The Church Covenant: Explained By Scripture
Definition: The Church Covenant is a voluntary agreement between every member of the Church in their response their salvation and church membership that states to their agreeing to adhere to and living by a unified and biblical code of Christian conduct based upon their personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ and the fellowship with members of their local church promising
to promote Christian unity toward one another, and a deeper commitment to God because of their salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Preamble: “ Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Our 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 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”.
Explanation: As God (Triune), the angels residing in heaven, and we ourselves are called to be witnesses.In the preamble, we agree to enter into this covenant (spiritual and contractual agreement) both solemnly (with a “sacred” seriousness) and joyfully (happily and with honor) as a church body (called out assembly) as one body in Jesus Christ (that is, being unified by Christ) through salvation, baptism and “sealed” and “aided” by the Holy Ghost. Scriptural references: John 1:11-13..John 3:16…( Ephesians 2:8-9 …Chapter 4:11-16)
I. Our Responsibilities To “The Church” And Our "Local Church" Assembly
God requires that we walk together in Christian love John 13:34-35
Walking in Christian love is the “identification” badge of discipleship. This is how Jesus said we are to be known among friends and followers as well as by which a Child of God can be distinguished from anyone else.This said, we also have the following obligations:
A. We have an obligation to strive for the advancement of the Church: We are to be key instruments in promoting both the church’s spirituality and prosperity in every aspect of the Christian faith, financially and otherwise.
Philippians 1:27-30…2 Corinthians 7:1…2 Peter 3: 10-13
B. We are responsible for the sustaining of the worship, church discipline, biblical ordinances and doctrine of the Church. We must maintain the integrity of the worship services, the church’s disciplinary procedures, the 2 Biblical ordinances, (Baptism and Communion) and correct Biblical doctrine that governs our belief in Jesus Christ and the rudiments of Christian living by walking in the integrity of Godly love.
Hebrews 10:25…Matthew 28:19…1 Corinthians 11:23-26…Jude vs.3.
C. We are obligated to give Christ (church) preeminence (first place) in our life. Jesus Christ must be the foundation by which all things pertaining to our personal lives permeates. Philippians 4:19 states it is through Jesus that all of our needs are met (from His riches in glory) because He is the source from which all blessings flow.
Matthew 6:31-33…Proverbs 3: 5-6
D. We are charged 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 throughout all nations. The Christian church is designed to be “self” sustained, that is through the giving of our tithes and offerings.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2…2 Corinthians 8:1-7
E. We are admonished to maintain a healthy church relationship by maintaining a church membership whenever we move from our current residence to another, no matter the city, state, or community. We must unite with another bible believing, bible teaching church so we can continue to carry out the principles of God’s word as well as uphold this covenant you made in the presence of Almighty God.
Acts 11:19-26…Acts 18:24-28
Note: It’s extremely important that we maintain a Christian fellowship in a bible believing church because we need to share what we have learned with everyone we meet, especially within the church because the church must speak the right message about Jesus within and without. Nobody knows it all, not even the minister.
II. Responsibility to Christian Living
A. We must maintain both family and secret (personal) devotions.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-21…Acts 17:11
B. We must give our children a “religious” education (teach them about God, Jesus)
2 Timothy 3:15…Deuteronomy 6:4-7
C. We are to seek the salvation of the lost. (kindred and acquaintances)
Acts 1:8…Matthew 4:18-19…Psalms 126:5-6…Proverbs 11:30
D. We must walk circumspectly in the world, We are to be just in our dealings (the way we conduct business and relationships) faithful in our engagements (honor commitments unless legitimate excuses occur, then reschedule if possible) and exemplary in our deportment (conduct and character)
Ephesians 5:15-20…Philippians 2: 14-15…1 Peter 2:9-12
E. We must avoid both gossip and becoming excessively angry.
Ephesians 4:31…1 Peter 2:21-24…Colossians 3:5-10…James 3:1-2
F. To abstain from the sale and use of Alcoholic beverages and other drugs.
Ephesians 5:18…Proverbs 20:1
G. We must have a strong zeal in our efforts to advance the kingdom of Christ.
Titus 2:11-15
III. Responsibility Toward One Another
We are to watch over one another in “brotherly” love. 1 Peter 1:22
We are to pray for each other James 5;13-16
We are to help one another when in sickness and distress
Galatians 6:1-2…James 2:14-18
We must cultivate Christian sympathy and show courtesy. 1 Peter 3:8-9
We must be slow to take offense, but always ready to reconcile differences.
