Church Covenant
Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and, on the profession of our faith (Romans 10:9-10), having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), we do now in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3-6).
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to submit to the authority of scripture as the final authority on all issues (II Peter 1:16-21); to walk together in Christian love, as Christ loved and gave Himself up for us (Ephesians 5:2); to exhort one another in Christ (Hebrews 3:13); to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together (Hebrews 10:24-25); to speak the truth in love to one another for our Christian maturity (Ephesians 4:15); to use our spiritual gifts to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10); to wisely use our Christian freedom and willingly sacrifice our freedoms for the sake of a brother’s conscience (Romans 14:13-23); to remember one another in prayer (Ephesians 6:18); to aid one another in sickness and distress (Matthew 25:40); to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation without delay (Colossians 3:12-13) (Matthew 5:23-24).
We agree, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:12), and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life (Romans 6:3-4).
We, therefore, agree to maintain family and personal devotions in training ourselves for godliness (I Timothy 4:7); to biblically educate our children in the gospel (Ephesians 6:4); to seek the salvation of our family, friends, and acquaintances (II Corinthians 5:18-20); to walk wisely in the world (Ephesians 5:15); to keep our conduct among the lost honorable(I Peter2:12); to abstain from intoxication and the abuse of controlling substances (Ephesians 5:18); to flee from all forms of sexual immorality (I Corinthians 6:18); and to put to death what is earthly within us (Colossians 3:5).
We agree to work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor (II Corinthians 8:7), and the spread of the Gospel through all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with another biblical church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.