men and to reconcile us to God.

6. Christ did truly rise again from the dead, taking His body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature wherewith He ascended into heaven and there sitteth until He returns to judge all men at the last day.

7. The Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

8. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, we do understand the books of the Old and New Testaments. These Scriptures we do hold to be the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority.

9. The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testaments everlasting life is offered to mankind through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

10. Those two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, contain the sum of the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures. They are the measure and perfect rule of human duty, as well for the ordering and directing of families, nations and all other social bodies as for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all men as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Wherefore all men are bound so to order all their individual, social and political acts as to render to God entire and absolute obedience, and to secure to all men the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to promote the greatest happiness of each in the possession and exercise of such rights.

11. Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is wholly gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

12. The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and work, in faith and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ working in us, that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will.

13. We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.

14. Although good works, which are the fruit of faith and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God's judgment, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

15. Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost and unpardonable. Wherefore, repentance is not denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given and fall into sin and by the grace of God rise again to amend our lives. Therefore, they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

16. Regeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the pardoned sinner becomes a child of God; this work is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whereby the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate, so that they love God and through grace serve Him with the will and affections of the heart-receiving the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

17. Entire Sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is cleansed from all inbred sin through faith in Jesus Christ. It is subsequent to regeneration, and is wrought when the believer presents himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and is thus enabled through grace to love God with all the heart and to walk in His holy commandments blameless.

18. Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only tokens of Christian profession, but they are certain signs of grace and God's good will toward us, by which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.

19. Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others who are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration or new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.

20. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily and with faith receive the same, it is made a medium through which God doth communicate grace to the heart.

21. The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption and propitiation for all the sins of the whole world both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore to expect salvation on the ground of our own works or by suffering the pains our sins deserve, either in the present or future state, is derogatory to Christ's offering for us and a dangerous deceit.

22. It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word. Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies so that all things may be done to edification.

23. The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is a very precious truth and this good hope is a powerful inspiration to holy living and godly effort for the evangelization of the world. We believe the Scriptures teach the comming, of Christ to be a bodily return to the earth and He will cause the fulfillment of all evil. Faith in the imminence of Christ's return is a rational and inspiring hope to the people of God.

24. We hold the Scriptural statements concerning the resurrection of the dead to be true and worthy of universal acceptance. We believe the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was a fact of history and a miracle of supreme importance. We understand the manner of the resurrection of mankind to be the resurrection of the righteous dead at Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the wicked at a later time, as stated in Revelation 20:4-6. Resurrection will be the reuniting of soul and body preparatory to final reward or punishment.

25. The Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all mankind and the acts of His judgment to be based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of mankind before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined and final rewards and punishments will be administered.

26. It is expected of those who are admitted to our churches that they' should continue to evidence their desire of salvation: First by doing no harm-by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as: The taking of the name of God in vain.
The profaning of the day of the Lord either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling. Drunkenness or the manufacturing, buying, selling, or using intoxicating liquors, unless for mechanical, chemical or medicinal purposes, or in any way intentionally and knowingly aiding others so to do. The giving or taking things on usury, i.e., unlawful interest.
Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother, returning evil for evil, or railing for railing. Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation. Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
A. The putting on of gold and costly apparel, to include rings.
B. The wearing of apparel which does not modestly and properly clothe the person.
C. The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
D. The singing those songs or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
E. Softness and needless self indulgence.
F. Laying up treasure upon earth.
G. Borrowing without a probability of paying or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
H. In matters of entertainment and recreation, our people are to avoid such pursuits as contribute to worldliness.
27. It is expected of all who continue in these churches that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation: Secondly, by doing good, by being ever kind, merciful after their power, as they' have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort and as far as possible, to all men. To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that "we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it." To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to e hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison. By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in business; and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only. By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord's sake.
28. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these churches that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation: Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordinances of God which are:
The public worship of God.
The ministry of the Word either read or expounded.
The Supper of the Lord.
Family and private prayer.
Searching the Scriptures.
Fasting or abstinence.
29. Further, by abstaining from membership in secret societies. We will on no account tolerate our ministers and members in joining or holding fellowship with secret societies, as in the judgment of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, it is inconsistent with our duties to God to hold such relations. "Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort and in secret have I said nothing" John 18:20. "Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not" Matt. 24:26. "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation" James 5:12.

