The Bible

The Bible
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The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. God took the initiative to disclose Himself to man in many ways. The Bible is the only revelation that shows man’s sinfulness and God’s provision to atone for man’s sin through the work of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes known to us what we need to know about God and how our relationship with God is established and maintained. Through the Bible we are given an invitation to enter a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The Bible, as God’s divinely inspired instrument is of immense value to Christians. It provides unalterable spiritual principles we need to know in order to live victoriously for Christ. The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17. Because the Bible is divinely inspired it is protected from human error by the original record by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The doctrinal statement below is held by Baptists.

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men being divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction protected in its original record by the ministry of the Holy Spirit; that it has God for its author, chosen men as it’s scribes, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which we enter and maintain relationship with God, also by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

The Word of God is worthy of examination and memorization, as the following verses reflect:

· Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (God’s commands are to permeate our lives.)
· Psalm 1:2-3 (We flourish when we delight in God’s Word.)
· Romans 1:16 (God’s Word reveals his salvation plan.)
· 2 Timothy 2:15 (God’s Word is to be rightly handled.)
· 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (God’s Word thoroughly equips us for life.)
· Hebrews 4:12 (God’s Word judges our thoughts and attitudes.)
· James 1:22 (We are not only to listen to God’s Word; we are to obey it.)
· 2 Peter 1:21 (God’s Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit.)

As you may already know, there are many versions of the Holy Bible. The word version indicates that that particular Bible has been translated into a modern language like English using slight variations and modern interpretations of certain words and phrases. For example, in the gospel according to John 14:16 some versions, when referring to the Holy Spirit, interpret the Greek word parakletos which means one who comes along side, as Comforter, others use the word Counselor while still others use the word Helper. The meaning does not change. The spiritual truth does not change; scholars simply give more clarity to the words which have been translated from the Greek language. So, we don’t get upset about the various versions of the Holy Bible.

The most common version used is the Authorized King James Version. King James did not write the Bible, he authorized it’s translation from Greek to the English language in 1611 A.D. Therefore, the King James Version was written using old English language. The language in which the King James Version was written is no longer used, and in many cases is difficult to understand. There are, however, modern language Bibles such as The New King James Version (NKJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV) and The New International Version (NIV). Although there are times when the Pastor does refer to the King James Version as well as other versions of the Bible, at Union Baptist Church the New International Version is used primarily.

The reason we use the NIV is two-fold. First, the language is easy to understand. It is written in modern language, without all the thous and thees and peradventures. Secondly, since 1611, the year the King James Version was commissioned, biblical scholarship has improved. Certain archeological discoveries and a better understanding of the ancient biblical languages have increased the accuracy of language translators. The Bible is nevertheless, God’s complete written record of self-revelation. Regardless of the version used, the truth of God’s love and the method of humankind’s salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ come shining through.


It’s Makeup
The Bible is made up of sixty-six books. There are thirty-nine Old Testament books and twenty-seven New Testament books.


The Old Testament















The New Testament














Summing it up

God intended His Word to abide forever. Therefore His written propositional self-disclosure was protected from error in its original writing and collected in 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (canonicity). The book which we read, study, obey and preach deserves to unreservedly be called the Bible or “The Book without peer,” since its author is God and it bears the qualities of total truth.

Review Exercise:

1. There are four (4) characteristics outlined in this paper which define the Bible. List them below.

2. We know that the Bible is written by men divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. We also know that all men are human, and as such, make mistakes. How does this principle apply to the Bible? Support your answer below.

3. True or False. Because there are so many different versions of the Bible, it is best to use the New International Version for clarity and understanding. Defend your answer.

4. The Bible is sometimes called “The Book Without Peer”. Why?

5. The Bible contains 66 books; list the categories into which they are grouped.


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Salvation

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“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.”
Acts 16: 29-31 NIV

Since the day you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, you have been saved. In this lesson you will learn what it means to be saved.
The first question I asked when my Pastor told me that I was saved by my confession of faith in Jesus was, “saved from what”? Every Christian should be able to answer that question. But, before we talk about what we are saved from, let us review how you came to be saved.

