Having been led as we believe by the
Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and, of 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 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,
doctrines, and disciplines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the
support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and 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 on our engagements, and
exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and
excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of intoxicating
drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs
and the spread of pornography; and 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 one another in prayer; to aid one another
in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and
Christian 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 practice, where we can carry out the spirit of this
covenant and the principles of God’s Word.