Having been led,
as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to
receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our
personal Savior, and on the profession
of our faith, having been baptized in
the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in
the presence of God, angels, 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 work 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 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
through all nations.
We also
engage to maintain family and secret
devotions; to religiously educate our
children; 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
deportment; to avoid all tattling,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to
abstain from the sale of, and use of,
destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks
as a beverage; to shun pornography; to
be zealous in our efforts to advance the
kingdom of our Savior.
We
further engage to watch over one another
in brotherly love; to remember each
another in prayer; to aid each another
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 Savior to secure it without
delay.
We
moreover engage 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 this covenant and the
principles of God’s Word.