1. The
preaching of the glorious Gospel of Christ
as a soul-saving
institution;
2. The
administration of the two ordinances of the New
Testament church;
3. The
promotion of spiritual growth of its members;
4. The
licensing and ordaining of qualified men of this
congregation
for full time Christian service as pastors of
churches, whose doctrinal position is in accordance
with the
Word of God and this church;
5.
The establishment of Christian education
and evangelization
of the
world as a missionary-minded, evangelistically
alive, unaffiliated, independent, fundamental,
Bible-believing Baptist church.
Having been led, as we believe, by the Holy
Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal
Savior from sin, and on the profession of our faith, having
been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost, 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.
We engage 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 sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give
it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin;
to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of
the ministry, the expenses of this church, the relief of
the poor, and the evangelization of all peoples.
We also engage to maintain personal and
family devotions; to educate our children in the Word of
God, bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord; to walk circumspectly in the world, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts; to be just in our dealings, faithful in
our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid
tattling and backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain
from the sale and/or use of intoxicating drink as a beverage,
from the sale and/or use of non-prescription drugs; and to
be zealous in our efforts to promote the cause of Christ.
We further engage 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 rule of our Savior - to secure it without delay.
We further engage that we will endeavor,
by example and effort, to win souls to Jesus Christ; and
through life, amidst its multiplied trials and joys, will
seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of
darkness into His marvelous light.
We moreover engage that, when we remove
ourselves from this church, we will, as soon as possible,
unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit
of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
