Having been led as we believe, by
the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour,
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 pre-eminence over all institutions of
human origin; 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 devotion; 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 gossiping, slanderers remarks, and
excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating
drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the
kingdom of our Saviour.
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 rules of our Saviour, 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, where we can carry
out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
By the grace of God through faith
in Christ you have made a definite decision for Christ as Saviour
and Lord. You have decided to live and walk with Him. This is a
great decision ---the greatest you have made, or will make in your
life. By faith in Christ you now have eternal life. Believing in
Christ, you are now a Christian.
Following
the leadership of Christ, you have offered yourself for membership
in His Church. The Church has encouraged you and you have followed
Christ in baptism. You have made a definite decision for a
consecrated life of service in the membership of the Church.
The Church is now receiving you into the full fellowship of its
membership. Surely you will desire to be a good member of the
Church. You will desire to put much into this new relationship much
time, faith, prayer, effort, and thought and to gain much pleasure
and profit in the service of God and man. You will make your own
success or failure as a member of the Church.
You can make a success of your membership in the Church. You will
find the members of the Church ready to help you at all times. God,
the Father, is ready to help you, for we read his promise, My
presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee assurance (Ex.
33:14). The Lord Jesus Christ is ready to help you, for we read
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy (Jude 24). The Holy Spirit is ready to help you,
for we read, He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John
14:17).
