God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deed. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and does good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all ones might. The reference to Matthew 18 reminds us that we are each subject to one another (1 Pet. 4:14-15; I Cor. 12:25-26), looking out for others as we would ourselves and even more so (Phil. In the same way that the body mutually relies on the other parts, the body of Christ is dependent on one another to function in a healthy way. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily (II Cor. (LogOut/ We recognize the seriousness of taking upon ourselves the name of the one true God in our baptism and church membership. This definition understands the church to be made of all those who are truly saved. By the grace of that covenant, we commit ourselves to the following obligations: We will seek to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to live before Him in such manner as will manifest this love in our worship, walk and witness. We will love our unsaved neighbors, seeking also their temporal well-being. 4:10), the Septuagint translates the word for gather (Heb. It signifies the washing away of sins and is a prerequisite to church membership. People are the supreme object of Gods creation. The wicked will go into everlasting punishment in Hell with the devil and his angels. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. By no means is justification conferred in baptism. Paul says, Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Eph. Accomplishing our Responsibilities Away from the Body. A Reformed Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN, 10:30a Morning Worship Service5:00p Afternoon Worship Service, London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. Connect.
Salvation is not maintained by the self-effort of the Christian. 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Cor. Pursue spiritual growth and health through regular Bible reading, prayer, Christian fellowship and spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22). The Old Testament ceremonial laws, having been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, do not bind the consciences of believers today.
It is an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of those Holy Scriptures by which all confessions are to be measured.
We will seek to love our neighbors as ourselves, both the members of this church and those outside our membership. We will work diligently for the peace of this assembly by maintaining loving relationships with each other. Equip the members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are entrusted with protecting, feeding, leading, and caring for the church body as a whole, as well as each individual member of the congregation. By making us members of the one body of Christ, the New Covenant lays upon us responsibilities, not only to God, but also to each other.
Comments: We as members of the body of Christ must endeavor to care for one another (1 Cor. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Many storms and floods may arise and beat against the elect, but they will never be removed from the foundation and rock that they stand upon by faith. We will worship God regularly, faithfully observing that public and corporate worship which He commands on the Lords Day, while also being diligent to attend all the stated services of the church, except when legitimately hindered.
Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as Gods offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sins penalty. We affirm the absolute sovereignty of God. These three are co-equal and are one God (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matt. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The guilt of Adams first sin is imputed to all men, who, being his descendants, are born in a sinful state and condition called original sin.
The NSBC Church Membership Covenant is comprised of five sections: The church is the community of all true believers for all time. Having taken to Himself a human nature, while maintaining His sinlessness, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered, and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. Pursue personal holiness in all areas of my life by striving to manifest those actions and attitudes that bring delight to God, while putting aside those actions and attitudes that scripture deems sinful. A. Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, and to whom He has given the precious faith of His elect, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace. (2) That we remember that the church belongs to Christ, not to us. In some covenants one party fulfills both sides of the agreement while in other covenants both sides adhere to the agreement as mutually obligated parties. The officers of a church are elders and deacons. 1 Tim 1:20).
Justification is based not on anything we have done but only on Christs righteousness as imputed to us and received by faith alone. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose your salvation. To this end, the believer must remember that fear is not of the Lord (2 Tim. Justification is an act of Gods free grace whereby He pardons our sins and accounts us righteous in His sight. We engage moreover to promote the spread of the gospel of Christ worldwide, by our prayers, finances, and whatever other scriptural means are available to us. A. Election is Gods eternal choice of some persons to eternal life not because of foreseen merit or faith in them, but because of His mercy in Christ.
It is never less than these, but simply stated, the church is a people that God has sovereignly saved, reigns over and declares with all of his loving kindness, These are mine! -Grudem, Wayne. Christians are also to pray for their rulers. God has and continues to invite his church to participate in pushing back the darkness through Gospel-proclamation as a means to showcase his glorious nature. (Hebrews 4:12). 2:9-10). It is to be administred with the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account.