Ephesians 4:29-32
Dr. William Edward Boddie
Definition: The Church Covenant is a voluntary agreement between every member of the Church in their response their salvation and church membership that states to their agreeing to adhere to and living by a unified and biblical code of Christian conduct based upon their personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ and the fellowship with members of their local church promising
to promote Christian unity toward one another, and a deeper commitment to God because of their salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Preamble: “ Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Our 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 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”.
Explanation: As God (Triune), the angels residing in heaven, and we ourselves are called to be witnesses.In the preamble, we agree to enter into this covenant (spiritual and contractual agreement) both solemnly (with a “sacred” seriousness) and joyfully (happily and with honor) as a church body (called out assembly) as one body in Jesus Christ (that is, being unified by Christ) through salvation, baptism and “sealed” and “aided” by the Holy Ghost. Scriptural references: John 1:11-13..John 3:16…( Ephesians 2:8-9 …Chapter 4:11-16)
I. Our Responsibilities To “The Church” And Our "Local Church" Assembly
God requires that we walk together in Christian love John 13:34-35
Walking in Christian love is the “identification” badge of discipleship. This is how Jesus said we are to be known among friends and followers as well as by which a Child of God can be distinguished from anyone else.This said, we also have the following obligations:
A. We have an obligation to strive for the advancement of the Church: We are to be key instruments in promoting both the church’s spirituality and prosperity in every aspect of the Christian faith, financially and otherwise.
Philippians 1:27-30…2 Corinthians 7:1…2 Peter 3: 10-13
B. We are responsible for the sustaining of the worship, church discipline, biblical ordinances and doctrine of the Church. We must maintain the integrity of the worship services, the church’s disciplinary procedures, the 2 Biblical ordinances, (Baptism and Communion) and correct Biblical doctrine that governs our belief in Jesus Christ and the rudiments of Christian living by walking in the integrity of Godly love.
Hebrews 10:25…Matthew 28:19…1 Corinthians 11:23-26…Jude vs.3.
C. We are obligated to give Christ (church) preeminence (first place) in our life. Jesus Christ must be the foundation by which all things pertaining to our personal lives permeates. Philippians 4:19 states it is through Jesus that all of our needs are met (from His riches in glory) because He is the source from which all blessings flow.
Matthew 6:31-33…Proverbs 3: 5-6
D. We are charged 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 throughout all nations. The Christian church is designed to be “self” sustained, that is through the giving of our tithes and offerings.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2…2 Corinthians 8:1-7
E. We are admonished to maintain a healthy church relationship by maintaining a church membership whenever we move from our current residence to another, no matter the city, state, or community. We must unite with another bible believing, bible teaching church so we can continue to carry out the principles of God’s word as well as uphold this covenant you made in the presence of Almighty God.
Acts 11:19-26…Acts 18:24-28
Note: It’s extremely important that we maintain a Christian fellowship in a bible believing church because we need to share what we have learned with everyone we meet, especially within the church because the church must speak the right message about Jesus within and without. Nobody knows it all, not even the minister.
II. Responsibility to Christian Living
A. We must maintain both family and secret (personal) devotions.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-21…Acts 17:11
B. We must give our children a “religious” education (teach them about God, Jesus)
2 Timothy 3:15…Deuteronomy 6:4-7
C. We are to seek the salvation of the lost. (kindred and acquaintances)
Acts 1:8…Matthew 4:18-19…Psalms 126:5-6…Proverbs 11:30
D. We must walk circumspectly in the world, We are to be just in our dealings (the way we conduct business and relationships) faithful in our engagements (honor commitments unless legitimate excuses occur, then reschedule if possible) and exemplary in our deportment (conduct and character)
Ephesians 5:15-20…Philippians 2: 14-15…1 Peter 2:9-12
E. We must avoid both gossip and becoming excessively angry.
Ephesians 4:31…1 Peter 2:21-24…Colossians 3:5-10…James 3:1-2
F. To abstain from the sale and use of Alcoholic beverages and other drugs.
Ephesians 5:18…Proverbs 20:1
G. We must have a strong zeal in our efforts to advance the kingdom of Christ.
Titus 2:11-15
III. Responsibility Toward One Another
We are to watch over one another in “brotherly” love. 1 Peter 1:22
We are to pray for each other James 5;13-16
We are to help one another when in sickness and distress
Galatians 6:1-2…James 2:14-18
We must cultivate Christian sympathy and show courtesy. 1 Peter 3:8-9
We must be slow to take offense, but always ready to reconcile differences.
Ephesians 4:29-32
Dr. William Edward Boddie
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