Church Covenant

CHURCH COVENANT Having given ourselves to God, we now give ourselves to His Church and covenant with it and with each other, as also with God. That we will forsake all unrightousness, even the apperance of evil. We will abstain from questionable pursuits and pleasures, we will forego all hurtful habits; we will avoid all evil associations. That we follow earnestly after righteousness and true holiness in the fear and love of God. We will seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all needful and helpful things will be added to us; we will seek entire consecration of God; we will live a life of prayer; we will seek the constant abiding of the Divine Life within us; and well will be satisfied only when we have evidence that we please God are accepted of Him. That we will faithfully improve all the means of grace. We will attend and support the services of the church, the preaching, the social services, the business meetings; we will contribute freely of our means for the advancement of the gospel; and we will cooperate with our brethren in every enterprise having for its end the glory of God and the salvation of men. That we will he Christ like in all our deportment. We will be tender and affectionate toward each other; we will be careful of each others reputation, thinking no evil, and backbiting not with our tongues; we will return good for evil; we will be just and honest, truthful and honorable in all our dealings; we will do unto others as we would be done by; we will be meek, loving, and forgiving as we desire and hope to be forgiven.   That we will be faithful Christian workers. We will do whatever Christian work comes to hand, shunning no cross, shirking no duty; we will even seek opportunities to do good. glorify God, and save souls; we will study to win our associates, our neighbors, our families, all whom we may influence, to become Christians; we will count it more than our meat and our drink, more than all things else, to do the will of our Father in heaven, to lead souls from sin and death and lead them to God and heaven. That when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with another church where we can continue to live by the spirit of this covenant and the principles of the Bible.

Statements of Faith

The movement of churches today called "General Baptist" began in America in 1823 when founder Benoni Stinson organized the Liberty Church (now Howell General Baptist Church) in southern Indiana. In 1870 the General Association of General Baptists was organized, bringing together General Baptist local associations of churches in cooperative efforts.     General Baptist Statements of Faith I. GOD     We believe that there is only one true, living, and eternal God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One true and eternal God Deuteronomy 6:4, 33:27; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:15, 16; 28:19; John 14:9-11; 10:30; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5; 6:17; Hebrews 1:1-13; 3:12; Mark 12:29 The Godhead 1. God as Father Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 4:6 2. God as Son Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 16:16; John 1:1; 3:14, 16; 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Hebrews 1:8 Virgin Birth of Jesus Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 3. God as Holy Spirit John 14:16, 26; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; Romans 8:16 II. THE BIBLE     We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Old and New Testaments; the inspired and infallible Word of God and therein is found the reliable guide of Christian faith and conduct. The Inspired Revelation Luke 24:44-46; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21 The Infallible Word Isaiah 40:8; Luke 21:33; John 17:17; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:25 The Reliable Guide Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:105, 140; John 5:39; Acts 17:11-12; Romans 10:14-15; 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 III. MAN     We believe that God created man in His own image to bring Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed, he became a fallen sinful creature, unable to save himself. We believe that infants are in the covenant of God's grace and that all persons become accountable to God when they reach a state of moral responsibility. Man's Origin Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; Psalms 8:5 Man's Purpose Genesis 1:28-31; 2:15-25; Isaiah 43:7 Man's Sin Genesis 3:1-24; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 13:23; Romans 1:18-3:23; 5:12-21; 7:1-25 Man's Accountability Matthew 19:13-15; Romans 4:15; 5:13; 6:16; Hebrews 11:24-26 IV. SALVATION     We believe that Salvation (regeneration, sanctification, justification, and redemption) has been provided for all mankind through the redemptive work (life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession) of Jesus Christ, and that this Salvation can be received only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation Hebrews 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 1:9; Hebrews 7:25 Regeneration John 3:3-8; 1:11-13; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Titus 3:5 Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:9-10, 29; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 13:12; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:2 Justification Romans 3:20-24; 5:1-2, 18; 8:30-33; Acts 13:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21 Redemption Matthew 20:28; Isaiah 53:6; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9 Christ's Redemptive Work John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 22:17; 2 Peter 3:9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9 Life and Death Romans 5:10; Hebrews 9:12-15; John 10:11; 1 John 3:16 Resurrection Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17 Ascension Hebrews 4:14-16; 6:19-20; 9:24; 10:11-12 Intercession Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:15; Isaiah 53:12; 1 Timothy 2:5 Repentance Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 24:47; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Faith John 3:16-18; Hebrews 11:1,6; 1 Peter 1:5 V. ASSURANCE AND ENDURANCE     We believe that those who abide in Christ have the assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is possible for him to turn away from God and be finally lost. Assurance Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 5:9 Endurance Matthew 10:22; Luke 9:62; Colossians 1:23; Revelation 2:10-22; 3:3-5 Warnings John 15:6; Romans 11:20-23; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12; 10:26-29; 2 Peter 2:20-21 Finally Lost John 15:6, 1 Corinthians 9:27; Hebrews 6:4-6 VI. CHRISTIAN DUTIES     We believe that Christians should live faithfully by serving in and through the local church, praying diligently, witnessing earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving kindness, giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in such a way as to bring glory to God. Faithful Service 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 101:6; Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:7-14; Romans 12:14; 1 Corinthians 13 - 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 12:1 Prayer 2 Chronicles 7:14; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 6:1-13; 26:41; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Witnessing Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8 Tolerance Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 10:27; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-9 Loving Kindness John 13:35; 1 John 3:11; 4:7, 11-12 Financial Stewardship Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 VII. THE CHURCH     We believe that the Church Universal is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and that it's members have been called out from the world to come under the dominion and authority of Christ, it's head. We believe that a local church is a fellowship of Christians, a part of the Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for worship, nurture, and service. The Church Universal Matthew 16:18; John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:12-14, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24; Hebrews 12:23 The Local Church Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:38-47; 11:19-30; Revelation 1:4; 3:22     1. Worship and Service Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 14:12, 23-25; Hebrews 10:25; James 1:26-27     2. Nurture Ephesians 4; 2 Peter 1:2-8; 3:18 VIII. THE ORDINANCES     We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by Christians only. We also believe that the Biblical mode of baptism is immersion and that participation in the Lord's Supper should be open to all Christians. Baptism     1. Instituted Matthew 3:13-15; 28:19     2. Subjects Acts 2:41; 8:12, 37-38; 10:47-48; 16:30-33; 19:5     3. Biblical mode Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12     4. Purpose Matthew 3:14; 1 Peter 3:21 Communion     1. Instituted Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25     2. Subjects 1 Corinthians 11:27-29     3. Purpose 1 Corinthians 11:26 IX. THE LORD'S DAY     We believe in the sanctity of the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, and that this day ought to be observed by worshipping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to the needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on Sunday should be limited to cases of necessity or mercy. Sanctity Exodus 20:8; Isaiah 58:13-14 Observance Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; 16:1-6; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10 X. LAST THINGS     We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, and in the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that God will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell. Return Matthew 24:25; Luke 12:40; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7 Resurrection John 5:25, 28-29, 6:40; 11:24-25; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6 Judgment and Reward Matthew 25:21; Mark 9:43-48; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 10; Revelation 2:7; 14:13; 20:10-15; 22:12