33. A Christian church is an autonomous body of believers in Jesus Christ assembling in any one place for religious worship and is of divine institution.
34. Christ is the only Head of the church and the Word of God the only rule of faith and conduct.
35. A. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and obeys the gospel of God our Saviour ought to be deprived of church membership.
B. We are equally firm in a conviction that it is impossible to legisIlate righteousness. Those who attempt to do so face the danger of making patterns of conduct the ground of salvation rather than the results.
36 Every man has an inalienable right to private judgments in matters of religion and an equal right to express his opinion in any way which will not violate the laws of God or the rights of his fellow man.
37. All church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only. No minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrines or for neglect of duties enjoined by the Word of God.
38. The pastoral or ministerial office and duties are of divine appointments. All elders in the church of God are equal, but ministers are forbidden to be Lords over God's heritage or to have dominion over the faith of the saints.
39. The local church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations only as are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary or have a tendency to carrv into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
40. Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rule and regulations is inherent in the ministers and members of the church; but, so much of that power may be delegated from time to time, upon a plan of representation, as they may judge necessary and proper.
41. It is the duty of all ministers and members of the church to maintain godliness and oppose all moral evil.
42. It is obligatory upon ministers of the gospel to be faithful in the discharge of their pastoral and ministerial duties; it is also obligatory upon the members to esteem ministers highly for their works' sake and to render them a righteous compensation for their labors.

43. The privileges and conditions of full membership in the church are constitutional and changes therein may be made only by constitutional enactment. Nothing shall be included in the membership ritual that is contrary to the following definitions, conditions, and privileges of membership.
44. The conditions of full membership are:

[1) Confession of a personal experience in regeneration and a pledge to seek diligently until sanctified wholly, if that experience has not been attained.
(2) Christian baptism.
(3) Acceptance of the Articles of Religion, the General Rules, the Elementary Principles, and the authority of the Discipline in matters of church government.
(4) A coveaant to support the church, to live in fellowship with members thereof, and to seek God's glory in all things.
(5) The approving vote of a majority of the members of the receivng church who are present and voting, provided that when objections are urged against the reception of a member, it shall require a vote of three-fourths of those present and voting to receive

47. The General Conference shall from time to time enact provisions for the training, qualification, and ordination of the ministry~ Every Bible Methodist Connection of Churches minister must be a member of some Bible Methodist Church and each elder must be a member of an annual conference An elder is a minister of the gospel fully invested with all the functions of the Christian ministry.
48. The constitutional rights of ministers in The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches shall include the following:
(1) To preach the gospel and in the case of ordained elders, to administer baptism and the Lord's Supper, to perform all parts of divine worship, and to solemnize the rite of matrimony.
(2) To be eligible in the case of ordained elders, for election to any office in the church for which elders are eligible
(3) To contract the pastoral relationship with local Bible Methodist Connection churches subject to the other provisions of this constitution.
(4) To enjoy the use for religious meetings of the church building or buildings of the pastoral charge to which he has been appointed by the annual conference
(5) To serve his assigned pastoral charge without interference by unauthorized activities of another minister of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches.
(6) To transfer in the manner prescribed by the Discipline from one annual conference to another, subject to reception by the annual conference to which he transfers.
(7) To have recourse to a proper court of jurisdiction in any matters involving complaint against his character or ministerial conduct and to appeal the decision of such court.
(8) To serve as chairman of the congregation with authority to designate another chairman in his absence.

