To whom it may concern:
The purpose of Jersey Baptist Church is defined in our Constitution and By-Laws. We look supremely to the Bible to inform us of proper conduct and have embraced the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our summary of key doctrinal matters.

Jersey Baptist Church, Constitution and By-Laws
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
As a body of believers, we are seeking to be obedient to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ and our understanding of God is derived from the Bible with our doctrinal beliefs clarified in the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on June 14, 2000, the (“Baptist Faith and Message”).
The Church shall be affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the State Convention of Baptists of Ohio, and the Metro Columbus Baptist Association (collectively, the “Affiliations”).

The Baptist Faith and Message contains a very clear and succinct statement about the value of all human life and defines its beginning as at conception. Therefore, the abortion of a child within the womb of a mother terminates a human life which bears the image of God and is forbidden within both Holy Scripture and our doctrinal statement.

Baptist Faith and Message, June 14, 2000
XV. The Christian and the Social Order
All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and
society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16;
Matthew 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John
15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians
6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.

Both the Bible (Acts 4:19,20) and the Baptist Faith and Message teach that as citizens Christians are to be upstanding citizens and are to obey the laws established for human thriving, as long as those laws do not violate the laws and precepts established by God. When this happens, the Christian must obey God and not the government.

Baptist Faith and Message, June 14, 2000
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of
Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7;
Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.

Jersey Baptist Church would admonish government leaders and employers not to hinder the free exercise of its members faith as they seek to live at peace with all men and obey and worship their God.

Pastor John Hays
Senior Pastor - Jersey Baptist Church