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LESSON NO. 8
THE CHURCH COVENANT
SCRIPTURE:Acts 2:41-47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and
signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
To be saved is one thing and to join the church is another. We are careful to separate the invitations because we don't want anyone to think you are saved by joining the church. The one qualification of church membership is to be saved.
SERIOUSNESS OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
Every saved person should join the church and be baptized and this lesson is to help you understand what you do when you join.
THE 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 flow, (1) in the presence of God, Angels and this assembly, most solemnly
and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to (1) walk together in Christian love; to (2) strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to (3) promote its prosperity and spirituality; to (4) sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to (5)
contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations. We also engage to (1) maintain family and secret devotions; to (2) religiously educate our children; to (3) seek the salvation of our
kindred and acquaintances; to (4) walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment, to (5) avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to (6) abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to (7) be
zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
We further engage to (1) watch over one another in brotherly love; to (2) remember each other in prayer; to (3) aid each other in sickness and distress; to (4) cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech, to (5) he slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and (6) mindful
of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that, (1) 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.
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