We will care for each other spiritually, watching over one anothers souls. God has graciously entered into a New Covenant with His people through the work of Jesus Christ, whose obedience and blood infallibly secure all of its benefits for them. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His will; working in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory forever and ever. While there are many Baptist church covenants in print, this one is not only the covenant originally appended to Zions Statement of Faith; this church covenant focuses on the spiritual responsibilities of members to the Lord and to one another. It also allows room for the church to implement different means of carrying out the duties of this covenant. Nevertheless, through unbelief, temptations, allurements of the world, and indwelling sin, the sight of Gods love may be temporarily hidden from them and they may fall into dreadful sins. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life (Gen. 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isa. 16:18). We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. This is the summary of Gods Law (Luke 10:25-27). As church members God has redeemed us unto Himself in order that we might display His goodness and His glory in the world in which we live and in the world to come. 20:15). We agree to worship God (1) exclusively (2) scripturally (3) sincerely and (4) regularly. It is the duty of every church and every Christian to extend the gospel to all men everywhere. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. On the contrary, they will certainly persevere in the state of grace to the end of their lives and thus be eternally saved.
These concerns should be directed to the church leaders (i.e. North Side Baptist Church) is not remaining faithful to the agreed upon covenant, then that member has the obligation and permission to express in a loving, humble manner the concerns in which they feel need to be addressed. Repent and seek the help of other believers in helping put my sin to death (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5; 1 John 1:6-10). 853-854). Although creation has been subjected to the curse of the fall (Gen. 3) the church is the result of Gods continual love toward his creation and represents his desire to restore and reconcile a people to himself. It is a confession in line with the orthodox teaching of the Church throughout the history of the Church. We will love one another in this church: B. 5:11-16), and will not be ashamed in the Day of Judgment. The aspects in which the church should seek to grow her members is manifold: The purpose for growing them is of eternal significance: that each member be able to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. The Bible tells us much about Gods will for the believer and those things revealed as Gods will in his Word we must endeavor to accomplish in each believer. The church has not accomplished her mission if any are left behind or are found immature. God gives the means and the Bible gives instruction for accomplishing this. If any is unwilling to grow or to walk in knowledge and holiness, the church must exercise her authority to discipline so that the person may be handed over to God to chastise (1 Cor. Matt. 17:26) and to the ends of the earth (Mark 16:15; Matt. Membership within North Side is an acknowledgement of this truth on a local level and serves as a reflection to that which is true on a world-wide scale. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, by their disobedience, lost the righteousness in which they were created and became corrupt. This Church adopts the Holy Bible, King James Version, as our rule in our faith, practice and methods of operation.
(LogOut/ In 1 Corinthians 12, we understand that there are many parts to the same body, none more important than the other, but all useful for the purpose for which it was created. Church discipline has fallen by the wayside in most churches today, but it is an important, though painful, part of the churchs responsibilities. However, people cannot be faulted for not doing what they do not realize they ought to do. The church covenant guides the members in encouraging each other toward spiritual growth and explains the basic elements of Christian growth. When someone is disciplined, it should not come as a shock to them because they have understood from the very beginning what they must do to contribute to the spiritual growth of the church. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence (John 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; Rom.
15:14; Col. 3:16; 2 Thess.
He is co-equal with the Father. 21:2,9) and the body of Christ (1 Cor. Walking together in brotherly love is a sign of our fellowship in the gospel and our submission to the savior. We have a common commitment to the Lord because we have all been washed by his blood and baptized into him. Therefore, we enter into this covenant not out of constraint, but willingly and, as the covenant says, joyfully, and in honoring one another, encouraging one another, loving and lifting up one another, and rebuking, warning, and teaching, one another, we bring glory to God. (LogOut/
God created all things from nothing.
I promise by the aid of my Savior (Philippians 4:13): To walk lovingly (John 13:34-35) and humbly with my brethren (I Peter 5:6); to pray for them (James 5:16); to separate myself from worldliness and unchristian practices (Titus 2:12); To pray (James 1:5-6) for the advancement of my church in knowledge, spirituality, and fruitfulness (John 15:8,16); to uphold its program of worship, training, and teaching; to observe its ordinances (Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 11:24-27), and affirm its doctrines (I Peter 3:15; Jude 3); To give regularly and cheerfully, as God prospers, for the support of an evangelistic ministry among us (II Corinthians 9:7; I Corinthians 16:2), for the relief of the needy (Mark 14:7; Proverbs 19:17), and for the spread of the gospel over the earth (Matthew 28:19-20); To serve faithfully in some activity of the church (James 1:22-24; 2:18), taking care to assume only such duties as can be effectively performed (I Corinthians 4:2); to improve my abilities in service by prayerful study of Gods Word (II Timothy 2:15); To maintain family worship, encourage family prayer, Bible study and Christian nurture for any under my care (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6); To endeavor by example (Matthew 5:16) and effort (Matthew 28:19-20) to win souls to Christ (James 5:20); To follow the New Testament as my rule of faith and practice (II Timothy 3:16-17). This prayer expresses Gods desire for his church: (1) That we enjoy true peace through the God of peace. While seeking to faithfully hold to what we are convinced is taught in Holy Scripture, we will avoid all unholy sectarianism, seeking as far as possible to pursue and maintain the highest degree of friendship and fellowship, while also promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of all of the family of God. 3:18) and the church is Gods gift to his people to accomplish that in each of his children (Eph. This is by no means to deny that a vast amount of virtue prevails through the common grace of God; yet man is unregenerate and essentially alienated from his Creator.
