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COVENANTS
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive
the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the public
confession of our faith, having been immersed in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in
the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully
enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We purpose, therefore, by the aid of the Holy
Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the
advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;
to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to attend its
services regularly; to sustain its worship, ordinances,
discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over
all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully of time and
talent in its activities; to contribute cheerfully and
regularly, as God has prospered us, to support of the the
ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor,
and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations.
We also purpose to maintain family
and private devotions, to train our children according to the Word of God; to
seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in
the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and
exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger;
to abstain from the sale or use of alcohol (as a beverage), marijuana, dangerous
drugs, or any other intoxicant; to abstain from all forms of activity which
dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer, or hinder
the winning of a soul to Christ; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the
cause of Christ, our Saviour; and to give Him preeminence in all things.
We further purpose to encourage one
another in the blessed hope of our Lord's return; to watch over one another in
brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness
and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of
the rules of our Saviour, to seek it without delay.
We moreover purpose that when we
remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other
church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of the covenant
and the principles of God's Word. In the event there is no such church, we
shall seek, with the Lord's help, establish one.
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