The Bible says you were chosen or predestined by God to be saved.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV
Having been chosen, you were positioned by God’s providence to hear the gospel (the good news) of salvation in Jesus Christ. Upon hearing, you were convicted by the Spirit of God who brought to your understanding that without Christ you were a sinner (Romans 3: 9-12) and therefore, in need of a Savior because without one you are eternally cursed (Romans 6:23). You were compelled to make a decision to accept the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). You accepted and were saved.
Can you remember the time, circumstances or season in which you believed and received?

You made a decision to believe what the Bible says about Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is the Son of God, was born in time, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to save us from eternal death, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day. (I Corinthians 15:1-5) When asked if you believe these things you said, “Yes” I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. “Yes”, I believe that Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for my sin. And, “yes” I believe that on the third day God raised Jesus from the dead. Then came the prayer inviting Jesus to come into your heart (Revelation 3:19). By faith you received salvation from God who heard your sincere prayer and responded by sending the Holy Spirit to take up His permanent residence in your heart (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Romans 10: 9-10)

At the moment of your confession of faith and your invitation to the Holy Spirit to live in your heart, you were saved. At that point God enacted a spiritual transaction in your life. You were baptized by the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) You became a member of the universal body of Christ (the church). The Holy Spirit immersed you once for all times into the mystical body of Christ. You were anointed by the presence of the Holy Spirit with the only anointing you will ever need, in as much as He took up His permanent presence in your life. (I John 2:27) You were sanctified, because the Holy Spirit set you aside and positioned you in favor with God. You were saved by grace through your faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift that has been made available to everyone who believes through Jesus Christ.

Saved From What?

What does it mean to be saved from sin? What are we saved from? To be saved means:
· You have been rescued from the penalty of sin,
· You are being rescued the power of sin,
· You will be rescued from the presence of sin.

You have been saved from the penalty of sin. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Roman 3:23. We were all born with a sinful nature as a result of Adam’s sin. That being the case, we would all be guilty if we had to stand before God to be judged. Any sin that we had ever committed, whether intentional or accidental would bring an eternal death penalty. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death…” Roman 6:23a. When Jesus died on the cross, He gave his life as a sacrifice to God the Father on our behalf. He became our substitute on the cross. By doing so, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. For those of us who have faith in Jesus, our sin debt (the punishment that God justly requires for the sins we have committed) has been paid by Jesus. So, when we are saved we accept “The gift of God, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Roman 6:23b

We are being saved from the power of sin. It is obvious that we will not live perfectly (without sin) as long as we are in the body. We sin in thought, word and deed everyday. There are sins of omission, which means we don’t do what God commands us in his word to do; and there are sins of commission, which means doing the things that God commands us in his word not to do. If it were possible for any person, other than Jesus, to live a perfect (sinless) life then Jesus would not had to die.

Unfortunately, although we are saved we still sin. I John 1: 8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Nevertheless, sin does not have the power to condemn us to hell. Because of God’s great love for us provision has been made for forgiveness when we sin. I John 1:9 say, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This means, sin’s power in nullified because, “we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins”. (I John 2:1)

So, while the Christian should make every effort to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,” (Hebrews 12:1b) when we do sin it does not have the power to condemn us to hell because we are being saved continually, from the power of sin. (Romans 5:16-17, 20-21)

Finally, we will be saved from the presence of sin. It is appointed for every person to die. The time will come when our bodies will go back to the dust from which it came. The Bible teaches that when the believer is “away from the body and at home with the Lord”. (II Corinthians 5:6-8) At the death of the human body the spirit goes back to the Lord who gave it. In the presence of the Lord there is no sin. The Apostle Paul taught that when the body dies a transformation takes place immediately, “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality.” I Corinthians 15:53 At the death of the body, we will be removed from this world that is decaying as a result of sin and take up residence in the perfect presence of God.




Consider This

The message of the Gospel motivates a person to receive salvation. The word “Gospel” means good news. The good news is concerning God’s love, grace and provision for eternal life, joy and peace through Jesus Christ.