49. Pastoral Charges. The members of the Connection shall be grouped into local churches, one or more of which shall constitute a pastoral charge. The following are the constitutional rights of each pastoral charge:
(1) To receive and expel or discontinue members subject to the provisions of the discipline. This right vests severally in each local church.
(2) To call its own pastor, subject to confirmation by the annual conference.
(3) To grant licenses to preach and exhort, and take away the same.
(4) To recommend local preachers and special workers to the annual conference.
(5) To elect its own officers and to remove the same for cause. No pastor or other official has any right to appoint an officer or declare an office vacant. This right belongs to the church alone, and vests severally in each local church.
(6) To hold, use, or dispose of property as they shall so determine without interference from the Connection. This does not prohibit the local church securing help from the Connection in determining the best arrangement for property settlement.
(7) To elect trustees and through such trustees to supervise, control and maintain its property for the use and benefit of the ministry and members of the local church. This right vests severally in each local church.
(8) To be represented in the voting membership of its annual conference.
(9) To have recourse to a proper court of jurisdiction in any matters of controversy between itself and other local conference or general units or agencies of the connection. This right vests severally in each local church.
50. The annual Conference. The General Conference shall organize the work at large into annual conferences which shall operate under its jurisdiction and promote the interests of the Connection whose voting membership shall include the following: All elders on the stationed, reserve, and superannuated lists; all conference preachers elected to elders' orders; all conference preachers serving as pastors of organized Bible Methodist churches; and lay delegates elected by organized Bible Methodist churches as provided in the Discipline. In addition, the annual conference shall include such non-voting members as the Discipline shall provide. The principle of equal representation of the ministry and the laity in the annual conference sessions shall be maintained.
51. In transacting the business of the Annual Conference, the ministers and lay members shall deliberate as one body; but on the final vote on any question, at the call of one-fourth of the members, the house shall divide, and the ministers and lay members shall vote separately; and it shall require a majority vote of each branch to pass any question upon which the division has been called.
52. The constitutional rights of each annual conference shall include the following:
(1) The right to supervise all the ministers and churches within its bounds, subject to the right of the ministers and churches to enter into pastoral engagements for one year from the next session of the annual conference or to contract the pastoral relationship at any time during the interval of the sessions of the annual conference when this does not interrupt any arrangement which was sanctioned by The Annual Conference at its previous session.
(2) To review the agreement entered into by the pastor and charge, and where circumstances exist which make such arrangements seem harmful for the work of God, to endeavor to make such adjustments as will better preserve the work of the church. Each conference shall have the privilege to make such rules or by-laws as will best serve their interest.
(3) To elect and ordain elders, and to receive elders from denominations subject to the restrictions of the Discipline.
(4) To receive or decline local preachers and special workers recommended to it by the pastoral charges within its bounds.
(5) To organize and receive local churches within the boundaries of the territory assigned to it by the General Conference and to fix the boundaries of its circuits and stations.
(6) To take such actions and adopt such rules as it shall judge necessary to promote the interests and prosperity of the church and to amend or rescind the same, provided it shall not contravene any provision of the constitution or of the Discipline and provided further that if three members of an annual conference shall take exception to its action on the ground that it violates this restriction, they may make an appeal therefrom through the channels prescribed by the Discipline.
(7) To elect its own officers as outlined in the Discipline, and to dis miss them for cause.
(8) To elect in the manner prescribed by the Discipline its own board of trustees and through them to receive, hold, encumber and dispose of all conference property and all local church property transferred to them by action of the local church or property that has been abandoned by the disbandment of the local church. The trustees will handle all church property according to the provisions of the Discipline and the laws of the state. All properties held by the annual conference shall be held in trust for the use and benefit of the ministry and members of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches and subject to its regulations and appointments as from time to time legislated and declared.
(9) To be represented in the lay and the ministerial voting membership of the General Conference.
(10) To have recourse to a proper court of jurisdiction in any matters of controversy between itself and other conference, local, or general unit or agencies of the Connection.
53. General Conference Membership. The General Conference shall be composed of an equal number of elders and lay members, who shall be elected by the several annual conferences, and of such General Conference officials as the General Conference may establish by legislation, provided that it shall at the same time enact provisions to secure such further representation as shall be necessary to continue the principle of equal lay and ministerial membership.

54. General Conference Delegates. Each annual conference shall be entitied to send two elders and two laymen as delegates to the General Conference and additional ministerial and lay delegates on the basis of representation to be fixed by General Conference.
(1) The delegates shall be elected by ballot. The ministerial delegates must be elders, and at the time of their election, as also at the time of General Conference, must be members of the annual conference which elected them.
(2) The lay delegates shall be chosen from the members of the church in full relation within the bounds of the annual conference they represent, and at the time of the General Conference, they must be members of a church within the bounds of the annual conference which elected them.
55. General Conference Sessions. The General Conference shall meet quadrennially on a date specified by the Discipline and at such place as shall have been determined by the preceding General Conference However, in case of emergency the General Connectional Board shall have power to change both time and place of the General Conference.

(I) The Chairman or other elected officer of the General Conference whenever two-thirds of the annual conference shall request it, or the General Connectional Committee, by such vote as the General Conference shall determine, shall call an extra session of the General Conference fixing the place thereof and the time of assembling later than the next ensuing session of each annual conference.

