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CHURCH COVENANT
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, 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;
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to walk together in Christian
love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in its prosperity and
spirituality;
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to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines;
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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;
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to maintain family and secret devotion;
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to religiously educate our
children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;
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to walk
circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our
engagements, and exemplary in our deportment;
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to avoid all tattling, backbiting,
and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as
a beverage,
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to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our
Saviour.
We
further engage;
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to watch over one another in brotherly love;
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to remember each
other in prayer;
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to aid each other in sickness and distress;
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to cultivate
Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
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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 the Covenant and the principles of God's Word.
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