God’s love is made known;
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans: 5:8

The results of grace;
For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8&9

God’s gift of eternal life;
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Roman 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Scripture Lesson

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this; God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brother, what shall we do?’ 38Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Acts 2:36-41


Fill in the blank spaces with the correct word.
We are saved by _____________ through _____________ and not of _______________.
We have been saved from the ________________________of sin.
We are being saved from the _________________________of sin.
We will be saved from the ___________________________of sin.
Upon my confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was _________ into the mystical body of Christ. I was ______________________by the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. And I was __________________ or set a part or____________ to be in favor with God.

The New Birth

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Upon your confession of faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you invited his Spirit to come into your heart. In response to your sincere invitation God enacted a spiritual transformation in your life. The Holy Spirit moved into your heart (conscience) to take up His permanent residence. At that moment you were born again. The spiritual reality of rebirth (being born again) is introduced and described by Jesus in John 3: 1-8.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

At this new birth the Holy Spirit begins his ministry in our lives. His ministry is to help us become more like Christ. The Spirit’s work is mysteriously performed in the life of the believer. The Spirit counsels, John 14:15; He comforts, John 16:7; He convicts of sin, John 16:8; He guides us into righteousness, John 16:13; He informs us regarding the things of God, John 16:14; He motivates and enables us to do the will of God, Philippians 2:13; He empowers us to witness, Acts 1:8; He shapes the believer’s character, Galatians 5:22; He gives life to the believer, Galatians 5:25.


In spiritual rebirth the Spirit of God comes up along side the human spirit and speaks to us concerning our lifestyles and behavior because we are born into the family of God. The Bible says in Romans 8:14-15, “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God… And by him we cry “Abba Father”, which is a term of affection a child uses to address his parent.

Jesus emphasizes in the lesson on the new birth that without it one can neither see nor enter the kingdom of God. These two statements are extremely important. Without the new birth one cannot see the kingdom of God. We can interpret the word “see” to mean understand. Consequently, one cannot understand the spiritual principles at work in the kingdom of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. The difficulty with understanding the principles of the kingdom of God comes because they are opposite worldly principles. For example, Jesus taught that in the kingdom the least is the greatest, we forgive those who have wronged us; we gain by giving away and give leadership by serving. It takes spiritual power to even will to apply these principles in our lives.

Without the new birth one cannot enter the kingdom. This suggests that in order for an individual to participate in the kingdom in a way that is spiritually productive and pleasing to God that person must have the Spirit of God present. It is the Spirit of God that directs their activities. While it is possible for a person to participate in the activities of the church and in some cases even hold an office in the church, unless that person is born again he or she is spiritually unproductive and unrecognized by God. (See Luke 13: 25-27)

Jesus compared spiritual birth with physical birth. Notice that in order for spiritual birth to take place, physical birth is prerequisite. Some biblical scholars
and teachers interpret “to be born of water” to mean one has to be washed by the word of God. However, in light of the question asked of Nicodemus in verse 4, “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” I interpret “being born of water” to mean a physical birth. Therefore, physical birth is prerequisite to spiritual birth.

Similar to a physically new born, a spiritual new born baby requires certain conditions in order to thrive. The infant needs nourishment from the mother or some specific formula depending on the need. A healthy, loving and nurturing environment is crucial. The infant learns how to relate to and trust others from positive interaction with people in his life. The spiritual new born also needs nourishment, loving interaction with other Christians and an environment conducive to growth and maturity.

God expects for us to mature spiritually and to fulfill the purpose for which he called us into fellowship. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Here are five areas that require your attention if you are going to mature spiritually.

1. You must have a consistent prayer life. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Prayer is vital to spiritual growth and maturity. It is always recommended that believers make time during the day for prayer. Most say a quick prayer when they awake in the morning, during the morning commute, and periodically all during the day. What is being suggested here is that time is set aside every day specifically to sit in the presence of God for one purpose, at that is to talk to God in prayer. Finding time and becoming consistent with a designated prayer time may be a challenge at first but, the benefits of prayer outweigh the challenges of getting to your prayer time.

2. You must take time to study the Bible. Ephesians 4:11-14 The Bible is referred to as milk and solid food in Hebrews 5:13-14 because it is from the Word that we gain spiritual nutrients. Our faith is strengthened through the study of the word of God. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. It is absolutely impossible to grow spiritually without reading and studying the Word of God. As a spiritual new born you might find some of the Bible difficult to understand, and that’s expected. Just as no reasonable person would expect an infant to eat a steak or a chicken drumstick, one should not expect a spiritual new born to understand the Bible at a mature level. You begin with a consistent diet of the milk of the Word.

