Grace Baptist Church Covenant from Constitution

The general purpose of this organization will be to carry out the command of Christ as embodied in Mathew 28:18-20:  “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

In view of this purpose, 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, the Son and the Holy Spirit; we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and one another, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant as one body in Christ, to lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him.

     We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the needy, and the spread of the gospel to all nations.

     We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to carefully educate our children in the word of God, to seek the salvation of our relatives and acquaintances, to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and above reproach in our deportment, to avoid all tattling, harsh words and excessive anger; to avoid the use of unrighteous substance which produces physical harm and would hinder our testimony for Christ and His church, realizing our bodies are the temple of God and remembering that whatever we do in word or deed, we should do to the glory of God.

     We do further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and that without delay; to encourage one another in the certainty of the Lord’s return.

     Finally, we engage that if we move from this place, we will, as soon as possible, seek to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.