THE CHURCH COVENANT
MEMORY VERSE: ROMANS 15:5,6
“Covenant” means “an agreement, to agree, be of one mind, come together. A binding and solemn agreement by two or more persons, parties, etc., to do or keep from doing some specified thing; a compact. A solemn agreement between the members of a church, that they will hold to points of doctrine, faith, etc.” Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, 1975.
I. ESSENTIALS FOR ENTERING INTO THE COVENANT. [PARAGRAPH 1]
(This could be called essentials for Church membership).
A. A Common Spirit Led Scriptural Experience.
1. A positive experience of salvation. John 1:11-13; Eph. 2:8,9,1 Thess. 1:9; 11 Thess. 2:13,14
a. Baptists have always stood for a regenerated church membership.
b. Those who believe in salvation through baptism, church membership, works, etc., would be ineligible for church membership.
2. A public confession of Christ as Saviour. Rom. 10:9; Acts 8:37, Matt. 10:32
3. A proper obedience in Scriptural baptism. Acts 2:41
a. Baptized in the name of the Trinity. Matt. 28:19
b. This includes a proper mode and proper authority also, as we studied in the Confession of Faith.
B. A Common Willingness To Enter Into Covenant.
1. This is done before witnesses.
a. God is a witness to all our promises.
b. Angels witness our work. Heb. 1:13,14
c. The assembly- human witnesses.
2. This is both a solemn and joyful occasion.
3. It is a mutual agreement.
4. The result–one body in Christ–the body of Christ. Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 12:14-27
II. MUTUAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE COVENANT.
[PARAGRAPH 2]
A. A Proper Christian Walk.
1. We need the aid of the Holy Spirit. 11 Cor. 3:5
2.”Walk together”This is Christian unity. Amos 3:3; 1 Cor. 1:10; Rom. 15:5,6
3. This can only be done in Christian love. I John 2:10; John 13:34
B. A Proper Goal “The Advancement Of This Church”
1. Advance in knowledge. 11 Pet. 3:18
2. Advance in holiness. Gal. 5:13; I Thess. 4:3,4,7; II Cor. 7:1
3. Advance in comfort. (This is not talking about padded pews and air conditioning). Heb. 10:24; Gal. 5:13; I Thess. 5:14
4. By promoting its prosperity and spirituality. Eph. 4:11-12
5. By sustaining its worship. Heb. 10:25
6. By sustaining its ordinances. I Cor. 11:2
7. By sustaining its discipline. This would involve training in submission to God. Matt. 18:15-17
8. By sustaining its doctrines. Acts 2:42; I Tim. 4:6,13,16; II Tim. 3:16
C. A Proper Manner Of Church Finance.
1. Giving should be cheerful and regular. II Cor. 9:7; I Cor. 16:2
2. The ministry is to be thus supported. Gal. 6:6; I Cor. 9:7-14; 1 Tim. 5:17,18
3. The expenses of the church raised.
4. “The relief of the poor.” The church is not to feed all the hungry of the world. Much money that could have been used to spread the gospel, has been used in social work, feeding and clothing those who have no part in the church or in Christ.
a. When many of the Jerusalem saints gave all they had to the church, this money was used to help Christians only. Acts 6:1-7
b. During the drouth, an offering was taken for the “brethren” at Jerusalem, but not for unbelievers. Acts 11:27-30; 11 Cor. 9:1; 1 Cor. 16:2
c. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is plain on this point. I Tim. 5:3-16; 11 Thess. 3:10
5. The spread of the gospel. This is missions. Matt. 28:18-20
CONTINUED WITH III–INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE COVENANT- – IN PART 2