At Union there are a wide range of Bible study opportunities. There is Saturday church school, Tuesday New Member’s Orientation, Tuesday Adult Bible Study, Wednesday Adult Bible Study, Thursday Youth Bible Study, Sunday Adult Bible Study and Sunday Children’s Bible Study (11:00 a.m. only). We offer the annual L.W. Hughes Christian Education Institute and Vacation Bible School. The church school makes available the Sunday School Quarterly which offers a systematic study of the Bible complete with commentary and lessons.

3. You must be consistent in attending worship. John 4:23 Very often over time the emotional response which brings a person to confess Christ subsides. The person is saved, but sometimes has to be reminded of the necessity of consistency in worship. It is God’s will that his people come together and worship Him. Worship is an important spiritual activity for the individual and the community of faith. Through the worship experience God brings the community together, strengthens the bonds of fellowship and addresses the needs of the community as well as the needs of individuals. God expects believers to worship Him. In John 4:23 the Bible says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Worship gives us opportunity to gather in God’s presence, bring tithe and offerings for His work and to give God praise for who He is and for what He has done. In worship we are encouraged by the love of God, enlightened by the word of God, and empowered by the Spirit of God.

There are times when work schedules or some other situation may keep you from worship. However, when your schedule permits, on Sunday mornings make your way to worship.

4. You must fellowship with other believers. Hebrews 10:25 Usually when you confess Christ you find that your activities change. The Holy Spirit leads us to be more involved with spiritual activities. The Holy Spirit has led you to the church family in which he wants you to participate with other believers. To be sure, none of us is perfect but we are all “born again”. Fellowshipping together gives us the opportunity to pray for each other, study together, to learn to forgive and to love one another. No one can grow spiritually mature in isolation, growth can only happen as we fellowship in community.

5. You must put into practice what you have learned. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive your selves. Do what it says.” A person can go to college and earn an undergraduate degree, finish law school with honors, and even pass the bar exam, but that person is not really a lawyer until he/she actually practices law. In the same way a believer can have much knowledge about what the Bible says and may understand the spiritual principles of the kingdom of God, but until you actually put into practice what you have learned you are of little use to the kingdom of God and will never reach the level of maturity that God desires for you.

Review Exercise:

Jesus compared the _____________birth to the _________________birth.


What does it mean to see the kingdom of God?



What does it mean to enter the kingdom of God?


What is the prerequisite of seeing and entering the kingdom of God?


List the five areas of Christian growth:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


What in your life gives evidence of your spiritual rebirth?


Tell the when and where of your spiritual rebirth. When did it happen for you?

Baptism And The Lord's Supper

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We observe two ordinances in the Baptist Church, water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These two practices are called ordinances because through Scripture we have been given an authoritative directive by our Lord Jesus Christ. We begin with baptism. The Bible teaches that the act of water baptism is a spiritual ritual by which an individual announces publicly that he/she has accepted salvation which is offered through belief in Jesus Christ. It is a visible symbol which declares one’s belief in the new birth. In Romans 6:1-10 Paul the apostle explains the significance of water baptism. Romans 6:3-4 “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

As we participate in the ordinance of the church we should be careful to neither reduce the Lord’s Supper and baptism to mere rituals nor to elevate their meaning to something that may equate to idolatry. In baptism a person signifies repentance toward God, trust in God’s mercy and surrender to God’s will.

There is no salvation in the water. The act of water baptism alone does not bring salvation into a person’s life. We are saved by grace alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Conversion happens before the Spirit gives the desire to get baptized. Upon one’s confession of faith the Holy Spirit takes up his permanent residence in the heart. The Spirit then gives the believer a desire to get baptized. A person is baptized because he is saved; no one is saved simply by participating in the ritual of water baptism.

The following is a paraphrase of the doctrinal statement from the Baptist beliefs.

