The Bible places a high priority on the responsibilities of each believer, especially within the context of a local church. In this lukewarm age of self-centeredness and blatant godless behavior, we have purposed to stand apart from the world and unto God. Like in the time of King Josiah (2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 34), we too have unified together as a called out assembly of people to a covenant unto our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is our desire for every blood bought saint to know and act upon the word of God. Therefore, we have adopted this church covenant. Each member has freely, personally, and publicly entered into this covenant.
Please understand that we believe this covenant represents the responsibility of every saved person everywhere, not just those in our church. We have simply put these things in writing, and have publicly promised, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to stand by them.
First Baptist Church Membership Covenant
The following is my covenant to the Lord:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit of God and brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, to give myself wholly to Him by receiving Him as Saviour and confessing Him as Lord in baptism and testimony, I do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with God, to promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to forsake the ways of sin and to walk in Christian love and in the paths of righteousness.
I, as a member of the body of Christ, will promise to exercise mutual care toward other members; to promote the growth of the whole body in Christian knowledge, holiness and comfort; to strive with others for both the peace and purity of this, Christ’s Church; to sustain its disciplines and the doctrine of the word of God; to submit to the loving rule of its Elder(s); to contribute as a faithful steward such time, talent and money in the measure that Christ prospers me, that the responsibility of the local church and the world-wide ministry of spreading the gospel be faithfully discharged; all this to the end that I may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
I also engage to maintain family and private devotion, to teach the Bible to my children, to seek the salvation of my family and acquaintances, to walk circumspectly in the world, to the end that I may win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. I will endeavor to be a Christian example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity of life, remembering that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind, that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
I further engage to give and receive admonition, with meekness and affection; to remember others in prayers and aid them in case of sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, always ready for reconciliation (to seek it without delay) and mindful of the Scriptures; and to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord’s return.
I moreover engage that when I move from this congregation, within one year I will involve myself with some local church where I can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of the word of God.