CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14-15), to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior (John: 12-13) and on the profession of our faith (Hebrews 4:14), having been baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), we do now, in the presence of God, Angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another (Hebrews 8:10-12), as one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18).
We promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit to forsake the paths of sin and to walk in the ways of holiness all the days of our lives (John 16:13; Romans 8:14; 1 Peter 1:14-16).
With this view, we engage to strive for the advancement of this church (Hebrews 10:25) in knowledge, holiness and comfort, to promote its prosperity and spiritually (Romans 12:6-11), to sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines and doctrines (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 1:3).
To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and spread of the gospel throughout all nations (Malachi 3:8-11; Matthew 23:23; 2 Corinthians 8:5-12; 1 John 3:17).
We engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to religiously educate our children, to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Genesis 10:17-18).
To walk circumspectly in the World (Ephesians 5:15); to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements (Romans 12:9-18; 13:8) and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling (1 Timothy 5:13), backbiting (Romans 1:28-30) and excessive anger (2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:25-27); to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior (Ephesians 5:16-18).
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1); giving and receiving admonition with meekness and affection (Galatians 6:1); to remember each other in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25); to aid each other in sickness and distress (1 John 3:17; James 1:27), to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech (Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:29); to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation (Romans 12:21) and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay (Matthew 18:15-17).
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church of this faith, where we can carry out the spirit of this Covenant (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5) and the principles of God’s Word (Matthew 28:20; Romans 1:31)