By God’s grace, we have been brought by the Spirit of God to repent of our sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been united to Christ by his Spirit and affirmed as Christians through baptism, and having expressed our common belief in the biblical gospel by together affirming the Risen Christ Church Core Beliefs, we do now, by his gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other as one body in Christ:
Key Passages: Matt 28:19; John 6:63; 16:7–11; 1:12; Acts 2:41–42; 8:38; 1 Cor 12:12–13; 1 Thess 2:13
1. WE WILL be a community formed and nourished by the Scriptures, letting the word of Christ dwell richly among us as we speak the word to one another and devote ourselves to the regular reading, study, teaching, and preaching of the Bible. We will respond to God’s word by ordering our lives in Christ-exalting submission to its teaching.
Key Passages: Col 3:16; 1 Tim 4:1-16; 2 Tim 3:16–17; James 1:22–25
2. WE WILL work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, showing Christian love, affectionate care, and genuine forgiveness toward each other. We will not be divisive over the teachings and practices of the church, as described in the Statement of Faith.
Key Passages: Matt 18:15–17; Rom 12:10, 16:17–18; 1 Cor 5:1-13; Gal 6:1–2; Eph 4:1–3; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:11; Heb 3:12–13; James 5:19–20
3. WE WILL display the glory of God in how we live together as his people—regularly participating in the church’s gatherings; devoting ourselves to the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer; and stirring one another up to love and good works.
Key Passages: Acts 2:42–47; Eph 3:9–10, 20–21; Heb 10:23–25
4. WE WILL rejoice in each other’s happiness, strive with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows, and faithfully pray for one another’s good.
Key Passages: Rom 12:15; Gal 6:2; Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 5:17, 25; 1 Pet 3:8
5. WE WILL seek, by the Spirit’s power, to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel in accordance with the Scriptures—denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and devoting ourselves to the good works God has prepared for us.
Key Passages: Rom 6:4; Eph 2:10; 4:1; 5:15; Phil 1:27; Col 3:1–17; 1 Thess 4:7; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet 1:13–25
6. WE WILL encourage, admonish, and exhibit watchfulness over one another with wisdom and humility. We will commit to building one another up in love as the body of Christ by discipling one another to follow Jesus in each sphere and stage of life the Lord has us in.
Key Passages: Matt 18:15–17; Rom 12:10, 16:17–18; 1 Cor 5:1-13; Gal 6:1–2; Eph 2:11–22, 4:11–16; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:11; Heb 3:12–13; James 5:19–20
7. WE WILL gladly cooperate with and submit ourselves to the good discipline of the church and its pastors for the care of our souls, which is for our good.
Key Passages: Acts 6:1–7; 20:28–31; Eph 4:11–12; 1 Thess 5:12–13; 1 Tim 3:1–7; 5:17–20; Heb 13:7, 17; 1 Pet 5:1–4
8. WE WILL work together to maintain a faithful gospel witness in our worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
Key Passages: Matt 28:19–20; Acts 2:42; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 5:1-13; 11:24–34; Eph 2:21–22; 2 Thess 3:6; Heb 10:25; 2 John 1:9–11
9. WE WILL contribute cheerfully, generously, and regularly to the expenses of the church, the needs of our neighbors, and the spread of the gospel around the world. We will give our time and effort in service to meet the needs of the church.
Key Passages: Mal 3:8–10; Matt 10:10; 28:18–20; Luke 24:46–48; Acts 1:8; 11:29; Rom 12:13; 1 Cor 16:1–2; 2 Cor 8:1–5; 9:6–7; Gal 6:6; 1 John 3:17–18
10. WE WILL endeavor to raise the children under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Together we will provide a safe, loving environment where children can learn the truths of the gospel and grow in their relationship with Christ.
Key Passages: Deut 6:4–7; Eph 6:4
11. WE WILL, by a pure and loving example and through open statement of the truth, proclaim the gospel in our homes and communities. We will also seek to further this church’s efforts to take the gospel to all nations.
Key Passages: Mark 1:17; 2 Cor 5:18–20; 1 Pet 2:9; 3:15
12. If we leave this congregation, WE WILL notify this church and join another gospel-preaching church as soon as possible where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.
Key Passages: Heb 10:24–25; 13:17
13. And through life, whatever opposition may come, WE WILL live for the glory of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Key Passages: Matt 5:11–12; James 1:2; 1 Pet 2:9
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Cor 13:14). Amen.