INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
God has graciously entered into a covenant relationship with His believing people (Jer. 31:31-34; 32:40; Heb. 8:7-13; 10:16-17; 13:20-21). Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 8:6). His blood is the blood of the New Covenant, which infallibly secures all the benefits of the covenant for all of God’s people (Matt. 26:26-28; Heb. 13:20,21). God has in this New Covenant made us members one of another (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:25). Therefore, we have covenant responsibilities to each other, as well as to God. God has promised in this covenant to write His laws in our hearts and to cause us to walk in His ways (that is, to enable us to keep our covenant responsibilities). The motivation and ability to obey God’s laws spring from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, by His death, satisfied the holy wrath of God that was against us due to our sins. It is by the enablement of the Holy Spirit that we obey, in loving gratitude for Christ’s righteousness, which has been imputed to us, and not to establish our own righteousness before God. The following paragraphs are a summary of what we believe are our covenant responsibilities toward God and toward one another. This summary forms the basis for our giving and receiving instruction for ourselves and for our families.
OUR COVENANT RESPONSIBILITIES
- We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines under the pastoral oversight of our spiritual leaders.
- We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together to worship God in accordance with His Holy Word, nor neglect to pray privately and corporately for ourselves and others..
- We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations.
- We will seek, by God’s help, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from that symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.
- We will endeavor, by the Spirit of God, to witness to family, friends, and neighbors about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and invite them to attend the worship services of our church.
- We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.
- We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.
- We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.
- We will, when we move from this place, unite as soon as possible with some other evangelical church where we can continue to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
- May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.