56. Chairman of the General Conference. The General Conference shall elect for the Quadrennial term by ballot, from among the elders of the church, a General Conference Chairman who shall preside at the General Conference and make decisions on points of law in the interim; such decisions to be ratified by the Board of Review and the next General Conference.
(I) The General Conference Chairman shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.

57. Other Officers. The General Conference shall elect by ballot a Secretary and such other officers as it shall decide upon.

58. General Connectional Committee. The General Conference at its Quadrennial session shall create a General Connectional Committee to carry out the will of the General Conference during the Quadrennium. Such Committee shall be made up of the General Chairman, the Connectional Editot, Connectional Missionary Secretary, Connectional Pu~ lishing Agent, and two elders and two laymen from each Annual Conference, such persons to be nominated by the annual conference of which they' are members. The term of office of the General Connectional Committee shall begin with the rise of the General Conference at which they' are elected.
(1) The Chairman and Secretary of the General Connectional Committee shall be elected from among its members at their first session after election.
59. General Conference Quorum. At all times when the General Conference is in session, it shall require a majority of all the delegates elected by the annual conference to form a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
60. General Conference Voting. The ministers and lay members shall deliberate in the sessions of the General Conference as one body, but upon the final vote on any question except proposed amendments to the constitution, on a call of one-fourth of the members, the house shall divide and ministers and lay members shall vote separately; and it shall require a majority of each branch to pass any question upon which the division has been called.

62. There shall be a judicial council to be known as the board of Review whose number of members, qualifications, terms of office, and method of election shall be determined by the General Conference.
63. The Board of Review shall have authority:
(I) To determine the constitutionality of any act of the General Conference upon appeal of the General Conference Chairman or one-fifth of the members of the General Conference.
(2) To hear and determine the decisions of the General Conference Chairman as to the constitutionality of an action by an annual conference or upon a point of Church law.
(3) To hear and determine the legality of any action by any general Church board upon appeal of one-third the members thereof, or by request of the General Conference Chairman.
(4) To settle questions in dispute between annual conference upon appeal by a two-thirds vote of a Conference that claims it has a grievance against another Conference.
(5) To determine the validity of any complaints against books used in the course of study or in our schools.

64. A decision of the Board of Review shall be final unless the General Conference votes to overrule the same by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting.

65. Upon the recommendation of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the several annual conferences who shall be present and vote on a proposed change of any matter involving the constitution and upon concurrent recommendation of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the local churches who shall be present and vote on the same, the next ensuing General Conference may by a two-thirds majority vote ratify the same and it shall become constitutional law. Also when the General Conference shall originate and recommend by a two-thirds majority of the members of the several Annual Conferences and a two- thirds majority of all the members of the churches present and voting shall have concurred, then the same shall be declared constitutional law.

66. We define constitutional law to be that part of the polity of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches as can only be changed by a vote of the General and Annual Conferences and membership vote of the churches, as provided for in paragraph 65 of the discipline.
67. The right of the churches to receive and expel or discontinue members of the same is constitutional. That is to say, no pastor or any officer of the church has a right to receive or discontinue a member of the church. It must be done by the action of the church, except where members join another church, or other religious body exercising the functions of a church, or a secret society. In all such cases their own act separates them from the church, provided that they have been labored with as required by the Discipline.
68. The Articles of Religion being constitutional as to change, it will follow that it is unconstitutional to place any book in the course of study that teaches anything that contravenes our Articles of Faith. The Board of Review shall be the authority to decide on any book called in question.
2. Statutory

69. The General Conference has the right to say who shall constitute its membership, provided there is maintained equal representation as it pertains to the ministry and laity, and provided further that no annual conference shall be deprived of representation.
70. The General Conference has the right to say who shall compose the membership of an annual conference, provided it maintains the equality of representation as to ministry and laity, and further provided that no church or charge shall be deprived of representation.
71. The General Conference has the right to legislate as to the best methods of conducting the business of the General Conference itself. It also has the right to legislate as to the best methods of carrying on the work of the Publishing Association, Missionary Society, Educational Society, and all corporate societies, and all the judiciary departments.
72. All statutory laws take effect when the Discipline is published following the adjournment of the General Conference, unless otherwise specified.