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 and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are our only rule of faith and obedience. In addition to this reason for leaving, there may be other faithful and righteous reasons for moving out of a covenant membership with North Side Baptist Church. These warnings remind us that we have been born again into Christs family and are to reflect our resurrection life (Col. 3:1-14) by walking in that new life after the pattern of Christ, whose dying and rising again is reflected in our baptism (Rom. It is a symbol of the believers union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. These, among others, are general obligations for any Christian, anywhere in the world. Such training also keeps in mind that this child will one day be an adult, responsible to the Lord for his or her own soul. If they choose to follow Christ, you have the joy of knowing that the Lord used you in his seeking of that child for himself. If not, on the Day of Judgment the parents conscience will be clear that they did what God instructed them to do with regard to their childrens souls. The church administers the public means of grace, which is the spiritual food that God has provided whereby Christians mature. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern. Comments: Believers must be committed to one another. This means exhorting those who need to be lifted up (1 Thess. In this covenant God writes His law upon our hearts and causes us to walk in His ways. 1:13; Gal 5:25; Eph.
28:18-20) through evangelism, giving, and praying. Let the scripture be his guide and criteria when appointing other elders, including elders that will serve as part of the church staff (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Since the bringing about of the church is the work of God, the church exists for the glory of God as all things exist for the glory of God and stands as a light to a dark world. 59:1-2).
We do not endeavor to accomplish the growth of the church (both spiritual and numerical) or maintain the health of the church of our own power, wisdom, or means. We must use the means provided by God: his Word, the ordinances of the church, baptism and the Lords Supper, fellowshipping with and comforting one another. All these means we use but we understand that they must be anointed by the Spirit, as we must, to accomplish anything of eternal value, anything that will impact the kingdom. God has commanded us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.
For this reason, we seek to be explicitly gospel-centered in our preaching, teaching, and praxis. (6) That we seek to see and to know his working in us and in our midst. This would include: Complete chastity before marriage and complete fidelity within a monogamous and heterosexual relationship once married. This declaration is why being a part of the local church is far more than attending regularly or serving occasionally. 20; Hos.
6:23; Eph.
That we walk circumspectly in the world, that we may win their souls; remembering that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind; that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that a city set on a hill cannot be hid. Such training, often neglected even in Christian homes, as the Covenant reminds us, should be for more than training the child to be a good person or a good citizen or a good employee or husband, or mother, etc. Having been led by the Spirit of God, I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. We affirm the perpetuity of the moral law, including the continuing validity of the Fourth Commandment.
5:5, all of you be submissive to one another and clothed with humility..) and to the church, who ultimately disciples those who do not walk according to the Scriptures by casting them out of the fellowship (Titus 3:10), handing them over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in the hopes that they will learn repentance and be saved in the last day (1 Cor.
However, the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself and so limited by His own revealed will that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. This is definitive sanctification. 5:18). Amen. To care for the church by leading it to grow in the knowledge of truth, the manifestation of grace, and a spirit of love (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). If the elders are unwilling to change from disobedience to Gods Word and the covenant, the member is therefore released from any obligations and encouraged to seek membership at another Gospel-centered church. 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Tim. . (Deut.
Participate in the ordinances of the church, namely: Baptism by immersion after conversion (Matthew 28:19-20). The repentant person is convicted of the evil of his sin by the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an ordinance of Jesus Christ obligatory for every believer.
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The church is meant to represent this divine relationship between a holy God and a fallen, but forgiven man. Comments: Ephesians 6:4 exhorts Christian parents (the word translated fathers here and in Col. 3:21 may be used in these contexts to refer to both parents) to raise their children by giving them training (nurture in the KJV) and instruction and warning (admonition in KJV/NKJV). Such education involves discipline, which is more than the punishing of wrongdoing, it is the careful training to instill the proper thoughts and behavior, just as one trains for a career or sport. Such education also involves admonition, which involves both instruction and warning (see Pastors Bible study on Warning and Admonishing in the Church for further details).