We believe the Scriptures teach that an individual first believes the gospel and receives Christ as Savior and is then baptized. In Scripture, water baptism follows a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ. We call this “believer’s baptism”. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41; 8: 35-37; 10:47; 16: 14-15 In the Baptist faith infants are not baptized because they are incapable of making a confession of faith.

The Bible teaches that immersion is the mode of proper baptism. To immerse means to plunge into something that surrounds or covers. Baptism by immersion means to be completely submerged in water. This mode of baptism symbolized the death of the old sinful way of life by going down into the water as one would go down into a grave. By faith we are crucified with Christ, buried with Him symbolically in baptism and symbolically raised to newness of life upon coming up from immersion. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We are therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6: 3-4

We baptize in the name of the Father, and Son and Holy Spirit; to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. Jesus’ instructions to the disciples are very clear. We find in Matthew 28: 18ff these words from the resurrected Christ, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” So, not only was Jesus himself baptized, even though he had no sin, He also commanded the disciples to baptize all those who believed. Baptism is a public event which announces ones membership into the Church. It also is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the sacrificial love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance in the Baptist Church. This practice was introduced by the Lord Jesus at the last supper. The Bible says, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26: 26-28


After reviewing this lesson on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, please answer the following questions:

1. According to scripture, what is an ordinance?





2. What two ordinances are practiced in the Baptist Church?





3. True or False: We know that a person is saved because he has been baptized. Defend your answer.





4. Who first introduced the Lord’s Supper to the Christian Church? When was the Lord’s Supper first observed?





5. What are the “elements” of the Lord’s Supper? What does each “element” represent?

The Church Covenant

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On the first Sunday of each month the Church family observes the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper signifies a covenant agreement. In Matthew 26: 26-30 Jesus established a new covenant at the table in the upper room after the Passover Feast. During the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, we acknowledge the covenant that Christ has made with the church. And, we take the opportunity to make and renew the church covenant with one another.

A covenant is a written agreement or a promise between two or more parties. The biblical concept of covenant began in the Old Testament when God made a covenant with Noah in Genesis 9: 12-17; with Abraham in Exodus 15:18; with Isaac in Genesis 17:19, 21; with Jacob in Genesis 28: 13, 14; with Israel in Exodus 6:4; and with David in 2 Samuel 23:5. We can see from these examples that God is a God of covenants. We make covenants all the time. Whenever you sign a written agreement which outlines responsibilities you promise to keep, that’s a covenant. If you are married, the wedding vows that you made in the presence of God and the audience that witnessed the ceremony, that’s a covenant.

When we recite the church covenant, we are renewing the promises which are outlined therein. It is a time to take seriously our pledge to one another. With God’s help and our sincere effort we pledge (or promise) to live together, guided by the terms of our church’s covenant. In this lesson we will look carefully at the covenant we make with one another, in the presence of God and angels each first Sunday.



The Church Covenant

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, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

Ø It is a covenant made by believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ø It is a covenant made in the presence of God, angels and other believers.
Ø It is entered into solemnly and joyfully.
Ø It is entered into with the believers who make up the local assembly.

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 other organization of human origin.

Ø To keep this covenant requires the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Ø Love for one another is the foundation of the covenant (see I Corinthians 13).
Ø Both knowledge and holiness are achieved through our personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ø The church is to be given priority above all other organizations.


To contribute cheerfully and regularly as God has prospered us, toward the support of the ministry, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.

Ø Giving money is a Christian obligation (see Malachi 3:10; II Cor. 9: 6-11).
Ø Money supports ministries and administration.
Ø Money supports home and foreign missions.
Ø The church is to have a world vision for missions.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study the Word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance.

Ø We promise in this covenant to maintain family and personal devotional time.
Ø We promise in this covenant to make sure that our children understand their faith.
Ø We promise in this covenant to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and family members.

We promise to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our service.

We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, bear one another’s sorrows; and to cultivate Christian courtesy.

We promise to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior to secure it without delay.

Ø We are not to be quick tempered.
Ø We are to be willing to forgive each other and to be reconciled.
Ø We are not to allow for division over long periods of time.

When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Ø The church covenant is universal
Ø The church covenant is based on the principles of God’s Word
Ø The church covenant is personal