Members’ Covenant

Our church covenant is an important document for our church. We read it often, in Lord’s Supper services, Members’ Meetings, and other special occasions.

It is a scriptural summary of how we agree to live – more importantly, it is a scriptural summary of how God would have us live.  Covenants do not include every explicit command regarding obedience, but they do give a general summary of what it means to live as a disciple of Christ.

MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
Of Sardis Baptist Church

DECLARATION OF COVENANT INTENT

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and to give ourselves to Him, (Isa. 12:2; John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9; I Thess. 2:13),

And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; 16:31-34),

We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with one another as one body in Christ (Psa. 34:15, John 15:5; Rom. 12:4-8; I Cor. 12:12-27; Heb. 1:13-14; 12:1-2).

OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CHURCH

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort (Gal. 5:13; Eph. 6:8; I Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24; II Pet. 3:18),

To promote its prosperity and spirituality (Eph. 4:11-16, I Thess. 5:14),

To sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines and doctrines, (Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 2:42; Rom. 6:3-14; I Cor. 5:1-13; Heb. 10:25; I Pet. 2:9),

To contribute cheerfully, regularly and proportionately to the support of the ministry and expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations (Mal. 3:10; Lk. 10:7; I Cor. 9:13-14; 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:1-5,14; 9:7; Gal. 6:6; I Thess. 5:14; I Tim. 5:17-18).

OUR COMMITMENT TO DISCIPLESHIP

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; (Deut. 6:7-12; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 3:15),

To seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 1:40-41; Acts 1:8; 16:14-15,32-34; Rom. 9:3),

To walk circumspectly in the world (II Cor. 6:14-18; 7:1; Eph. 4:1-3; 5:15-16; Col. 3:17; I Thess. 5:15; I John 2:15),

To be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment (Matt. 5:16; Rom. 12:17-18; 14:16; Eph. 6:5-8; Phil. 3:16-21; Col. 3:22-24; Heb. 13:21; I Pet. 2:12),

To abstain from sinful behavior, whether public or private; (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35; I Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; Eph. 5:18; I Thess. 5:22; Heb. 2:15-16),

And to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior (John 15:16; Rom. 12:11; I Cor. 15:58; II Cor. 5:20).

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN LOVE

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together; (Rom. 14:7; 16:17; I Cor. 5:12-13; 10:24; Gal. 6:1-2; II Thess. 3:14-15; Heb. 13:1; I John 3:14-19),

To remember one another in prayer; (I Sam. 12:23; II Thess. 3:1; Heb. 13:18; Jas. 5:16),

To aid each other in sickness and distress (Acts 4:35; 20:34-35; Rom. 12:9-13; 15:25-28; II Cor. 9:12; Gal. 6:10; Phil. 4:16),

To cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech (Col. 3:17; 4:6; Jas. 3:13),

To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay (Matt. 18:15,21-22; Rom. 14:19; I Cor. 6:7; Eph. 4:31-32; Jas. 1:19-20).

To avoid harming the character and reputation of our brothers and sisters by refraining from all gossiping, backbiting, and excessive anger (Prov. 6:16-19; 26:20; Matt. 12:36; Rom. 1:30; Eph. 4:26),

OUR COMMITMENT TO PERSEVERE

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 (Acts 9:19; 18:27; Rom. 16:1-2; Heb. 10:25).