Covenant of Church
Membership
Covenant Reformed Church –
Do you believe in the one
living and true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed in the
Scriptures?
Do you believe in the
present, sovereign rule of God over Heaven and earth through the Son, The Lord
Jesus Christ, Who is seated on the throne of His established Kingdom with all
power and authority over all rulers, authorities, powers, dominions, and names
that are named?
Do you believe the Scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments to be the inerrant Word of God, the only
infallible rule of faith and life? Do
you believe the Law of the Lord of the Old and New Testament to be transcendent
above all the laws of mankind and, therefore, to be the final, absolute
standard for the whole of man for the whole of life?
Do you confess your sin,
confess your guilt and helplessness as a sinner against God, and repent from
your sin; profess Jesus Christ, the Son of God as your Savior and Lord, and
dedicate yourself to His service? Do you
promise that you will endeavor to forsake all sin and conform
your life to His teaching and example?
Do you purpose to seek first
the kingdom of God and the dominion of His righteousness in all that you do, knowing
that God faithfully rewards those who diligently pursue Him, both in this life
and eternity. Will you, by the grace of
God as empowered by His indwelling Spirit, faithfully perform your whole duty
as a true servant of Jesus Christ as evidenced by the following:
Read God’s Word diligently, that is, consistently, with the
intent to obey and appropriate it as the objective, supreme rule of life and
final standard for discerning the will of God (as opposed to the more
subjective standards of internal “feelings,” supposed verbal “words from God”
in the form of “prophecies,” “words of knowledge,” and “tongues,” or the
extra-biblical counsel and/or writings of others)?
Pray faithfully, that is, consistently and fervently, with
an eye toward privately worshipping the Lord your God, thanking Him for His
blessings toward you, and interceding on behalf of your family, your church,
your neighbor, and your country?
Worship corporately within this body on a constant basis and
partake of the appointed sacraments in a manner prescribed by the church
standards (barring legitimate infirmities that would prevent you)?
Testify of His greatness, His commandments, and His grace to
those around you, including those of your household, especially your children
(Deuteronomy 6:7-9), and to those outside (Matthew 28:19-20)?
Tithe to this church as an act of worship in obedience to the
Lord and so testify of Christ’s rule in your life and your desire for His dominion
in this present world, through His body, the Church?
Hunger and thirst after God’s righteousness as expressed in
His Holy Law?
Do you accept the active
responsibility of the “body life” within this church covenant family as
demonstrated by:
Esteeming others better than yourself
and preferring others to oneself?
Esteeming the officers of the church highly in love for
their work’s sake?
Upholding your brethren in intercessory prayer (Romans 1:9)?
Loving and defending one another amidst scorn, trial, and
tribulation, bearing one another’s burdens (Psalm 69:9 and Galatians 6:2)?
Using your talents and strengths to uphold the weaknesses of
the brethren (Romans 15:1)?
Do you promise to avoid the
terrible sin of schism which is an abomination to God (Proverbs
Resolve all offenses, problems, and differences, whether it
be with brethren or unbelievers, in a manner in keeping with this covenant and
the Law of God which defines it?
Submit in the Lord to the teaching and government of this
church in accordance with the admonition of Scripture to “obey them who have
the rule over you” (Hebrews
Abide by the three-step procedure (Matthew
Count the elders worthy of double honor and receive any accusation
against an elder only upon the testimony of two or three witnesses concurring
in church court (1 Timothy
Do you promise to avoid the
terrible sin of schism by avoiding the following practices:
Finding fault with fellow
brethren of Covenant Reformed Church while blessing God in the profession of Christ (James 3:8-11)?
Encouraging or developing a “party spirit” by gathering
prior witnesses against a member of the church without having first admonished
in private as Matthew 18:15 specifies?
Talebearing and gossip which
reveal secrets in preference to withholding knowledge concerning the weaknesses
of your brethren (Proverbs
Sworn and sealed this _______ day of
__________________, Anno Domini,
Two Thousand and Four
_______________________________________________
Signature
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Witness Witness