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Statement
of Faith
This church
accepts the Holy Bible as its Rule of Faith and Action,
guided by the Holy Spirit of God and aided in the
expression of our Faith by the "Church
Covenant" and by the Statement of Beliefs found in
the pamphlet "The
Baptist Faith and Message" as adopted by the
Southern Baptist Convention in May 1963, neither of
which is to be taken to be creedal, all-inclusive, or
non-amendable by this church.
Church
Covenant
Having been
led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the
Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and, on the profession
of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do
now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most
solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one
another as one body in Christ.
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 and
comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to
sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and
doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the
support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the
relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through
all nations.
We also
engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to
religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation
of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly
in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in
our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to
avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to
abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drink
as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance
the kingdom of our Saviour.
We further
engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to
remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in
sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy
in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow
to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and
mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without
delay.
We moreover
engage that when we remove from this place we will, as
soon as possible, unite with some other church where we
can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God's Word.
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