73. let us be deeply sensible (from what we have known) of the evil of a division in principle, spirit or practice, and the dreadful consequences to ourselves and others. If we are united, what can stand before us? If we divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work of God, and the souls of our people. In order to achieve a closer union with each other, let us be deeply convinced of the absolute necessity of it.
Pray earnestly for, and speak freely to each other.
When we meet, let us never part without prayer.
Take great care not to despise each other's gifts.
Never speak lightly of each other.
Let us defend each other's character in everything, so far as is consistent with truth.
Labor in honor, each to prefer the other before himself.
Rom. 12:9-10, 15:5-7; Phil. 2:1-2; I Peter 1:22; 3:8; 4:8.

74. Should we insist on plain and modest dress? By all means. This is no time to give encouragement to superfluity and extravagance in dress and furnishings. We should not therefore, on any account, spend what the Lord has put into our hands as stewards to be used for His glory, on jewelry and extravagant wearing apparel when millions are suffering for food and raiment and are perishing for the Word of life. let the strictest carefulness and economy govern all of our purchases in order that we may have to give to those who have material and spiritual needs.
75. Our rules concerning dress are enforced by such Scriptures as: "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array" (I Tim. 2:8-9); "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel" (I Pet. 3:3); "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (I John 2:15-17). See also Deuteronomy 22:5; Isaiah 3:16-24; Ezekiel 13:18; I Corinthians 10:31.
(1) Refraining from the wearing of jewelry sets a better example for single men and women. Therefore let none be received into the church until they have left off the wearing of gold and superfluous ornaments and let the dress of every Bible Methodist be plain and modest. If the mature Christian men and women of the church do not have a conscience on this matter, it will be impossible for the church to maintain its testimony against worldliness.
(2) We would interpret the term "modest apparel" as found in Tim. 2:8-9 to mean clothing which does not confuse the sexes and which is of sufficient thickness and fullness as not to be suggestive or revealing, and which, in the case of women's dress, should be of sufficient length to well cover the knee when in a sitting and standing position.
(3) We would further recommend that the sleeves of both men and women reach below the elbow; and that the women abstain from the cutting of the hair as taught in I Cor. 11.

76. In matter of entertainment and recreation, our people are to avoid such pursuits as contribute to worldliness. This includes theater-going, dancing, card playing, skating rinks, games that could be interpreted as gambling or resemblance thereto, mixed swimming or participation in activities where immodesty is apparent.

(1) Since professional and other organized sports are definitely associated with and sponsored by the world and have a growing tendency to attract attention and interest, we would admonish our people to refrain from attending such places.
(2) We hold, further, that due to the influence and effect of television upon spiritual life, our people will harmonize with both Scriptural principles and the practices of the Bible Methodist Church in abstainmg from possessing television sets.
(3) We would admonish our people against singing such songs, playing or listening to such music which would be detrimental to spirituality.
(4) This is not to be interpreted as being inclusive and condoning any and/or all other worldly attractions not mentioned herein.

a. Church Finance
77. Since all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16), and since holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Pet. 1:21), we base our faith upon the inspired Word of God. The Bible gives us all truth that is vital to Christian expe rience and to the promotion of the cause of Christ at home and abroad. Since God is a God of system and order in all of His doing, we believe the mind of the Spirit, as taught in the Word, to be that all Christians should faithfully tithe and present offerings for the support and furtherance of the gospel. We recommend that such tithes and offerings be brought into the storehouse (the Church) for their proper and systematic distribution.

79. Question: Do we observe any evils which have prevailed in regard to marriage and divorce?
Answer 1: Many professing Christians have married unconverted persons. Finding themselves unequally yoked together, they have either been hindered for life or have turned back to perdition. Therefore, we are determined to discourage our people from marrying persons who do not have the form and are not seeking the power of godliness. II Cor. 6:14-18; I Cor. 7:39.

Answer 2: We deplore the evils of divorce and remarriage We regard adultery as the only scriptural grounds for divorce and the guilty party has by his or her act forfeited membership in the church. In the case of divorce for other cause, neither party shall be permitted to marry again during the lifetime of the other, and the violation of this law shall be punished by expulsion from the church.
(1) Realizing that remarriage of the 'innocent" party is regarded as unscriptural by some, and is thus unacceptable to them, and almost invariably serves as a point of controversy and hindrance, we admonish our ministers to avoid participating in a marriage involving a divorced person. We earnestly advise our people to avoid involving themselves in this type of marriage.
(2) We further recognize that some have become deeply involved while yet unsaved and unenlightened to the teachings of God's Word in this matter. To those, we shall be patient and charitable as God's will is sought in the matter.