Grace Baptist Church - Article IV and Article V

ARTICLE IV - COVENANT OF FELLOWSHIP

As a standard of Christian conduct, each member, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, agrees to: 

A.  Walk together in Christian love.  (John 13:34-35; I John 3:14; 4:20)

B.  Pray with and for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrows and joys. (Phil. 1:3-5; Col 1:3-4; II Cor. 5-7)

C.  Be thoughtful and courteous to one another, slow to take offense, quick to forgive and seek forgiveness. (Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-17; Phil. 4:2-3)

D.  Promote the spiritual and Scriptural purity of the church and its growth in Scriptural knowledge and godliness. (II Tim. 4:1-4; II Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4)

E.  Honor the Pastor, praying for him and cooperating with him in the exercise of his scriptural duties. (II Thess. 3:1-2; Heb. 13:17)

F.  Assist, as the Lord enables, in the work of the church as a witness to the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. (I Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:11-13; Rom. 12:6)

G.  Contribute, as the Lord directs, to the financial support of the church, the relief of the needy and the evangelization of all people.  (Gal. 6:6-10; II Cor. 8; Phil. 4:14-19) 

H.  Engage regularly in personal Bible reading and prayer. (Phil. 4:6-7; II Tim. 3:16-17)

I.  Bring up children that are entrusted to our care in the nurture and  admonition of the Lord.  (II Tim. 1:5; Ps. 127:3; Deut. 6:4-7)

J.  Endeavor by example, by word and by prayer to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 10:12-15)

K.  Strive for the unity of the church. (Rom. 14:19; Titus 3:1-2; Eph. 4:11-16; Phil. 1:27)

L.  Submit disputes between members to the church for mediation and abide by those decisions. (Matt. 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-4; I Cor. 5:1-5; I Cor. 6:1-5)

M.  Walk discreetly in the world, providing things honest in the sight of all men, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, abstaining from anything that might have the appearance of evil or cause a brother to stumble.  (Rom. 14:13-22; I Thess. 5:21-22; Phil 4:8-9)  

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the church shall consist of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been baptized in water (immersion), have signed a Statement of Agreement with the Declaration of Faith and Covenant of Fellowship, expressed willingness to abide by the By-laws of the church, and received into membership by vote of the Deacon Board.